Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 17

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 17

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Five regiments of twelve-months infantry troops had been organized during the first four months of 1861, besides a large number of unattached companies of infantry not yet put in service, and several commands of cavalry and artillery. Further demands for Georgia troops continued to be made by the Confederate government. The great war was now on in earnest. The Federal government had made a call for a large army and its demand was met with offers of troops from every quarter of the northern states. Washington was crowded with appli- cations for service. The two great sections were becoming terribly interested. Both sides appeared to believe that the struggle would be short, fierce and decisive. Three months was to be the limit in which the momentous issues were to be determined. One great duel in Virginia and then-peace! Upon one side the cry arose "On to Richmond." Confidence was felt that the quick capture of that city would explode the secession bubble. On the other side, there was an equally strong confidence in the fighting enthusiasm of southern troops, which paid no regard to the force of numbers and superior equipment. With these thoughts gallant northerners poured into Washington. With these inspirations Georgia companies were forming and drilling every day in the presence of an excited and applauding population. The governor was pressed even to annoy- ance with the demands for arms, equipments and orders to march at once to Virginia and anywhere, that gunpowder could be burnt and glory won. Young blood was up to the highest mark of patriotic heat. Capt. Glenn, of Savannah, expressed the general passion in a notable public letter, in which he begged permission to go with his command "to Virginia where there was a prospect of a fight."

Hitherto the troops called out for service had been enlisted for twelve months, but in May, 1861, the Confederate congress then in session at Montgomery, Ala., authorized enlistments for the full term of the war. An incident immediately fol- lowing the passage of this act to raise troops for service during the war illustrates the high spirit which at the moment was moving the men of Georgia. The name of Francis Bartow has become as immortally associated with Georgia history through this incident and his heroic death at Manassas as that of Jasper or Marion

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with the war of the revolution. Bartow was at the time a member of the Confed- erate congress and also captain of the Oglethorpe light infantry of Savannah, a splendid volunteer company which had been formed in 1856 and was superbly drilled, equipped and composed of young men of superior spirit. A detail of this splendid company had participated in the seizure of Fort Pulaski and the entire command while on active duty at or near Savannah had constantly manifested an eager desire to become participants in the pending struggle where battles might oftener take place. Bartow being at the seat of the Confederate government when the important measure passed to authorize war enlistments, wired his company at once concerning this opportunity to be placed foremost in action and received an immediate reply urging him to tender the command without delay. The gallant commander lost no time in seeing Pres. Davis, and having secured the accept- ance of his company, gave them notice and then hurried away himself to take charge of their departure. Preparations were rapidly made for leaving Savannah for Virginia and Savannah honored their going with great demonstrations. Citi- zens abandoned all business for the hour of departure, the local military proudly escorted their comrades and artillery salutes reverberated through the city, re- inforced by the enthusiastic cheering of the people. One only circumstance caused apprehension of trouble. The splendid guns borne by the company had been bought and furnished by the state of Georgia and were about to be carried away without the consent of the governor first obtained. Georgia was not yet free from fear of invasion of Savannah. The coast line was already threatened. The defenses were inadequate, the troops few and arms difficult to get. Hence the governor sought to retain in Georgia the guns belonging to the state, or at least required that the consent of the state be obtained for their removal. This neglected concession to state authority provoked a sharp controversy between Bartow and the governor in which the latter maintained the right and need of the state with strong argument, and in which the gallant officer expressed in a single phrase the pride of his company in their commonwealth itself as well as the patriotism by which they were inspired: "I go to illustrate Georgia." This was the historic burn- ing line which alone remains of the controversy in the memory of the present age. It settled the contention. It was a noble utterance, made potent and pathetic for- ever by the blood of the brave hero which ebbed his grand life away on the field of Manassas not three months afterward. Wounded and dying on that battle- ground, when southern troops won the first great victory, Bartow added renewed pathos to his former phrase by the words: "They have killed me, but never give up the fight."

Georgia regiments were rapidly formed after this act of congress and sent to Virginia. A. R. Wright, the colonel of the Third Georgia regiment, was already in the field and facing the foe. The Sixth Georgia, commanded by Col. Alfred Colquitt, was however the first full regiment enlisted and accepted for the war. The Seventh, Col. Gartrell; the Eighth, Col. Bartow, and the Ninth and Eleventh Georgia regiments constituted the brigade led by Bartow in the battle of Manassas.

DEFENSE OF GEORGIA.

Turning attention more exclusively to the progress of the war on the soil of Georgia we observe that the fall of Fort Sumter, the threatened attack of Norfolk, the increasing naval demonstrations of the Federals, drew early attention to the defenseless condition of the long coast of the state. It appeared certain that Georgia was in danger o finvasion from the direction of the sea. Therefore, it was prudent to improve its defenses as rapidly as the limited resources of the state

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would permit. The approaches to Savannah, Brunswick, Darrien and other points were therefore put under the best protection that could be made. The little Tattnall navy was made all use of possible for its strength. The first regiment of Georgia regulars was divided and stationed at Tybee, Fort Pulaski and Fort Jackson. Land batteries were erected here and there. Fort Jackson was improved. Fort Pulaski had been strengthened and newly equipped at a cost of $80,000. The governor made frequent careful inspections of the coast and being satisfied of the peril which threatened the state prepared with all the resources at his command to put the grand seaport of Georgia in a defensible condition by encouraging fortifi- cations and forwarding from the state all the troops that could be provided with arms not called out of the state in general Confederate service.

A Federal fleet of forty-one vessels having captured Port Royal on the coast of South Carolina, afterward appeared off the Georgia seaboard near Tybee and plainly threatened Ft. Pulaski. Other Federal movements fully justified the un- easiness felt by the governor and the inhabitants of the seaboard section. Only four small vessels, commanded by Commander Tattnall, were ready to offer any resistance to this formidable flcet. They were the "Savannah," Lieut. Maffit; "The Resolute," Lieut. Jones; "The Samson," Lieut. Kennard, and "Lady Davis," Lieut. Rutledge. Commander Tattnall had been assigned to command this little navy which hugged the coast and hovered near the inlets. He had already achieved great and merited distinction as a naval officer, but was contented to serve the state in this humble command. By his birth at Bonaventure in 1796, he was a Georgian in whose career the state had great pride. Having joined the United States navy in early life he served under Decatur, fought the Algerines and the West Indian pirates, bore a most gallant part in the Mexican war and in 1859 gave that famous and fortunate aid to the English fleet in the Chinese seas, justifying himself in the saying that "blood is thicker than water." When his state seceded in 1861 he was stationed at Locket's Harbor, N. Y., but promptly retiring, he cast his lot with its fortunes.

The coast department of Georgia extending from Savannah to the Florida line had been put in charge of Gen. A. R. Lawton by the Confederate government. This eminent Georgian was a graduate of West Point, but retiring early from military service became a distinguished jurist and statesman. His military abili- ties, however, had been in constant requisition and as has been stated he was fortunately in charge of the military of his city at the capture of Fort Pulaski. On receiving his commission and assignment by the Confederate government in 1861, he entered vigorously upon the discharge of his duties, co-operating intelligently and patriotically with the governor of the state. The legislature having authorized a call for 10,000 volunteers for state defense, the governor divided the state into four parts with the design of raising one brigade in each section, constituting a division of state troops, the command of which was tendercd to Gen. Henry R. Jackson with the rank of major-general. This distinguished officer had the ad- vantage of military training and experience in the Mexican war, and enjoyed the confidence of the governor, who accepted his services as an aide and military adviser in the affairs at Fort Pulaski and the Augusta arsenal, as well as in other early preparations of the state for war. At the time this important service in the state was tendered him Gen. Jackson was in northwestern Virginia, where he had been in command with the rank of brigadier-general during a short, severe cam- paign. He was there first apprised of the existence of the Georgia division by a telegram from Gov. Brown, informing him that the troops were already in the field and tendered him the command with the request that he accept or decline by telegram. At that moment Gen. Jackson was under orders to remain in winter

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quarters in West Virginia within "handling distance" of such force as he might retain for the purpose of holding the line which he then had in charge, and seeing that the service offered by the governor would transfer him from the camp to the field, from inactivity to active important duty on behalf of his state, he could but accept the honorable call. The command, however, was only for a six months' service, as that was the period for which the body of state troops was generally accepted, and hence Jackson asked the Confederate authorities for leave of ab- sence for that term and supposed it would be readily granted. The leave of absence, however, was refused and he was compelled to resign his commission as brigadier-general in the Confederate states army in order to fill the position required of him by his state. Arriving at Savannah Gen. Jackson found one brigade of his division near that city, another on the Atlantic & Gulf railroad, and the third between the road and the seaboard near or within Camden county. Perceiving that Savannah was specially threatened Jackson at once massed his division at that imperiled city and according to the report of the Federal commander the contem- plated movement against Savannah at that time was thus thwarted and abandoned. This massing of a division at a point available for ready moving to any point ac- corded with the policy which Jackson urged as the best for defending the seaboard line. In an elaborate letter to the governor he suggested that a strong picket of observation should be maintained along the southern coast and especially on the Georgia coast, and that divisions be massed in the rear so that by co-operation of the state forces raised by the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida among them- selves and with the Confederate commands, it would be feasible to concentrate a large body upon any threatened point.

Gen. Jackson had the efficient assistance to his division of Gen. Harrison, Gen. Walker and Gen. Capers, and the full co-operation of Gen. Lawton, who com- manded the department, and Gen. Mercer, commanding Savannah. In the mean- time while this attention was given the coast the office of Adjt .- Gen. Wayne was busied with the organization and preparation of troops to all points. Gens. Semmes and Walker, who had at first been under state commissions, were trans- ferred to commands in the general Confederate line. Gen. Phillips was directed to organize a brigade, which he rapidly accomplished and placed it in a camp of instruction with the view of preparing the troops for active operations. With the aid of Adjt .- Gen. Wayne and Maj. Capers, commandant of the Georgia military institute at Marietta, he soon raised his command to a high conditon of efficiency. Referring to this body of Georgia military the governor said in his message to the legislature: "They were a noble, patriotic and chivalrous band of Georgians and I hazard nothing in saying --- military men being the judges-that no brigade in the Confederate service was composed of better material or was better trained at that time for active service in the field." During the summer of 1861 the governor tendered this splendid brigade to the Confederate government, but the president expressed his desire that the tender should be made of the regiments only, not including the battalions, and that they should be tendered separately. Gov. Brown insisted on the acceptance of the brigade entire as officered by the choice of the men. The difference of views was at length settled, as the governor states in his message: "Finally the president agreed to accept the battalions and regiments, and in view of the pressing necessity for troops in Virginia I yielded the point and accepted Gen. Phillips' resignation and permitted the troops to be mustered with the Confederate service by regiments and battalions." Gen. Phillips subse- quently did gallant and distinguished service as commander of Phillips' Legion.

A regiment of "Georgia regulars," as they were called, had been formed under command of Col. Chas. J. Williams, and another of volunteers commanded by Col.

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P. J. Semmes, upon which the state was relying for defense. These two fine bodies of men, commanded by accomplished officers, were ordered by the secretary of war out of the state about the same time that the regiments and battalions of Phillips' brigade had been called into Confederate service. The arms collected by Georgia had also been generally sent with its volunteers into the general service in Virginia and elsewhere, with the result that great difficulties now arose in attempts to supply such troops as had volunteered to defend the coast. The situa- tion grew serious as the summer of 1861 wore away and decided Federal demon- strations began to be made along the general coast line of the Confederacy. It was true that the state was not yet actually invaded at any place, but it was open · to successful attacks at all points available by water. Therefore, the governor summoned more troops to the coast and appointed Geo. P. Harrison of Chatham brigadier-general, ordering him to organize a brigade of volunteers to be armed as well as possible. This meant the employment to a considerable extent of the country rifle and shot-gun. It was a curious sight to the trained military men who knew the indispensable importance of arming troops with the most improved weapons of war. But the presence of the men themselves on the coast was no little advantage. It would reassure the planters as well as the inhabitants of the towns near the sea that the state desired to defend them, and the soldiers would also grow used to camp life, pass through the usual first camp afflictions of war troops, learn something of the evolutions and acquire the habit of obedience to orders. At any rate the call was quickly heeded and the troops from all the interior country came promptly to the aid of the state, bringing with them the rifles and shotguns with which they had hunted through the Georgia forests. Some companies even provided rude bayonets forged at home shops and fastened to the barrels of the guns. Others carried the long broad-bladed knife made by the blacksmiths at the country forge from old steel files, which they carried in a leather sheath slung to their belts as a substitute for the bayonet, should any hand-to-hand encounters take place. Their uniforms had been hastily woven at the looms in the country and quickly cut and made by the willing hands of the patriotic women. Tents, blankets, haversacks and nearly every other requisite were strictly home manufacture. Thus the business of the state was on a war basis. The military use of Georgia products became a patriotic pleasure as well as a stern necessity, and the gallant young fellows esteemed nothing as being hard, or even life as dear, if they might by their sacrifice and valor save the state from dreaded invasion. Out of this splendid material, Gen. Harrison rapidly and skillfully found a fine command and the governor on receiving troops enough for another brigade, com- missioned Maj. Capers brigadier-general and ordered him to take command.

FEDERAL BLOCKADE.

Toward the close of 1861 the blockade by Federal vessels increased in efficiency until its effects began to be felt throughout the state. The women of Georgia, cut off from the purchase of northern and European goods, began to exhibit a lively and skillful interest in domestic dress. Fashion courted necessity and formed a happy union. Beautiful gowns made at home out of raw material became the style. The state developed hundreds of small industries, which flourished under the blockade without the help of a tariff. Men's clothing made of mixed wool and cotton was manufactured in all counties without the aid of machinery except cards, reels and looms of home construction. Coffee and tea came to be rarities, but substitutes abounded. Cotton was unsalable, but with grim humor the farmer paid his debts in Confederate money and made an abundance of meat and

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grain. An enforced economy prevailed, but the necessaries of life were as yet produced for all. Salt was obtained a while from the old stock on hand, then from the salt fields of Virginia, then from evaporation of the water of the sea, and at last even from the old smoke-houses as the buildings were called in which the bacon of successive years had hung and dropped its excessive salt upon the ground floor. Privations of former luxuries were little cared for in the midst of greater troubles caused by the battles where brave nien were mangled and killed.

The pressure grew stronger as 1861 came to aclose, and thoroughly understand- ing the situation, the governor urged the legislature to appropriate $3,500,000 for the year 1862. The Confederate government had issued $50,000,000 in bonds, which the people were advised to buy. The bankers of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida met in Atlanta, and agreed to use Confederate treasury notes or currency. Gov. Brown urged the passage of a stay law, and recommended legalizing the existing suspension of banks. An armory was established in the state penitentiary for making and repairing muskets, the Georgia Relief and Hospital association was formed, and at the tender suggestion of Mrs. Williams, of Columbus, wayside homes were opened all along railroad routes for the comfort of the troops. The comptroller-general's report for 1861 showed that forty-one regiments and battalions had been sent to the field, and $1,000,000 had been expended for military purposes. But the message of the governor at the session of the legislature in November, 1861, more fully sums up the account of Georgia troops, both state and Confederate, to the number of forty-seven regiments and six battalions. "Including a few country arms, the state had armed, accoutered and equipped thirty of these regiments."

THE YEAR 1862.

When the year 1862 arrived, the hope of speedy settlement of the war had flown, and the people of Georgia faced the dreadful possibility of a protracted struggle, which would demand all their energies and exhaust their resources. The Federal army had been increased from the first call made upon the northern states to nearly 1,000,000 men on the field, while the entire Confederate forces reported less than a total of 300,000. Georgia had sent to the front over 20,000 troops, besides the state forces, and was raising more regiments to be ready for coming requisitions.

In addition to calls for men the Confederacy levied a necessary war tax, the assessed portion of Georgia amounting to $2,500,000, but this large levy was raised without delay by the sale of state bonds, and even before the time of payment arrived the entire assessment of Georgia was in the treasury. While thus meeting the requisitions for men and money for the general Confederate operations, the state continued its attention to the question of home defense. Gov. Brown issued his proclamation in March, 1862, requiring a complete enrollment and organization of the militia under the laws of the state, through which the whole body of the population capable of bearing arms were mustered in the various counties under military officers of their own selection, and constituted a valuable force of citizen soldiery for the drafts which soon became necessary. In fact the danger of invasion at several inlets on the coast required the earnest attention of the governor and military commanders. The Federal fleet now completely blockaded the port of Savannah, and Tybee island was occupied by the Union forces. Gen. R. E. Lee had been temporarily assigned to the general southern coast, and gave his skillful advice in regard to the proper fortifications. Lawton, Jackson, Mercer, and other experienced officers were fully employed in general direction of the defenses, but

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notwithstanding all efforts, the Federals succeeded in pushing into Warsaw. The reduction of Fort Pulaski was then determined by the Federal general, David Hunter, by batteries of heavy guns established on Big Tybee. Batteries were also located above the fort in the marsh at Venus Point and Bird Island, and still another was planted on a hulk anchored in a creek south of the fort. During these preparations to invest the fort by the Federals, Commodore Tattnall executed a bold and successful venture with his little fleet in conveying under the fire of the United States gunboats a six-months' supply of provisions to the besieged garrison. But the Union officers and men on their side displayed equally great skill and energy in providing the purpose to capture the strong Confederate works. During the month of March the Seventh Connecticut volunteers, the Third Rhode Island artillery, with two corps of engineers, were employed in transporting ordnance into position, building roads through the marshes, and constructing batteries. "Mortars of eight and a half tons weight and columbiads but a trifle lighter were moved in the dead of night over a narrow causeway bordered by swamps on either side, and liable at any moment to be overturned and buried in the mud beyond reach. The men were not allowed to speak above a whisper, and were guided by the notes of a whistle." The entire armament consisted of thirty-five guns of heavy ordnance, completely investing the fort, five batteries of which had been constructed at night under concealment in very advanced positions.

CAPTURE OF FORT PULASKI.

This important fort, held by the Confederates to the number of 389 men, com- manded by Col. Charles H. Olmstead, a brave and faithful officer, was originally garrisoned to defend the river approach to Savannah. It was a brick structure of five casemated sides, walls seven and a half feet thick at the base, and twenty-five feet above water, and built to mount two tiers of guns, one in casemate, and one en barbette. A demi-lune covered the gorge face, and beyond all a tide-water ditch was cut surrounding the whole work. Its armament at this time was forty- eight guns, but only about twenty could be trained upon the batteries of the Federals.

Gen. Hunter's dispositions being all made, he sent a formal demand on April Io for the surrender of the fort, and received from the heroic Olmstead the noble response: "I am here to defend the fort, not to surrender it." The bombardment opened with the tremendous force of the full amount of heavy guns, and mortars, and for two days Olmstead and his intrepid comrades replied to the furious fire, until their guns were dismounted and the heavy missiles from Hunter's batteries of Parrott rifle-guns began to pour in through the crumbling walls. The magazine became exposed to explosion, the fort was no longer tenable, and as retreat was utterly cut off, the brave defenders yielded to the dreadful necessity, and on April II surrendered upon the most honorable terms to their valorous foe.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 17

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294