Green Square, Savannah, Camp 103d Illinois “Provost Guards.” December 22, 1864. We have just by a hair’s breadth missed what would have been a most unpleasant fight. We lay on the west side of the Ogeechee, with the enemy on the opposite shore, strongly fortified. We had crawled through the mud and established a line [...]
22nd. Up at 4. Rain froze as it fell. Awfully cold. At 5:30 “To horse” sounded. Soon a yell went up near the 2nd Brig., then a few shots. We were ordered to mount immediately–did it. A line could be seen on a distant hill. A few men came up within a few rods of [...]
Thursday, 22d.—Overtook brigade five miles from Pulaski. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Thursday, 22d–It is quite cool. Our camp is just inside the city limits. We tore down several houses and fences with which to build “ranches,” and then spent the rest of the day in cleaning accouterments and washing our clothes. The rebels, in their haste to get away, left about one hundred and fifty pieces [...]
December 21st.–Raining; rained all night. The following dispatch was received this morning: “Wilmington, December 20th, 1864, 10 A.M.–The head of the enemy’s fleet arrived off this port during last night. Over thirty steamers are now assembling, and more are following.–Braxton Bragg.” It may be hoped that Gen. Bragg will do something more than chronicle the [...]
21st. Wednesday. Orders regarding success of Sherman and Thomas, read to us near Mt. Jackson. Camped 8 miles south of Newmarket. Rained.
Wednesday, 21st.—Marched to Pulaski. Got good house to stay in at night. Snowing and very cold. Have very bad toothache. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Wednesday, 21st–The last artillery firing this morning was that of a thunderstorm. It seems that kind Providence wanted a hand in the capture of the city. We received orders about 10 o’clock to be ready to march at a moment’s warning, and immediately we were ordered to march, as the rebels had evacuated the place. [...]
December 20th.–A brighter morning, cool and clear. The President was at work yesterday. He and the Secretary and Gen. Cooper put their heads together to make up a regiment for Col. Miller in Mississippi, and designate the two field officers to be under him–from two battalions and two unattached companies. If the Northern (purporting to [...]
20th. Up at four. An early breakfast. 3rd Div. started up the valley, while 1st and 2nd went in another direction with 10 days’ rations. Camped at Woodstock.
Tuesday, 20th.—Brigade came back past last night, and left some of us behind. Marched eighteen miles. A Mrs. Lidle gave us her kitchen to stay in; treated us very kindly. Cold and rainy. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Washington Dec 20th/64 No news from Sherman (officialy) as yet as to his taking Savannah but we consider it as good as ours. He has got to the coast with very little opposition, and with very little loss after his 300 Miles March. It is the greatest feat of the War. He has shown himself [...]
Tuesday, 20th–Cloudy and windy this morning. Heavy cannonading with some skirmishing was kept up all day. Our batteries silenced the rebels’ batteries at every point. Four companies from our regiment went out last night to reinforce the details on building fortifications. The walls of the forts are to be twenty feet thick. We have a [...]
December 19th.–The darkest and most dismal day that ever dawned upon the earth, except one. There was no light when the usual hour came round, and later the sun refused to shine. There was fog, and afterward rain. Northern papers say Hood has been utterly routed, losing all his guns! A letter from Mr. –– [...]
Before Savannah, December 19, 1864. We have only been here a couple of days, but to-night we are to make and occupy a line within 700 yards of the Rebels.
19th. Wrote home. Orders to march in the morning at 6:30 A. M.
Monday, 19th.—Crossed Duck River and marched five miles. 2 P. M., Brigade ordered back to Columbia. Being sick, I did not go back, but turned aside and built me a fire. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
December 19th.–The deep waters are closing over us and we are in this house, like the outsiders at the time of the flood. We care for none of these things. We eat, drink, laugh, dance, in lightness of heart. Doctor Trezevant came to tell me the dismal news. How he piled on the agony! Desolation, [...]
Nov 17—Get to Staunton. See McGill, Downs and others. Go to Waynesboro with Mr. Withrow. All night on the train. Nov. 18—Get to Richmond and go on to Danville. All night in darkness. Nov. 19—Meet Bill Salmon, of Henry County. He is the only person I ever saw try to kill himself. At Mead’s Hotel, [...]
Monday, 19th–Weather pleasant. Reveille sounded at 1 a. m. and at 2 o’clock our brigade started for the rifle pits in front of Savannah. The first brigade was left at the bridge to guard the landing and to unload the boats. A little before daylight, unnoticed by the rebels, we passed over the same causeway [...]
Sunday, December 18th.–Raining. The old dull sound of bombs down the river. Nothing further from Savannah. It is now believed that the raiders in Western Virginia did not attack Saltville, and that the works are safe. For two days the speculators have been buying salt, and have put up the price to $1.50 per pound. [...]
18th. Sunday. A good letter from Prof. Peck. A beautiful picture of Melissa and the darling baby (Carrie Nettleton Thurber). Letter from home. Wrote to the Prof. From his letter to Prof. Peck. Everybody in the 2nd Ohio is familiar with the name and services of Prof. Peck, of Oberlin, the man who has always [...]
1864—Retreat from Nashville Sunday, 18th.—Camped near Columbia. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Sunday, 18th–This morning, as yesterday, there was a very heavy fog, continuing till about 9 o’clock. We drew one day’s rations of hardtack, having been without bread of any kind for six days, during which time rice was almost our sole diet. Our company was partially reorganized today by promotions. Lieutenant Spencer was promoted to [...]
17th.—The military movements are important, but to what they tend we know not. More troops have been added from Sheridan to Grant, and Early to Lee, and Sherman has crossed Georgia with little opposition or loss. Our last news is, that he has taken Fort McAllister, some miles below Savannah. What fate awaits that city [...]