Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-05


organization of the rear-guard, from
which he omits the names OF four OF the
commands composing IL. Even Gen.
FORESTS report has errors, but the posi-
ton OF Maj. Sanders gave him personal
knowledge Of every detail, both OF the
organization OF the force and OF It's daily
actions, and, without doubt, his account
will stand as history.
Surely every man who was there has
right to be proud of the record. The rear
guard was formed on the morning OF Dec.
20, 1864, and Ii at once held the line OF Duck
river, while the main army pressed south
ward toward cambridge, near whicn
point the pOntoons were laid for the pas
sage Of the Tennessee.
Atan early hour on Dec. % the enemy
crossed Duck river at some distance
above Columbia. Gen. Forest then slowly
retired, making bold front from time to
time.
FIGHTING IN TENNESSEE.
There was considerable skirmishing
and fighting during Dec. D, % and "a.
AT midnight on Chrietmas eve the eX-
hausted troops encamped upon bleak
hill top in front of Pulaski, Tenn. At
early dawn on the day Of 'peace and good
VIII to men," we were in motion again,
and on our way through the town. 1t
was bitterly cold; yet, as we passed
diOuks NOultu anu CltiuIGu NGi6 btE1 III
their night clothing at the doors and win
dows weeping and wringing their hands,
while IN the public square huge bonfire
blazed of stores that could not be re-
moved. With the near explosions OF
cases Of ammunition came tine distant
thunder of ARTILLERY, as the enemy pressed
upon the cavalry who brought up our
rear.
There was heavy draft upon manhood
on that lowering Christmas morning, and
perhaps the most satisfactory recOllec-
ton OF the war to each of that little band
is that the draft was not dIshonored but
met TO the uttermost.
AT ANTHoNY's HILL.
Seven miles south OF Pulaski, at
Anthony's hill, the pursuit of the
enemy being vigorously pressed, Gen.
Forrest decided to make a stand.
Four Of the small Brgades, including
Smiths, were placed in line on the crest
OF the hill, or Just beyond it. so as to form
a partial ambuscade, cavalry being upon
each flank. The enemy pushed boldly
up the hill but were received by a destruc.
| tive fire followed by charge of our en-
| tire line. They retired in confusion leav-
| ing a number of prisoners in our hands, a
good many horses and one piece Of ar
| tillery.
| The attack was not repeated that day,
| The COnfederates again resumed the line
OF march, a cold winters rain having set
! in which added immeasurably to the dis
comfort OF the men. The bivouac for the
night was not reached until midnight,
when without fires the men threw them.
selves upon the cold, wet ground to gel
what rest could be obtained under such
circumstances. Morning brought freez
ing weather again, and the enemy,-whC
pushed their attack with renewed
energy. The infantry that had not beer
engaged on the previous day were formed
with the cavalry to meet them. The
attack was soon repulsed sharply and
| decidedly, and from that time until the
Tennessee river was reached. though
Wilson hung upop our rear he made nj
further demonstration.
Ga the night of Dec. ~ we arrived II
the vicinity of the river, and early on th,
morning OF Dec. % the rear-guard crossed
the bridge and joined the army on tn,
south side IL is permissible to quote tn
closing words of Maj. Sanders:
1.-The courage OF this small body o
troops was admirable; the hardships en-
dured by them were terrible; and thei
endurance lasting tribute to the devo
ton of the volunteer soldier.
The escape OF Hoods army was commit
ted to their valor, and on them rested thu
hope of the army to reach the Tennessee,
river and to cross it in safety"
THE MARCH INTO CAROLINA.
After "A necessary period of rest at Cor
NTH and other points in Mississippi, tn
army was called to the East. Passinl
rapidly through Alabama, Georgia and
South Carolina Smiths brigade once NOR
found itself under its old leader. Gen. 10
seph E. Johnston, IN North Carolina.
was closely engaged at the battle OF Ben.
IL II =
killed, and whore the fourth cOlor-beare
of the First regiment received his dealt
wound.
AT Smithville. N. c., a general consol
! idation of the army was made. New reg
iments were formed from the fragments
Of old ones. Under this arrangement
what was left of the First, Fifty
seventh and Slxty-third regiments wa
brought together under the cOlors of tn
First regiment, and once more our rank
were full. or the rejuvenated regimen
e. II. Olmstead was Colonel, q. s. Guy
ton, OF the Fifty-seventh, Lieut.. Colonel
and j. V. IL. Allen, of the Sixty-third
Major.
The men were veterans who had literall
borne the cheat and burden OF the day.
Tough, elastic and hopeful, even in tha
dark hour, because OF the brave heart
within them, they formed a magnifcen
| tOn uldDus vi WulCu any SuluitI Woul
have been proud. But the war was pract
cally over, and the regiment did not fir
another gun. The army was surren
dered by Gen. Johnston at Greensboro
n. O., and in few days the troops wer
upon the hOmeward march.
AFTER THE SURRENDER.
An attempt was made to keep the vari
Gus commands together as much as pos
sible until their respective States wer
reached. This failed in most instances
but the First Georgia carried its color
and its organization TO the city OF Au
gusta, where its service ended and officer
and men separated.
Defeat was theirs, but not dishonor-
poverty, but not shame. The cause TO
which they had battled was lost, an
wrecked and ruined fortunes awaite
them at home, but each man bore in hi
own breast the consciousness of hRvin
been true TO duty and faithful to the end
that his actions had demonstrated th
sincerity of his convictions, and that b
had earned the right to be respected b
the men who had faced him in arms.
CHARLES II. OLNISrEAD.
tSee Article Hoods Tennessee Can
pagn" in the Southern BiUoudc for Septembe