The National tribune., 1897-05-27


of which was intrenched across the road,
with some of kilpatrick's cavalry on
the hanks. On the 22d of November
Gen. G. w. Smith, with division Of
troops, came out of Macon, attacked
this brigade (Waleutt's) in position,
and was handsomely repulsed and
driven back into Macon. This bri-
gade was in part armed with Spencer
repeating rifles and lis fire was so rapid
that Gen. Smith insists to this day
that be encountered a whole division /;
but he is mistaken. He was beaten by
one brigade (Walcutt's), and made no
further efforts to modest our operations
from that direction. Gen. Walcutt was
wounded in the leg, and had to ride the
rest of the distance to Savannah in a
carriage.
LEGISLATURE ANONYMOUSLY FLED.
Therefore, by the 23d was in Mil
ledgeville with the left wing, and was
in full communication with the right
wing at Gordon. The people Of Mil
ledgeville remained at home. except the
Governor Brown, the State officers,
and Legislature, who had ANONYMOUSLY
fled in the utmost disorder and con-
fusion, standing not on the order OF
their going, but going at once-some by
rail, some by carriages, and many on
foot.
Some of the citizens who remained
behind described this flight of the
"brave and patriotic " Gov. Brown.
He had occupied public building
known as the Governors Mansion,' .
and had hastily stripped it of carpets,
curtains and furniture of all sorts, which
were removed to train of freight cars,
which carried away these things
the cabbages and vegetables from his
kitchen and cellar-leaving behind mus
kets, ammunition, and the public
archives.
On arrival at Milledgeville l occupied
the same public mansion, and was soon
overwhelmed with appeals for protection.
Gen. Slocum had previously arrived with
the Twentieth Corps, had taken up his
quarters at the Miliedgeville Hotel, es-
tablished a good proyost-guard, and ex-
cellent order was maintained. The most
frantic appeals had been made by the
Governor and Legislature for help from
every quarter, and the people of the State
had been called out en- masse to resist
and destroy the invaders of their homes
and fresides.
Even the prisoners and convicts of the
penitentiary were released on condition
of serving as soldiers, and the cadets
were taken from their military college
for the same purpose. These constituted
small battalion, under Gen. Harry
Wayne, former officer of the United
States Army, and son of the then Justice
Wayne of the Supreme Court. But
these hastily retreated east across the
Oconee River, leaving us good bridge,
which we promptly secured.
CONSIDERATION IN THE SOUTH.
At Milledgeville we found newspapers
from all the South, and learned the con-
sternation which had filled the Southern
mind at our temerity, many charging
that We were actually fleeing for our
lives and seeking safety at the hands Of
our feet on the seacoast. All demanded
that we should be assaiIed, /" front, flank,
and rear" that provisions should be
DESTROYED In advance, so that we would
starve; that bridges should be burned,
roads ohstrucfed, and no mercy shown
us- Judging from the tone of the South
ern press of that day, the outside world
must have supposed us ruined and lost.
] give few of these appeals as samples,
which to-day must sound strange to the
parties who made them:
CoRIsTH. MIss, Nov. Is, 1864.
To the People of Georgia:
Arise for the defense of your native soil!
Rally around yeur patriotic Governor and gal-
lant soldiers! Obstruci and destroy all the
reads In Sherman's 'front.' flank, and rear, and
his army will soon starve in your midst. Be
confident BE resolute. Trust in an orerrul-
ing Providence, and success will soon crown
ysur efforts. l hasten to join you in the de.
fense Of your homes and fresides.
w. i. bEAUREGARD.
RICHMOND, Nov Is, 1864.
To the People of Georgia:
You have now the best opportunity ever vet
presented 10 destroy the enemy, Put every.
thing at the disposal of our Generals: remove
all provisions from the path of the ia vader and
put all distractions in mis- path
Every citizen with his gun. and every negro
with his spade and Ak, can do the work of .
soldier. You can destroy the enemy by retard.
iEg his march.
Georgians, be firm. Act promptly, and feau
oot. B. ID Hill. Senator.
most cordially approve the above
JAMES a. SEDDcs, Secretary of War.
RICHMOND, Nov Ts, 1864.
To the People OF Georgia:
We have had special difference with Presi
dent Davis and the Secretary of War. and are
able 10 assure you that they have done and ar,
still doing all that can be done to meet ths
emergency that presses upon you Let every
man fy TO arms! Remove yonr negroes horses
cattle and provisions from Sherman's army
and burn what yoa cannot carry. Burn al
bridges. and block up the roads in his route
Assail tie invader in front, faux aud rear b,
night and by day. Let him have no rest
JULIAN HaRTRIDGE,
J. ii. EcHoLs,
JOHN i. SHUEMAKE
MARK BLAsFoRD
GEO. y. LESTER