Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-07
From Sherman's Army---l Journal Of lis March
through Georgia.

NEAR SAVANNAH, Dec. 18th, 1864

march for thirty DAYS through this so-called
Confederacy Suppose / take my diary and
give you a synopsis of the whole thing, but
how much nicer il would be if | could be
with YOU at home and like Peter Farley COM
mence, 'Once upon time" Sitting before
the fire, would be, if there-but here
have nv desk up in a swamp three and one
half miles from Savannah. The sun is shin
ing. and | am under the wide spread limbs of
a large pine whose branches keep the rays OF
the sun from striking through on me- 1t is
Just such weather here now, as that portion
of September is in Wisconsin called 'Indian
Summer"
Nv last letter was written on the 9th ult.,
az Kingston then gave you an intimatiOn
of what the grand army of Gen. Sherman
was about TO attempt How well we have
succeeded history will show.
Nov. II.-Capt. Van Valkenberg was re-
tanned to the brigade, and TO my regiment.
Nov. 1--we saw the last train of cars
from Atlanta going north. Everything along
the line of the railroad south of Chattanooga
had been removed and all depots, railroad
ties and rails were burned. This last train
was loaded with negroes, refugees, &C., &C.,
fleeing from the wrath that had come. All !!
with long lingering look, did l see those
cars 90 Off Cut off from home, friends and
everything dear TO me, for, knew not what
length of time, could not help feeling as |
did "May the Good Being take care of nv
dear ones and keep disease from our house
nav he look down with favor on our army
and give TO our leader great wisdom and
foresight, in this the greatest and grandest
undertaking of mortal man." was the prayer
of many soldiers. All things being ready, at
~ NJ, after burning the village of Kingston,
the 18th army corps moved southwark.
We reached Atlanta Nov. 18th at II NJ.
All that day and night the Quartermasters
Department had their hands full. The bal
ance of the army had moved out of the city.
We found large quantities of supplies await
ing US Il was drawn and issued that day
and night. When we reached the city large
portions of il were in flames but when we
left it but few of the larger buildings re-
NAMED Buildings were mined and bursting,
shells exploding, walls of buildings falling in:
all was excitement that day and night of the
18th of November. Never, since came in
TO the army, had l seen rar until we left
Kingston All along the line of march build
ings we're burned, beautiful towns, and now
the beautiful city of Atlanta was in flames
Nov. l6.-Aiter having Gen. Sherman's
Field Order No l20 read, announcing the
line of march, &c, we left Atlanta. The ar
nv was divided into two wings, viz: the
right wing, Mai Gen. Howard commanding,
the 10Th and 18th corps; the left wing, Maj.
Gen. H. w. Slocum commanding, the l4th
and 10th. Our corps, the 18th, marched
parallel with the Augusta railroad through
Decatur, and camped in LithOnia, the 10th
corps 10 our left, and the 18th and 18th to
the right
Nov. I7th.-Passed through Conyers, a
beautiful town, in which place many beauti-
full females lived, but all bitter secesh. Camp
ed on banks of Yellow river. On this day
we commenced foraging. Sweet potatoes,
honey, &c, were very plenty.
Nov. ISth.-Crossed Yellow river on pom
toons, marched through Covington.
Nov. l9th.-Expected to go to Social Cir
Gle but took a road to the southeast, leading
toward Milledgeville and passed Sandtown.
Nov. 20th.-Passed the largest plantation
have seen, having 800 negroes. AS the
troops passed the bands played, and ridcu-
lOus as it may seem to you, over loo of these
negroes commenced dancing, keeping good
time 70 the music. We LETT all females and
brought the males with US.
Nov. 2lst.-Rained all day and night. Ex-
pected to go to EatOnton, but are on the
road 10 Mllledgeville.
Nov 22d.-Coldest day of campaign. Hen
ry Hanson, our cOmmissary sergeant, went
out in charge of foraging party and return
ed with ham, bacon, potatoes &C., &c.
Nov esd went ahead of our division
and reached MIlledgeville three hours before
our regiment. 1t was a smaller place than
we expected, having about 5000 inhabitants.
The capitol building was a splendid structure,
with park about the size of ours. The
legislature had been in session the day before.
Gov. Brown escaped, but the archives Of the
State remained and were overhauled by the
"vandal invaders In the State Armory we
found every imaginable kind of arms; thou
sands of those Mississippi tooth-picks, "
lanees, spears, &C., all of which were de-
stroyed.
Nov. 24Lh.-Moved at Z a. m. as usual I;
crossed 0conee river and marched 10 miles.
Nov 25th.-0nr division remained in
camp. l went out foraging with small par
ty and we came about as near being captured
as / wish to be. Another party so rods
ahead of US were gobbled up in plain sight by
about rs rebels. We cut sticks and run for
it and came in without anything.
Nov. 26th.-MOved ten miles and came to
a large cypress swamp, bridge &C., &C., took
US all night TO cross it.
Nov. 27th-Reached Sandersville, the
County seat of Washington county. Our
brigade was left as rear guard. After the
10th army corps had passed, the balance OF
our corps moved out. We started at 2 p. m.
Our rear was fred into by rebel cavalry.
Crossed another marsh and marched 10 miles
east of Sandernville.
Nov 2sth-Marched through Davisboro,
crossed 0geechee river on pontoons.
Nov. 29th.-Nothing of Importance oc-
CURED All this time we were marching
through very rich country, and lived on
the best. Sweet potatoes grow large and
sweet, and are good for " Yanks to eat.
Nov. 3O.-Passed through Sebastopol, a
small station on the railroad 20 miles from
Millen. Z"
Dec. 1st.-Captured two splendid mules on
a large plantation. 1t is not surprising to me
now that that these Southerners, fight so.
How like a prince man can live with 5000
acres of land and 200 or 800 darkeys to do
the work. -.
Dec. I'd and Sd.-Took northeast course,
and reached Lumpkins," on the railroad
running from Eatonton to Milledgeville.
Dec. 4th.-Left Lumpkins at p m, after
destroying the railroad track and all build
ings at the station. Crossed large marsh, a
portion of the way on pontoons.
Dec. 6th.-Marched Il miles in q south
east direction, so we thought we were making
for Savannah. Have passed through pine