USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 26
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capturing the first one, returned to camp, with his prisoner, and having wounded another, who was carried off by his friends.
Sth. Tuesday. Still raining. The Fiftieth with one days rations, was out and returned at about 11:30 p. m. During the day the following dispatch was received at post headquar- tors :
KINGSTON, ,GA., November 8th, 1864.
Commanding Officers of all Posts:
This is the rain I have been waiting for, and as soon as it is over we will be off.
W. T. SHERMAN, Major General.
November 9th, Wednesday. A heavy rain in the after- noon. We now give the account of our trip through Georgia, as described by one of the boys :
Thursday, 10th. Pleasant. In obedience to General Or- ders No. 17, of this date, from division headquarters, received at 11 a. m., the brigade moved out at 8 p. m., towards Kingston, under command of Lieut. Col. F. J. Hurlbut of the 57th Illinois. The Fiftieth under Capt. Henry Horn of company B, excepting company K, that had been detailed as division train guards. The defenses of Rome to be destroyed under the supervision of Lieut. William Ludlow, U. S. Engineer, and Capt. Burnham, company C, of the Fiftieth, provost marshal, and the rear to be protected by the 52nd Illinois. As we started from our camp some one fired the shelters that we had occupied, and as we looked back we beheld the burning of Rome. Having marched four miles toward Kingston, we bivouacked for the night.
General Corso reports; "At daylight on the 11th, we were moving to Kingston. Capt. Burnham, provost marshal, reported to me that so well were the orders executed by the pro- vost guard that there was not a private residence burned, or a family disturbed."
Friday, 11th. At 6 o'clock we are off and reach Kingston at noon. March about four miles further and camp. Drew tro days rations and were ordered to be ready at Fa. m. to-morrow.
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Rations consisted of fresh beef, which was cooked at night, cof- fee, sugar and hard-tack; rice, beans, salt, pepper, vinegar and such extras being withheld while on the march, and this deti- ciency in quantity not being made up by increase of our regular feed of hard-tack, &c.
Saturday 12th, got up at 2:30, so anxious were we to be on the march, but not until 5 a. m. did we start. Marched three miles, to Cassville, and by 11 arrived at Cartersville. Here the division train was loaded with provision and forage. We pass- ed on by a row of burning buildings and reached the Etowah at 1 o'clock and stopped for dinner. At 2 p. m. started for Alla- toona, five miles away. The road is very rough and muddy. strewn with dead horses and mules from the trains. Reached Allatoona at sundown, camping on the ground, about one mile south, occupied by the rebels October 5th, as an outpost, and where the battery on the south took its position, as heretofore referred to.
Sunday, 13th. Started about 8 a. m., passing through Ackworth and Big Shanty. This is the place where Andrews' famous raid (capturing a lecomotive) in 1802. occurred. March- ed around the base of Kennesaw Mountain and camped inside the breastworks, near Marietta, Ga., which has been a very beautiful place. As we look back up the valley, along the rail- road, we can see long lines of fires; the railroad is being des- troyed, the ties piled up and burned, while the rails are laid thereon so as to ruin them for further use.
Monday; 14th. Started at seven-thirty a. m., passed through Marietta, which had been partly destroyed by fire, reached the Chattahoochie river, sixteen miles distant, about 2 p. m., having passed through many fortifications, built by both armies, our course was down the river along a line of breastworks on the south side of Nick-a-Jack creek, that ap- peared to be impregnable. On page 129, Vol. 88, No. 72, War of the Rebellion, they are described as follows:
"This line had been prepared by militia and contrabands only a few days before, and consisted of good infantry parapets connecting saliente. in which were placed a large number of
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field artillery, in embrazures. The length of this line was near- ly six miles. * The left resting upon a 7-gun redoubt wear the mouth of Nick-a-Jack."
We then continued down the river on the right hand ridge about five miles, along another line of works. that also appeared impregnable. First there was a row of pickets, sharpened, then a stockade and a small fortress every 800 yards. Gen. Sherman secured these works by the out-flanking process. We cross the river at Turner's ferry, on a pontoon bridge, and camp in the works or fortifications occupied and strengthened by the 20th or 23rd corps when it fell back from Atlanta, the queen city of the south, eight miles distant, where we can now see the smoke of her burning as from afar.
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Tuesday, 15th. We are ordered at 3 a. m. to move at 7, and at the appointed time move out as rear guard; pass over the battle ground and through many lines of fortifications as we neared the city, and stopped for dinner at White Hall, on what was once the fair grounds. Around the city proper is a very strong line of works, defended on the outside by cheraur- de-frise, on the outside of which were two lines of palisades,- stakes sharpened-and again. outside of this, a row of brush, staked down firmly. It would be almost impossible for one to walk over the ground and lines when all is peace, but how much more difficult in the face of a deadly fire from muskets and ar- tillory, can well be imagined. A large quantity of clothing and . provisions were destroyed to-day in the city. While the city was yet in flames, at 8 p. m., we took up our line of march for the interior, the unconquered land, cutting loose from all com- munication and receiving our last mail.
All the corps are furnished with good wagon trains, well supplied with ammunition, but with only twenty days bread, forty days sugar and coffee, and a double allowance of salt; quite a drove of cattle said to be from Illinois accompany us. Marching four miles we camp in the rebel works.
Wednesday, 16th. Started at 7 o'clock, marching very hard and steady for eleven hours and making twenty-three miles, camped 28 miles from Atlanta with the men very tired.
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Thursday, 17th. Received orders this morning at 3, to move at 5 a. m., starting on time, our brigado in advance. The country through which we pass to-day has an abundance of forage. The order of march is much better than ever before experienc- ed, but somewhat more difficult for the men. Each corps moves on a road by itself. The 17th and 15th A. C.'s comprising the right wing, commanded by Major Gen'l Howard, accompanied by Kilpatrick's cavalry. The 14th and 20th A. C's, the left wing, under Major Gen'l Slocum, and the whole under the con- mand of "Uncle Billy."
The left wing, under Slocum followed the line of the railroad towards Augusta. The right wing. under Howard, in the direction of Jonesboro and MeDonough, making a feint on Macon. The army moves, as far as practicable, in four columns, extending over a breadth of country from forty to one hundred miles wide.
The divisions in the different corps taking the lead alter- nately ; brigades the same, and regiments in the brigade also,- for convenience and case in marching our regiment alternates, one day right in front, the next left. This as every soldier can realize, is a great help as the rearmost men are always hurried.
The wagon trains are moved as far as possible on the road, preceeded by a brigade, with here and there a detachment of troops marching in the road as guards, the rest moving in two ranks on either side of the train. The rear is guarded by a brigade; consequently the first troops over the road go into camp about & p. m., and by 9 the whole command, neces- sarily strung out, is closed up and in camp. The next morn- ing the rear brigade and wagons start early, taking the lead to be first in camp. It is estimated that the trains of the whole army is nearly twenty miles long, and would take five hours to pass any given point.
We passed through the towns of MeDonough about 11 a. m., and camped two miles from Jackson, on the Macon road, at 5 p. m., and received orders to move at 4 a. m. to-morrow. It is believed that our destination is Mobile, and we wonder if our hurried movement is on account of Hood being in our rear.
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The country we are now in has not been visited by Yankee raid- ors and is well supplied with forage, sweet potatoes and fresh pork.
Friday, 18th. Ready at 2:30 a. m. to move, and a detail of ten men, under Sergt. J. B. Hawkes of Co. H. was sent for- aging, who returned loaded with fresh pork and sweet potatoes, which were immediately cooked. While feasting at 5 p. m., having waited all day, we were ordered forward, and at 6 p. m., started, passing through Jackson and camping at Indian Springs about eight miles distant, at 1 a. m. on the 19th, when a detail of thirty men for grand guard was made. This night was a beautiful moonlight, and a fortunate thing for the boys that we moved, for having feasted so ravenously on veget- ables, especially sweet potatoes, it was extremely doubtful if they would have been in condition to move the next day. Every member of that march will recall that windy night. At 6 o'clock a. m. we start again, in the rain, and a hard march of five miles brings us to the Ocmulgee river, where we receive orders to camp. A large cotton factory and flouring mill is burning, evidently fired by the 17th corps or Kilpatrick's cavalry, which crossed here on a pontoon. While here the Chaplain's horse became foundered and unable to stand. A citizen living near the camp agreed to buy him, if the Chaplain would go with him to get the money. Crossing the river on the pontoon, they went to a fallen tree in the midst of a camp of some of the troops, and there he dug up from under the top, a box containing alarge roll of Greenbacks. He preferred the crippled horse, as he would be more able to keep it than a good one. Two pontoons are down now, one for teams and artillery, the other for infantry. Orders have been issued for the 7th Illinois to be mounted on captured stock.
Sunday, 20th. Rainy. Crossed on bridges constructed out of canvass pontoons, and marched five miles and rested. the Fiftieth in advance, moved five miles further on to near Mon- tecello, ten miles from the mills, where companies B, D and H are sent as provost guards, and were distributed as guards among the citizens, by whom they were well entertained.
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Monday, 21st. Very cold and rainy. We move to-day at 9 o'clock, as rear guard, marching slowly until 4 p. m., when we stopped to bury John W. Robbins, a recruit of company B. who died in the ambulance this morning, he was buried by the road side, about six miles from Montecello. The roads are very muddy ; from 4 until 7 we move rapidly ; mud in pla- ces, knee deep; wagons getting mired every few moments. Reached Hillsboro about dark, over an awful road; hub deep in mud; found the town in ashes. Going into camp company G was detailed as guard to the commissary train.
Tuesday, 22nd. Very cold to-day. At daylight we are off. The march, like yesterday, is rapid and hard. The tramp, tramp of so many feet make deep ruts in the roadside, and where the teams travel on the hillside it becomes rutted into regular steps. As the mules drop down from exhaustion they are rolled out to one side and left more dead than alive. We camped to-night two miles from Clinton and thirteen miles from Macon. Our pontoon train is very troublesome and has to be helped along, delaying our march. The brigade train not coming up a detail is sent back for provisions and draw only one-fourth of our marching allowance, which is all we are allowed, but we have plenty of sweet potatoes.
Wednesday, 23rd. Cold again, and at 6 o'clock we move, passing through Clinton where the cavalry had skirmished yes- terday. We marched about eight miles, and, taking the wrong road, marched about three miles out of the way, and then back, going into camp at 8 p. m., and was immediately ordered into line, marched two miles further, going into eamp at 9 p. m. in advance of all and five miles from Gordon. At Griswoldville Station, eight miles from Gordon, the junction of the Millidge- ville railroad, a severe battle was fought on the 21st by one brigade of the Georgia State troops and the 1st division 15th corps, resulting in a loss to the confederacy of about 300 killed and wounded and 400 prisoners. Many of these troops were composed of young boys and old men, from fourteen to eighteen and on to sixty years. Their display of bravery was remarked from the fact of their having charged the line of Union veter-
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ans with a valor worthy of old soldiers, long used to battle. We camped on this field. and the Fiftieth is placed on outpost duty in front.
Thursday, 24th. Received orders to wait for the brigade, but soon after was ordered to proceed at once to Gordon. Marched one mile and a half south camping at 1 p. m. The destruction of the railroads is being carefully attended to, so that we have not much apprehension of being molested by rail.
Friday, 25th. Started at 6 a. m. Very cold and disa- grecable. The roads are much improved. . We pass through the village of Erwington, a neat little town now in ruins. Having marched eighteen miles, we camp about 4 p. m., seven miles from the Oconnce river, southeast from Gordon.
Saturday, 26th. Start this morning at 5 o'clock. and move rapidly, our brigade in advance, and about 11 o'clock strike the swamps of the river on the road to Ball's ferry. Here we found a part of the 17th corps, and the johnnies disputing its passage; but a part of the 15th corps secured the crossing and pontoons were soon laid, over which we crossed about noon, moving out about nine miles, camping at Irwin's cross road, on the Louisville road. Part of the brigade had proceeded too far and were ordered to return. Here we had plenty of forage, mo- lasses and sweet potatoes. The 1st Alabama had a skirmish here losing six killed and thirty wounded. The rebels, 800 strong, reported to have fallen back to fortify.
Sunday, 27th. This morning the brigade marched at 7 o'clock, three miles north to the railroad. Here we stack arms and go to work to destroy the railroad by fire. A set of rules have been prepared by which to do this work more effectively. During this pastime the cry was taken up and carried along the line, of "Soldier, will you work?"-answered by "No, I'll sell my shirt first." Our track tearing and destroying reached three miles when we camped at station No. 10 and 13, or Tennile. Here we drew fresh beef, which we boiled during the night.
Monday, 28th. Started at 6 a. m. for the front and over- took the train about 10 o'clock, at a cross road. We marched steadily all day into a pine country, or the Georgia wilderness;
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going into camp about 5 p. m. The brigade train not getting up, we drew rations from the division train. We only receive now one-fourth rations.
Tuesday, 29th. Received orders at 1 o'clock a. m. to move at 5. and started at 6 as rear guard. We are still in the wilderness, and as we march along we hear the refrain, slightly changed from the original,
"Won't you be glad to get out of the wilderness," etc.
This is indeed a baren country ; now and then, along the road, may be seen a settler's cabin, with a small patch of ground in cultivation near it. The timber is fine. Trees tall and stately, with no underbrush. One can see the troops and trains moving along, beneath them like a huge reptile. We march eighteen miles and go into camp about dark on Daniel's creek. To-day one of the 52nd shot a contraband and was placed in charge of our regiment, it being the rear guard. While we were at a halt, along the road side a body of foragers were driving a number of cattle along our left, a cow becoming crazed, made a dash at a soldier who was passing along. The boys yelled at him and he sprang behind a tree. the cow striking the tree with a horn on either side. One of company C said "I'm good for her," and fixed his bayonet, standing at a charge to receive infantry. The cow camo on furiously, and lowering her head the bayonet passed over it and into her shoulder at the withers, stopping her with her head at his knees. It was more of a shock than he had. bargained for but he stood it manfully, amid the cheers of the spectators.
Wednesday, 30th. Ordered at 6 a. m. to be ready to move, and at 6:30 we started, the third regiment in the brigade. Wo marched steadliy until noon, when we halt for dinner, one mile northeast of Summerville, a village in the wilderness. We find the country growing more swampy, and that we are now crossing the head waters of the Ohoopee river. At 2 p. m. we start, and marching two miles go into camp. We received, to- day, some southern papers, printed on wall paper. by which we learn that Mobile has been captured ; Granger is marching on
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SAIma and Montgomery; Hood has been whipped by Thomas near Athens, Ga., and that Sherman having made several trials to cross the Ocmulgee river, had failed, and being surrounded, would be captured.
Thursday, Dec. 1st. Marched slow to-day; roads very muddy ; teams wallowing in mud and frequently mired. Made about ten miles and camped at 8 p. m. near the 1st division.
Friday, 2nd. Pleasant. Received orders to move at 6; starting on time, we marched slowly for five miles, halting on Scull creek, nine miles from Milan and seventy from Savannah. After dinner crossed the creek and went into camp. Here was killed two black snakes eight feet long.
Saturday, Brd. Pleasant. Remained in camp during the day and availed ourselves of the first opportunity of washing our clothes and generally cleaning up. In the afternoon our arms and ammunition were inspected. Captain Horn, com- manding the regiment, issued orders complimenting company E for being in the best order, and directing that it be excused from one turn at picket guard. Lieut. J. S. Gayer of D, was relieved as A. Q. M. by Lieut. J. S. Worman of company A.
Sunday, 4th, Ordered to move at 5 and started at 6:30; marched about twelve miles, over good roads, but very sandy, and camped near a swamp. Orders to move at 5:30 to-morrow.
Monday, 5th. Started about 7 a. m. Marched two miles and rested two hours near Nevil's creek, then moved ou steadily until 7 p. m., making twenty miles, and camped in the timber.
Tuesday, 6th. No orders. The 1st and 2nd divisions move out with the pontoon train. The 39th Iowa go to Gen. Howard's headquarters, and we are ordered to move to-morrow at 7 a. m.
Wednesday, 7th. Cloudy; started at 7; at S it began to rain. We marched steadily on the Savannah and Mt. Vernon road to the Oglieechee river, where the 1st brigade crossed in pontoon boats, under fire. The rebs., about a brigade in force, had burned the bridge and destroyed the culverts. The road from the river is a turnpike, graded up, so that on either side are deep swamps. The for retired stubbornly, resisting the ad-
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vance of the 1st brigade. We crossed and went into camp three- fourths of a mile from the river. A foraging party was sent out under Lieut. Gayer, returning at night with a supply of mo- lasses.
Thursday, Sth. Started on time, 5:30 a. m., meeting no opposition except fallen trees, chopped down by the enemy, which had to be removed. Our brigade is in advance to-day, and the "Blind Half" is in the lead, with Gen. Howard riding at our head. At 8 p. m. we go into camp by the Savannah and Ogheechee canal. The 7th Illinois cross the river and skirmish a little. Our trains are in the rear and we are out of meat.
Friday, 9th. The 1st brigade moved out to the front and we move back to their camp to protect the rear. Skirmishing began at 9 o'clock, in our front and on our left flank. The 1st brigade, after going into camp last night, built breastworks facing the rear. Artillery and skirmish firing was very steady until noon, when we move forward, as rear guard, passed a rebel cannon, dismounted by our artillery and abandoned. Marched six miles and camped twelve miles from Savannah. Here we entrenched, A detachment from the division seized the Gulf railroad and capture a train of eighteen cars, with many prisoners and considerable private property.
Saturday, 10th. Ordered at 3 a. m., to move at 6:30, Five companies of the 39th Iowa started out at 3 o'clock to re- pair a bridge over the Little Ogheechee river. At 7 we start; marched three miles and crossed the bridge ; the ground on either side is a low marsh. The tide water rises and overflows, cov- ering the road, a turnpike, several inches deep twice every 24 hours. A short distance further we find the detail from the 39th, and one mile further, the ground becoming higher, we form in line of battle on the side of the road and move over General Anderson's plantation, eight miles from Savannah. Seven miles out from the city the enemy have a line of fortifi- cations extending around the city, from the river above to the river below. The approaches to the city are the Augusta and the Gulf railroads and the dirt or shell road, that we are now on ; all these are narrow causeways. Having deploy-
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into line of battle, the 7th Illinois was sent out as skir- mishers, supported by one company of the 39th Iowa and company D of the Fiftieth, Captain Rickart. The skirmish lines discovering a force in front the line of battle, after pro- rweding one-fourth of a mile, was halted, while the skirmishers advanced over a ridge, meeting considerable opposition. Here they could see in front, about a half mile, the line of works, with several pieces of artillery in position behind them and many soldiers standing in groups and walking about on top. Behind the works quite a number of tents were standing, while between the skirmish line and works was a large lake or mill- pond. across which the road, graded up, passed. Guarding this road were two huge pieces of ordinance, 64-pounders. Not meeting with any opposition after reaching the crest of the ridge the line slowly advanced to the water's edge, Capt. Rick- art arrived at the conclusion that the 17th corps had passed around our right and were occupying the works, and so inform- ed his men. Suddenly the artillery in the works opened and dropped six shells into the ranks of company D, causing them to fall back to the crest of the ridge, amidst the shouts of the johnnies as well as ourselves. The object of the advance hav- ing been accomplished, i. e. to learn the ground, and the best positions for attacking. Our skirmish line was moved to our left and, by mistake, became engaged with the skirmishers of the Brd division, the unfortunate contest lasted for about fif- tren minutes before the mistake was discovered: as a result several horses were killed. At dark our line was withdrawn one- half mile. The firing of our artillery, which had taken position on the erest of the hill, being continued. The wagon train came up and parked in our rear.
Sunday, 11th. Rainy, We were ready at S o'clock and move back one-half mile, where we remained until noon, when work was begun looking to the establishment of a more perma- hent camp. Our artillery having taken position, was protected by earthworks, and fiercely engaged the johnnies, who replied vigorously, and their shells and shot were soon passing over our camp; their skirmishers stationed on one side of the lake and (21)
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ours on the other. Across the road, along even with our skirmish line was placed a huge fascine, made like a basket, about six feet in diameter, and forty or more feet long, this was filled with green saplings and made an excellent defence, manufactured by our pioneer corps for the purpose, it took about as many men to push it as could well be sheltered behind it, and was rolled along as the line advanced.
Monday, 12th. Cold. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions move back and take a position on our right. Heavy artillery all day, more particularly to our right.
Tuesday, 13th. Pleasant; some warmer. Our camp is on Gen'l Anderson's plantation, in what appears to have been an old field turned out many years ago, now covered with a growth of pines over thirty-five years of age. We can still plainly see the ridges of the old cotton rows. These pine trees are straight and all of the same age-having thirty-five marks of yearly growth. We cut them down, split them and build small sheds with a fire-place at one side, made of logs, which being green, do not burn very fast, and do very well for shel- ter. Water is scarce, so we dig holes and secure plenty in the sandy soil. The day passes as yesterday, About 3 o'clock p. m. we hear a continuous roll of musketry on our right, inter- spersed with heavy cannonading ; then it ceases and we hear dis- tant cheering. We know a battle has been fought. Where, we do not know, but from the cheering we do know who is victori- ous. We hear cheering, nearer and nearer it comes, and, catch- ing the spirit in the air, we begin to cheer also, and so the hap- py shout runs all along the lines. At dark we learn that Fort McAllister is ours.
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