Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-12-15

/ waiting lQt us at hic0f4QuQ. 1DQeeQ,
the general sentiment was that we
We're marching to Richmond, and
that there would be an end OF the
war, but how and when they seegted
not TO care. Nor did they measure
the distance or count the loss OF
/ life, or bother their brains about the
| great rivers to be crossed and the
feod required for man and beast,
that had to be gathered by the way
! There was a devil may-care' feeling
pervading officers and men that made
us feel the full load of responsible
ity, for success would pc accepted as
a matter of course; whereas, should
we fail, this march would be adj
judged the wild adventure of crazy
fool. | had no purpose TO march di-
| rect for Richmond, but always de-
signed to reach the sea coast first
at Savannah or Port Royal, S. G.,
and even kept in mind the alterna-
tive of Mobile"
, The army starting off on this
march was composed of four corps,
the 18th and 18th forming the right
wing, the 14th and Goth the left
wing; and there were two brigades
of cavalry. The right wing was com.
manded by General Howard, and the
left by General Slocum. General Kill
patrick commanded the cavalry Our
artillery consisted of sixty cannon.
Before starting, everybody not CON
sidered fit for duty was sent back to
| Chattanooga. Every man in the
ranks carried in his cartridge-box
forty rounds of ammunition, and the
wagons contained enough to make
up two hundred rounds per man. we
started off with five days rations In
our haversaeks, and the trans car
ried enough for twenty days. A good
supply of beef on foot was driven
along. We had 2.5oa wagons in our
trains and 500 ambulances. Our men
numbered in all, $685. FPS being
IT the infantry, 1854 in the cavail y,
and 1859 in the artillery.
General Sherman's plan of marcn
was to move forward by corps on
four roads as nearly parallel TO one
another as practicable. Every regi-
ment had one baggage wagon ana
one ambulance, and behind every bri-
gade followed its proportion of am
munition, provision and ambulance
wagons. Every corps was to start
mornings at seven o'clock, and was
expected to make about fteen miles
per day.
Our army was to forage literally
on the country, but not at random
Thirty men from a regiment in com
mand of a lieutenant constituted Il
regularly authorized foraging party
This lieutenant was to give vouch-
ers to every man from whom he
took provisions, if he claimed to be
a union man, and this voucher was
considered as legal claim to be
presented later to the government
for pay for the forage taken. Sol
diers were not to straggle here and
there on their own account for plum
der, nor to enter houses for that pur-
| pose, though they might take food
along the line of march especially
when "the sweet potatoes even start
ed from the ground"
Mills, houses, cotton-gins, etc,
were to be protected where the line
Of march was not disturbed, but If
guerillas or bushwhackers made trou-
Bile, or If the inhabitants along our
road should burn bridges, obstruct
roads or in any other way show mas.
tility, then corps commanders might
order the devastation of the country.
But the rebel General Beauregard is
sued this address:
People of Georgia: Arise for the
defense of your native soiIi Rally
round your patriotic governor and
gallant soldiersl Obstruct and de-
stroy all the roads in Sherman's
flank, front and rear, and his arLIy
will soon starve in your midst. Be
confident. Be resolute. Trust in the
over-ruling Providence, and success
will crown your effort l hasten to
join you in the defense of your
homes and your firesides."
General Cobb, Confederate Com
mander in that state, Senator Hill
and the six Georgia members of the
confederate congress all issued the
same kind of proclamation. some urg-
ing the negroes to help repel the IN
vader.
Because of this our army had IL
tie respect for any kind of property
but churches and school houses. We
marched day after day through flame
and smoke, particularly in South
Carolina on our march north from
Savannah. In that state TWEEN; y-eighs
regularly authorized foragers wore
found where they had been captured
and had their threats cut from ear
TO ear. The state suffered accord
ingly.
So far as the negroes were con
.cerned, they seemed overioyed 10
see us. They shouted everywhere,
Dress de good Lawd and Massa Lin
KUN and Masss Linkums sojers,"
with all sorts Of variations in the
same breath. We found them every
where our faithful and devoted
friends.