Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-05-04
Eaurth Paner.

i
concluded from last week.
My last remarks left Sherman's army,
on the 7th of December, 1854, closing in
around the city Of Savannah aud about
twenty miles distant from that city.
The 18th army corps occupied the ex-
treme right and was at that time on
the southwest side of the Ogeeohee
river. From there the general line ex-
tended enthusiastically, the left Wig
resting upon the Savannah river.
These two rivers are about fifteen miles
apart, flowing parallel and taking
enthusiastically direction to the sea-.
the southwest bank of the river Savan-
nah, about ten miles up that stream
from the ocean. The Savannah river is
the harbor for the city of Savannah and
up to this time it's full navigGbis extent,
reaching as far as Augusta, had been in
andisturbed possession of the confeder-
ates. Off the mouth of the Savannah
river rode the federal blookadlng fleet,
winch was prevented from approaching
within gunshot of the city by strong for
tifications commanding every inlet.
This was the situation as Sherman's
army came up in the rear OF Savannah
and prepared to attack it from Its land
side. The march to the sea had practi-
cally come to an end. We were in q
country desolate beyond description and
the work Of the hummer
was an experience of the past.
All the men detached as subsistence
gatherers were returned to regular duty
and the army was left with only small
|accum mulation of rations for It's support
until the fleet outside could send relief.
On the 10Th of December the 18th corps
crossed from the right to the left bank
of the Ogeechee river, near court house
town called Eden, and the entire army
then moved forward towards Savannah.
covering in its advance the strip OF land
between the two rivers. The right wing
was swung in towards the ocean, enoom-
passing the fated city, a sufficient force
being left behind to guard the wagon
route to the Ogeeohoe, which was
to be used as roadway in bringing up
supplies. By the 1tth our lines were
in position about the city on the
Savannah river side. The confederate
rear and line of escape was the country
on the opposite side of the Savannah
river, with winch General Hardees
forces were connectedI by pontoon
bridge, Shermans army could not ,ex-
tend its lines SO as to cover this gateway
of retreat and it was left to General
| Fost .r, OF the coast command, to fill the
gap III the confederate rear. while we
were pounding our way in through THE
| front door and capturing the enemy in
his chosen position. We hed force as
large as when we left Atlanta and the
confederates, behind strong earthworks
numbered $4,000 and were Ipder com
mand of General Hardee. They were
particularly strong in heavy artillery
! protected by carefully ceastt.ssa eessi! {.
forts, against whiuh we had only
field pieces in limited number.
| Thus shaped for the reduction Of thu
city Of Savannah, Sherman must frs
Iestablish communication with the fedora
Il fleet, now awaiting us OFT the mouth oi
4 the Ogeechee river. Occupying com.
maDding position near the mouth o
this river, and about fifteen miles soutt
| of Savannah, was the confederate For
McAllister, heavy earthwork in which
was mounted ordinance of large cahbre
Upon the capture of this fort dependet
all future operations.
Henceforward the broad Atlantic wa
to be our route OF communications, ou
base of supplies someaeaport accessible
to the fleet and nayT of uncle Sam. Thi
was .soracker lineI no rebel raide,
ceuld interrupt or destroys comm.
. sariat under the protecting guns Of on
: inyincible, indestructible monitor ship
A score or more OF federal vessels wei
d riding at anchor off those Georgia la
e silied to the decks with food and clpthin
for Sherman's tattered legion. Br
between US and the feet fs=owhed Il
: durh embrasured battlsments Of Fo
McAllister and from it's parepet wave
. the flag Of the coniedernc
IIt was the only O
stacie between us and the ortsit
Il world, and formidable though it VT
= = sShefaaan's sasn were ready 4, tranipie
II dewa at tbs s ! Of tiieir on niurnti