Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-01-20
NO. 43.
For the Delaware Gazette.
NOT ES IN DIXIE.
XXI.
NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. I
Christmas Eve. 1864,

rebellion has fallen None will thank me for
the announcement, for the cheering intelligence
has already flown on lightning wings to every
Northern household But there is something
interesting in the story Of every witness o
great events, for besides each ores special ex.
perience each has his own method Of relating
it. Please listen, then, while l tell my story
AS the swift runner steps backward before
starting upon his race, so those who tell ol
wonderful occurrences always go back and re
view the preliminary events which lead to
them. Permit me, therefore, 10 revert TO those
matters which Were segment to fecumseh's fa-
nous voyage in the dug-out down The muddy
waters OF the Ogeechee.
After Neptune and Mars lad concluded their
consultation, and the former bad duly stipula-
ted to the latter the required contributions to
his larder, all attention was at once given to
devisiug the best ways and means for captur-
ing the rebeIlious city of Savannah. 1t was
soon discovered that the enemy's works were
not only strongly built, but were almost mac
cessible by reason of the swamps, canals. abat-
tis, &c, in front of them. The position too,
was one which could not be easily turned, in
asmuch the right flank was covered by a
| wide and almost impossible river, and the left
| by the ocean. There seemed no alternative
| therefore, but to assault the works. Prepara-
| tions Tor this begun rs early US the I7th A
considerable number OF heavy guns were
brought up and quietly gotten in position
close to ihe rebel intrenchments, but screened
from view by the dense entaHglements of the
| swamps. A urge number of fascines were
constructed of rice straw bound together with
| oil nh ,oir EEitb ft Il !
to hastily fill up or bridge the canal under FIRE
and during the assault. A number OF barges
had been captured and were turned TO good
account in transporting brigade of Infantry
and section OF artillery over The first arm of
the Savannah to Argyle Island. This move
ment gave US partial possession of the river
and made The enemy uneasy lest we might
make ii sudden descent upon the South Caro-
lima shore aud get possession of his precarious
iiue Of communication. Thus matters pro-
gressed up to the 18th, when the forces on
Argyle Island succeeded in crossing to the left
bank, and after a slight opposition effected
Judgement. This was too much for our ner-
vOus foe, and he at once began 10 send away
his trains aud baggage preparatory to evacu-
atiug the city. He bad but one line of retreat
and that was by means OF rickety pontoon
bridge stretched across the two arms or
branches OF the Savannah. It was. therefore,
slow work, and occupied most of the day aud
night OF the 10th.
Intimations of the enemy's retreat we're re-
ceived coincideut with its commencement but
were not considered wholly reliable The
preparations Tor Ihe assault were continued
With unabaled vigor, and the afternoon of the
Lon -.
made all along the line. The night of the 10Th
was dark and gloomy. Under its cover the
rebel gunboat Macon" ventured far above its
lair at the lower extremity of Argyle Island,
and commenced shelliag with unusual persis-
tence the lines of the lst aud I'd Divisions. -
She continued her practice until about mid
night, when, her ammunition apparently ex-
hausted, the vengeful flashes OF her guns no
longer cleaned upon the dark wekiu. Thus
the gloomy silence of the night was restored,
to be disturbed only by an oecasipDal shot on
The picket line
Just az the first grey streaks of dawn were
struggling up through nights loosened curtain
our slumbers were dispeed by the iingliDg of
ali orGerly's sabre. "Get your brigade ready
to move al a moments notice. tGen. Geary
reports the enemy evacuating," read the order.
No farther incentive was needed; every one
was Immediately esIir. The half blown bushes
of the coming morn lad just began to be re-
fected from the gauzy clouds in gorgeous Units
of green, gold and crimson, when : second
messenger from Gen. Geary ANNOUNCED that
the I'd Division occupied portion of the eH,
emy's works There could be no mistake then;
the birds had flown. The sun came up grand
ly from begind the horizon and looked down
with pleasing eye upon the long serpentiue
line of rebel detences stretching from the Sa-
4 xRnnah to Ossa abaw, and all vacant No, not
vacant. Here aud there, crouched in lonely
embrasQTe, some trcuent iron monster in
grim silence expected our advancing line. And
soon ii came. Above the Cerberean thruats
that SO saVageag had echoed rebel vengeance
ringing cheer burst from the thrOats of loyal
soldiers, and the redoa6ts that might have cost
US SO many precious lives were ours. General
Geary at once pressed his line forward toward
the city. He was soon met by the Meyor and
other civil authorities of Savannah, who made
a formal surrender of the place. Thus the
great campaign was closed, and the 2lst day
OF December, 1864 made forever memorable.
The glorious Lidings of the oceEpation OF
the city soon spread like wild-ire throughout
the army The impatience to get a glimpse
of our prize gas tormenting. The Sd Brig
ade had been entrusted with the duty of pro-
tecting our vast lruus from the rebel cavalry,
which continually hung about our rear. And
now must we wait until all these wretched
wagons move TO the city before we can go!"
Ii was bat too true Prurient curiosity would
no longer brook suck u restraint, mounting
our war steeds' we galIoped with impetuOus
haste down the straight sandy road leading
directly to Savannah BE assured we left the
mile posts behind us nv rapidly Us lhg bone
and sinew OF our straw fed chargers would nd
NIT of. Soon we neared The rebel works and
found two clumsy old thirty-two Founders star
ing at us with u sort of CHASTITY sneaking grin,
as much to say, 1--WE spiked" Yes
but you are the wrelches who pitched such
nasty nuggets OF iron down the road at us"
thought as gazed at the unlovey duo.
Passing the intrenchmenls we galloped on
past the old camping places and haunts OF the
foe. The road had scarcely curve and look
ed like some long stately avenue with its mar
rowing vista and its fine overshadowing OF
moss hung pines. At length we reached a
sort uf frame work supporting above our path
q board on which some verbose Southern Cor
poratiun had inscribed. Look out for the en-
piue when the whistle blows" Not caring for
,r tl,a sithar