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 21

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 21

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rapidly advancing on Macon. At that city he was met by the state forces under Gen. Cobb, and when Iverson arrived the splendid Confederate victory was won which induced Gen. Shoupe to say, "The first day of August deserves to be marked with a white stone." From Iverson's brief despatch next day the state learned that "Gen. Stoneman, after having his force routed yesterday, surren- dered with 500 men; the rest of the command are scattered and flying toward Eatonton." These defeats of well equipped Federal cavalry by the mounted Confederate men who had fought with Bragg, Johnston, and Hood, every inch of the long battlefield through Georgia, arrested the purpose of Sherman to release the Andersonville prisoners and thwarted his plan for destroying the Confederate communications south. "I now became satisfied," says that Federal general, "that cavalry could not or would not make a sufficient lodgment on the railroad below Atlanta and that nothing would suffice but for us to reach it with the main army."

Unfortunately the partial and fruitless victories of Hood inspired him with the hope of destroying the mighty power of his adversary by the extremely hazardous and finally fatal campaign which he at this time projected. Almost duplicating Sherman's recent cavalry failures, Hood despatched Wheeler north- ward to break the communications of the Federal army, with a force of 4,500 mounted men. Pursuing the general's instructions Wheeler burned the Etowah bridge near Cartersville, recaptured Resaca and Dalton, destroyed thirty-five miles of the Western & Atlantic railroad, seizing large numbers of mules and horses, but was finally forced to retreat. Forrest, the Confederate "wizard," moved part of his forces from Mississippi and co-operated with Wheeler in these successes, only to participate in the ultimate failure. Sherman being on the alert sent Newton's division to Chattanooga, Corse's division to Rome, and gave instructions to Rosser at Nashville and Steadman at Chattanooga so as to meet the raiders and protect his roads. Possessing all superior facilities the well equipped Federal chief was enabled to meet these Confederate demonstrations with such ease that Hood was made to see that his cavalry could not compel Sherman to retreat.

During these incursions of the cavalry, the operations around Atlanta by the infantry and artillery grew in their lurid significance of the city's doom. Bate's division was charged Aug. 6 by two desperately determined Union assaults which it bravely repelled, and Aug. 9 became a famous date for the beginning of a most terrible bombardment of the city. The Federal batteries poured from their hundreds of brazen muzzles shot and shell in nearly every direction. Hitherto the cannonading had occurred chiefly during the progress of some . battle, but now even while the troops were in the trenches the batteries rolled their red wrath against the homes of the people. Women and children flew into cellars and pits where they crouched in fear of death. Bomb proofs were hurriedly built everywhere for safety. Shell came crashing through residences and churches, and exploding along the streets threw deadly fragments on all sides. The night of Aug. 17 centered the terror of the dreadful bombardment. An eye-witness says: "The night was dark, the spectacle sublime, and but for the burning houses, crashing of timbers and the screams from wounded and frightened women and children as they fled away in terror and despair from desolate homes, might have been enjoyed as a grand pyrotechnic display." The fury of that fearful fire from Federal batteries during the dead hours of night seemed to presage the storming and sacking of the stubborn city, but its lines stood ready for the encounter and its people gave no sign of surrender. After the day dawned and

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the news came from various quarters, it became apparent that all this artillery outrage was merely designed to cover the Federal cavalry raids.

For nearly a month afterward Sherman cautiously but persistently extended his right west and south of Atlanta until he had secured an entire change of position, and on the morning of Aug. 26 the Confederates found the old Federal breastworks entirely abandoned. Hood at once readjusted his lines to the new situation and from scouts and cavalry learned that the Federal army was entrenched in force across the West Point railroad and revealing evidently the design to capture the railroad leading to Macon. From this new position Sher- man began on Aug. 29 to move toward Jonesboro, and from his own lines near Atlanta Hood directed the brigades of Lewis, Reynolds and Armstrong to take position in the vicinity of the same town, and on Aug. 30 the Confederate line of battle was established between Rough and Ready and East Point. The opposing armies were thus converging at every step and Lewis' brigade became the first object of attack, about dark, by a Federal corps which had crossed Flint river. The battle of Jonesboro now became an impending event and Hood realized that upon his success depended the fate of Atlanta. Forming his plans for an advance on the next day, he gave the initiation of battle to Hardee's corps which was to strike its enemy from a base line at Jonesboro supported by Lee, and if the assault should be successful, Stewart's corps and Smith's state troops were to take up the attack from East Point, and with a general movement the Federal army was to be driven down the Flint river and the West Point railroad. In the afternoon of Aug. 31 Hardee made his attack and gained a part of the Federal breastworks, but failed in the general assault to carry the entrenchments which had been rapidly built along the Federal front. The following day Sherman assumed the offensive by a successful dash against Hardee's weakened corps and although the debatable ground was bravely con- tested the confident Federals broke through the corps and at nightfall had the important railroad in their possession. The division of Lee had been withdrawn on the night before and marched to Rough and Ready, to protect the flank of Hood's retiring columns, who were rapidly moving away from Atlanta to Lovejoy station, and in that position Lee was attacked by a large Federal force and driven back with a loss of eight guns.

FALL OF ATLANTA.

This retreat of Hardee meant that Atlanta was unavoidably abandoned to the mercy of the invaders. The unfortunate Confederate commander had attempted to prepare for this possible event by instructions to have all facilities ready for the prompt removal of stores, cars and engines, and accordingly all were saved except one valuable trainload which the rear guard blew up at night. The troops were rapidly withdrawn from their several positions and before the morning of Sept. 2 the gates of Atlanta, so valiantly defended for forty-six days, stood open without a guard to challenge the approach of a foe. Within a few days Sherman ordered his wearied forces to repose in camps and entered Atlanta as its conqueror. Mayor Calhoun, accompanied by a body of non-combatant citizens, met him on his arrival and requested protection for the defenseless inhab- itants. The people of Atlanta had endured the terrible siege with wonderful fortitude and in uncomplaining submission to the dangerous and threatening situation in which they were placed by the progress of the war. Even when their homes were shelled and they were forced into their pits for safety and when their rations grew scant as well as coarse, they bravely bore their calamities and cheered their defenders. The women nursed the sick and wounded in the

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hospitals and even in their homes with the most delicate care and assiduous attention. The old and infirm men did humane service to friend and foe alike. All they now asked was to be protected in their domiciles and allowed to remain in their city. But Gen. Sherman thought it expedient to order the departure of all citizens, notwithstanding their protest and appeal. He considered that they could not be provisioned in Atlanta and accordingly gave Gen. Hood notice on Sept. 7 that he would send them with their baggage into his lines. The order was executed and a large number were subjected to this involuntary exile. The city was then converted into a military post and subjected to all laws of war.

The dilemma from which Hood must now choose, one of two evils, pressed sorely on his brave heart. He could not successfully attack. He could not safely wait. He could not presume that Sherman would loiter in Atlanta as long even as he did, and therefore decision must be made without delay. Those who knew well this splendid fighter of a division in Lee's army would expect him to decide just as he did. His natural impulses were to daring exploit, and during his services in Virginia he became fascinated with the military genius and strategic methods of Stonewall Jackson. This is the secret of his movements from the day he planned the battle of July 20 to the day of his fatal overthrow in Ten- nessee. In every plan of battle he had Stonewall Jackson in mind, and nobly aspired to repeat in his Georgia campaign the remarkable movements and achievements of that great commander. This suggestion is also evidenced by his repeated reference to Jackson in his published book. But the conditions in Georgia were different from those in Virginia. There was never but one Stone- wall Jackson. No one could take his place.

While revolving in his mind the extreme perplexities of his situation, Hood received the full assurances of the governor of Georgia that all the resources of the state would be put at his disposal. Maj .- Gen. Smith, commanding the state line, was ordered to fortify Columbus, Macon and Augusta. The Georgia reserves, under Gen. Cobb, were ordered to the front, and the governor called into the field the few remaining arms-bearing men of the state. It was too true that the fall of Atlanta sounded like the first crack of doom to the Confederacy, but Georgia stood ready for whatever a patriotic people should dare to attempt. In this extremity President Davis came into the state to visit Hood's army, and a council of generals was held with the president in Palmetto, at which Hood

proposed the plan on which he had resolved to act. It was not, as is generally supposed, to make a rapid march at once into Tennessee and Kentucky, but to withdraw a few miles above Atlanta, and thence to fortify a strong line and from that position descend on Sherman's communications so as to force him either to move his army south toward a new base of supplies, or retrace his steps northward and attack Hood in his new entrenchments. The march to Tennessee was the result of an afterthought. The general plan was approved in the council, and Sept. 28 Hood moved across the Chattahoochee toward Powder Springs and Lost Mountain. Stewart was then rapidly advanced to Big Shanty and captured it, taking 170 prisoners. The garrison at Acworth at the same time surrendered to Loring. French, pressing farther, attacked Corse at Allatoona, but was foiled by a splendid defense. Sherman, scarcely comprehending Hood's actions, forwarded a large part of his command from Atlanta and formed line of battle near Kennesaw, but at this juncture Hood, encouraged by his success, changed his original plan and decided to move his command further up the line of railroad, with the intention of drawing Sherman after him. The Con- federate army marched rapidly through Dallas, Van Wert, Cedartown and Cave Spring to Coosaville, followed for a time by Sherman, whom the cavalry of I-10

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Wheeler and Forrest harassed at every opportunity as far as Snake Creek gap, near Rome. Hood had meanwhile reached the Tennessee river and there awaited the arrival of Forrest, and while he was making his arrangements to march through Tennessee, Sherman returned with his army to Atlanta to destroy that city and begin his "March to the Sea."

SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA.

Gen. Sherman describes the beginning of this famous march in the following words: "About 7 a. m. of Nov. 16, we rode out of Atlanta by the Decatur road filled by marching troops and wagons of the Fourteenth corps and reaching the hill just outside of the old rebel works we naturally paused to look back upon the scenes of our past battles. We stood upon the very ground where was fought the bloody battle of July 22, and we could see the copse of wood, where McPherson fell. Behind us lay Atlanta, smoldering in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air and hanging like a pall over the ruined city." This testimony concerning an inexcusable horror faintly describes the destruction even down to heaps of ashes by military order two months after its capture, of the city that now so proudly vindicates "its right to be," by its unsurpassed restoration from ruins. No description need be given of the fiery storm which swept the city and the crash of collapsing walls scattering their ruins over the streets, or of the hot, stifling air and the vast black volumes of smoke arising and falling in great somber waves. Four thousand houses were wantonly burned and the remainder were left at the mercy of marauders. But worse than all this was the human want and other suffering that followed the needless waste of Atlanta by the ruthless torch.

Sherman marched his entire army from Atlanta and spreading out his columns began to seek the sea by the shortest line. It may be observed that the course of his march from Dalton to Atlanta is a narrow strip lying close to the Western & Atlantic railroad, made rugged with fortifications and ghastly with graves. But from Atlanta southward the course broadens into a dark swath nearly fifty miles wide, sharply defined by burnt or pillaged dwellings, devastated farms and sacked hamlets. The legislature was in session and the governor communicated the information received Nov. 17, concerning the departure of Sherman from Atlanta and his advance, laying waste the towns and country in his march. The message suggested the immediate passage of the pending appropriation and mili- tary bills "and that the governor and legislature then adjourn to the front, to join in the struggle till the enemy be repulsed." The legislature at once appro- priated $500,000 for the relief fund, $6,000,000 for disabled soldiers and soldiers' families, $1,000,000 for military funds and $3,000,000 more for sundry military purposes, in all $10,500,000. Never before or since were such millions voted by a Georgia legislature on such short notice. The rapid advance of Sherman's cavalry followed close by dense columns of infantry, stimulated legislation and soon brought the front to the very gates of the capitol, rendering it easy for the general assembly to adjourn according to the governor's suggestion, and shortened the distance they would have to go "to aid in the struggle till the enemy is repulsed." By the exercise of great diligence nearly all the valuable books and papers of the state were removed to the lunatic asylum, and the penitentiary convicts were released and formed into a company, except a few confined for murder, who were sent off under guard. In a short time the train moved off toward Macon loaded with refugees, and the capital of the state was left on Nov. 19 to the occupancy of the Federals, who entered, and after burning a few build- ings, but sparing the old capitol, moved on. Near Macon, Gen. Cobb threw out a portion of his Georgia reserves and made a dash at the passing columns without

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checking its course an instant. Farther down at Griswoldville, the Georgia militia impetuously attacked numbers greater than their own and were thrown mangled and bleeding aside. Detachments of Wheeler's corps left in Georgia rode at all points night and day, seeking information and contending with their vastly superior antagonists. There was, in fact, nearly nothing to oppose the steady advancing tread of the devastating force under Sherman over the anguished state. The Georgia institute cadets, now veritably bronzed veterans, but not 100 in number, stood before the Federal army at Oconee bridge and actually gave battle at the cost of life and limb. Gen. Wayne, commanding whatsoever troops he was able to collect, could only move ahead of the destruction which followed after him. On the east side of Sherman's course a brush occurred near Waynes- boro. Col. Young with a part of Gaines' command foiled the attempt of cavalry at Ball's Ferry. Huger's artillery assisting Wheeler's cavalry harassed the head of the advancing column at Sandersville. A line was fortified at Miller on Sunday, Nov. 27, from which the defenders retired before the Seventeenth corps. Toombs' First brigade state troops, with Anderson's and Phillips' brigades, made a junction on Little Ogeechee with three pieces of Pruden's battery and no cavalry. They boldly formed line of battle in the afternoon and skirmished with their enemy, but Gen. McLaws arriving from Savannah directed withdrawal at night. The Washington and Emmanuel militia companies, composed of men in advanced life, were specially commended in reports for active service. At length these futile efforts to stay the sweeping blight that burned a broad track to the sea culminated at the trenches near Savannah on Dec. 7. Sherman had exhausted twenty-four days in the march, and then after carrying Fort McAllister against the heroic resistance of the garrison commanded by Maj. Anderson fully invested Savannah. The Confederate fortifications around the city were manned by about 10,000 men under command of Gen. Hardee, who remained in their defense until the night of Dec. 20, when they were quietly withdrawn across the river into South Carolina. Sherman then entered the city unopposed and gaily telegraphed his conquest as a Christmas gift. Not long afterward he resumed his march taking a direction northeastward through Carolina, and after the surrender of Lee and Johnston, returned in person to Savannah.

Thus closed the thrilling story of active hostilities in Georgia, and as the purpose of this history is thus fulfilled we will not follow the current of history into the years of reconstruction, out of whose gloom Georgia grandly rose after a brief, determined struggle. From all the armies of the south and the prisons of the north the soldiers of Georgia returned to resume the pursuits of peace amidst unprecedented difficulties. They found the state under Federal military rule, labor disorganized, all social order imperiled, wealth destroyed and the future uncertain. But they were still young men, inured to hardships, accustomed to difficulties, and possessed of an unexampled experience which fitted them to undertake and to signally achieve the restoration of their state. Grappling bravely, intelligently and effectively with all the serious problems of their times, they rapidly bore the state, for which they had so nobly fought, back to its equal constitutional position in the Union, and conquering many antagonists uplifted themselves and families from the prostration of defeat to the constantly rising ground of material prosperity. To such valor, intelligence and patriotism promptly employed in peace the state as it now is owes an inextinguishable debt of gratitude.

CHAPTER III.

BY EX-GOV. W. J. NORTHEN.

INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES-AGRICULTURE-CULTIVATION OF SILK-THE SOILS OF GEORGIA-THE COTTON BELT-THE NATIVE TIMBERS-THE CROPS OF GEORGIA-DEFECTS IN AND NEEDS OF AGRICULTURE-MANUFACTURING IN GEORGIA-LUMBER AND NAVAL STORES-MINERAL AND MINERAL RE- SOURCES OF GEORGIA.

AGRICULTURE.

A S early as the tenth century the grand expanse of country between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, for years known as Georgia, is reputed to have been discovered by Celtic and Irish navigators. So favorably impressed were they with this country that on their charts they designated it as Great Ireland or White Man's land. It is also asserted that in the twelfth century Madawc, son of Owen Gwyedh, Prince of Wales, visited these shores. In 1525 Jean de Ver- razzano was delighted with the promising appearance of the country. Jean Ribault sailed from Havre de Grace in 1562, and coasting northward from Florida reached the Georgia coast. So charmed was he with the country that in proof of his appreciation he named the rivers after those in France. To the St. Mary's river he gave the name of Seine; to the Satilla that of the Somme; to the Altamaha that of the Loire; to the Newport that of the Chareute; to St. Catherine's that of the Garonne; to the Ossabaw Sound that of Gironde, and to the Savannah river that of the Grande. But little is known of what they discovered as to the productions of the country at the time of their visits. They were deeply impressed, however, and expressed their admiration of the country.

In March, 1540, Sir Ferdinand De Soto entered Georgia at the southwest corner of the state with a large retinue of men, and traveled mostly in a northeasterly' direction, through the pine barrens of Lowndes, Ware and Irwin counties, through Houston county, via Stone mountain to Hall county, and thence to the Conesauga river in Murray county. This route afforded him an opportunity to see the con- dition of the country. The Indians furnished them with abundant supplies of corn, mulberries, etc. As late as 1850 the remains of a fortification of rock wall could be seen on the sides of Stone mountain, which it is thought was put up by the Indians or by De Soto in 1540 to guard against apprehended attacks. The Indians at that time, by the rudest kind of husbandry, raised corn in abundance, and ponies, which pastured on the luxuriant grass that abounded in the woods. The effect of these discoveries in the new world was slow in developing for the reason that intelligence, at that period, was not so rapidly promulgated or widely disseminated as at the present time in the old world.

On March 24, 1663, King Charles II. granted to the lord proprietors of Carolina all the land lying between the thirty-first and the thirty-sixth degrees of north lati- tude and westward to the Pacific ocean. This grant was enlarged on June 30, 1665,

W. J. NORTHEN.

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by including all the land between the twenty-ninth and the thirtieth degrees of north latitude. This embraced the greater portion of the present states of Alabama and Mississippi, a territory containing 147,000 square miles, rich in natural re- sources and which, if it had remained a part of Georgia, would have constituted her the third state in the Union, only less in area than California and Texas. In 1802 Georgia ceded 88,020 square miles of her territory to the Federal govern- ment. A very strong effort was made in the year 1717 to improve the lands be- tween the Savannah and the Altamaha rivers. Sir Robert Montgomery, Bart., termed it the "Margravate of Azilia" and enthused with the country, described it as "the most delightful country in the universe." In a letter to Europe he referred to it in the following strong language: "Nature has not blessed the world with any tract that can be preferable to it. Paradise with all its virgin beauties may be modestly supposed, at most, but equal to its native excellencies."

A charter was granted on June 9, 1732, constituting twenty-one noblemen and gentlemen a body corporate for twenty-one years by the name of trustees, for the establishment of the colony of Georgia, the grant specifying "all those lands, coun- tries and territories situate, lying and being in that part of South Carolina between the Savannah and the Altamaha and westerly to the Pacific, and the islands within twenty leagues of the coast." Subsidiary to the great design of philanthropy in establishing a colony in Georgia was the further purpose of making it a silk, wine, oil and drug-growing country. The movement to establish a colony in Georgia with a colonial government met with popular favor in London. A writer in the London Magazine of October, 1735, evidenced his approbation in the following lines:

"While ripening slow, the future purpose lay, And conscious silence planned the opening way, Kind o'er the rising schemes an angel hung And dropped his counsel from his guardian tongue, Wish you this way the royal pair inclined?

To Carolina be a Georgia joined, Then shall both colonies sure progress make, Endeared to either for the other's sake- Georgia shall Carolina's favor move, And Carolina bloom by Georgia's love."

The aborigines of Georgia, although possessing nothing but the rudest agri- cultural implements, succeeded in obtaining from the soil abundant yields of corn, pumpkins, gourds, beans and melons. They selected the richest spots in their towns and the valleys, and with but little labor secured large crops. When they took in new fields they girdled the trees with stone axes. Many of the fields had evidently been cultivated for many years, as the roots and stumps of the trees had entirely disappeared.

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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 21

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