guns had already taken position in a work thrown up to the right of Fort 3, and in the open field.

"December 20th. The usual artillery firing and sharp shooting to-day. By this evening we had constructed and in readiness for use in the contemplated assault, two hundred large straw fascines, to fill up ditches in front of the enemy's works; also a large number of fascines made of bamboo-cane. The latter were to be used for bridging the canal by laying them across baulks, which were furnished from the pontoon train for that purpose. The work on Forts 2 and 3 was well advanced to-day, and would probably be completed to-night. Three siege-guns (thirty-pounder Parrotts) were brought down this evening and mounted in Fort No. 2. I ascertained this morning that the enemy had completed a pontoon bridge from Savannah across to the South Carolina shore, and notified the general commanding corps of the discovery. This bridge was about two and a half miles from my left. The usual artillery firing was kept up by the enemy during the day and night. During the night I heard the movement of troops and wagons across the poontoon bridge before mentioned, and sent a report of the fact to the general commanding corps. Leaving one of my staff to watch the sounds in that direction, I notified my officer of the day and brigade commanders to keep a vigilant watch upon the enemy, as they were probably evacuating. The details on Forts 2 and 3 continued working through the night, the enemy shelling them heavily.

"December 21st. After 3 o'clock this morning the firing ceased, and my pickets advancing to the enemy's line, found them hastily retreating. Having possession of their line of works with all their cannon in front of my own and the other division of the corps, I immedi

ately sent a staff officer to notify the general commanding, and at the same time pushed forward rapidly in the direction of Savannah, hoping to overtake and capture a part of the enemy's force. My skirmishers deployed and swept over all the ground between the evacuated works and the Ogeechee canal, from the river to the Augusta road, while my main body of troops marched rapidly by the flank through McAlpin's plantation to the Augusta road, and on into the city. Just outside of the city limits near the junction of the Louisville and Augusta roads, I met the mayor of Savannah and a delegation from the board of alderman, bearing a flag of truce. From them I received in the name of my commanding general the surrender of the city. This was at 4:30 A. M., and I sent immediately another staff officer to announce the surrender to the general commanding the corps. He had considerable difficulty in passing the line of another division of this corps on the Augusta road, but finally convinced them that he belonged to the Twentieth corps and not to the enemy. In the meantime my entire division entered the city of Savannah at early dawn, and before the sun first gilded the morning clouds, our National colors, side by side with those of my own division, were unfurled from the dome of the exchange, and over the United States custom house. The brigade which led on entering the city, was at once ordered to patrol it, reduce it to order and quiet, and prevent any pillaging or lawlessness on the part either of soldiers or citizens. My orders on the subject were very strict, and within a few hours this city, in which I had found a lawless mob of low whites and negroes pillaging and setting fire to property, was reduced to order. Many millions of dollars worth of cotton, ordnance and commissary stores, etc., which would have been otherwise

destroyed, were saved to the United States Government, and the citizens once more enjoyed security under the protection of that flag which again waved over them, exactly four years since the passage by the State of South Carolina of the Secession Act.

"Two regiments from Pardee's brigade, the Twentyeighth Pennsylvania and Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, were sent down to Fort Jackson, and early in the morning had possession of it and all the intermediate and surrounding works. The iron-plated ram, Savannah, which lay in the river below the city, threw shells at these two regiments as they flung the stars and stripes to the breeze from the walls of Fort Jackson. All the other gun-boats of the enemy had been fired by them and burned to the water's edge.

"On the arrival of the major-general commanding the left wing, I was, by his order, placed in command of the city. Until nearly 10 A. M. continued firing was heard in the direction of Beaulieu, and supposing that a portion of the enemy might still be south of us, I kept one brigade under arms during the forenoon. Three rebel flags were captured by my command, which will be duly forwarded.

"I am, Colonel, very-respectfully

Your obedient servant,

JOHN W. GEARY,

Brigadier-general commanding Second division Twen

tieth corps."

CHAPTER XXI.

The Carolina Campaign - Washington-Grand Review - The New Flag-Westward, and Home again.

On the 27th day of January, after the order to march was issued, the Twenty-ninth broke camp and marched at 8 A. M., in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment; halted at 2 P. M. and encamped for the night (marched twelve miles). 28th instant, marched at 7 A. M. in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment and brigade train; at 7 P. M. camped for the night (marched ten miles). 29th instant, marched at 6:30 A. M., Twenty-ninth in rear of Sixty-sixth Ohio, and passed through Springfield; halted at 2 P. M. and camped for the night. 30th instant, in camp; three companies of the Twenty-ninth regiment. went on picket. 31st instant, in camp.

February 1st.

The Twenty-ninth regiment inspected by General Ario Pardee at 9 A. M. 2d instant, the ordinary camp and picket duty was the order of the day. The 3d instant, ordered to march at 6 P. M.; the order was countermanded, and we went into camp for the night. 4th, marched at 6 A. M., the Twenty-ninth in advance of the brigade; crossed the Savannah river at Sisters' Ferry at 10 A. M., marched five miles and camped for the night; Twenty ninth detailed for picket. ́ 5th, relieved at 2 P. M., marched in rear of brigade, and at 9:30 P. M., went into camp for the night (marched six miles). 6th, marched at 7 A. M., halted at 11:30 for dinner, fell in at 12 M., halted at 5 P. M. and camped for the night (marched fifteen miles). 7th, marched at 7 A. M.; at 6:30 P. M. went into camp for the night. 8th

instant, marched at 6 A. M., halted at 11:30 for dinner; in seven minutes fell in and marched five miles, halted at 3:15 and camped for the night near Buford Bridge. 9th, marched at 6 A. M., Twenty-ninth in advance of brigade and with ordnance train; marched eighteen miles, and at 5 P. M. camped for the night near Blackville, South Carolina. 10th, marched at 7 A. M., halted near Blackville, and at 2 P. M. crossed the Edisto river, and at 10 P. M. camped for the night (marched eight miles). 11th instant in camp. 12th marched at 6 A. M., arrived at the North Edisto river this afternoon (a distance of ten miles), engaged in a skirmish in which the Fifth Ohio had one man killed and three wounded. Company G of the Twenty-ninth had one man killed, Jack Rape. Went into camp for the night. 13th, marched at 6 A. M., crossed the North Edisto and skirmished with the enemy. Halted and remained until 9 P. M., when the regiment fell in, marched four and one-half miles and halted for the night. The Twenty-ninth went on picket. Tuesday, 14th, marched at 8 A. M. some six miles and halted. Our regiment went on picket as usual. 15th instant, marched at 7 A. M. in rear of brigade, skirmishing; marched ten miles; went into camp at Lexington at 3 P. M.; at 5 o'clock moved to the left of the Sixty-sixth Ohio. Thursday, 16th, marched at 8 A. M. one mile to the rear and went on picket; at 6:30 fell in and marched six miles as rear guard to the Twentieth army corps; halted and went into camp at 4 P. M. 17th, marched at 9 A. M. 18th, marched at 6:30 A. M., crossed the Seluda river at 1:30 P. M., halted for dinner; four miles; halted at 5 P. M. Sunday in camp until 3:30

at 2:15 fell in and marched and camped for the night. P. M. when "fall in " was sounded by the bugler. The Twenty-ninth fell in and took the advance of brigade,