Lieut. General E. Kirby Smith, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, was capable of no demonstrations which would compel the recall of the formidable reënforcements which were hastening to the support of General Thomas. Such was the scarcity of troops in Alabama and Mississippi, that Lieut. General Dick Taylor could detach but a handful in aid of Generals Cobb and Smith, who, with the Georgia state forces, were concentrated in the vicinity of Griffin. Lieut. General Hardee could muster forces barely sufficient to constitute respectable garrisons for the fixed batteries on the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. General Beauregard looked in vain throughout the length and breadth of his extensive military division of the west for the means of effectual resistance, and was disappointed in the amount of assistance which he hoped to realize from the Militia, Home Guards, and Reserves of the respective states embraced within the geographical limits of his command.

By carefully concealing his objective, and, with the heavy masses at command by well conceived feints cloaking his real design, General Sherman readily conjectured that the small army of observation which the Confederates might bring into the field would be so divided in the effort to defend various and important points, widely removed the one from the other, that unity of action would become quite difficult. For the same reason the chances of his encountering anything like formidable resistance, were well nigh dissipated.

At the outset, the cavalry corps of Major General Joseph Wheeler, and the Georgia state forces, under the command of Major Generals Howell Cobb and Gustavus W. Smith, constituted almost the only opposing forces on the Confederate side.

The season of the year selected for the movement was most propitious; just the period of invigorating airs and delightful autumnal suns, of clear skies and bracing frosty mornings, of firm roads, and abounding health. The stock upon the plantations, now in fine condition, could be relied on to supply any lack of transportation.

As, more than three hundred years before, the Spanish Adelantado in his quest of treasure compelled the aid of the Red men of this region to bear the burdens of his command while despoiling the homes and graves of the sons of the forest, in like manner did it enter into the calculation of these modern expeditionists to utilize the negroes found on the plantations adjacent to the lines of march by compelling them to accompany the columns and assist in transporting the booty which was to be ruthlessly collected on every side at the hands of unprotected women, fatherless children, and decrepit old men.

In obedience to a telegram from General Hood, received at Macon on the 12th of October, 1864, Major General Gustavus W. Smith concentrated, as rapidly as possible, all the available forces in that vicinity with a view to an early demonstration against Atlanta, then in possession of the Federals. In the execution of these orders he, in a short time, assembled at Lovejoy's station about twenty-eight hundred infantry, three batteries of Confederate light artillery, and between two and three hundred local reserve cavalry. This infantry belonged principally to the First Division of Georgia militia. His force being inadequate for a direct assault upon Atlanta, as it was then garrisoned, General Hood suggested that General Smith should cross the Chattahoochee and destroy the line of railroad between that river and the Etowah. Upon further consideration this movement being deemed impracticable, General Smith located his command, as a corps of observation, near Atlanta, preventing the enemy from foraging, confining the Federals within their lines, and acting as a support to Brigadier General Iverson who, with two brigades of cavalry, was in his immediate front. Major General Wheeler reached General Smith's headquarters on the night of the 12th of November, and soon after his cavalry corps began to arrive from Alabama.

On the afternoon of the 15th the Confederate cavalry, skirmishing heavily with the advancing columns of the enemy, fell back from Jonesboro to Lovejoys. The same day at dark General Smith commenced moving his command to Griffin where were field fortifications behind which he hoped to be able to check the Federal advance. Ascertaining the next day that large bodies of the enemy had passed through McDonough and were moving along the direct road from Atlanta to Macon, General Smith, at dark, began retiring his troops upon Forsyth. This march of thirty-five miles was accomplished in twenty-four hours. Information having there reached him that the Federal army was crossing to the east bank of the Ocmulgee river, General Smith retreated upon Macon and there turned over his command, with the exception of the Georgia militia and two regiments of the Georgia state line, to Major General Howell Cobb by whom he was assigned to the command of a portion of the lines around Macon on the west bank of the Ocmulgee river.

General Wheeler, commanding the Confederate cavalry, interrupted, to the extent of his ability, the advance of the enemy, and was present at Macon when that city was threatened. The important services rendered by his cavalry command during Sherman's march through Georgia will be subsequently considered when we have the pleasure of presenting his hitherto unpublished Official Report.

Considerable expense had been incurred, and much labor bestowed upon the construction of field-works for the protection of Macon. These fortifications were commenced by Captain M. B. Grant, but were subsequently changed under the directions of Major General M. L. Smith, chief engineer of Hood's army. On the west bank of the river the defensive line was about four miles in length; and, on the east side, about three miles. It consisted of a system of detached works within supporting distance of each other. The intention was to connect them by means of a stockade; but, at the time of Sherman's arrival, these works were incomplete, and the stockade had been scarcely commenced. About thirty guns were in position along the line, and were served by four or five light artillery companies from Hood's army who had lost their horses, and by some local artillerists. The Confederate force in Macon, when the Federals appeared before the city, consisted of about four thousand infantry, including the troops brought by General Smith from Lovejoys, the reserves from Columbus and other points in the state, the local troops, conscripts in camp, convalescents from the hospital, and a small battalion of Confederate troops, some two hundred strong, under the command of Lieut. Col. Nisbet. To these should be added the artillerists above mentioned, and General Wheeler's cavalry then numbering between two and three thousand men.

The Federal demonstration against Macon was very partial, and was easily repulsed. Sherman's army crossed the Ocmulgee above Macon, and this demonstration against the city was made by cavalry, and against the Confederate lines on the east bank of the river, where General Cobb had concentrated his forces in anticipation of an attack. In fact, it was merely a feint, while the Federal columns were moving upon Milledgeville and other points to the south. The casualties were inconsiderable. A few Federal prisoners were captured.

Lieut. Genl. Hardee reached Macon while Sherman was crossing the Ocmulgee above the mouth of the Towaliga. Satisfied that the demonstration against Macon was a feint, and that no further attack would be made, he left for Savannah to urge forward, as rapidly as possible, the defenses of that city. General Dick Taylor arrived just after the departure of General Hardee and, having remained only a day in Macon, joined General Hardee in Savannah.

The enemy having abandoned any serious designs which may have been entertained against the city of Macon, and it being deemed not improbable that the city of Augusta with its valuable powder mill, work shops, foundry, arsenal, and government stores, would attract the notice of Sherman, on the morning of the 21st of November, General Hardee ordered the First brigade, Georgia militia, to proceed with all dispatch along the line of the Central rail road and, moving by rail or otherwise as transportation could be secured, to rendezvous at Augusta at the earliest practicable moment. On the afternoon of the same day Major General Smith was directed to follow with the Second, Third, and Fourth brigades of Georgia militia, the two regiments of the Georgia State line, and Anderson's Confederate Light Battery. The Augusta and Athens battalions of local troops, under Major Cook, were ordered to the same point. Genl. Hardee left Macon for Savannah on the evening of the 21st of November. In his absence, and upon the arrival of Genl. Dick Taylor, the command devolved upon him, as the ranking officer. In pursuance of the foregoing orders Major General Smith, on the morning of the 22d, put his command in motion in the direction of Griswoldville, with instructions to halt there and await further orders. While detained a few hours in Macon in consummating necessary arrangements for the transportation of supplies and ammunition for his command, information was conveyed to General Smith that large bodies of the enemy were still in the vicinity of Macon and occupying positions along the proposed line of his march. An order for the recall of the troops was imperative, and received the sanction of Lieut. General Taylor. That order did not reach them, however, until they were on the eve of an engagement with what was then supposed to be a small force of the enemy. In the language of General Smith's report, “notwithstanding my order to avoid an engagement at that time and place, a collision occurred, we being the attacking party, and though the officers and men behaved with great gallantry, they failed to carry the works of the enemy, but held a position within one hundred and fifty yards of their line until after dark, when they were withdrawn to Macon by my order.” The First brigade was not engaged; having, in execution of orders given by General Hardee, passed Griswoldville prior to the appearance of the Federals. The Athens and Augusta battalions participated in the action. The Confederate loss was a little over six hundred killed and wounded, being more than one fourth of the effective muskets in action. Several of the best field officers of the command were killed or wounded. On this occasion the State and Confederate forces were confronted by Wood's Division of the 15th Army Corps,—General Walcott's brigade with two pieces of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry on either flank, being in advance. The Federals were protected by barricades and temporary works. Another corps of Sherman's army was marching from Clinton in rear of the position occupied by the Confederates, so that their situation was perilous in the extreme. This engagement, while it reflects great credit upon the gallantry of the Confederate and State forces engaged, was unnecessary, unexpected, and utterly unproductive of any good. The battle of Griswoldville will be remembered as an unfortunate accident whose occurrence might have been avoided by the exercise of proper caution and circumspection. It in no wise crippled the movements of the enemy, and entailed upon the Confederates a loss which, under the circumstances, could be illy sustained.

The Federal columns having withdrawn from the vicinity of Macon, and the line of the Central rail road being in their possession, the destination of Genl. Smith's command was changed from Augusta to Savannah. On the 25th of November it was ordered to move by rail to Albany, thence to march across the country to Thomasville, and there take the cars of the Atlantic and Gulf rail road to Savannah.

“We arrived,” says Genl. Smith, “in Thomasville by noon, Monday [the 28th], having marched from Albany, a distance between fifty-five and sixty miles, in fifty-four hours. At Thomasville, instead of finding five trains, the number I had requested to be sent, there were but two, and these could not be started until after dark, and did not arrive here [Savannah] until two o'clock Wednesday morning, occupying twice the time necessary between Thomasville and Savannah, and leaving the 2d, 3d, and 4th brigades at the former place.” Upon his arrival in Savannah, and before he had left the cars, General Smith received a peremptory order from General Hardee requiring him immediately to proceed with his command to Grahamville, South Carolina, to repel an advance of the Federals who, moving up from Broad river, were seeking to cut the line of the Charleston and Savannah rail road. It was absolutely necessary that this communication should be preserved. Upon its security depended the further occupation of Savannah. Over this road must the garrison retreat in the event that it became expedient to evacuate the city. By this route also, were reënforcements expected. General Hardee had no troops which could be detailed for this important service, except two regular Confederate regiments from Charleston, and it was feared that they would arrive too late. Not a moment could be lost, and it was urged upon General Smith that if he would move at once and hold the enemy in check until two o'clock P. M. several thousand troops, en route from North and South Carolina for the reënforcement of the garrison at Savannah, would arrive and ensure the effectual repulse of the Federals. Although the statute organizing the State forces confined their service and operations to the limits of Georgia; although, strictly speaking, there rested upon these troops no legal obligation to move beyond the confines of their own state whose territory they were instructed to defend; although General Smith had a qualified authority from Governor Brown to withdraw the Georgia State forces under his command from Confederate service in case they were ordered beyond the limits of the state, and although both commander and command were “almost broken down by fatigue and want of rest,” realizing that the battle for the salvation of the metropolis of Georgia was on the instant to be fought on Carolina soil, and, after a full conference with the lieutenant general becoming perfectly satisfied that it was right and proper the movement should be made, General Smith issued the requisite orders and, about eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, the 30th of November, arrived at Grahamville, South Carolina, with his leading brigade. The conduct of General Smith and the Georgia State troops in this trying emergency will be always remembered with peculiar pride and in especial honor.

On Tuesday, the 29th of November, a Federal force, under the immediate command of Brigadier General John P. Hatch, consisting of five thousand men of all arms, including a brigade from the navy, proceeded up Broad river to Boyd's Neck, where it landed with the intention of taking possession of and occupying the Charleston and Savannah rail road at Grahamville. This involved a march of only some seven miles. This expedition was conceived in aid of General Sherman who was known to be seeking the coast at some convenient point. By thus severing the communication between Savannah and Charleston, the former city would be completely isolated and Sherman enabled at pleasure, and without hazard, to cross the Savannah river at almost any point below Augusta, and establish communications with Port Royal, then the principal Federal depot on the south Atlantic coast.

When General Hatch effected a landing at Boyd's Neck the only Confederate force on duty at Grahamville was a part of a squadron of the Third South Carolina Cavalry. All available troops in the district had been sent into the interior to oppose General Sherman's advance. Colonel C. J. Colcock, the district commander, was fifty miles away, superintending the erection of field works at the principal crossings of the Savannah river. The Federals having effected a landing at Boyd's Neck at eight o'clock on the morning of the 29th of November, at a remove of only seven miles from the rail road, and there being at the time no Confederate forces in the neighborhood to dispute their advance, had they moved promptly upon Grahamville, the Charleston and Savannah rail road would have passed into their possession without a struggle. During the whole of the 29th they were engaged, however, in intrenching themselves at a point distant half a mile from where they landed, and thus the golden opportunity was suffered to pass unimproved. Colonel Colcock arrived at Grahamville about seven o'clock on the morning of the 30th, and an hour afterwards Major General G. W. Smith, with his leading brigade, was on the ground. Advices were received that the Federal column, marching up the Honey-Hill road, had passed Bolan's church and was then only five miles from Grahamville. The line of breastworks, previously constructed for the use of infantry and field-artillery, being equidistant between Grahamville and the church, it became all important that the advance of the enemy should be retarded in order that the Confederates might occupy those works. With this view Colonel Colcock pushed rapidly forward with a 12 pounder Napoleon gun of Kanapaux's Light Battery, under command of Lieutenant Zealy, and company K, of the Third South Carolina Cavalry, Captain Peeples. He encountered the head of the Federal column on a causeway a mile and a half in front of the breastworks. It was a most favorable position for impeding the enemy's progress. On the left was an impenetrable swamp, and on the right an extensive old field intersected by numerous canals and ditches. Lieut. Zealy's 12 pounder Napoleon was planted so as to command the causeway, and Captain Peeples's company was dismounted and deployed as skirmishers across the old field. The first shell from the Napoleon gun is said to have killed and wounded nine men of the enemy. Upon its discharge the column halted, and, after considerable delay, left the road, marching across the field with a view to flanking the Confederate position. In order to counteract this movement Colonel Colcock ordered his men to set fire to the broom-sedge which was dry, and covered the entire field. A strong wind at the time prevailing and blowing in the direction of the enemy, carried down upon them, with surprising rapidity, a fierce line of flame and smoke before which they precipitately retreated, in their flight abandoning blankets, haversacks, and knapsacks. Reforming in the road, the Federals advanced, Colonel Colcock retiring with his little command and disputing their progress from time to time as opportunity occurred.

Meanwhile General Smith had fully occupied the breast works, and completed his dispositions. To Colonel Colcock, the district commander, was assigned the immediate executive command of the main line.

The engagement commenced about ten o'clock in the morning, and from that time until nearly dark the enemy made continuous but fruitless efforts to carry the Confederate position. The Confederates brought into action five pieces of field artillery and about fourteen hundred effective muskets. There were also three companies and two detachments of the Third South Carolina Regiment of Cavalry, under Major Jenkins. 1 The Confederate line of battle extended from the Honey-Hill road, on which its right rested, in a semicircular form, through an open pine barren, to the Coosawhatchie road.

At a remove of some hundred and fifty yards, directly in front of the Confederate line, and extending almost its entire length, was a low, swampy ground, about twenty yards wide. Upon its appearance about one hundred and twenty yards in front of the field works occupied by the Confederates, and in a curve in the Honey-Hill road, the infantry and artillery immediately opened a murderous fire upon the head of the Federal column, before which it melted away. Thus commenced 1. The following organizations were present on this memorable occasion, and constituted the little Confederate army charged with driving back a Federal force more than three times as numerous. INFANTRY.The 1st Brigade Georgia Militia: Col. Willis.The State Line Brigade. [Georgia] Col. Wilson.The 17th Georgia, Confederate Regiment, Lt. Col. Edwards.The 32d . . . . .“ . . . . .“ . . . . .“ . . . . .Lt. Col. Bacon.The Athens Battalion . . . . .Major Cook.The Augusta . . . . .“ . . . . .Major Jackson. CAVALRY.Companies B and E, and detachments from Company C and the Rebel Troop, all belonging to the 3d Regiment South Carolina Cavalry, under command of Major Jenkins. ARTILLERY.A section of the Beaufort Artillery, Capt. Stuart.“ . . . . .“ . . . . .“ . . . . .De Pass's Light Battery.“ . . . . .“ . . . . .“ . . . . .the Lafayette Artillery.One gun from Kanapaux's Light Battery. the engagement. The Federals were advancing in apparent ignorance of this line of field works, and of the serious opposition which they were destined to encounter. Staggered by this unexpected and destructive fire, the enemy recoiled; and some time elapsed before they deployed in line of battle to the right and left of the Honey-Hill road in front of the Confederate line and just across the swampy ground to which allusion has already been made. This low ground was wooded to an extent sufficient to conceal the movements of the enemy, but not to protect them from the heavy fire of infantry and artillery which crashed through their ranks, causing great destruction and demoralization. So soon as the Federals had formed their line of battle, efforts were made to force the centre of the Confederate line and also to turn its flanks. These attempts were renewed from time to time, but on each occasion resulted in defeat and heavy loss. The Confederate troops in position bravely held their ground, and the gallant Thirty Second Georgia Regiment, which constituted a movable reserve, rendered efficient service in repulsing these attacks, appearing always at the proper point at the most opportune time.

Wearied with and disheartened by these repeated repulses, and perceiving their inability to force our position, the Federals, about four o'clock in the afternoon, slackened their fire, massed their artillery on their left and in the Honey-Hill road to cover their retreat, and commenced retiring. The Confederate left wing was advanced, but his men being greatly exhausted and having been for many hours without food, Genl. Smith did not deem it best to pursue. The retreat of the enemy was effected during the evening and night of the 30th, and the next morning found the remnant of General Hatch's army behind its breastworks near Boyd's landing, covered by the protecting batteries of the Federal gun boats.

The Confederate losses amounted only to four killed and forty wounded. Those of the enemy are stated by General Grant, in his official report, as seven hundred and forty-six in killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate artillery was admirably handled and did great execution. In General Hatch's command were several negro regiments. They suffered severely; and it appeared, upon a subsequent inspection of the field, that they were forced to occupy the most exposed positions. Some Confederate officers, who examined many of their dead bodies, noticed wounds in the back which suggested the impression that some of them at least had been forced into action at the point of the bayonet.

“I have never seen or known of a battle field,” says General Smith in his official report, “upon which there was so little confusion, and where every order was so cheerfully and promptly obeyed, and where a small number of men for so long a time successfully resisted the determined and oft repeated efforts of largely superior attacking forces.”

The enemy having been thoroughly beaten back on the 30th, and Confederate forces having, during the afternoon of that day and the morning of the 1st of December, concentrated at Grahamville in numbers sufficient to confirm the fruits of the victory and repel any new attack, General Smith regarded the necessity as no longer existing for detaining the Georgia state troops “beyond their legal jurisdiction.” Accordingly, having asked and obtained permission from Lieut. General Hardee to lead his exhausted command back to Georgia, General Smith arrived in Savannah with his troops at ten o'clock on the night of the 1st of December. From this time until the evacuation of the city, this officer and the State forces were posted on the right of the western lines of the city of Savannah, where they rendered efficient service and sustained an honorable part prior to and during the progress of the siege.

This victory at Honey-Hill relieved the city of Savannah from an impending danger which, had it not been thus averted, would have necessitated its immediate evacuation under the most perilous circumstances, maintained the only line of communication by which reënforcements were expected for the relief of the commercial metropolis of Georgia, and finally afforded an avenue of convenient retreat when, three weeks afterwards, the garrison, unable longer to cope with the enveloping legions of Sherman, evacuated the city. In acknowledgment of the gallantry, patriotism, and distinguished services of General Smith and his command in this brilliant affair, the Legislature of Georgia on the 9th of March, 1865, passed the following resolutions:

No resistance was offered to General Slocum when he occupied Milledgeville on the 23d of November. The Legislature hastily adjourned upon the approach of his column. The supreme court also adjourned, and the Governor left the capital. The capture of military stores at Milledgeville were unimportant. The State Library suffered severely, and the town was largely pillaged. On the 19th of November, Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne with the corps of Cadets, Pruden's Battery of Light Artillery, Talbott's company of Cavalry, Williams's Militia company, the Factory and Penitentiary Guards and the Roberts's Guards (convicts), aggregating about five hundred men, and under the immediate command of Maj. F. W. Capers, superintendent of the Georgia Military Institute, evacuated Milledgeville and fell back upon Gordon. On the afternoon of the next day this force retreated along the line of the Central rail road and took post at the Oconee bridge, “as the most important point on the Central rail road to be defended.” Upon arrival, Adjutant General Wayne found at the bridge a guard of 186 men, consisting of Heyward's company of South Carolina Cavalry, a section of Maxwell's Light Battery, Lieutenant Huger, and a detail from the 27th Georgia Battalion, all under the command of Major Alfred L. Hartridge who had been ordered by Major General Lafayette McLaws, commanding the district of Georgia, to defend this crossing to the last extremity. Major Hartridge thus details the services rendered in obedience to these instructions.

On Saturday, the 26th of November, the forces concentrated for the defense of the Oconee bridge were withdrawn, and the same day reached number 13 on the line of the Central rail road, where Huger's section of Maxwell's Light Battery was turned over to Maj. General Wheeler. General Wayne having received orders from General Hardee to occupy the rail road bridge across the Ogeechee, started at once with his command for that point, which was reached at one o'clock P. M. the same day.

The enemy having cut the Waynesboro road on the morning of the 27th, General Wayne was directed to fall back upon Millen and fortify that position. While at Millen, in the execution of these orders, he was notified that Kilpatrick's command, some four thousand strong, was moving upon that point. He therefore fell back with his command to number 4 1/2, behind the Little Ogeechee rail road bridge.

On the third of December, at day-break, he was joined by the State line and the First Brigade of Georgia Militia of General Smith's Division, under the command of General Robert Toombs, at the time acting as inspector general of the First Division. At eleven o'clock the same day General Baker arrived with his brigade of North Carolinians. Being advised that the 15th Army Corps, on the other side of the Ogeechee, was moving upon station number 2, Central rail road, and heavy columns of the enemy being in front on the rail road and on the right of the Confederate position, it was deemed best by Genl. Wayne to return at once to number 2. Upon arrival there he was met by Major Black of General Hardee's staff, with instructions to return at once to number 4 1/2 where he would be reënforced. This order was promptly obeyed.

Early in the morning of December 4th, Anderson's and Phillips's brigades of the Georgia militia reported for duty at number 4 1/2. Line of battle was formed behind the Little Ogeechee, with a force of four thousand infantry and three pieces of artillery. General Baker was assigned as executive officer in command of the line. At 1:35 P. M. the advance guard of the 17th Corps appeared on the left, and skirmishing began there and in front of the bridge on the rail road. At 4 P. M. Major General McLaws arrived from Savannah with instructions from General Hardee to assume the command. Having reconnoitered the position and being convinced of the utter inutility of offering resistance at this point, at half past five o'clock General McLaws ordered a withdrawal of the forces, which was done during the night, the troops falling back quietly to number 1 1/2. At 7 P. M. the enemy ceased skirmishing and began entrenching. The next day the State forces and Baker's command resumed their positions in the western lines for the defense of Savannah.

The passage of the Cannouchee by General Osterhaus's column had been vigorously but vainly disputed by Colonel John C. Fizer and his command.

In advance of the Federal approach the prisoners at Andersonville and Millen had been safely removed— much to the chagrin of the invading forces. The Confederate line at Monteith being found impracticable, was evacuated, as has already been indicated in the intelligent communication of Major Hartridge, the officer in command.

As most of the fighting in retardation of Sherman's advance was done by the Confederate cavalry, under Major General Wheeler, we have purposely refrained from alluding to the services rendered by this arm of the service in order that we might avail ourselves of the connected narrative contained in the following report.

This dispatch was directed on the envelop to Genl. Jeff. C. Davis.

Although every effort had been made to concentrate a large force for the defense of Savannah, such was the pressure upon the Confederacy and so great the paucity of troops, that at the inception and during the progress of the siege there were not more than ten thousand men fit for duty within the Confederate lines around that city. Nearly one half of these consisted of reserves and militia, and considerable details were employed in garrisoning the forts and fixed batteries in the Savannah river and along the line of the water approaches. No lack of patriotism existed on the part of the citizens, who responded freely to the following spirited address of their honored mayor.

Although severely repulsed at Honey Hill on the 30th of November, the Federals within a short time set on foot new expeditions with a view to obtaining possession of the Charleston and Savannah rail road. As the protection of this important line of communication was essential to the safety of the garrison at Savannah, General Hardee ordered Major General Samuel Jones, commanding at Charleston, to establish his head quarters at or near Pocotaligo and carefully watch the movements of the enemy. These instructions were given on the 4th of December. The troops in that vicinity, under General Jones's command, consisted of the 5th and 47th Georgia Regiments, a battalion of the 32d Georgia Regiment, a portion of the 3d Regiment South Carolina cavalry, Kirk's squadron of cavalry, some South Carolina reserves and militia, some Georgia reserves, and several batteries of light artillery. These forces were distributed at various points extending from Pocotaligo to the Savannah river, and along the left bank of that river to Sisters ferry, and above. Those concentrated at and near Grahamville were under the immediate command of Brigadier General Chesnut, and those stationed at and near Coosawhatchie were commanded by Brigadier General Gartrell. The reserves were poorly organized and imperfectly drilled. The militia was to a great extent undisciplined, and lacked arms.

On the morning of the 6th of December the enemy effected a landing at Gregory's Point on the Tullifinny river. A battalion of the 5th Georgia Regiment, sent forward by General Gartrell to contest the advance of the enemy, encountered the Federals on the Gregory's point road about a mile from its junction with the State road, and at first drove them back a short distance. Soon perceiving however, that the opposing force “was scarcely a twentieth part of their own numbers,” the Federals pressed forward and nearly enveloped the 5th Georgia, forcing it back. The Georgia reserves and a section of light artillery, ordered by General Gartrell to support the 5th Georgia, fell back in confusion after having partially destroyed the bridge within range of the Confederate works at Coosawhatchie. Having obtained a foothold at the junction of the Gregory's Point road and the State road, the Federals immediately commenced intrenching.

During the night of the 6th, Major General Jones concentrated on the Charleston and Savannah rail road, near the Tullifinny trestle, the 47th Georgia Regiment, a battalion of the 32d Georgia, a company of the 1st South Carolina Artillery, Major White's battalion of cadets, a battalion of North Carolina Reserves which had just arrived, and Bachman's battery of light artillery, and ordered Colonel Edwards, the senior colonel, to attack the enemy with this force at daylight in the morning. Brigadier General Gartrell was directed to make a spirited demonstration from Coosawhatchie so soon as he should hear Colonel Edwards's guns: and, if Colonel Edwards's movement proved successful, to press forward with the attack. Both attacks failed of their object; and General Jones, believing that he had not a sufficient number of reliable troops to justify him in renewing the assault, endeavored by defensive works to hold the rail road. Meanwhile, the enemy was busily occupied in strengthening their position. On the night of the 8th, Brigadier General B. H. Robertson was assigned to the immediate command of the troops between Pocotaligo and Coosawhatchie. On the morning of the 9th, the Federals, in endeavoring to gain possession of the rail road, vigorously assailed the Confederate left near Tullifinny, and were handsomely repulsed. Later in the day, having massed their forces on their left, they attacked the Confederate line near Coosawhatchie, and were again repulsed. Failing in these attacks they never renewed them, but contented themselves with strengthening their position within less than a mile of the Charleston and Savannah rail road, where they established several batteries with which they endeavored, but unsuccessfully, to prevent the Confederates from using the road. Although these batteries were located within easy range of the road, and although the enemy used their artillery freely, the Confederate forces held the road continuously, and the passage of trains was never interrupted for an entire day until the road was abandoned after the evacuation of Savannah, and the withdrawal of troops and materials had been fully accomplished. Only one locomotive and a box-car were damaged, and two rails broken by the enemy's continued fire.

While these operations were in progress near Coosawhatchie, Brigadier General Chesnut held the rail road from Bee's creek to Hardeeville, and Colonel Colcock guarded the Savannah river to Hudson's ferry, until the arrival of Major General Wheeler and Brigadier General Young with their respective commands.

We make no apology for referring to these movements and alluding to these dispositions of troops, because they had an important bearing upon and constituted no mean part of the plan of the defense of Savannah.

Prior to the inception of Sherman's march through Georgia, the attention of the military commanders at Savannah had been mainly directed to the construction of fortifications for the protection of the city against water attacks and expeditions advancing directly from the coast. The likelihood of any demonstration from the rear had, up to this time, been deemed so remote, and the probability of an attack from the coast so imminent on more than one occasion, that most of the available labor had been expended in the erection and arming of batteries to control the water approaches to the city, and in the construction of substantial earth works covering the eastern and southern exposures of Savannah. A brief allusion to these lines of defense will not, we trust, be deemed irrelevant.

The original line conceived for the protection of the sea-coast of Georgia contemplated the erection of earth-works, to be armed with 32-pounder guns, at every ship-channel entrance from Tybee island to Fernandina. Thus, on the north point of Great Tybee island was a small sand battery as an outpost to Fort Pulaski, and an earth-work on Warsaw island as an advanced fortification to the Skidaway island batteries. In the vicinity of Ossabaw sound no defensive work existed exterior to the battery on Green island. Then came Fort McAllister near the mouth of the Great Ogeechee river. On the north point of St. Catharine island was a small battery; and so the purpose was to pursue this system of fortifications as far as the southern extremity of Cumberland island.

Such isolated works, feeble in themselves and far removed from a convenient base of supplies, were essentially inadequate for the purpose for which they were intended, were incapable of resisting anything like a determined attack, and, at the commencement of the Confederate struggle for independence when the art of war was but partially understood and it was deemed an imperative duty to protect every foot of Confederate soil, were mainly designed to quiet the fears of the planters on the coast who, apprehensive of the approach of armed vessels and marauding parties commissioned to annoy exposed localities and disorganize the labor upon their estates, were clamorous for some protection of this sort. These outer batteries were held only a short time. Several of them, although planned, and partially completed with the aid of slave labor from neighboring plantations, were never finished.

On the 18th day of February, 1862, the batteries on St. Simons and Jekyl islands, designed for the protection of Brunswick, were abandoned, and their armaments transferred to more important points. From this time onward, during the continuance of the war, the heavy guns on the Georgia coast were charged solely with guarding the water approaches to the city of Savannah and its vicinity. The advanced line for the control of these water approaches was represented by a battery at Red Bluff, Fort Pulaski, detached works on Wilmington, Skidaway, and Green islands, and by Fort McAllister. There was also an interior line of forts and water batteries which, commencing with Fort Jackson and the Savannah river batteries, included Fort Bartow, works at Causton's bluff and on Whitmarsh island, batteries at Greenwich, Thunderbolt, the Isle of Hope, and at Beaulieu, and rested its right on the Rose Dew batteries. Fort Pulaski was isolated on the 22d of February, 1862, and passed into the hands of the Federals on the 11th of April following. In March of the same year the battery on Skidaway island was abandoned, and its guns were employed in strengthening Thunderbolt battery. About the same time the fort on Green island was dismantled, and its armament transferred to the battery at Beaulieu.

In addition to these defenses, a line of formidable field works, within easy range of each other, and in many places connected by curtains, armed with siege and field guns, was thrown up for the immediate defense of Savannah. Commencing at Fort Boggs on the Savannah river, and thence extending south and west in a semi-circular form, enveloping the city at distances varying from one to two and a quarter miles, it terminated at the Springfield plantation swamp. The principal works in this line were Fort Boggs, mounting fourteen guns, some of them quite heavy and commanding Savannah river, Fort Brown, near the Catholic cemetery, armed with eleven guns, and Fort Mercer having a battery of nine guns. Between Springfield plantation swamp where the right of the line rested just beyond Laurel Grove cemetery, and Fort Mercer, were eighteen lunettes, mounting in the aggregate twenty guns. Connecting Fort Mercer with Fort Brown was a cremeilliere line with nine salients, mounting in the aggregate eight guns. Between Fort Brown and Fort Boggs were seven lunettes, mounting in the aggregate eight guns. These works were well supplied with magazines. It will be noted that the armament of these city lines consisted of seventy pieces of artillery of various calibres, among which 32, 24, 18, 12 and 6-pounder guns predominated. A considerable supply of ammunition was kept on hand in the magazines. Such was the condition of this city line in the month of October, 1864. When, however, it became necessary, the month following, to arm the western line for the defense of the city against Sherman's army, many guns were withdrawn from the city line and placed in battery on the western defenses. In fact, the principal supply of guns and ammunition was hence derived. The first assignment of guns on the western line was made by the writer on the 20th of November. Major General Lafayette McLaws was then in command of the district of Georgia; Major John McCrady was acting as chief engineer, and Captain L. Jacqueline Smith as ordnance officer. When Lieut. General Hardee arrived and assumed command, Colonel J. J. Clarke discharged the duties of chief engineer, and Lieut. Col. J. R. Waddy was announced as chief ordnance officer.

As Federal vessels of war, in anticipation of the approach of Sherman's army, had been multiplied along the coast, and as a demonstration in aid of his movement was deemed entirely probable, it was manifestly necessary that the forts and batteries commanding the water approaches to the city of Savannah should be kept amply garrisoned and properly supplied with ammunition. Consequently, during the continuance of the siege, the cannoneers were kept at their posts and a strict watch was maintained. As but slight changes were made during the siege in the armament of these fixed batteries, the following statement of guns in position along the water front of the Savannah defenses may be accepted as substantially correct.

We begin with Red Bluff battery on the Carolina shore, which constituted the left of the line.

This enclosed work was armed with six guns, as follows: two 24-pounder rifle guns, one 8-inch columbiad, one 24 and two 12-pounder howitzers.

At the extremity of the bay, in the city of Savannah, was located a 32-pounder gun.

On Hutchinson's island was an earth work mounting three 32-pounder guns.

The armament of Fort Jackson consisted of two 8-inch columbiads, two 32-pounder rifle guns, and three 32-pounder naval guns.

The other batteries for the defense of the Savannah river proper (aside from Fort Boggs whose location and armament have already been mentioned) were Cheves, Lawton, and Lee.

The western lines, about which the chief interest concentres, have already been sufficiently described. They were begun so soon as it was ascertained that Sherman had commenced his movement from Atlanta, and were constructed as rapidly as available labor and means would permit. The credit of their location is due to Major John McCrady, then chief engineer of the district, under the directions of Major General Lafayette McLaws. On the 20th of November the first assignment of guns was made for their armament, and others were hastened into position as rapidly as they could be withdrawn from the city lines and other localities from which they could be spared.

Troops for the occupation of these lines commenced taking their posts on the 7th of December, and at once entered, with much activity, upon the task of strengthening them and extending the infantry cover.

Major General Gustavus W. Smith's troops, numbering about 2000 muskets, were disposed on the right, from the Savannah river almost to the crossing of the Central rail road—a front of about two miles and a half. His right was commanded by Brig. Genl. Anderson, and his left by Brig. Genl. Carswell. The two regiments of the State line were posted near the Louisville road, and the First brigade of militia near the Augusta road. The intermediate line was occupied by the battalion of Cadets. The Second and Third brigades of Georgia militia held the line from the Augusta road to the bank of the Savannah river; and Fort Hardeman, the advanced work across Williamson's rice field, was occupied by Colonel Hill with a detachment from the Third Georgia brigade, a detachment of Cadets, and Pruden's militia battery. A portion of Anderson's Confederate light battery, and a part of Major Hamilton's battalion of light artillery were conveniently posted in support.

Major General Lafayette McLaws' front, forming the center of the line, commenced about one hundred feet to the right of the Central rail road crossing, and terminated at the swamp to the left of the Daly farm. Measured along the entrenchments, its length was about three miles and three quarters. His right was commanded by Brig Genl. Baker, and his left by Brig. Genl. Lewis. Genl. Baker's forces consisted of North Carolina troops and Georgia and South Carolina artillerists. Those under Genl. Lewis consisted of Worthen's North Carolina battalion, detachments of the 4th Tennessee and the 12th South Carolina Cavalry, the 2d, 4th, and 9th, Kentucky Mounted Infantry, the 3d battalion Georgia Reserves, Major Cook's Athens battalion, the 5th regiment Georgia Reserves, and the 1st regiment Georgia Regulars.

Daniell's light battery, Abell's light battery, and sections of the light batteries of Captains Barnwell and Wagner supported this portion of the line. The troops on General McLaws' front numbered about 3750 men.

Major General A. R. Wright, on the 11th of December, was assigned to the command of the left of the western lines extending from the Daly farm, or Telfair swamp, to the Atlantic and Gulf rail road bridge over the Little Ogeechee river—a distance of some seven miles. He had under him Brig. General Hugh W. Mercer, commanding his right from the Telfair swamp to a point east of Lawton's house, and Brig. Genl. John K. Jackson, commanding his left from Lawton's house to the Atlantic and Gulf rail road crossing over the Little Ogeechee river. This front of Major Genl. Wright was irregular, being interrupted by dense woods and impracticable swamps. It was held by about 2700 men; twelve hundred under Brig. Genl. Mercer, and the rest under Brig. Genl. Jackson. Genl. Mercer's command consisted of Coln. Browne's local brigade (composed of Major Jackson's Augusta battalion, Major Adams's Athens battalion, and a regiment of local troops under Colonel Nisbet), Brooks foreign battalion, a detachment of the 55th Georgia regiment, and Capt. Barnes's company of artillerists from Augusta. This force was disposed as follows: Lt. Coln. R. B. Nisbet, with Adams's Athens battalion, a portion of the 1st Regiment of Augusta local infantry, and Clemon's battalion Augusta local infantry, occupied the line from Battery Richardson to Battery Barnwell. Griffin's detachment of the 55th Georgia regiment supported batteries Wheeler and Simpkins, and Jackson's Augusta battalion of local infantry occupied the line from the last named work to Battery Barnes, which was held by the Augusta artillerists under Captain George Barnes. Brooks's foreign battalion was posted near the left of Battery Barnes.

Brig. Genl. Jackson's command was composed of Coln. Von Zinken's local troops, drawn from the Confederate arsenals and work-shops of Columbus and elsewhere in the state of Georgia, detachments from Genl. Ferguson's brigade of cavalry, dismounted, and local reserves from Savannah. Brooks's light battery was stationed at Battery Jones, at the crossing of the old Savannah and Darien stage road over Salt creek, and Capt. Guerard's light battery, sections of Maxwell's and Barnwell's light batteries, and a detachment of Major Hamilton's artillery battalion supported this line of Genl. Wright, being disposed at important points.

Every effort was made, by the erection of batteries and infantry entrenchments, by digging rifle pits and constructing substantial covers, by felling trees in its front and by flooding all approaches, to render this western line as formidable as the labor and materials at command would permit. Its efficiency, in conjunction with the artificial overflow in its front, will be conceded when it is remembered that for ten days it kept Sherman's formidable army at bay. And yet, thirteen miles long as it was, and held by scarcely more than a skirmish line strengthened at intervals, it must be admitted that if the Federals had massed their forces for a determined assault, they could, any day during the continuance of the siege, have carried it. With an army more than six times that of the Confederates, and this Confederate force composed in great majority of detailed men, reserves, militia and boys unusued to action, it seems marvellous that Genl. Sherman should have contented himself with sitting down before our lines, erecting counter batteries, engaging in artillery duels and sharp-shooting, feeling for weak points day after day, after the capture of Fort McAllister making arrangements for the transportation of heavy guns with which to shell Savannah at great distances and over the heads of her defenders, and finally suffering the garrison to withdraw by pontoon bridges and canal banks to the Carolina shore.

Had he indicated that activity and energy demanded by the situation, the probabilities are that he could have captured the entire Confederate army. That he did not do so, reflects severely upon him as a soldier and a commander. The evacuation of Savannah and the subsequent seizure of many thousand bales of private cotton afforded the Federal general an opportunity for a festive interchange of dispatches with the President of the United States, in which his famous “Christmas present” figures largely; but he pillaged a nest from which the eagle had flown, and all the balderdash which has been written and spoken about this vaunted “march to the sea” can never, in the clear light of history, cover up or excuse the lack of dash and the want of ordinary military skill and precaution betrayed by General Sherman, with the formidable force at his command, in permitting the Confederate garrison to retire unmolested by a route so precarious in its character, and by a flank movement which could have been easily frustrated by a single division.

December 10th. The enemy destroyed two miles of the Charleston and Savannah rail road and appeared at all points along our western line, driving in our pickets. Captain Gildersleeve, of the 150th New York regiment, captured the Confederate dispatch steam boat Ida, taking thirteen prisoners, among whom was Coln. J. H. M. Clinch, volunteer aid to Lieut. Genl. Hardee, who was at the time proceeding up the Savannah river with orders from Lieut. Genl. Hardee to the naval officer in command of the Confederate gun boats lying above. The Ida was burned.

Our artillery opened freely upon the Federal forces as they showed themselves in coming into position. The Confederate troops were busily engaged in strengthening our works and in throwing up strong infantry defenses. Toward evening an attempt was made to force the dam across Shaw's rice field. This effort was handsomely repulsed. Our line was felt almost along its entire length, and at some points quite vigorously.

December 11th. The enemy renewed the contest for the possession of Shaw's dam, opening fire from a battery which had been advantageously posted during the night of the 10th. This struggle was continued at intervals during the day, and was met by the infantry command of Lieut. Coln. Nisbet and the field guns of Lieutenants Elliott and Acee. The Federal battery was silenced, and before dark the enemy withdrew under cover of the woods. In this affair the Confederates sustained a loss of two killed, nine wounded, and two missing.

Heavy artillery firing occurred at the Salt creek 1 and Pine point batteries, along the line at Daly's farm, and at the crossings of the Louisville, Central, and Augusta roads. In the afternoon an attempt was made to carry Fort Hardeman, the advanced work in front of the right of our line, but the assaulting column was easily driven back. During 1. It is worthy of remark that this Salt creek battery, during the progress of the siege, encountered a continuous and violent artillery and infantry fire from the enemy, who erected counter batteries to the right and left of the old Darien road on the plantations of the Hon. George S. Owens and Coln. Edward C. Anderson, and within easy range. The artillery fire at this point was more constant and heavier than at any other on the Confederate line. The Confederate practice was admirable, the enemy's guns on more than one occasion having been completely silenced. Especial credit is due to Captain John W. Brooks, and his excellent company, the Terrell artillery, for the skill and bravery with which the guns in this battery were handled. the night two companies of the 3d Wisconsin crossed the Savannah river to Argyle island, and were there reënforced the next morning by six additional companies from the same regiment.

December 12th. Our artillery was engaged along the line, and considerable sharp shooting occurred on both sides. At Daly's farm the muzzle of a 12-pounder gun was shot away by a 3-inch rifle gun, and the carriage of another 12-pounder gun was cut down by a cannon shot. A 32-pounder gun at Battery Jones, on Salt creek, was disabled in a similar way.

Two Confederate gun boats, in attempting to descend the river, were driven back by Winnegar's battery which had been placed in position at Tweedside plantation so as to command the channel between Argyle island and the Georgia shore. The tender Resolute ran aground and was taken possession of by Coln. Hawley of the 3d Wisconsin. This boat was unarmed, and at the time of her capture had on board five naval officers and a crew of nineteen men, who were all made prisoners.

During the day the enemy, with a section of De Grase's light battery stationed near Dr. Cheves's rice mill on the left bank of the Great Ogeechee, opened fire at long range upon Fort McAllister. The fort responded, but little if any damage occurred on either side.

Upon the fall of Fort Pulaski every hinderance to the full command of the great Ogeechee river was removed, and General Sherman was able to communicate freely with the Federal fleet and establish a convenient base of supplies for his army. Reënforcements could now be had and heavy guns procured with which to prosecute the siege of Savannah. The retention of that city by the Confederate forces became from this moment a matter of impossibility, and its evacuation an early necessity. Neither the number and character of the troops concentrated for its defense, nor the condition of the commissary, quarter-master and ordnance stores warranted the hope that its retention could be successfully maintained beyond a few days. The only line of retreat now open to the Confederates was by boats to Screven's ferry landing, and thence into South Carolina. So limited, however, were the means of transportation, that the idea of retiring the garrison by boats was abandoned as soon as it was seriously discussed. The construction of pontoon bridges connecting the city of Savannah with the Carolina shore was recognized as a pressing necessity.

Having communicated with the officer in command of the U. S. tug Dandelion, General Sherman returned to fort McAllister and there passed the night of the 13th. Before day-break he was advised by Major Strong, of General Foster's staff, that General Foster had arrived in Great Ogeechee river and desired to confer with him. The ensuing day was spent by General Sherman in explaining the situation of affairs both to General Foster and to Admiral Dahlgren, and in ascertaining upon what coöperation and assistance he could rely from the navy and from the Federal forces in South Carolina. It was agreed that the Admiral should engage the batteries at Turner's point, Rose-Dew and Beaulieu, and that General Foster should send from Hilton Head siege guns for the reduction of Savannah, and vessels suitable for the navigation of the Great Ogeechee, and also press his advance against the Charleston and Savannah rail road in the neighborhood of Coosawhatchie.

December 19th. Three Federal regiments, after a sharp skirmish with our cavalry, succeeded in securing a position at and beyond Izard's mill. During the day constant firing occurred at this point, and the Confederate cavalry was busily occupied in preventing the advance of the enemy reënforced during the afternoon by two more regiments and at night by two pieces of light artillery. In order the more effectually to check the Federal advance, the rice fields were flooded to the depth of some eighteen inches. Movements therefore, were made by the flanks and along the dams, and the Confederates stoutly and effectually resisted all approaches in these directions. We had also burnt the plantation bridges across the canals. The line now held by the Federals on the left bank of the Savannah was about two miles in length, extending from the Savannah river near Izard's mill to an inlet near Clysedale creek. During the 20th Colonel Carman, from the direction of Clysedale creek, made an effort to strike the Savannah and Hardeeville road, but was vigorously repulsed and never renewed the attempt.

In order to confine the enemy to the position occupied by them and preclude any advance in the direction of our contemplated line of retreat, General Wheeler kept a strong force of skirmishers behind barricades and sufficiently near the Federals to maintain a warm and effective infantry fire. His remaining troops in that vicinity were occupied in building several successive lines of works between the skirmish line and the route selected for retiring the garrison. When these works were completed, a strong force both of dismounted cavalry and of light artillery was thrown forward to the positions previously occupied by our skirmishers. So warmly was the enemy menaced by our infantry and artillery fire, that the Federals confined themselves carefully to their fortified positions and never again endeavored to advance until after the evacuation of Savannah.

While these operations were in progress on the left bank of the Savannah river, Major General Wheeler, with Humes's and Allen's divisions of cavalry, was maintaining a line extending from Screven's ferry to Hardeeville, including the sources of New river, Tunbridge and Mongin's landings. All points were guarded by which the enemy could threaten the road from Screven's ferry to Hardeeville. Brig. Genl. Iverson was at Springfield, commanding a line of observation extending from the mouth of the Alatamaha river to the great Ogeechee, across that stream, and in rear of the Federal army to the Savannah river near the mouth of Ebenezer creek. Lieut. Coln. Hood with an irregular command, and Brig. Genl. McCoy of the Georgia militia, reported to Genl. Iverson and assisted in establishing this line. After the fall of Savannah this line was perpetuated, its left being withdrawn to Grahamville. It was maintained—our pickets being constantly engaged with the enemy's scouting parties and foragers—until Sherman moved in force from Savannah upon his march through the Carolinas. In the immediate protection of the line of retreat across the Savannah river and along the rice-dams on the Carolina shore, the commands of Generals P. M. B. Young and Robert H. Anderson were chiefly engaged.

In holding our position on the left bank of the Savannah, the naval vessels present in the river rendered material assistance.

Anticipating the completion of the pontoon bridges at an earlier hour on the 19th, Lieut. Genl. Hardee published the following

After alluding to the almost total demolition of the Central rail road from Gordon to Savannah, and the partial destruction of the Macon and Western, the Augusta and Waynesboro, the Charleston and Savannah, and the Atlantic and Gulf railways, General Sherman in his official report says: “We have also consumed the corn and fodder in the region of country thirty miles on either side of a line from Atlanta to Savannah, as also the sweet potatoes, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry, and have carried away more than ten thousand horses and mules, as well as a countless number of their slaves. I estimate the damage done to the state of Georgia and its military resources at one hundred millions of dollars; at least twenty millions of which have inured to our advantage, and the remainder is simple waste and destruction. 1 This may seem a hard species of warfare, but it brings the sad realities of war home to those who have been directly or indirectly instrumental in involving us in its attendant calamities.”

Contrast this official confession with the address of Major General Early to the citizens of York, when his invading columns were passing over Pennsylvania soil: “I have abstained from burning the rail road buildings and car-shops in your town because, after examination, I am satisfied that the safety of the town would be endangered. Acting in the spirit of humanity which has ever characterized my government and its military authorities, I do not desire to involve the innocent in the same punishment with the guilty. Had I applied the torch without regard to consequences, I would have pursued a course which would have been fully vindicated as an act of just retaliation for the unparalleled acts of brutality perpetrated by your own army on our own soil. But we do not war upon women and children.”