The National tribune., 1902-04-10
BACK, DIsCL'

BACK, DISCLOSIN
Sherman was advancing there could be
no doubt. Finally, on the morning of
Dec. 90, when Ray came up with our
breakfast, he brought US the startling
news that Sherman wasso near that he had
his siege guns planted to shell the city,
and that he had sent in demand to Gen.
Hardee for the surrender of the city with
in "a hours. This was almost too good
TO believe, and, besides, we began to
speculate as TO our safety. In case
Hardee did not surrender, or evacuate the
city, we might get shelled out by our own
men. Ray remarked: "Divil a surrender
will ould Hardee do. He is an ould tiger!"
Well, we could but await and see.
HARDEE EvAcUATEs SAVANNAH.
The night of Dec. 20 was an anxious
one for us, with no sleep; it was one of
concealment was near the Savannah
River, and here seemed the busy prepara-
tions for something soon 10 occur.
Mule teams were moving to and fro,
drawing loaded wagons; horses were gal
looping through the streets-eyerything be-
tckened haste and confus. on. Ray was
on duty ms night-watch at the Commits
sary buildings, so we could not com
municate with him. The morning. how
r
surprise. Ray came flying up the stairs
with the good news that Hardee, with
al his army, had crossed the Savannah
River on pOntoOn bridges during the night,
and that the STARS and Stripes" were al
ready planted ON the old English Building
in the city. 1t did not take us long to
reach the street. where we saw the old
flag floating in triumph, and soon met sol
diers enough to know that we were safe
ffaa 70 ,t-l1n r,lf ar,
Geary's Brigade was the fist to enter the
city and raise the flag over the old Eng
lish Building, which afterwards was used
as headquarters for Sherman's army.
Hardee occupied the time given him to
surrender in crossing the Savannah River
into South Carolina.
BY noon of Dec. 81 the city was full of
soldiers. Gen. Geary delivered an ad-
dress from the steps of his headquarters,
assuring the citizens Of Savannah that
they would be protected, and not plum
dered.
Everything was confusion for day or
two, but soon a detail of the Twentieth
Corps was made for duty in the city, and
everything began to go as smoothly as
possible under the circumstances. Two
rebel rams were captured about two miles
up the river and a small biOckade-runner,
loaded with supplies for the Confederacy,
l.
With the other captures, and Gen. Sher-
mans telegram to the Secretary OF War
and President Lincoln that he presented
his caI ture of the city in form of a Christ
mas gift, all are familiar.
/ ascertained that we must report TO
the ProvOst-Marshal of :he Twentieth
Corps. We did so, taking Ray and his
wife and son along TO substantiate our
statements as TO having been concealed
and cared for by them. When we arrived
at the office of the ProvostMarshal we
found upwards of 80 others who escaped
at the same time We did, and who had
been concealed in the city. 1t was said
that one old negro had cared for six of
our boys in a cave near the river
Satisfactory proof having been furnish.
ed the Marshal, we were assigned quar-.
tiers at the Twentieth Corps hospital. The
men who had so kindly cared for MS were
severally thanked, the Provost Marshal
remarking that they would be remember.
/ ed in the way of positions and work in
| the city as long as military rule prevailed
! The promise was well kept, as they were
all employed in the gas-house. which was
! started up at once, having been abandoned
| by the city for some time, for want OF
help. These men received $3.50 per day
We were furnished with new suits OF
clothing. We had plenty of good food and
each had nice, clean cot to sleep upOr
at the hospital. The sudden occupation OF
a city like Savannah by large body OF
soldiers made lively times. A portion OF
the Twentieth Corps was detailed fol
duty at Savannah, but all of the command
were in close proximity for several weeks
A general review Of the whole army nm
der Sherman took place at this point. I,
was sight well worth seeing. The city
was nearly abandoned by the leading
whites, their possessions being left In
charge Of negro servants who were in the
enjoyment of temporary liberty at least