The National tribune., 1900-02-01

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Sherman from these supplies.
SAVANNAH EVACUATED.
Savannah was evacuated on the 21st
Johnston had crossed the river into South
Carolina. On the oath we marched through
the city, three miles out, and camped, eating
our Christmas dinn2r next day at Savan,
nah, while Sherman presented the city to
Lincoln as q Christmas gift.
| Our regiment was detailed as Provost,
Guard Oil the 2Sth. We began to get mail
| from home We had been cut off from,
the outside world for nearly 30 days. The
people of the North knew not where we
Were or what We were about.
| We were not destined to stay in one
! place long. On Jan. 3, 1865, we began
moving. A part of our force marched
down to Fort Thunderbolt and boarded
the steamer Fannie for Beaufort, S. c.,
arriving at night The remainder, with
the wagons, etc, crossed the Savannah
and marched towards Pocotaligo, S. G.
| The rebels tried TO stop them by cutting
the leveeS, but only stopped a few mules.
Gen. Foster, with colored troops, was
doing garrison duty at Beaufort when
| we arrived. We lay there until Jan. 13.
| Our division, under Joe Mower, was
| ordered out on scouting expedition. We
went across Fort Royal River, and drove
the JohnnieS back. We marched to POGO
taligo and farther, then returned to that
place. Sherman said: 'In 80 days l will
take you all on a campaign that will please
you" We concluded from that remark
| that the war was nearly over.
We started on Jan. 80 in the same order
as that in which we had marched through
Georgia. We had fight with the rebels
at a bridge on the Big Salkehatchie. Our
regiment lost three men killed The SD
Ind. relieved us who were in the advance,
and we marched up the river to Rivers
Bridges, Is miles, and camped. Next day
we got into the fight again, and fought all
day in the swamps in water knee-deep
much of the time Our regiment lost 10
wounded and one taken prisoner The
rebels had good works on dry land on
the opposite side of the river.
On the 7th we went to Midway Station,
on the Augusta & Charleston Railroad,
and tore up the track all day long. We
found the rebels in a fortified position on
the South Edisto, and fought them all
day. That night they fell back as usual.
We found them again ready for us at
Orangeburg, on the North Edisto, on the
11th. The next day the Third and Fourth
DIVISIONS were engaged. Our regiment
was sent out after forage, and when we got
back the JohnnieS had retired again. So
we marched through the town and camped.
A TERRIBLE REPUTATION.
The people had Eeen told that Shermap's
men were burning or otherwise destroying
everything they could, and we soon learned
that 1t was useless TO look for provisions
in the houses. So we had become experts
in finding things that had been "hid out"
and of course what We found we decided
was ours if we needed it, and if it was
provisions we generally did need it.
On the foraging expedition above re-
ferred to We came to large plantation,
and at the house young lady told me
there was nothing to eat, which was the
answer to my inquiry that expected. So
quietly passed down into the woods, and
at a spring, seeing evidences of the leaves
having been raked over recently, uncov-
cred nice box of bacon. took only what
! personally needed this time, and came
back. Said the young lady on seeing
the nice side of bacon: you think, you're
mighty smart, don't, YOU 1replied "'Yes," ="
for ! did. told the other boys when
reached them where to find the box. think
they found it.
At another point we came to a raised
mound alongside the road. 1t was built
to look like a grave, but our
boys had their suspicious. So
~ one of them ran ramrod down
into it and struck something