Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1904-12-30
[Copyright, 1904, by G. I. Kilmer.l

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~ came to an end early in De-
~ cember, 1864, and the first
problem to settle was the estab-
lishment of base on the coast to sus-
tain his army. Savannah was the
most suitable port, but was in the
hands of the Confederates. General
w. j. Hardee held the city with a
force of $4,000 men. The Confederates
were not certain as to Sherman's plans
or movements after he reached the
coast, but assumed that be. would turn
northward and strike the rear Of Lee
on James river For this reason it was
decided not to make a stubborn fight
to hold Savannah in case he should
surround it, but that Hardee should
withdraw his troops and unite them
with other Confederate forces in the
Carolinas to dispute Sherman's march
northward.
The city Of Savannah is built upon a
sandy plateau about forty feet above
tide in Savannah river. Sherman ap-
preached it from the south across ter
ritory cut up with little streams tribu-
tary to the Ogeechee river. His troops
closed in on Dec II SO as to form
line from the Ogeechee to the Savan-
nah above the city. Hardee prepared
to defend the place and assigned his
troops and commanders to the most
important points. His batteries con-
sisted Of about 100 guns, half Of them
Of heavy caliber.
The principal work to be attacked
was Fort McAllister, situated at Gene
sis Point, on the southern bank Of the
Ogeechee river, and commanding the
channel Of approach from .Ossabaw
sound and also covering the bridge Of
the Gulf railway across the river. 1t
was heavy earthwork, with its prin-
cipal front toward the river, which it
was intended to defend. The arma-
ment consisted of seven heavy guns in
permanent position and eight light
field guns. The river all around was
planted with torpedoes, and sub-terra
shells had been planted on the land ap-
proaches to the fort. The lard de-
fenses were strengthened by palisades
and abatis. The garrison Of Fort Nc
Allister at the time of Sherman's at
tack numbered about 200 men, under
command Of major. On the approach
Of Sherman General Hardee had sup
piled the work with fifty days rations
to enable the men to stand siege in
case the work should be isolated. 1t
was located about fifteen miles from
the city Of Savannah.
During the last few days Of sher-
mans march the troops had been on
short rations. Breadstuffs were scarce
in the country passed through, and the
army foraging bands had brought In
but scant supplies. The first task was
to get in touch with Federal trans
ports on Ossabaw sound. A Federal
scouting officer passed Fort McAllister
by night In a canoe and succeeded In
reaching the friendly feet in the sound.
However, it would be impossible to
make use of the Ogeechee to bring the
transports close to camp until Fort
McAllister was in Sherman's hands.
The Federal cavalry under General
Fitzpatrick attempted to reach the fleet
along the roads leading through the
swamps seaward, but had failed. Kill
patrick also attempted to take the fort
by surprise, but this also failed, and
Sherman ordered General o. O. How
ard, whose command lay nearest the
work. to send force sufficient to car
~ the place by storm at the first dash.
This would involve the least loss Of
life. Howard sent the division of Cen
eral w. B. Hazen to do the work, and
after circuitous march it reached the
front Of the fort about noon on the
18th of December.
In order to prevent re-enforcements
from reaching the fort from the Con-
federate lines at Savannah proper Cen
eral Howard planted two guns upon a
hill about two miles from the rear Of