Civil War 150th

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[Capt. Harlock]

Late October 1864:

When he had put together his combined strategy earlier in the year, Ulysses S. Grant had made clear he considered the Confederate armies to be more important objectives than any of the Confederate cities, even including Richmond. But the armies were proving much harder to destroy that the cities were to capture. True, the Union forces had done major damage to both of the major Southern armies. The Army of Northern Virginia had been decimated in both officers and men, and the Army of Tennessee had been nearly broken. But the Northern Army of the Potomac had taken at least as much damage as its Rebel counterpart, and the Army of Tennessee had pulled itself back together.

Likewise, the Southern Army of the Valley had been beaten but was still in existence, and Sterling Price's army was making good its escape out of Missouri. (This last could be counted as a Union victory, however, because Price's force was taking with it nearly all the organized Confederate forces in the state.) Of the four great objectives of the summer of 1864, only Atlanta had been taken -- and it is arguable that Grant had not been thinking of it at the beginning of May. With the coming of colder weather, no more could be done against Richmond or Lee's Army of Northern Virginia for the year. But perhaps there was still a chance against the Army of Tennessee in Georgia.

William T. Sherman thought not. He now gave up the "stern chase" against his Southern opponents, and began to prepare for his movement southwards to the Atlantic coast. He sent Major General George Thomas all the way back to Nashville, Tennessee, and began moving about 40,000 men to accompany Thomas and defend against the Rebel invasion of the state that he was aware was coming. The remaining 60,000, the pick of his forces, he began to group around Atlanta to fill up on supplies. In doing so, he was evading his orders from Grant, but he had two advantages: first, he and Grant were close friends, and second, Grant had made a similar move against Vicksburg the year before. In an interesting twist, Sherman had not believed at the time in Grant's gamble of taking his army away from its supply line. Now the positions were reversed: Sherman wanted to cut his force loose, while Grant wanted a direct attack on the Confederates. Sherman was confident he could persuade his General-in-Chief.


There was one other reason for the return, though it probably did not interest Grant. With just over a week until the Presidential election, it would be much easier for the soldiers to vote if they were near Atlanta and the railroad than chasing the Rebel army. And the Lincoln administration knew that the great majority of the Union troops would vote Republican. George McClellan had not accepted the Democratic platform of an immediate armistice, but he could not explain how he would stop the war and still preserve the Union. Few of those in the Northern ranks wanted to leave the job unfinished after the victories that had been won over the last three months.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

There was not a direct telegraph line from Nevada to Chicago, so the proposed Nevada state constitution was transmitted over a multi-stage route. Finally, it arrived at the War Department in Washington, D.C. (As one of his extraordinary and probably unconstitutional acts, Secretary of War Stanton had taken control of all of the telegraph lines in the North.) The transmission had comprised 16,543 words and had cost $4,303.27 to send, a considerable amount in 1864. It would hold the record for the longest telegraphic transmission until 1881. But it had been received in time, and was promptly rushed to Congress for approval.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

On this date, Nathan Bedford Forrest became a naval commander. In a remarkable coup, he had managed to move and conceal batteries of horse artillery at either end of a section of river patrolled by Union gunboats. At a signal, both sections opened fire, trapping a pair of Yankee vessels. They rapidly surrendered, and the Confederates spent a few days learning how to sail their new prizes. A disgusted Grant would later write that the capture was "very hard to account for", but Sherman admitted that the feat "excited my admiration."


In the days before the filibuster was used, Congress could move with remarkable speed. On this date, Congress voted, and President Lincoln approved, and Nevada was formally admitted into the Union as the 36th state. It was smaller than its current borders (see below). It also had just 40,000 inhabitants, the lowest of any state upon entry. Only 1,200 Nevadan men would join the ranks of the Union armies, but the state would make an important contribution: $400 million worth of silver, mainly from the Comstock Lode. The precious metal would help considerably in stabilizing the value of U. S. currency. Confederate money, on the other hand, was rapidly falling in value, and would keep doing so until "a leaf from an oak tree will be worth as much as the Confederate promise to pay one dollar", according to one accurate prediction.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

In the Western theater, the Confederates were making something of a comeback after the fall of Atlanta. In addition to Nathan Bedford Forrest's remarkable successes, John Bell Hood had not only reached the Tennessee river but forded it at a key point. The way was now open for him to re-take Nashville or Chattanooga. (Actually, he needed to gather supplies before he could make the advance.) To quote W. T. Sherman, "There is no doubt that the month of October closed to us looking decidedly squally; but, somehow, I was sustained in the belief that in a very few days the tide would turn."

But on this date came another difficulty. U. S. Grant was still reluctant to authorize Sherman's march southward:

[font="Times New Roman"]CITY POINT, November 1, 1864--6 P.M.

Major-General SHERMAN: Do you not think it advisable, now that Hood has gone so far north, to entirely ruin him before starting on your proposed campaign? With Hood's army destroyed, you can go where you please with impunity. I believed and still believe, if you had started south while Hood was in the neighborhood of you, he would have been forced to go after you. Now that he is far away he might look upon the chase as useless, and he will go in one direction while you are pushing in the other. If you can see a chance of destroying Hood's army, attend to that first, and make your other move secondary.

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. [/font]

The good news (for Sherman) was that Grant was not giving definite orders. The General-in-Chief was still of the opinion that, when the two main Confederate armies had been destroyed, everything else would be open to the Northern forces. But he was willing to trust in his friend's judgment.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

William T. Sherman lost no time in attempting to persuade Grant that it was a much better idea to march south from Atlanta than engage in a futile pursuit of Hood and the Army of Tennessee:

[font="Times New Roman"]ROME, GEORGIA, November 2, 1864.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, City Point, Virginia:
Your dispatch is received. If I could hope to overhaul Hood, I would turn against him with my whole force; then he would retreat to the south west, drawing me as a decoy away from Georgia, which is his chief object. If he ventures north of the Tennessee River, I may turn in that direction, and endeavor to get below him on his line of retreat; but thus far he has not gone above the Tennessee River. General Thomas will have a force strong enough to prevent his reaching any country in which we have an interest; and he has orders, if Hood turns to follow me, to push for Selma, Alabama. No single army can catch Hood, and I am convinced the best results will follow from our defeating Jeff. Davis's cherished plea of making me leave Georgia by manoeuvring. Thus far I have confined my efforts to thwart this plan, and have reduced baggage so that I can pick up and start in any direction; but I regard the pursuit of Hood as useless. Still, if he attempts to invade Middle Tennessee, I will hold Decatur, and be prepared to move in that direction; but, unless I let go of Atlanta, my force will not be equal to his.

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.[/font]

Worried that his missive would not be enough, Sherman sent another message when he had reached his field headquarters:

[font="Times New Roman"]KINGSTON, GEORGIA, November 2, 1864.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, City Point, Virginia:
If I turn back, the whole effect of my campaign will be lost. By my movements I have thrown Beauregard (Hood) well to the west, and Thomas will have ample time and sufficient troops to hold him until the reenforcements from Missouri reach him. We have now ample supplies at Chattannooga and Atlanta, and can stand a month's interruption to our communications. I do not believe the Confederate army can reach our railroad-lines except by cavalry-raids, and Wilson will have cavalry enough to checkmate them. I am clearly of opinion that the best results will follow my contemplated movement through Georgia.

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.[/font]

But Sherman needn't have worried. Grant had no trouble reading maps, and he had realized that Sherman was correct; his army must leave Atlanta if it was to accomplish anything. To move northward would be seen as a retreat, which was not acceptable a week before the election.

[font="Times New Roman"]CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, November 2, 1864--11.30 a.m.

Major-General SHERMAN: Your dispatch of 9 A.M. yesterday is just received. I dispatched you the same date, advising that Hood's army, now that it had worked so far north, ought to be looked upon now as the "object." With the force, however, that you have left with General Thomas, he must be able to take care of Hood and destroy him. I do not see that you can withdraw from where you are to follow Hood, without giving up all we have gained in territory. I say, then, go on as you propose.

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.[/font]

Sherman had the approval he had been seeking. The "March to the Sea" was on.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

On the Tennessee River, Nathan Bedford Forrest was not having much luck as a naval commander. Already one of his gunboats had run aground and been re-captured by the Yankees. Early in the morning on this date, his remaining vessel, Undine, was confronted by a force of no less than nine Union gunboats. The Confederates, seeing themselves outmatched, set fire to the Undine and abandoned her. In a few minutes, the magazine exploded, and Forrest's naval command was over.

The Federal gunboats advanced, but now they in turn were outmatched by well-emplaced batteries of Southern shore artillery. One Northern vessel took 19 hits, and the flotilla decided to retire. Forrest's artillerymen then turned their guns on the massive Union supply depot at Johnsonville, just across the river. When the rebel cannoneers opened up, the Northerners could make no effective reply without their naval support. Both the shipping at the wharves and the warehouses behind were worked over, with the docks soon becoming a mass of flames.

By the time the Confederates packed up, there was very little left of the transports or the Union installation itself. Three Northern gunboats and at least two dozen steamboats and barges were lost, along with 26 pieces of artillery. Forrest estimated the damage at about $6,700,000, which would make it the most destructive raid against a Northern depot of the entire war. (One Federal report estimated the loss at $2,200,000 -- still heavy enough to make it yet another brilliant success for "that devil Forrest".)

[Capt. Harlock]

Both William T. Sherman and John Bell Hood were busy with the administrative tasks necessary for their respective moves:

[font="Times New Roman"] Our railroads and telegraph had been repaired, and I deliberately prepared for the march to Savannah, distant three hundred miles from Atlanta. All the sick and wounded men had been sent back by rail to Chattanooga; all our wagon-trains had been carefully overhauled and loaded, so as to be ready to start on an hour's notice, and there was no serious enemy in our front.

[...]

General Hood remained still at Florence, Alabama, occupying both banks of the Tennessee River, busy in collecting shoes and clothing for his men, and the necessary ammunition and stores with which to invade Tennessee, most of which had to come from Mobile, Selma, and Montgomery, Alabama, over railroads that were still broken. Beauregard was at Corinth, hastening forward these necessary preparations.

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

There were some striking differences. Along with the disabled soldiers, Sherman was actually sending supplies back to the rear. Remarkably, even with the Rebels breaking the railroads every so often, more stores and equipment had been accumulated in Atlanta than his wagons would be able to carry. He knew that anything left behind would fall into Confederate hands, so the excess went all the way back to Tennessee.

The soldiers on the Union side enjoyed other advantages as well:

[font="Times New Roman"] Paymasters had come down to pay off our men before their departure to a new sphere of action, and commissioners were also on hand from the several States to take the vote of our men in the presidential election then agitating the country.

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

(Your humble amateur historian speculates that the presence of the Paymasters did much to make the soldiers in a mood to re-elect Lincoln. They also made it possible for a number of the men to buy weapons they considered superior to government-issue muskets, such as Spencer and Henry repeating rifles.)

On the Confederate side, the crumbling Southern economy and runaway inflation were imposing hardships on all but the wealthiest, soldier and civilian alike:

[font="Times New Roman"]November 6th. - A thousand dollars have slipped through my fingers already this week. At the Commissary's I spent five hundred to-day for candles, sugar, and a lamp, etc. Tallow candles are bad enough, but of them there seems to be an end, too. Now we are restricted to smoky, terrabine lamps- terrabine is a preparation of turpentine. When the chimney of the lamp cracks, as crack it will, we plaster up the place with paper, thick old letter-paper, preferring the highly glazed kind.

[center]-- Mary Boykin Chesnut, A Diary From Dixie[/center][/font]

The most complained about shortages were shoes for the troops, and coffee for everyone. It had been discovered that coffee-drinkers tended to get sick less often (because the water was boiled), and it was very popular on both sides. The Southerners tried many substitutes, roasting things like sweet potatoes, acorns, rye grain, barley, beans, beets, bran, chestnuts, okra seeds, peanuts, and even dandelion. But none gave the satisfaction of true coffee.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

A U.S. Election day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, so November the 8th is the latest it can be. So it was on this date, and the voters went to the polls in the Union states. They also cast votes in the "reconstructed" states of Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas, but Congress refused to accept the electoral votes of those three. (Possibly because their governments had not followed the Wade-Davis formula for admitting a seceded state back into the Union.) But the electors from the new states of Kansas, West Virginia, and Nevada were cheerfully counted. George McClellan finally got around to resigning his commission in the Union Army, since serving officers were not supposed run for high office.

Neither Lincoln nor McClellan had done any active campaigning; according to the custom of the time, the candidates were supposed to hold themselves aloof while their supporters did the work. This led to mud-slinging and dirty tricks on a massive scale. In the morning of an anxious day, Lincoln remarked, "It is strange that I, who am not a vindictive man, should always have been before the people for election in canvasses marked for their bitterness."


Voting was a state matter, and the states were not unanimous on whether those serving in the Army or Navy should be allowed to cast absentee votes, essentially on continuing the war or not. Nineteen of the states decided to allow it, but three important states did not: Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey. Illinois was considered Lincoln's home state, and was safe for him, while New Jersey was McCellan's home state, and unlikely to vote Republican. But Indiana looked as if it could go either way, and Lincoln wrote that losing it "would go far towards losing the whole Union cause". He had therefore encouraged Sherman, who as head of the Department of the Mississippi commanded most of the regiments from Indiana, to furlough as many of those men as he could spare to go home to their state and vote.

New York City was also a worry. It had been the scene of the worst rioting in American history just the year before, and Union intelligence had learned of a Confederate plot to start a major fire there, and also in Chicago. Regiments of troops had been sent to New York to keep order, commanded by Benjamin Butler, who showed surprising talent for keeping the lid on a hostile city. There were no serious problems on election day, for the Rebel arsonists noted the Federal soldiers and decided to postpone their attempt until later in the month. (The plot in Chicago was stopped by the arrests of several of the men.) But the city voted against Lincoln, perhaps because of the military occupation, but also because of a phony newspaper story of a "Miscegenation Ball" of mixed-race couples supposedly held by Republican leadership. Abolition of slavery was one thing, but racial prejudice still ran deep in North as well as South.


However, the efforts to collect the votes of the Northern soldiers bore fruit for Lincoln and his allies. His "National Union" ticket drew 2,218,388 votes, or 55%. George McClellan and his running mate drew 1,812,807 votes, or 45%. In terms of electoral votes, the Lincoln victory was crushing. McClellan carried only three states: his home state of New Jersey, Delaware, and Kentucky. This gave him a mere 21 electoral votes, against 212 for Lincoln.


The Republicans also gained in Congress. Though the Democrats lost no seats in the Senate, the Republicans gained four seats which had been held by smaller parties.This brought them to an outright majority of 39 Senators out of a total of 72. (Note that 18 seats were of the seceded states, and vacant.) In the House of Representatives, the Republicans added an impressive gain of 46 seats, bringing them to a total of 134 out of 193. This would have been enough to pass the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, but Lincoln was not willing to wait until March, when the new Congress would be seated.


In Georgia, Sherman began to issue orders to his troops for the upcoming march. He had found it very useful to keep the Confederates guessing where he was going, so he did not name his objectives: first the state capital of Milledgeville, and then Savannah.

[center][font="Times New Roman"][Special Field Orders, No. 119.][/center]
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD, KINGSTON, GEORGIA, November 8, 1864

The general commanding deems it proper at this time to inform the officers and men of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth Corps, that he has organized them into an army for a special purpose, well known to the War Department and to General Grant. It is sufficient for you to know that it involves a departure from our present base, and a long and difficult march to a new one. All the chances of war have been considered and provided for, as far as human sagacity can. All he asks of you is to maintain that discipline, patience, and courage, which have characterized you in the past; and he hopes, through you, to strike a blow at our enemy that will have a material effect in producing what we all so much desire, his complete overthrow. Of all things, the most important is, that the men, during marches and in camp, keep their places and do not scatter about as stragglers or foragers, to be picked up by a hostile people in detail. It is also of the utmost importance that our wagons should not be loaded with any thing but provisions and ammunition. All surplus servants, noncombatants, and refugees, should now go to the rear, and none should be encouraged to encumber us on the march. At some future time we will be able to provide for the poor whites and blacks who seek to escape the bondage under which they are now suffering. With these few simple cautions, he hopes to lead you to achievements equal in importance to those of the past.

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman,
L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp. [/font]

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

From his headquarters in Georgia, W. T. Sherman issued more detailed orders for his march. They were designed to (mostly) spare private citizens inside their own homes, but there would more likely than not be destruction to factories and any other militarily useful infrastructure. Also, foodstuffs and livestock would be seized for the needs of Sherman's army, and given that it would be about 65,000 strong, there would not be a great deal left behind them:

[font="Times New Roman"][center][Special Field Orders, No. 120.][/center]
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD, KINGSTON, GEORGIA, November 9, 1864

1. For the purpose of military operations, this army is divided into two wings viz.: The right wing, Major-General O. O. Howard commanding, composed of the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps; the left wing, Major-General H. W. Slocum commanding, composed of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps.

[...]

The separate columns will start habitually at 7 a.m., and make about fifteen miles per day, unless otherwise fixed in orders.

4. The army will forage liberally on the country during the march. To this end, each brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient foraging party, under the command of one or more discreet officers, who will gather, near the route traveled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, corn-meal, or whatever is needed by the command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagons at least ten days' provisions for his command, and three days' forage. Soldiers must not enter the dwellings of the inhabitants, or commit any trespass; but, during a halt or camp, they may be permitted to gather turnips, potatoes, and other vegetables, and to drive in stock in sight of their camp. To regular foraging-parties must be intrusted the gathering of provisions and forage, at any distance from the road traveled.

5. To corps commanders alone is intrusted the power to destroy mills, houses, cotton-gins, etc.; and for them this general principle is laid down: In districts and neighborhoods where the army is unmolested, no destruction of each property should be permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our march, or should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then army commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless, according to the measure of such hostility.

6. As for horses, mules, wagons, etc., belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry and artillery may appropriate freely and without limit; discriminating, however, between the rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor and industrious, usually neutral or friendly. Foraging-parties may also take mules or horses, to replace the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or brigades. In all foraging, of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain from abusive or threatening language, and may, where the officer in command thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no receipts; and they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their maintenance,

7. Negroes who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns may be taken along; but each army commander will bear in mind that the question of supplies is a very important one, and that his first duty is to see to those who bear arms.

8. The organization, at once, of a good pioneer battalion for each army corps, composed if possible of negroes, should be attended to. This battalion should follow the advance-guard, repair roads and double them if possible, so that the columns will not be delayed after reaching bad places.

[...]

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman,
L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp. [/font]

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

To congratulate Abraham Lincoln on his re-election, a large crowd of supporters gathered on the White House lawn to give him a victory serenade. After the musical salute, the crowd called for a speech from the President. He seems to have anticipated the request, for he stepped out onto a second-floor balcony and delivered what could scarcely have been impromptu remarks:

"It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies.
On this point the present rebellion brought our republic to a severe test; and a presidential election occurring in regular course during the rebellion added not a little to the strain. If the loyal people, united, were put to the utmost of their strength by the rebellion, must they not fail when divided, and partially paralyzed, by a political war among themselves? But the election was a necessity.
We can not have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us. The strife of the election is but human-nature practically applied to the facts of the case. What has occurred in this case, must ever recur in similar cases. Human-nature will not change. In any future great national trial, compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak, and as strong; as silly and as wise; as bad and good. Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this, as philosophy to learn wisdom from, and none of them as wrongs to be revenged.
But the election, along with its incidental, and undesirable strife, has done good too. It has demonstrated that a people’s government can sustain a national election, in the midst of a great civil war. Until now it has not been known to the world that this was a possibility. It shows also how sound, and how strong we still are. It shows that, even among candidates of the same party, he who is most devoted to the Union, and most opposed to treason, can receive most of the people’s votes. It shows also, to the extent yet known, that we have more men now, than we had when the war began. Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, patriotic men, are better than gold.
But the rebellion continues; and now that the election is over, may not all, having a common interest, re-unite in a common effort, to save our common country? For my own part I have striven, and shall strive to avoid placing any obstacle in the way. So long as I have been here I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man’s bosom.
While I am deeply sensible to the high compliment of a re-election; and duly grateful, as I trust, to Almighty God for having directed my countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think, for their own good, it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may be disappointed or pained by the result.
May I ask those who have not differed with me, to join with me, in this same spirit towards those who have?
And now, let me close by asking three hearty cheers for our brave soldiers and seamen and their gallant and skillful commanders."

The night was still young, and many of the crowd went over to Secretary of State Seward's residence. Seward received them in a cheerful mood, as well he might, for his own job had also been made secure by the election.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

William T. Sherman had no intention of completely ignoring John Bell Hood, P.G.T. Beauregard, and the Army of Tennessee. He knew the Confederates planned an invasion of their home state, now under Union control, since both Hood and President Davis had made speeches on the subject. Sherman assigned George Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga", to deal with the invasion and above all to defend Nashville. Telegrams flew back and forth between the two Northern generals, firming up their plans. The troops under Thomas would largely consist of rear-area garrisons and laborers rather than first-line combat units, but Sherman had assigned two divisions under A. J. Smith to Thomas. These men had been diverted to the Red River fiasco early in the year, then had turned back a raid by Nathan Bedford Forrest, and then marched after Sterling Price in Missouri, so they were now highly experienced. With the addition of cavalry general James Wilson, who was already taking up the task of overhauling Thomas' mounted units, there would be a force sufficient to defeat Hood and Beauregard's army.

On this date, Thomas sent Sherman a telegram stating, "I have no fears that Beauregard can do us any harm now", and expressing confidence that Sherman had a clear road ahead of him. At about noon, Sherman reached Cartersville, Georgia, and his telegraphist sent back "Dispatch received--all right." It was all he had time for, since:

[font="Times New Roman"]About that instant of time, some of our men burnt a bridge, which severed the telegraph-wire, and all communication with the rear ceased thenceforth.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

For over a month, as far as the Federal government knew, Sherman and his 65,000 men had disappeared. An interesting point that is not addressed in any of the history books I have read is that Sherman was the commander of the Military Department of the Mississippi, which covered the vast area from the Alleghenies to the Mississippi river, north of Louisiana. He was essentially leaving his post as a theater commander. Happily, he had already set the department to run independently of him during the Atlanta campaign.

[font="Times New Roman"]As we rode on towards Atlanta that night, I remember the railroad-trains going to the rear with a furious speed; the engineers and the few men about the trains waving us an affectionate adieu. It surely was a strange event--two hostile armies marching in opposite directions, each in the full belief that it was achieving a final and conclusive result in a great war; and I was strongly inspired with the feeling that the movement on our part was a direct attack upon the rebel army and the rebel capital at Richmond, though a full thousand miles of hostile country intervened, and that, for better or worse, it would end the war.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

William T. Sherman reached Atlanta, and found to his satisfaction that his orders were being efficiently carried out. He would later describe the march as a simple "shift of base" for his army, but that base did not as yet exist. Therefore, he had given much thought to what had to be carried, and what had to be left behind:

[font="Times New Roman"] I reached Atlanta during the afternoon of the 14th, and found that all preparations had been made-Colonel Beckwith, chief commissary, reporting one million two hundred thousand rations in possession of the troops, which was about twenty days' supply, and he had on hand a good supply of beef-cattle to be driven along on the hoof. Of forage, the supply was limited, being of oats and corn enough for five days, but I knew that within that time we would reach a country well stocked with corn, which had been gathered and stored in cribs, seemingly for our use, by Governor Brown's militia.
[. . .]
The greatest possible attention had been given to the artillery and wagon trains. The number of guns had been reduced to sixty-five, or about one gun to each thousand men...
...We had in all about twenty-five hundred wagons, with teams of six mules to each, and six hundred ambulances, with two horses to each. The loads were made comparatively light, about twenty-five hundred pounds net; each wagon carrying in addition the forage needed by its own team: Each soldier carried on his person forty rounds of ammunition, and in the wagons were enough cartridges to make up about two hundred rounds per man, and in like manner two hundred rounds of assorted ammunition were carried for each gun. The wagon-trains were divided equally between the four corps, so that each had about eight hundred wagons, and these usually on the march occupied five miles or more of road.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

And it was about this date that the second burning of Atlanta began, this time by the Northerners. Since the Confederates would be able to move back into the city when they left, everything that could be put to any military use was to be destroyed. The work was done only too well:

[font="Times New Roman"] Colonel Poe, United States Engineers, of my staff, had been busy in his special task of destruction. He had a large force at work, had leveled the great depot, round house, and the machine-shops of the Georgia Railroad, and had applied fire to the wreck. One of these machine-shops had been used by the rebels as an arsenal, and in it were stored piles of shot and shell, some of which proved to be loaded, and that night was made hideous by the bursting of shells, whose fragments came uncomfortably near Judge Lyon's house, in which I was quartered. The fire also reached the block of stores near the depot, and the heart of the city was in flames all night, but the fire did not reach the parts of Atlanta where the court-house was, or the great mass of dwelling houses.

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/font][/center]

As well as the accidental spreading of the flames, there were some in the Union army who interpreted their orders to burn things useful to the Rebels rather broadly. Accurate estimates are difficult, but it seems that between the two burnings, over a third of the structures in Atlanta were leveled.

[Capt. Harlock]

This week, and 150 years ago:

A new marker has been unveiled, commemorating the start of Sherman's march to the sea:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/us/15 ... .html?_r=0

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

Near Florence and Tuscumbria in northern Georgia, Nathan Bedford Forrest's force finally joined up with the Army of Tennessee after their remarkably successful cavalry raid. It would seem to have been a good move, putting possibly the best cavalry commander of the entire war in charge of the cavalry for the high-stakes gamble of the invasion of Tennessee. But Forrest did best as an independent commander, and now he would have to follow the orders of John Bell Hood.


Forrest and Hood would wait a few more days to organize their forces and finish loading their supplies. But in Atlanta, Sherman's force was already on the move:

[font="Times New Roman"] About 7 a.m. of November 16th we rode out of Atlanta by the Decatur road, filled by the marching troops and wagons of the Fourteenth Corps; and reaching the hill, just outside of the old rebel works, we naturally paused to look back upon the scenes of our past battles. We stood upon the very ground whereon was fought the bloody battle of July 22d, and could see the copse of wood where McPherson fell. Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over the ruined city. Away off in the distance, on the McDonough road, was the rear of Howard's column, the gun-barrels glistening in the sun, the white-topped wagons stretching away to the south; and right before us the Fourteenth Corps, marching steadily and rapidly, with a cheery look and swinging pace, that made light of the thousand miles that lay between us and Richmond. Some band, by accident, struck up the anthem of "John Brown's soul goes marching on;"* the men caught up the strain, and never before or since have I heard the chorus of "Glory, glory, hallelujah!" done with more spirit, or in better harmony of time and place.

Then we turned our horses' heads to the east; Atlanta was soon lost behind the screen of trees, and became a thing of the past . . . The day was extremely beautiful, clear sunlight, with bracing air, and an unusual feeling of exhilaration seemed to pervade all minds--a feeling of something to come, vague and undefined, still full of venture and intense interest. Even the common soldiers caught the inspiration, and many a group called out to me as I worked my way past them, "Uncle Billy, I guess Grant is waiting for us at Richmond!" Indeed, the general sentiment was that we were marching for Richmond, and that there we should end the war, but how and when they seemed to care not; nor did they measure the distance, or count the cost in life, or bother their brains about the great rivers to be crossed, and the food required for man and beast, that had to be gathered by the way.

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]


*The song Sherman was thinking of is more popularly known as "John Brown's Body". It was a popular marching song for the Northerners, and several more verses were added to it as the war went on. I include some of them in a "zip" attachment.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

Sherman's march south and east of Atlanta was encountering no significant opposition. The Confederate cavalry under Joseph wheeler was effectively blocked by the Union cavalry under Judson Kilpatrick. The Southerners were making desperate attempts to put together an infantry force, but they had nothing more than small units of local militia. For the majority of Sherman's men, the war was becoming a gigantic camping trip. But there was one problem looming.

[font="Times New Roman"] The next day we passed through the handsome town of Covington, the soldiers closing up their ranks, the color-bearers unfurling their flags, and the bands striking up patriotic airs. The white people came out of their houses to behold the sight, spite of their deep hatred of the invaders, and the negroes were simply frantic with joy. Whenever they heard my name, they clustered about my horse, shouted and prayed in their peculiar style, which had a natural eloquence that would have moved a stone. I have witnessed hundreds, if not thousands, of such scenes; and can now see a poor girl, in the very ecstasy of the Methodist "shout," hugging the banner of one of the regiments, and jumping up to the "feet of Jesus."
[...]
I ... rode on to a place designated for camp, at the crossing of the Ulcofauhachee River, about four miles to the east of the town. Here we made our bivouac, and I walked up to a plantation-house close by, where were assembled many negroes, among them an old, gray-haired man, of as fine a head as I ever saw. I asked him if he understood about the war and its progress. He said he did; that he had been looking for the "angel of the Lord" ever since he was knee-high, and, though we professed to be fighting for the Union, he supposed that slavery was the cause, and that our success was to be his freedom...

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center] [/font]

Sherman asked the gray-haired man to spread the word not to follow the Yankee troops. Feeding over 60,000 men, with many thousands of horses and mules, was enough of a challenge, and Sherman feared if large numbers of ex-slaves followed them it might become nearly impossible. But many of the blacks did just that; for they knew that if they stayed where they were, they would likely be re-enslaved.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

For the Lincoln administration in Washington, Sherman and his army had vanished as if they had gone down a (very big) rabbit hole. But the Confederates knew where they were. Publicly, high Southern officials announced that the Yankees would find Georgia as disastrous as Napoleon had found Russia. Sherman's army would be blocked, and then forced to retreat, losing men all the way.

When Grant was told of these dire predictions, he shot back, "Who is to furnish the snow for this Moscow retreat?" It was a valid point; the Confederates were trying desperately to get men to counter Sherman's force:

[font="Times New Roman"] Corinth, Mississippi, November 18, 1864.

To the people of Georgia,

Arise for the defense of your native soil! Rally around your patriotic Governor and gallant soldiers! Obstruct and destroy all the roads in Sherman's front, flank, and rear, and his army will soon starve in your midst. Be confident. Be resolute. Trust in an overruling Providence, and success will soon crown your efforts. I hasten to join you in the defense of your homes and firesides.

P. G. T. BEAUREGARD.


RICHMOND, November 18, 1864

To the People of Georgia:

You have now the best opportunity ever yet presented to destroy the enemy. Put every thing at the disposal of our generals; remove all provisions from the path of the, invader, and put all obstructions in his path.
Every citizen with his gun, and every negro with his spade and axe, can do the work of a soldier. You can destroy the enemy by retarding his march.
Georgians, be firm! Act promptly, and fear not!

B.H. Hill, Senator

I most cordially approve the above.

James A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.[/font]


The hopes were vain. At the beginning of the war, something like this might have worked. But the Confederates were now asking a small number of men with flint-lock muskets to confront thousands with artillery, repeating rifles, and years of combat experience.

[Capt. Harlock]

Second Half of November, 1864:

In Georgia, Sherman's army was having little trouble getting food. Corn was plentiful, and especially useful because it could feed both men and draft animals. The Yankees quickly learned how to load their wagons with the corn with remarkable speed:

[font="Times New Roman"]I have seen much skill and industry displayed by these quarter-masters on the march, in trying to load their wagons with corn and fodder by the way without losing their place in column. They would, while marching, shift the loads of wagons, so as to have six or ten of them empty. Then, riding well ahead, they would secure possession of certain stacks of fodder near the road, or cribs of corn, leave some men in charge, then open fences and a road back for a couple of miles, return to their trains, divert the empty wagons out of column, and conduct them rapidly to their forage, load up and regain their place in column without losing distance. On one occasion I remember to have seen ten or a dozen wagons thus loaded with corn from two or three full cribs, almost without halting. These cribs were built of logs, and roofed. The train-guard, by a lever, had raised the whole side of the crib a foot or two; the wagons drove close alongside, and the men in the cribs, lying on their backs, kicked out a wagon-load of corn in the time I have taken to describe it.

[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]

The area also had sweet potatoes, hogs, chickens, turkeys, and sheep in abundance. "Foragers" were detailed to leave the roads and take these from the local farms. It was not without risk, for the men would be operating alone or in twos and threes, and vulnerable to being ambushed by the civilians or caught by Southern cavalry. But it was enjoyable duty for those who had a taste for plunder, and many found they did. Almost always the foragers would leave their columns in the morning on foot, and rejoin the march a few hours later riding a mule or horse to help them carry what they had appropriated.

A number of men took more than food. Though Sherman had ordered that no private residences be invaded, there was no one to enforce the command, and jewelry and other valuables were seized on numerous occasions. In addition to the designated foragers, there were men who essentially deserted for the duration of the march, stealing wherever and whatever they pleased, and not bothering to rejoin the main body of troops. They were joined by some Rebels, for the Confederate authorities were desperate enough for men that they released a number of convicts from prison to fill their ranks. More than a handful did what one might expect criminals furnished with guns to do. The lawless men were called "bummers", though the term was also applied to the regular foragers as well, for the Southern farmers saw little difference in being pillaged by men obeying orders or disobeying them.

To add to the Southerners' woes, even the organized Confederate cavalry under Joseph Wheeler joined in. They had to follow the Yankees rather than planned routes with organized supply depots, and both men and horses required food. Thus, they became part of the problem, and even when they offered to pay, the Confederate paper money they gave had become nearly worthless. From Governor Brown on down, Georgians became outraged at the Confederate army and the Davis administration which was showing themselves literally worse than useless at stopping Sherman's horde.

[Capt. Harlock]

150 Years Ago Today:

In Alabama, the Army of Tennessee had finally accumulated what were considered to be enough supplies, and the troops moved out from Florence and Tuscumbia. Thus one of the most unusual double campaigns in history was fully underway. Two hostile armies had turned their backs on each other and marched away -- each into the other's territory.

To be fair, many of the Confederates would have claimed that their destination was rightfully their territory. For the members of the 1st Tennessee Regiment, it was a return to their native soil. But at least one of them could not help reflect how few would be returning:

[font="Times New Roman"]The Maury Grays, commanded by Captain A. M. Looney, left Columbia, four years ago, with 120 men. How many of those 120 original members are with the company today? Just twelve. Company H has twenty members, but some of this number had subsequently enlisted. But we twelve will stick to our colors till she goes down forever, and until five more of this number fall dead and bleeding on the battlefield.

[center]--Sam R. Watkins, "Co. Aytch" Maury Grays, First Tennessee Regiment[/center][/font]


("Franklin-Nashville campaign" by User:Andrei nacu at en.wikipedia - Own work. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)