Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-01

about the fear and the fight of the in
habitants at the approach of Sherman
Sherman could be easily approached by
any of his soldiers, but no one could VEN
ture to be familiar His uniform coat
usually wide open at the throat. displayed
not very military black cravat and
linen collar. and he generally wore low
shoes and one spur. On the march he
rode with each column in turn, and often
with no larger escort than n single staff
officer and orderly. In passing us on
the march he acknowledged our saluta-
lions as if he knew us all. but hadn't
time to stop. Once a soldier called out to
Sherman, Uncle Billy, l guess Grant s
waiting for us at Richmond. Shermans
acquaintance among his officers was re-
markable, and of great advantage, for he
learned the character of every command.
even of regiments, and could assign of
ficers to special duties, with knowledge
Of those who were to fill the vacancies 50
made. The army appreciated these per-
Sonal relations. and every man felt in
certain sense that Sherman had his eye
on him.
Cock fighting became one of the pas
times of the flying column" Many fine
birds were brought in by our foragers.
Those found deficient in courage and skill
QUICKLY went u the stew pan Ill Cciii-
pany with the modest barnyard fowl
but those of redOubtable valor won an
honOred place and name, and We're to be
seen riding proudly on the front seat of
an artillery caissOn, or carried tenderly
under the arm of an infantry soldier.
Our next objective was Savannah.
Hazen's capture of Fort McAllister
opened the gates of that beautiful city,
while Hardee managed to escape with
his little army and Sherman, in a rather
farptiOuS 6ignafch presented the civ to
Mr.. Lincoln as a Christmas gift. Flushed
with the success of our march, We set
tied down for rest. Our uniforms were
the worse for wear, but the army was in
fine condition and fully prepared for the
serious work ahead.
In the middle of December in the
neighborhood of Savannah (Which was
reached December 49,, after Hardee's
troops had nearly exhausted the country,
which was now mainly under water,
there was little opportunity for the for
ayers to exercise their talents. and some
of them returned to the ranks. The
troops bivouacked here and there in
comparatively dry spots while picket
duty had to be performed at many points
Ferry to Robertsville. Where my reg1-
ment was in bivouac. I waded for mile
and a half in water knee-deep. At Purys-
burg the pickets were all af1oat in boats
and scows and on RATS, and the crest
fallen foragers brought in nothing but
rice, which became unpalatable when
served three times a day for successive
weeks.
At length, when we left Savannah and
launched cheerily into the untrodden
land of South Carolina. the foragers be-
gan to assume their wonted spirit. We
were proud of our foragers. They con-
stituted a picked force from each regi-
ment under an officer selected for the
command and were remarkable for in
telligence spirit and daring. Before day
light mounted on horses captured on the
plantations, they were in the saddle and
away, covering the country sometimes
seven miles In advance. Although / have
said "in the saddle many a fOrager had
nothing better than a bit of carpet and
rope halter; yet this simplicity OF
equipment did not abate his power Of
carrying off hams and sweet potatoes in
the face of the enemy.
The foragers were also important as
a sort of advance guard, for they formed
virtually a curtain of mounted infantry
screening US from the inquisitive eyes
of parties of Wheeler's cavalry, with
whom they did not hesitate to engage
when it was a question of a rich planta-
ton.
When compelled to retire they resorted
and summoned achievements of for
ayers from other regiments to help drive
the "Johnnies' out When success