Year: 1865

bitterly paid the penalty Of her dsoyalty Her cities are
in ruins-her plantations devastaed-the domnser-
ing, arsocratic lords scattered the world while
wall Of anguish goes forth her widows orphans
new regims has been established. The canaak has
risen TO power the necks Of their lords and
The poor whipped, scoursed, despised slave ID in
the ascendant.


Having accompanied the Army Of the Tennessee ncud-
ing the Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps under Major
General Howard will chiefly conane the following de-
tailed account 10 their movements.
PREPARATORY MOVEMENTS.


About the 10th Of January the Seventeenth corps and
three divisions Of the Fifteenth corps conveyed
transports from Savannah Beaufort The Seventeenth
corps proceeded 10 Pocoaligo landing where they had
slight encounter with the enemy, but took the fort
with the loss Of few Brevet Major General Corse
Fourth DIVISION Fifteenth corps, took up his line of
March with the left wing which crossed the Savannah
river at Sisters ferry II also the intention send
the Third division by land the Savannah river
and an estuary Of the sea at Union Causeway but the
flooding of the country by the heavy rains and feshets
forced them to in transports. The
arded also the general advance Of the army which
to take place about the goth Of the month The fall Of
rain which the heaviest remembered in Savannah,
flooded the whole country, converting IL into
Some Of the troops who had commenced their march
were forced to bivouac rice swamps and islands for
several days. being unable to advance retire. In
supplies had to be conveyed them in boats So
intense the food that the country covered
for miles. The men up TO their waists on the
plantations, and the pontoons the river were swept
away-even some mon and teams were lost The Four
teenth corps and two divisions Of the Twentieth corps
had Jared in like Gcary's division remained In
he ri un ha ralie Inv Maio Gona Erov
who now assumed command.


THE ARMY MOVES.


General Sherman transferred his headquarters TO Beau
fort the 23d and expedited the transportation OF
troops and supplies the last Of which had passed
by the 10th. His able chief quartermaster General
Easton displayed his usual energy and zeal in furnishing
transportation and forwarding troops and supplies


On the 2eh Of January the Twentieth and Fourteenth
corps took up their line Of march towards Sisters ferry
along the Georgia side Of the river.


On the evening of the 29h the Seventeenth corps
manded by Major General Frank Blair broke camp
around Pocotaligo and moved towards the Cambahee
river resumng their march next day. on the right Of
the Savannah and Charleston Railroad where they had
some slight skirmshing with the rebel cavalry whom
they sheed out Of the woods the opposite side Of the
river. = T--


The Fifteenth corps, commanded by Major General
John A. Logan took up their line Of march along the
Beaufort road, and encampsd on the night Of the 30h
between the railroad and McPhersonvie.


The Army Of the Tennessee rested the 3st to allow
the left wing to up and also to have all delayed
troops and supplies Join their command.


PROGRAMME OF CAMPAIGN


No general order had been issued by General Sherman
relative to the campaign as the special order the
opening Of the Savannah campaign still in force.
All baggage and transportation reduced the lowest
possible standard Wall tents prohibited except as
offices and ono for headquarters


We started with about thirty days ratons and eight
days forage.


According to the pan the Army Of the Tennessee was
TO take the right wing-he corps moving on
the extreme right and the Fifteenth corps the right
centreaking up their line Of march from their tempo
rary encampments around Beaufort and Pocataligo,
along the roads between the Coosawhatchie and the Com
bahee rivers.


The Army Of the Cumberland, under Major General
Socum, occupied the left the Twentieth corps the left
CENTRE and the Fourteenth corps the extreme lefboh
marching from Savannah, ne right Of the Georgia
Central Railroad, crossing at Lesters Ferry and Union
causeway then keeping to the right until they formed
junction with the Army Of the Tennessee Kilpaick's
cavalry operated partly In front and partly In flank of
the left wing. and extending well in on the river


General Sherman travelled for the part with she
left wing.


As to Sherman's intentions and destination they ap
peared a mystery to ALL believe he had definite
course laid down, for his movements controlled "
those Of the enemy Had he struck right for Charleston
the enemy could concentrate and in his 'front.' thus
retardng his march and forcing him general engage
ment which he did not wish to bring for he
far from his base, and not in position TO for his
wounded. The would hold good had he moved for
Augusta or any special place He moved his army in
two columns each strong enough to resist any force tho
enemy could bring against it; yet moving near enough
TO concentrate should large force threaten either
Their separate movement fooled the enemy. They had
to detach their forces to try and keep check By
Sherman's mastery movements they soon found ITEM
selves isolated and helpless Shernans object first
TO destroy the network Of railroads running through
South Carolina, connecting Charleston with Richmond,
Augusta, Columbia and other important points In this
he fully succeeded compelling them to evacuate Charles
ton and rendering Augusta and other points Of mill
tlry value to the enemy


TnE FIRST OPPOSITION.


About five miles above the Coosawhatchie bridge the
enemy occupied redoubt In curve Of the river, which
they had mounted with four guns These considerably
annoyed right but were aenccd by our sharp
shooters.


RESUME OUR MARCH


On February we broke camp before day, marching
along the Mcphersonville road toward Hickory HILL


The road was flooded In several places The rebels had
feed trees these bayous which were cleared
or by pioneers


In front OF our column the Twenty ninth Missouri
mounted infantry and Seventh Illinois, under command
Of Major Buckhar kept pressing on the rebel vdettes
and skirmisbcrs


Major Buckhart rendered very efficient services all
through with his command In skirmishing with the
enemy, ascertaning their position and feeling their
lines


At Sand Hill the column halted for some time on Mr.
Peoples plantation.


CROSSING coosAwHArCHrR


Harris brigade OF Tennessee cavalry disputed pas
sage across the Coosawhatchie bridge. Colonel w. H.
Ross Chief OF Artillery Fifteenth corps, ordered up
section OF the Twelfth Wisconsin battery, which sheed
the woods while sharpshooers covered the bridge
Major Generals sherman and Logan occupied the house
OF a Mr. Mcbride their headquarters.


This place the head Of the causcway that
the Coosawhaichie swamp and about thirty five miles
from Pocotaligo Landing.


We had some slight skrmishtug in our front all day.
the rebel cavalry making feeble show OF resistance
We met a few dead rebels along our line
few miles further on, near Beech branch, where
bivouacked for the night was splendid marble froned