Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-20


gentle partner Of his slumbers by his
sudden movements, as he dreams he hears
the rebel yell, or in fancy sees the CLEAN
of his bayonet. AT the summons to as
semble the men silently fell into line and
we're marched few hundred yards TO our
wagons. The regiments we're halted and
ordered to put their arms into them. AS
the companies marched up and pitched
their arms in, it sounded to me like the
dull rattle ofearth upon a coffin, and these
wagons seemed to me the huge collins
that contained the Conlederacy-for in
them were being deposited the life of the
army and the army was the life of the
Coniederacy. The enemy was very lib
eral, and think was willing to grant us
simost any terms Especially the mem
to insure our surrender. The regiments
we're permitted to retain their colors,
the officers their personal property and
side arms, and these battalions that had
to cross the Blue Ridge were permitted
to retain each thirty rifles and forty
rounds to the rife. We were literally
supplied with coffee and provisions suf-
iicieut to last US across the mountains.
Sometime may tell how the men, when
they got short of rations, charged the
wagons which they thought contained
provisions, but they found the provisions
had been exchanged for hight and useful
farming utensils, such as we're greatly
needed by the country people, and for
which officers holding high positions
expected to receive hard cash or other
luxuries from which they had long been
debarred. Sherman's main army was
some fifty miles distant when we surren-
dered, and we we're masters of all we
surveyed" until we arrived at Knoxville,
then all who surveyed US were our mas
ters. think the army was not sorry
when the surrender came. For long
time they had heroicAlly fought, with no
hopes OF final success, for the enemy
appeared like the mosquitoes in our
swamps-the more we destroyed the more
apparently opposed US. The heavy
losses the army sustained around At
lanta, and the disastrous Tennessee
campaign, under General in whom the
men had no confidence, unless it was
confidence in his ability to have them
butchered, as at Franklin. In connec.
ton with this, the apathy displayed by
the Georgia militia, when called upon to
assist as in the defense of Augusta, com
PEELED the men TO conclude it useless to
prolong struggle when their sacrifices
were so little respected This little affair
of the militia is probably worth mention
ing. 1t is no secret, for it is known in
every neighborhood where a soldier of
the army resides. After the Tennessee
campaign the remnant of the army was
hurried south TO oppose Sherman. When
we arrived at Augusta, it was reported
that Sherman had divided his army, and
part was marching on the city. We
crossed the Savannah river and entered
South Carolina to oppose him, Our
army numbered about three thousand
and the enemy was said to number fif-
teen thousand. SO brigade of Georgia
militia was marched to the river, think
ing they would cross and assist us WeS-
tern men to defend one OF their princi-
pal cities. Perhaps it was their dread Of
dying on foreign SOIL far away from
home and mother, or probably respect
for the laws of their State, which said
her militia should not cross her borders
not even to defend her border cities
from foreign enemy, who could destroy
them from a neighhoring State. Some
hinted that they feared Sherman's men.
Anyhow, they resisted all persuasion,
although Cobb tried his eloquence, and
no dangerous fording had to be done, for
a good substantial bridge spanned the
river. think one regiment crossed
the others utterly refused to do so, and
when taunted by cur cripples they re-
sorted by saying, "D-n you, you shot
your arm off to get to the rear
In justice to the Georgians, ! must say
this wss not rule, but an exception
The Georgia soldiers were considered
equal to amy in the field. But these
dampers did not quenGh the courage of
the heroic remnant Of the grand old ar
my. Their yell was as wild and terrific,
and their rush as fierce OF Bentonville as
at Shiloh At the latter, it was the rush
Of enthusiasm, with the prospect Of
successful finale; at the former, it was a
fierce yell to the spirits of departed com
radSs, and mad rush for revenge.
&c.