cle, east of which place we destroyed consider- command crossed the river near the burnt bridge, able of the track, and passed through Rutledge and went on foot seven miles, to Greensboro, Station at noon, near which place we halted for driving a small force of cavalry through the town, dinner. At this place destroyed the dépôt, and taking possession of it. After remaining in water-tank, and other railroad buildings, and tore undisturbed possession of the town for several up and burned the track. Encamped for the hours, and having convinced the inhabitants that night within two miles of Madison, having the most of General Sherman's army was close marched eighteen miles. The roads from Social by, with designs upon Augusta, this little party Circle to Madison were excellent, and the coun- returned safely, recrossing the river in canoes. try was much superior to that previously passed I learned the next day that the enemy were tearthrough. Forage was abundant on every side, ing up the Georgia Railroad at Union Point, and during the day we made captures of horses seven miles east of Greensboro, apparently being and mules. possessed with the idea that General Sherman's army was moving on Augusta, and using the railroad as it came. From all, I could learn, then and since, it is my opinion that my small command could at that time have penetrated to Augusta, without serious opposition.

November 19.—In accordance with orders from the General commanding the corps, my command was detached, and moved at five A.M., unencumbered with wagons, leaving my whole train to be brought on with those of the other division. I passed through Madison before daylight, and moved along the road parallel to the Georgia Railroad, halting for dinner at Buck Head Station, where I destroyed the water-tank, station engine, and all the railroad buildings. After marching a mile beyond the station, I again halted, and destroyed a portion of the railroad, also a large quantity of cord-wood and other railroad materials. At Buck Head Station my advance exchanged shots with the enemy's scouts. I sent on a detachment in advance of the main body to drive these scouts and whatever there might be of the enemy's cavalry in the vicinity across the Oconee, and to burn the railroad bridge across the river; also another detachment several miles above, to destroy a large mill and the ferry-boats across the Apalachee. Both of these parties were successful; the railroad bridge, which was a fine structure about four hundred yards long and sixty feet high from the water, and was approached by several hundred yards of trestlework at each end, was thoroughly destroyed. At Blue Spring I halted, and set my troops to work destroying railroad. Here, at night, encamped on the plantation of Colonel Lee Jordan, on which I found two hundred and eighty bales of cotton and fifty thousand bushels of corn stored for the rebel government. All the cotton and the most of the corn was destroyed. In addition to this, my command destroyed elsewhere during the day two hundred and fifty bales of cotton and several cotton-gins and mills. I also destroyed in all to-day about five miles of railroad and a large quantity of railroad-ties and string-timbers.

Leaving Park's Mill, and having crossed Sugar Creek, I came to Glade's Cross-Roads, when I took the one leading to the left; moving one and a half miles on this road, I again turned to the left on a smaller one, and encamped at dark near the large tannery and shoe factory and store owned by James Denham, one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the South. Most of the leather stock and goods had been carried off; a few boxes of shoes and leather were found hidden in a barn, and were turned over to the quartermaster's department for issue. My skirmishers and foraging parties during this day's march spread through all the country between the Oconee and the route of march taken by the rest of the corps. A large number of splendid mules and beef cattle and some horses were captured, and the troops lived well on the produce of the country. Distance to-day, ten miles.

November 21.-A heavy rain fell all last night, and continued throughout to-day, rendering the roads very deep and the streams much swollen. After entirely destroying Denham's tannery and factory, I moved at eight A.M. on the road to Philadelphia Church; reaching which, I took the Milledgeville road, crossed Crooked Creek, and encamped at the forks of the road, one leading to Dennis Mill and Station, the other to Waller's Ferry, at the mouth of Little River. A very heavy cold rain fell all day, and marching was quite difficult. The country passed through was a rich one, and supplies were abundant. Distance marched, eight miles. The rain ceased toward night, and the air become very cold. Among our captures to-day was Colonel White, of the Thirty-seventh Tennessee regiment. He had been in command of the post at Eatonton, and in attempting to escape from the other column of our troops, fell into my hands.

November 20.-Moved at seven A.M.; the weather rainy, the roads very deep and swampy. Leaving the railroad, I moved toward the Oconee, which was reached two miles below the railroad bridge, and then moved down parallel to the river to Park's Mill, which was burned. The November 22.-The weather was extremely bridge across the river at this place had been cold. Moved at six A.M., taking the road to previously washed away, and ferry-boats were Dennis Station, having previously ascertained used at the crossing. These I destroyed. Some that it would be impossible for my command to annoyance was experienced as we moved along the river-bank from squads of rebel cavalry on the opposite shore. They were, however, soon driven off. A small party sent out from my

cross Little River below the crossing of the railroad, there being no bridge, and the ferry-boats having been destroyed by the inhabitants. Crossed Rooty Creek at Dennis Mill.

The

November 27.- In accordance with orders, moved this morning at seven o'clock, destroying the railroad for four miles to a point indicated, where a road crosses the railroad seven miles from Station No. Thirteen. From here, in pursuance of my orders, I marched to Davisboro by the most direct road, and there encamped about nine P.M. Distance marched, twelve miles. November 28.-The work of destroying the rail

stream here was quite large, and over it I constructed a foot-bridge for the infantry, fording it with horses, artillery, and ambulances. Burned the mill and a cotton-gin and press in the vicinity, destroying a large amount of grain and cotton. Moved on to the railroad, which I reached at Dennis Station, and where I found the rear of the train of the other divisions just passing. Moved on in rear of the train to Little River, where I received orders to advance immediately to Milledgeville; accordingly crossed the river on the pontoon-bridge, passing the trains with much difficulty, and reached Milledgeville at dark, the other division having already encamped. Having passed through the town, I crossed the Oconee on the large bridge, and went into camp on the left of the First division, with my left resting near the river. Marched during the day twenty miles. Weather to-night intensely cold. November 23.-Remained in camp. In the afternoon, sent out my Third brigade to the Gordon and Milledgeville Railroad, where I remained until dark, destroying track. November 24.-In accordance with orders, mov-road west of Davisboro from the point indicated ed at seven A.M., but finding the road completely above, which was assigned, by orders, to the First blockaded with trains, I did not get my column division, had not been performed-that division fairly in motion until ten o'clock. Just before having missed the route, and reached Davisboro dark, crossed Town Creek, the bridge over which without striking the railroad. Early this mornwas very bad, and went into camp near Gum ing, I received orders to detach Jones's brigade Creek; the First division being encamped about to guard the headquarters trains to Station No. three quarters of a mile in advance, the Third Eleven, and with my two other brigades and a division about the same distance in my rear. The battalion of Michigan Engineers, to destroy the road travelled, although rather hilly, was in the part of the road specified from Davisboro westmain good. Marched during the day fourteen ward. My orders were executed, and the remainmiles. ing five miles of road, with a number of bridges, November 25.-Moved at half-past six A.M., and trestle-work, and water-tanks, were effectually marched about half a mile, when I came upon destroyed. While my troops were engaged in the trains preceding me, not yet drawn out of this work, they were attacked by a portion of park, and was obliged to halt until nine o'clock, Ferguson's brigade of rebel cavalry, who kept up when I moved steadily forward until reaching a desultory fire upon us for an hour and a half, Buffalo Creek, where I found the troops and trains and were driven off by my skirmishers. They of the First division halted. This creek is an wounded one of my men, and captured four othextensive, heavily timbered, swampy stream, be-ers who were out foraging. The fire of my skiring nearly half a mile wide where the road passes mishers upon them was more effective, killing through it. The stream or swamp is here divid- three and wounding a number. The country ed into eight channels, which are spanned by as through which the railroad passes, from No. Thirmany bridges, varying in length from thirty to teen to No. Eleven, requires description. It is a one hundred feet each. Between these, earthen continuous morass, known as Williamson's Creek causeways are thrown up. These bridges had or Swamp. The stream is quite a large one, runbeen destroyed by the enemy, and were recon- ning in general direction parallel to the railroad, structed by two o'clock P.M., under the superin- and crossing it many times. The land in the tendence of Captain Poe, Chief Engineer on the vicinity on both sides is soft and swampy, with staff of Major-General Sherman. By dark, the dense thickets of underbrush and vines. Through road in my front was clear, and I crossed my this swamp the railroad is constructed on an eincommand, encamping for the night one and a half bankment of borrowed earth, thrown up from the miles east of the creek. The crossing, in the ex- sides, averaging from six to ten feet in height. treme darkness of the night, and through the The superstructure consisted of cross-ties bedded swampy roads cast of the creek, was a very la- in the earth, with string-timbers pinned to them, borious one. During the night, shots were ex- upon which the iron rails were spiked. The changed between my pickets and some of Wheel-mode of destruction was to tear up, pile and burn er's cavalry. Distance marched, nine miles. the ties and string-timbers, with the rails across, which, when heated, were destroyed by twisting. Shortly after dark, I returned to Davisboro, and encamped there for the night. Distance travelled by a portion of my command to-day, fifteen miles. November 29.-Moved at half-past six A.M.,

November 26.-Moved at six A.M. After marching about two miles, came up with the trains preceding me, which had not yet left park. Here I parked my trains, being detained for two hours. Marching two miles further, again found the trains

in park, and the troops of the First division skirmishing with Wheeler's cavalry, and driving them through Sandersville. Moved on to Sandersville, where I parked my trains, and having left them under charge of Third division, proceeded to Tennille, (Station No. Thirteen, on the Central Railroad.) Upon reaching the railroad, I moved eastward, destroying two miles of the road, and went into camp near a school-house four miles east of Tennille. One battalion of Michigan Engineers, under Major Yates, reported to me for duty, assisted in the destruction of the rails, and encamped with my troops at night. Distance marched, thirteen miles.

fences, which had been erected a few days previous during a fight between the cavalry of Kilpatrick and Wheeler. The bridge was destroyed, and the enemy's pickets fired upon us from the eastern bank. These were soon driven away by a regiment of my command, and the bridge was reconstructed by the Michigan Engineers. I crossed it with my advance at three P.M., and encamped on the east side of the creek, in the vicinity of Buck Head Church.

following the main Louisville road for seven miles to Fleming's house; there turning square to the right by a small road, moved eight miles to Spiers Station, (No. Eleven,) which I reached at one o'clock. After a short halt for dinner, moved on, following the road toward Station No. Ten, and encamped about seven P.M. on the east side of a small creek which crossed the road six miles from Station No. Eleven, the camp of the First division being about one mile and a half in advance of mine. The roads travelled to-day December 3.-My division having been assignwere generally good, and quite dry and hard west ed the rear of the corps, did not leave camp until of Spiers Station; east of that place, there was eleven A.M., when I moved, following closely the considerable swamp and marshy ground. The rear of the Third division. Colonel Dustin's bricountry through which we passed on the Louis-gade, of that division, having been directed to ville road was excellent, the plantations being report to me, was assigned the charge of the train large and the buildings fine. After leaving that of Kilpatrick's cavalry, which was given me to road, the country is poorer, and appears to be guard. Lieutenant Newkirk's .battery was also newly settled. Distance travelled was twenty- under my orders, and was placed in rear of my one miles. Third brigade, which followed the trains. About November 30.-Marched at six A.M., and reach- five miles north of Millen, and not far from the ing the encampment of the First division, found railroad, there is a prison-pen or stockade, in the troops had not yet left. At half-past ten, fol- which had, until recently, been confined some lowed that division north toward Louisville, leav-three thousand of our soldiers. The stockade ing Jones's brigade, which was then about three was about eight hundred feet square, and inclosand a half miles distant, at the railroad bridge ed nearly fifteen acres. It was made of heavy across the Ogeechee, to destroy that and the pine logs, rising from twelve to fifteen feet above wagon-bridge across the river, and then to follow the ground; on the top of these logs, at intervals to Louisville. After halting a few hours for din- of some eighty yards, were placed sentry-boxes. ner, and to repair the bridge over the Ogeechee, Inside of the stockade, running parallel to it, at which had been partly burned by the rebel cav- a distance from it of thirty feet, was a fence of alry, we crossed the river and encamped, at dark, light scantling, supported on short posts. This two miles beyond, on the east side of Big Creek, was the "dead line." About one third of the on a high hill overlooking miles of the country, area, on the western side, was occupied with a and two and a half miles south of Louisville. The crowd of irregular earthen huts, evidently made country on both sides of the Ogeechee is an ex- by the prisoners. tensive swamp, with thick, tangled growth. These swamps, however, have good sandy bottoms, and it was not difficult to pass through them. The distance marched was ten miles.

December 1.-Moved at seven A.M., my division leading, following the road toward Millen. My advance was preceded by the Ninth Illinois mounted infantry. Crossed Big Dry Spring and Baker's Creeks, passing through the camp of Carlin's division of the Fourteenth corps, west of Baker's Creek, and encamped one and a half miles from Bark Camp Creek. The country passed through on this day's march was very swampy, although the roads in the main were very good. The facilities for forage were not as ample as on the previous days, the plantations being comparatively few; and although these few bore marks of having been well cultivated, the stock and provisions had been mostly removed. The distance travelled was thirteen miles.

December 2.-My division, still retaining the advance, moved at six A.M., and crossing Bark Camp Creek, moved easterly in the direction of Buck Head Creek, which I reached about noon. The roads travelled were excellent, following the course of a low dividing ridge. Passed but few plantations; among these was that of Dr. Jones, about five miles west of Buck Head Creek-one of the finest in this part of Georgia. Upon approaching the creek, I found a number of rail de

In these were lying unburied three of our dead soldiers, which were buried by us. Through the eastern part of the pen ran a ravine with a stream of good water. The atmosphere in the inclosure was very foul and fetid. A short distance outside the stockade was a long trench, at the head of which was a board bearing the inscription : "650 buried here." On rising ground, a short distance south-east of the prison, were two forts, not yet completed; south-west of this stockade was a smaller one in process of construction. This prison, if indeed it can be designated as such, afforded convincing proofs that the worst accounts of the sufferings of our prisoners at Andersonville, at Americus, and Millen, were by no means exaggerated. I crossed the railroad about three miles north of Millen. The track at the crossing had been destroyed, and the ties were burning, this work having been performed by the troops preceding. A short distance beyond the creek, my column and trains became involved in a long and almost impassable swamp. To add to the difficulty, night closed in before my advance had crossed, and it was with the utmost labor, and only by the united efforts of myself, officers, and troops, that I succeeded in bringing the wagons through. Encamped for the night within three miles of Big Horse Creek, the advance division of the corps being camped on the creek. The rear of my

position. The services of this brigade were afterward found not to be required. At dusk, my command was encamped on good dry ground, between the two portions of Monteith Swamp. Weather, to-day, was fine, roads were excellent. Distance, six miles.

us, keeping up a steady fire throughout the day, but causing very few casualties. No reply was made by my artillery, but my skirmishers were advanced as far as possible, and annoyed the enemy considerably. Opposite my left, in the Savannah River, was the upper end of Hutchinson's Island, which extends from there down opposite the lower part of the city of Savannah. This island contains about nine hundred acres in ricefields, and on the upper end of it is a large ricemill. A great number of negroes had been left there. On discovering our troops, a few of them crossed in canoes. Captain Veale, Aid-de-Camp of my staff, taking one of these canoes, went alone to the island, and, guided by a negro, walked nearly its entire length, reconnoitred the enemy's position along the river, and returned safely, bringing valuable information.

December 12.-My troops strengthened their breast works during the night, so as to resist the enemy's heavy shot. A steady artillery fire was kept up by the enemy all day, causing a few en-casualties. I had Hutchinson's Island reconnoitred again, but found only a few of the enemy's scouts there.

SIEGE OF SAVANNAH.

December 10.-Order of march in the corps today, First, Third, and Second divisions, the trains of the entire corps being guarded by my troops. My command moved at ten A.M., on the direct road to Monteith Station. This road is broad, solid, and perfectly level. We passed the two redoubts captured last evening, and reached Monteith Station on the Charleston Railroad, ten miles from Savannah, at noon. Here the troops preceding me had destroyed considerable of the track. Having nooned, I moved toward Savannah on the Augusta road, the advance of the Fourteenth corps coming in on that road and reaching Monteith as I left it.

The advance of our corps having found the emy behind their fortifications about three miles from Savannah, I received orders to encamp for the night near the five-mile post. The trains December 13.-The usual constant artillery fire came forward and parked in the woods in the was kept up by the enemy, their gunners imvicinity of the troops. Distance to-day, ten miles. proving in practice. They had posted some December 11.-At seven A.M., Barnum's bri- sharp-shooters in the upper story of a house, gade was sent to reconnoitre between the Au- near their advanced fort, on the river bank. gusta road and Savannah River to ascertain ex- These sharp-shooters annoyed the left of our line actly the enemy's position in that direction. The considerably. Among the casualties to-day was duty was quickly performed, and their entire line Lieutenant Ahreets, Adjutant of the One Hunwas developed to the river, where my skirmishers dred and Thirty-fourth New-York volunteers, drove the enemy from an advanced work into and Acting Assistant Inspector-General Twentheir main line, capturing a few prisoners. At tieth corps, who was killed instantly by a shot ten A.M., my other brigade were brought up, and from that house, while engaged in reconnoitring my line was established along an old rice-field our lines. Last night the enemy landed some dyke, myself (Barnum's brigade) resting on the troops on Hutchinson's Island, and captured à river bank, my right (Pardee's brigade) extend- few of our men who had gone there for forage ing toward the Augusta road, while Jones's bri- and supplies. To prevent such a recurrence, gade was massed in reserve in rear of Barnum's. Major Hoyt, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Toward night the left of the First division moved New-York volunteers, was sent to the island toforward, and connected with my right. Sloan's day, with a detachment of forty-seven men, to battery reported to me during the afternoon, and hold the upper part of it. This evening he was took position on the river bank near Jones's bri- reënforced with one hundred men, and the whole gade. My front line was concealed by the woods, were placed under command of Lieutenant-Colowith the exception of my left, which lay in open nel Jackson, of the One Hundred and Thirtyground within two hundred and fifty yards of a fourth New-York volunteers. A sunken battery large work on the river bank, in which the enemy was made to-day on the bank of the river, near had seven heavy guns. In front of my entire Jones's position, and was occupied by the four line were open fields affording a full view of the three-inch rifled guns of Sloan's battery. These intrenchments held by the enemy. Immediately guns commanded the approaches up and down in front of these intrenchments were extensive the river, also ranging across Hutchinson's Isrice-fields, flooded with water, and between the land, toward the South-Carolina shore. The fields in my front and these flooded rice-fields was supplies of food and forage in our trains being a canal twenty-five feet wide and five or six feet mostly exhausted, our troops were now subsistdeep, which also was filled with water. ing upon fresh beef, coffee, and rice. Large quantities of the latter had been obtained upon the plantations in this vicinity, and a large ricemill on the Colerain plantation, three miles up the river from my line, was kept constantly at work. Forage for our animals was obtained from rice-straw and from the cane-brakes. There was also tolerable grazing in the woods. An advanced line of pits for my skirmishers and.

The sluice-gates to these fields were all under control of the enemy, as was also the mouth of the canal, between which and my position was the large advanced work before mentioned as being in front of my left. Besides this one, the enemy had in my front three other works mounted with heavy guns in their main line across the flooded rice-fields. These guns all opened upon