sufficient force, surplus, to go to Selma under an energetic leader. He
has been telegraphed to to know whether he could go, and. if so, by which
of the several routes he would select, ^o reply is yet received. Canby
has been ordered to act offensively from the sea coast to the interior
toward Montgomery and Selma. Thomas forces will move from the
102 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA,, AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
nortli at an early day, or some of his troops will be sent to Canby.
Without further re enforcement Canby will have a moving column of
20,000 men. Fort Fisher, you are aware, has been captured. We
have a force there of 8,000 effective. At New Berne about half that
number. It is rumored through deserters that Wilmington also has
fallen. I am inclined to believe the rumor, because on the 17th we knew
the enemy were blowing up their works about Fort Oaswell, and that on
the 18th Terry moved on Wilmington. If Wilmington is captured
Schofield will go there. If not, he will be sent to Xew Berne, in
either event all the surplus force at the two points will move to the
interior toward Goldsborough in co-operation with your movement.
From either point railroad communication can be run out, there being
here abundance of rolling-stock suited to the gauge of those roads.
There have been about 16,000 men sent from Lee s army south. Of
these you will have against you, if Wilmington is not held by the
enemy, about 14,000, casualties at Fort Fisher having overtaken about
2,000. All these troops are subject to your orders as you come in com
munication with them. They will be so instructed. From about Rich
mond I will watch Lee closely, and if he detaches much more or attempts
to evacuate, will pitch in. In the meantime should you be brought to
a halt anywhere, I can send two corps of 30,000 effective men to your
support from the troops about Richmond.
To resume : Canby is ordered to operate to the interior from the gulf.
A. J. Smith may go from the north, but 1 think it doubtful. A force of
28,000 or 30,000 men will co-operate with ,you from New Berne or Wil
mington, or both. You can call for re-enforcements. This will be
handed to you by Captain Hudson of my staff, who will return with
any message you may have for me. It there is anything I can do for
you in the way of having supplies on shipboard at any point on the sea
coast ready for you let me know it.
U. 8. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field j Savannah, January 21, 1865.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
City Point, Va. :
GENERAL : In fulfillment of my projet* General Howard moved the
Seventeenth Corps, General Blair, from Thunderbolt to Beaufort, S.
C., and on the 14th by a rapid movement secured the Port Royal
Ferry and moved against Poeotaligo, which he gained on the 15th, the
day appointed. By that course he secured the use of the ground in
South Carolina up to the Salkehatchie (Saltkatcher), and General
Slocuin was ordered in like manner to get his wing up about Roberts-
ville by the way of the Savannah River and the Union Causeway. The
transfer of men, animals, and wagons by steamer is a very slow process,
and on the 19th General Slocuin had only two divisions of the Twen
tieth at Purysburg and Hardeeville with open communications with
Howard. John E. Smith crossed by the Union Causeway, on which
Slocum had put ten days hard work, but the hard rains had raised the
Savannah River so that the whole country was under water, and the
corduroy road on the Union Causeway was carried away, cutting off one
* See Sherman to Grant, January 2, p. 7.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 103
brigade of John E. Smith, one division of the Fifteenth Corps (Corse s),
and all of the Fourteenth Corps, General Davis. All were ordered to
move up the west bank of the Savannah to cross at Sister s Ferry, but
the rains have so flooded the country that we have been brought to a
standstill; but I will persevere and get the army as soon as possible
up to the line from Sister s Ferry to Pocotaligo, where we will have terra
firm a to work on. Our supplies have come daily, that is, we have never
had four days forage ahead, but I will depend on enough coming to get
me out to the neighborhood of Barnwell, where we will find some.
General G rover s division now occupies Savannah, which I had
refortified, and I have turned over everything to General Foster, so that
nothing now hinders me but water. I rather think the heavy rains in
January will give us good weather in February and March. You
cannot do much in Virginia till April or May, and when I am at
Goldsborough and move against Baleigh, Lee will be forced to divide
his command or give up Bichmond.
I am rejoiced that Terry took Fisher, because it silences Butler, who
was to you a dangerous man. His address* to his troops on being
relieved was a direct, mean, and malicious attack on you, and I ainired
the patience and skill by which you relieved yourself and the country
of him. If you want some new and fresh men, able to handle large
armies, I will offer you Charles E. Woods, Hazen, and Mower, all good
and capable officers for an army of any size. Of course, I prefer to
have them myself, but would give them up if you can do better by
them.
As soon as possible, if I were in your place, I would break up the
Department of the James, make the Richmond army one; then when
I get to Goldsborongh you will have a force to watch Lee, and I can
be directed to gradually close in, cutting all communications. In the
meantime Thomas army should not be reduced too much, but he
should hold Chattanooga, Decatur, and Eastport, collect supplies, and
in all February and March move on Tuscaloosa, Selma, Montgomery,
and back to Borne, Ga., when lie could be met from Chattanooga.
I take it for granted that Beauregard will bring, as fast as he can,
such part of Hood s army as can be moved over to Augusta to hit me
in flank as I swing round Charleston. To cover the withdrawal Forrest
Avill be left in Mississippi and West Tennessee, to divert attention by
threatening the boats on the Mississippi and Tennessee Elvers. This
should be disregarded and Thomas should break through the shell,
expose the trick, and prevent the planting of corn this spring: in Middle
Alabama. The people of Georgia, like those of Mississippi, are worn
out with care, but they are so afraid of their own leaders that they fear
to organize for positive resistance. Their motives of u honor " and "fair
play" are, that by abandoning the cause now they would be construed
as "mean for leaving their commands in the scrape. I have met the
overtures of the people frankly, and given them the best advice I knew
how.
I inclose copies of orders issued for the guidance of General Foster
and other officers on this coast.t These orders are made on conference
with the Secretary of War.
I have been told that Congress meditates a bill to make another
lieutenant-general for me. I have written to John Sherman to stop it,
if it is designed for me. It would be mischievous, for there are enough
* See Vol. XL VI, Part II, p. 70.
t See Special Field Orders, Xos. 13, 15, 18 and 19, pp. 52, 6C, 81, 90.
104 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LTX.
rascals who would try to sow differences between us, whereas you and
I now are in perfect understanding. I would rather have you in com
mand than anybody else, for you are fair, honest, and have at heart
the same purpose that should animate all. I should emphatically
decline any commission calculated to bring us into rivalry, and I ask
you to advise all your friends in Congress to this effect, especially Mr.
Washburne. I doubt if men in Congress fully realize that you and I
are honest in our professions of want of ambition. I know I feel none,
and to-day will gladly surrender my position and influence to any other
who is better able to wield the power. The flurry attending my recent
success will soon blow over, and give place to new developments.
I inclose a letter of general instructions to General Thomas,* which I
beg you to revise and indorse or modify.
I am, truly, yours,
W. T. SHERMAX,
Major- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Savannah, January 21, ISOo.
Admiral D. 1). PORTER,
Wilmington :
DEAR ADMIRAL : I wrote you yesterday by Captain Ammen, and have
this moment received a package, giving me very full reports from Gen
eral Palmer of matters in North Carolina, which I am very glad to have
received.
The weather has been villainous, and all the country is under water,
and retards me much. It may be some days yet before I can cast off,
as the roads are under water, and my men are not exactly amphibious
yet, nor the mules either. 1 shall spare no efforts to be off , and the
foul weather of January may be a guarantee for better in February
and March. In the present attitude of things I would not deem it wise
to push your gun-boats up to Wilmington, unless it could be done
quick, for they will surely remove everything of value. You already
have all that is of any value to you. As to the town, the land forces
should watch it close, and slip in when it is discovered that I am
approaching. I have been much embarrassed by the want of shoal-
water craft, five or six feet draft, and would ask to borrow some of you,
but suppose all of yours are deep-sea craft, but if you have any short
and shallow boats to spare for a few days it would help me much, both
in Broad Eiver and the Savannah. The deep boats get aground all
the time, and the long ones cannot make the bends. You know, of
course, that I am going to load up finally at Pocotaligo and Sister s
Ferry, on the Savannah. I have turned over everything to General
Foster and General Grover, the latter commands the city and former the
department, made to extend up the coast to the Chesapeake. It would
be well if the Navy Department would unite yours and Dahlgreii s
jurisdiction, or shove the line of demarkation.
The admiral here is very kind, indeed, and does for me everything
possible.
The best part of the taking of Fort Fisher was the killing of Butler.
He has no blood on his skirts, and, judging from the past, it will be
long before his blood stains anything. His solicitude for the blood of
*See Vol. XLV, Part II, p. 621.
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 105
his men is a... moonshine, and his whole bombastic order was designed
as a fling at Grant. The latter has quietly and completely laid him
low forever. Even the nigger cannot resurrect him. I may write you
again from camp about Coosawhatchie, but I now consider myself
afloat.
With sincere respect, as ever, your friend,
VV. T. SHERMAN,
Major- General
DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
OFFICE OF PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,
Beaufort, January 21, 1865.
Statement of tico neyroes who escaped from Charleston on the morning
of the 19th of January, 1865.
Alfred, belonging to Dr. Francis Willis, of Savannah, and Tom,
belonging to George II. Waring, of Savannah, were employed on the
telegraph lines in and about Charleston, the former in the office of
Willie Willis, telegraph operator at Charleston. They escaped from
Charleston before daylight on the 19th, and state that General Hardee
is in command of Charleston, General Johnston in command of the
district. There is one division (General Wright s) in and about Charles
ton, two brigades being inside the works at Charleston, one brigade at
Adams Eun, about twenty-seven miles from Charleston, between here
and there, and one brigade at John s Island. There are two brigades
one mile and a half beyond the ferry across the Combahee Eiver and
a masked battery of field artillery on the left of the road three-fourths
of a mile beyond the ferry. At Kantowles the road forks, one road
leading to John s Island. It is ten miles by the dirt road and twelve
miles by the railroad from Eantowles to Charleston. There are two
small forts on the dirt road (the Charleston and Savannah State road)
two miles beyond Kantowles, near where two large factory chimneys
are left standing, the building being burned. There were no guns in
them when these men passed. Toward Charleston from this place is
the Five-Mile Fort, being two works, one on each side of the road, each
mounting about four guns. The guns are black and they think are not
field pieces. There are no rifle-pits near these forts. They both cover
the dirt road, the one on the right going to Charleston also covering
the railroad. Two miles and a half from Charleston there are rifle-pits
crossing the dirt road, extending on the right going from here about
half a mile to a marsh, and on the left about half a mile, inclosing a
plantation house, but do not know where they terminate. They can be
seen distinctly for some distance, being on high ground.
Beyond this, near the new bridge, going into town, are two large forts,
having no guns with the exception of one very large one. The guns
for the defense of the place are all on the other side toward the bay.
The troops mentioned are all Browne s Georgia lleserves. All the old
troops that were there before the fall of Savannah have been sent to
Branchville; also troops from Augusta and those that escaped from
Savannah. There are about ten warehouses filled with cotton at
Charleston. The people wish to get it away, but General Ilardee says
lie cannot give them transportation. All the engines and cars have
been sent off excepting just enough for the use of the troops on the
Savannah railroad. The peop.le expect Charleston to be evacuated.
106 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
Colonel Roy, General Hardee s adjutant-general, told Mr. Willis that
they expected to have to evacuate and make a stand at Branch ville.
Colonel Eoy also said that General Lee could not spare any troops from
Richmond, as he had barely enough to hold it. Some troops were sent
down to Branchville from Richmond, but afterward ordered back.
JAMES WILSON,
Col. and Provost-Marshal- General, Dept. and Army of the Tenn.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL S OFFICE,
No. 33. ) Washington, January 21, 186$.
#####**
29. The telegraphic order aated Fortress Monroe, Va., January 0,
18G5, directing Bvt. Brig. Gen. 1). C. McOallum, superintendent mili
tary railroads, to proceed without delay to report in person to Major-
General Sherman, at Savannah, or wherever he might be found, is hereby
confirmed.
*******
By order of the Secretary of War:
E. D. TOWNSBND,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
.
SPECIAL J HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND
FIELD ORDERS. > ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
No. 19. 3 Beaufort, S. C., January 21, .7<%V
I. The pioneer battalion (colored) of the Seventeenth Army Corps?
Capt. J. H. Davis commanding, is relieved from further duty at this
point and will forthwith join the corps at or near Pocotaligo.
* * * * * * *
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard:
SAML. L. TAGGART,
Assista nt A dju tant- Genera I.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. FIRST Diy., IOTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 5. ) Beaufort, 8. C., January 21, 18(j:j.
I. Bvt. Brig. Gen. William B. Woods, having, by direction of the
major-general commanding the army, reported for duty in accordance
with his brevet rank, is hereby assigned to command of the First Bri
gade of this division. He will at once assume command accordingly.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. C. R. Woods:
FRED. II. WILSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Pocotaligo, S. C., January 21, 1865.
Capt. S. L. TAGGART,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., .Department and Army of the Tennessee:
CAPTAIN: In accordance with instructions to make demonstrations
toward the Salkehatchie River, I sent General Mower, with his entire
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 107
command, yesterday morning 1 to endeavor to cross about three miles
above the bridge and get in rear of the force stationed there. He
reached the river without difficulty, finding no pickets on either side.
During dry weather the river is fordable, and in this way General
Mower expected to cross, but the recent rains had so swollen the
stream that he found it impossible to get over without boats. He was
therefore obliged to return. In order to protect General Mower s rear
I sent in the morning to the forks of the road, about six miles from
here, two regiments from the Fourth Division. They took up a posi
tion covering the roads as soon as General Mower had passed. During
the morning they were attacked by a force of cavalry, supposed to be
one South Carolina regiment. After a lively skirmish they repulsed
them, leaving three rebels dead on the field and as many wounded. Our
loss was 1 captured and 1 wounded. I am convinced that if General
Mower had had the means of crossing he would at least have captured
their artillery.
Respectfully,
FRANK P. BLAIR, JR.,
Major- Genera I.
P. S. General Mower thinks that he withdrew without the enemy
being aware of his presence.
F. P. B.,
Major- General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Beaufort, 8. .. January 21, 1865.
Major-General BLAIR.
Commanding Seventeenth Corps:
GENERAL: I shall be at Pocotaligo myself shortly, and until I arrive
I would prefer that you remain there. General Sherman particularly
requested me not to reconnoiter beyond the Salkehatchie, and I am
glad that General Mower did not cross the river.
Very respectfully,
O. O. HOWARD,
Major- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Savannah, January 21, 1865.
General KILPATRICK:
Move in conformity with General Davis column, letting him get one
day s start of you. The advance of his column is about seven miles
from the city, stuck fast in the mud. This will delay your moving till
Monday morning at best.
L. M. DAYTON,
Major a n d A ssista n t A dju ta nt-G encra I.
GENERAL ORDERS, \ HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
No. 7. J Hilton Head, S. C., January 21, 1865.
The command and charge of the city of Savannah and dependencies
having, by the order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding Mili
tary Division of the Mississippi, been assigned to me as a portion of
the Department of the South, I hereby assume command thereof.
108 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
This district of the department will be designated the District of
Savannah, and will embrace the city of Savannah, with its forts, lines
of defense and communication. Fort Pulaski, and the islands and
country adjacent, to the extent of the military control of the garrison.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. Cnvier G rover, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned
to the command of the District of Savannah.
J. G. FOSTER,
Major- Genera ?, Comma nding.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT or THE SOUTH,
No. 8. J Hilton Head, ft. C., January 21, 1865.
Brig. Gen. E. Saxton, having been assigned by the major-general
commanding the Military Division of the Mississippi, in Special Field
Orders, No. 15, current series, dated, " In the field, Savannah, Ga., Jan
uary 16, 18G5," to the duties of providing for the Avell being of the
negroes, and their location upon the plantations, as "inspector of set
tlements and plantations," is hereby announced as such, and will be
respected accordingly.
District commanders are hereby directed to afford the necessary mili
tary protection, in accordance with the above-named special field
orders, copies of which are furnished.
The limits of the districts, within which this protection is to be
afforded, are defined as follows:
The commandant of the Northern District, to settlements on the
islands and coast, as far south as the North Edisto River.
The commandant of the District of Beaufort, from the North Edisto
Elver to Broad River.
The commandant of the District of Hilton Head, to the islands lying
between Broad and the Savannah Rivers.
The commandant of the District of Savannah, to the islands between
the Savannah River and Saint Mary s Sound.
The commandant of the District of Florida, to the settlements from
Saint Mary s Sound, southward to Jupiter Inlet, including those upon
the Saint John s River.
The points at which the negro settlers will have the opportunity of
supplying their necessary wants and selling the products of their lands
and labor, as prescribed in the above-mentioned special field orders, will
be Hilton Head, S. 0., Fernandina, Fla., and such other points as may
hereafter be designated.
Brig. Gen. E. E. Potter will relieve Brigadier-General Saxton of the
military command of the District of Beaufort, which is hereby enlarged
to include the intrenched camp near Pocotaligo, S. C.
By command of Ma], Gen. J. G. Foster:
W. L. M. BURGER,
Assistant A djutant- Genera L
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, 8. C., January 21, 1865.
COMDG. OFFICER DETACH. 32D II. S. COLORED TROOPS,
Hilton Head, S. C. :
SIR: The major-general commanding directs that you rejoin your
regiment immediately with your command and with the camp equip-
. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 109
age of the regiment. General Saxton will send a steamer to Seabrook
for your command. You will hold your men in readiness to embark
with rations, &c., and see that you are immediately informed of the
arrival of the steamer.
I Lave the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
THORXD1KE D. HODGES,
Capt., Thirty -fifth V. X. Colored Troops, and Actg. Asst. Acljt. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, 8. 6 ., January 21, 1865.
Brig-. Gen. A. SCHLMMELFENNKI,
Comdg. Northern Dist., Dept. of the South, Morris Island, 8. C. :
GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
reports of the 12th and 13th instant, giving information in regard to
the enemy s force, operations, and garrisons, and of the operations in
your own district. I am directed by the major-general commanding to
state that all such information is very valuable to him, and he requests
that you will keep him fully posted from time to time on all such
information. Active operations will soon take place in your district.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. L. M. BURGER,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
January 21, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Commanding District of Beaufort :
GENERAL: The general commanding has granted your request.
The detachment of the Thirty-second U. S. Colored Troops, with camp
equipage, has been ordered to hold itself in readiness to embark ou the
steamer at Seabrook and rejoin its regiment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THORXDIKE D. HODGES,
Capt., Thirty-fifth U. 8. Colored Troops, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, 8. C., January 21, 1865.
Brigadier-General HATCH,
Commanding Coast Division, Dereaux s Neck :
GENERAL: I have the orders of General Sherman to establish an
intrenched camp at or near Pocotaligo, to cover the roads to Port
Royal Ferry and also to the head of Broad River. This camp is to be
a position where there can be room for 5,000 men to maneuver and
fight, but capable of being held by from 500 to 1,000 men in a citadel
or small field work. It is also to be such a position as to enable troops
to debouch from it in various directions for operations in the country
when desirable. It strikes me that the fort at Pocotaligo is just the
position desired, and that its present condition gives us the advantage
of having a work constructed to our hands. I have sent Captain
110 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., A^D E. FLA. [CHAP. L1X.
Suter to consult with you about this, and to carefully reeoimoiter all
other positions. As soon as you have decided upon the point, let me
have your recommendation at once, so as to be able to decide. 1 have
assigned Brigadier-General Potter to the military command of the
District of Beaufort. He will, however, be subject to your orders as
long as you are in his vicinity. It is intended to move your division to
the Northern District after General Sherman moves, and to one-rate as
hereafter directed. General Schimmelfennig and his force will, while
you are there, be under your orders. A portion of Admiral Porter s
fleet has already arrived at Charleston bar. Please push the work on
the landings at Whale Branch and Mackay s Point; also the arrange
ments for the intrenched position as soon as selected.
Eespectfully, yours,
J. G. FOSTEE,
Major- General, Commanding.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
CHIEF ENGINEER S OFFICE,
jtfavan nab, 6V/., January 21 ^ 1.8(>Z.