Thursday, December 8, 1864
Marched at 8 o'clock towards the City of Savanna. Found that the
bridge required more repair than was at first anticipated. Here
saw the first very large cypress swamp. Looks like a fit abode
for the southern alligator and affords many remembrances of the
home-made emulsion that used to be taken so often.
Picket from 85th Illinois.
Order of March
85th Illinois
125th Illinois
86th Illinois
110th Illinois
Train Guards
52d Ohio
22d Indiana
Friday, December 9, 1864
Marched at 6:30 a.m. on the main Savannah Road. Started from the
27-mile post and marched about seven miles. Found the enemy entrenched
and fortified in the road. We halted.
Deployed 86th Illinois and 110th Illinois as skirmishers in front
of the column.
Picket: 86th Illinois and 110th Illinois
Order of March
125th Illinois
22d Indiana
86th Illinois
110th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
Saturday, December 10, 1864
Advanced skirmish line at daylight and found the enemy had gone.
Column moved forward at 8 a.m. in the direction of the city of
Savannah. Met the 20th Army Corps at the ten-mile post. Halted
and camped for the night. Picket: no picket out.
Order of March
22d Indiana
86th Illinois
110th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
125th Illinois
Sunday, December 11, 1864
Marched at 9 a.m. towards Savannah.
Picket: 22d Indiana
Order of March
86th Illinois
110th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
125th Illinois
22d Indiana
Monday, December 12, 1864
Lay in reserve to 1st and 2d Brigade on the front line. Heavy
cannonading is occasionally heard all along the line. The enemy
are supposed to number about 15,000 or 20,000 men - about two
thousand are said to be regular troops and the balance is Georgia
and Alabama Militia. Evidently, they intend to give battle. Savannah
is said to be well-fortified and the approaches difficult on account
of the swamps, which are almost impassable and in some places,
entirely so. Expect to have open communication with our fleet
in a few days. Brigade is detailed to tear up the railroad, the
Georgia Central.
Not much fighting is heard today, anywhere.
Tuesday, December 13, 1864
Brigade is again detailed to build some small bridges across culverts
and fit the railroad for a wagon road. heavy firing is occasionally
heard along the line from the rebel batteries. Supposed to be
32-Pounders and placed behind outter works constructed partly
of cotton bales and sand. Two gunboats are said to be plying in
the river.
Wednesday, December 14, 1864
Everything is quiet as usual. heard glorious news from the right
wing of the army: Fort McAlister was stormed and the garrison
has been captured, armament and all connected, thus opening communication
with our naval fleet.
Thursday, December 15, 1864
Visited 2d Brigade. Had a view from the canal of the rebel line
of works. Canal is a small affair, not much water is in it. Train
started to Kings Island for supplies. Mail was sent out for the
first time in a month. Paid Uncle Tom $2.
Friday, December 16, 1864
Inspected three regiments - 85th Illinois, 52d Ohio and 110th
Illinois.
Saturday, December 17, 1864
Sunday, December 18, 1864
Monday, December 19, 1864
Tuesday, December 20, 1864
Wednesday, December 21, 1864
This morning, our army entered the City of Savannah, after a short
siege of ten days. With the City, Federal forces have taken at
least one hundred pieces of artillery.
On the 13th of December, Fort McAlister was taken, with its complement
of 27 guns. Sand battery, 30 guns, fort Jackson 60 and I think
a fair estimate today, 55 guns in the line of defense around the
City. The guns are of all sizes, shapes and calibre - of the most
modern and ancient patterns. Savannah has a fine harbor which
will accommodate the largest-sized vessels used in ocean navigation.
The people in Savannah manifest more cordiality than in any town
we have yet seen in the South. Everybody is apparently glad that
the Federal Army is in possession, consoling themselves that they
will soon again be in communication with the world form which
they have so long been shut out.
Was in the office of the Georgia Central Railroad's machine shop,
today.
----------------------------------------------------------
(Over the next thirty days which covered the Christmas and New
Year's Holidays, Captain Burkhalter and his men were engaged in
garrison duty in Savannah. On Wednesday, December 21st, while
in the office of the Georgia Central Railroad's machine shop,
Captain Burkhalter found a largely un-used office journal book.
This book belonged to the Georgia Central Railroad and the first
several pages contain statistical entries which detail freight
shipments in and out of Savannah on the railroad from the commencement
of the Civil War until the book was left to be found by Captain
Burkhalter. These pages have been Xeroxed and the Xerox copies
sent to appropriate southern historical authorities, so that at
long last, these freight records can be available to the historical
researchers. Captain Burkhalter took the book for his own, after
marking on the flyleaf where he had found it and on what date.
He then used this bound journal book as manuscript for his own
Journal, which was based on earlier material in his diary.
Apparently, he devoted all his garrison time in Savannah to this
Journal, for its sixty-odd pages are covered in a uniform handscript
in ink, now faded an aged brown.)
December 27, 1864
Paid $20 to Chester and Uncle Tom.
January 1, 1865
It is New Years Day and Chester has lost my pistol! And a pair
of my boots. Uncle Tom berates him for being neglectful. I suspect,
however, that the pistol and boots were simply taken into town
and sold. $15 is my loss on the pistol and $4 for the boots.
Chester needed pants, so I got him some infantry issue: #3.75.
Also a pair of shoes: $1.90. In addition, paid him $5. For three
months and sixteen days of work, I owed Chester $35. He and Tom
have thus far gotten $38.65 out of me - I've overpaid by $3.65.
And suffered a $19 loss besides.
January 20, 1865
Broke camp at 8:30 a.m. and marched out of Savannah. A heavy rain
set in about ten o'clock, which made the roads quite bad and our
progress terribly slow. Trains were mired down several times in
gluey, gumbo mud during the day. Head of column reached Pooler's
Station at 2 p.m. and camped on very wet ground. The whole situation
was rendered even more uncomfortable by the heavy rains of the
succeeding night. The entire camping ground was nearly flooded.
Had two companies on picket, who were instructed to report at
camp at six o'clock the next morning.
January 21, 1865
Marching orders having been counter-manded, the Brigade lay in
camp all day. Rained almost incessantly, causing everything to
be wet and disagreeable. This has been a bad line of march, including
the campaign against Savannah. Nothing of the country seems unharmed.
Universal devastation has done the work for the region.
January 22, 1865
Still in camp and constantly raining. Mud is very deep and roads
getting worse. The general in command is working on a new route
for us to march.
January 23, 1865
Yet it rains. Nearly the whole country about the camp appears
to be flooded. No prospect of an advance. The 20th Corps is reported
to be bogged down in the mud of South Carolina, opposite Savannah.
The 15th and 17th Army Corps are moving on Grahamville, South
Carolina, from Beaufort.
January 24, 1865
The rain has now ceased, but the mud is still very deep and the
roads are a virtual quagmire. Even so, this is a chance to move
on, after a delay extending for several days. Therefore, it will
have to be done. Advance hardly seems possible and the condition
of the roads is vastly discouraging, but we will do it.
January 25, 1865
Broke camp and marched at 7 a.m. proceeded in the direction of
Springfield, passed through Eden (!) and camped for the night
about seven miles from Springfield. Marched most of the day through
a low, barren, pine country, with little improvements of any kind
and very thinly settled. We did not pass a single good plantation
during the whole day. Not much information could be obtained from
any of the inhabitants. They are ignorant and indisposed to say
anything about the country or the Rebels.
January 26, 1865
Marched at seven o'clock in the morning. About 11 a.m., found
approximately twenty rebel cavalry on picket, on the north side
of Ebenezer Creek. They immediately moved back, when fired on
by our advance. Springfield is a village of about two hundred
inhabitants. The community is situated on high ground, but although
it is a county seat, there is scarcely a decent house in the place.
The country appears a little better than that marched through
yesterday. Crossed Ebenezer Creek immediately on the north side
of town and camped for the night one mile north of the creek.
January 27, 1865
Marched at seven a.m. in the direction of Sister's Ferry and crossed
the north tributaries of Ebenezer Creek. Found a bad swamp and
had to build about one hundred and fifty yards of corduroy log
road. The men had to wade water mid-thigh deep for a distance
of one hundred and fifty yards. The water was very cold and the
lads suffered by having to wade so great a distance on a raw day.
Baggage train was much delayed and very late in getting to camp.
Marched only about five miles and then camped in a nice field
for the night. Weather clear and cold.
January 28, 1865 - February 5, 1865
Departed at seven a.m. in the direction of Sister's Ferry and
arrived there at noon. Moved one mile above the Ferry and went
into camp, staying there until February 5th, during which period
of time, arrangements have been made to fully equip and clothe
the men. Regular camps were established and drills, dress parades
and other camp duties were initiated.
We have been frequently visited by the officers of the federal
gunboat in the river. They are good, clever men and appear very
anxious to become acquainted with the land forces.
During our stay here, doctor Hooton had occasion to go back to
Savannah from this place. He supplied our mess with a great many
little luxuries, which has enable us to live rather well, considering
what we also pick up on the road, where we expect to find abundance
of sweet potatoes and vegetables, as well as any quantity of chicken,
turkeys, fresh pork, beef, veal, mutton, and a variety of other
meats. Heavy fatigue parties have been detailed each day to construct
a corduroy bridge across the swamp to Upper Ferry, a distance
of about two miles.
January 30, 1865
Drafted an order in my capacity as Brigade Inspector. General
Fearing signed it and the order was promulgated as General Order
Number One, to wit:
Hereafter, during the campaign, Regimental Commanders, as soon
as they get into camp in the evening, will immediately clear their
color lines from all underbrush or fallen timber that would prevent
a speedy formation of the Regiments on their color lines.
To facilitate the formation of the line it is further ordered
that after the arms are stacked on the color line, the Regiments
will always camp in column by company, and will order a space
of Ten (10) paces to the company, which will be regularly laid
out by the Officer of the Day of each Regiment. The company tents
must be pitched in the proper order, care must be taken that they
are raised on a line by the companies and also, that the companies
in the Regiment are in a line on the color front from right to
left of each Regiment. The streets must also be cleared, so as
to allow, at all times, a speedy formation of the companies on
the company grounds.
Wherever the Command remains in the same camp longer than one
night, the camps will be thoroughly policed, sinks must be dug,
and 'the men must use them,' and not commit nuisances on or about
the camping ground.
February 5, 1865
Broke camp and marched at 10 in the morning. Crossed pontoon bridge,
but found the bank approach very steep. It was difficult for wagon
trains to get on the bridge. The road was so bad on the South
Carolina side that all day was needed to pass our Division over
the swamp. The train was very late at night in getting across
and into Park.
Active preparations were made to supply the Division with rations
for the Campaign. (This was completed on February 7th and everything
is in readiness to start out.
Information has reached us that the Army of the Tennessee has
struck the railroad at Midway and is destroying the road towards
Branchville.
February 6, 1865
No entry
February 7, 1865
This day our latest mail reached us and many letters of reply
were therefore written and sent out by the soldiers, who were
all very anxious to be up to time on mail matters, as well as
on any other affairs. And now as all the little preliminary arrangements
are set, the men are anxious to cut loose in South Carolina and
trust to Providence and General Sherman for the balance.
'The Campaign In The Carolinas
Wednesday, February 8, 1865. Upper Ferry on the Savannah River,
South Carolina.
Brigade marched at seven a.m. in the following order: 125th
Illinois, 52d Ohio, 85th Illinois, 86th Illinois and 22d Indiana.
Proceeded about 1 1/2 miles from Upper Landing and struck a vast
swamp. Delayed a long time. Had to build one mile of corduroy
bridging, which took about two hours. Column again moved forward
in the direction of Brighton. Progress was very slow. Roads are
terrible and the train is frequently swamped. Not much sign of
civilization in the country passed, and saw but one house. Misery
and poverty appears stamped on every countenance of the inhabitants
- the result of a long, bloody, cruel and relentless reign of
terror, which has long overspread the horizon of the Confederacy.
News has been received of the great peace movement in the north.
Soldiers generally don't think much of it. Fears are entertained
that our government will make, or rather, accept terms which will
not be harsh enough as deserved by the rebs.
Command moved to Brighton, a distance of eight miles from Upper
Ferry, camped for the night. Weather is clear, but cool. Division
marched in the rear of everything. 1st and 3rd Divisions are ahead.
4 companies from 125th Illinois for picket.
Distance marched: eight miles.
Thursday, February 9, 1865 Brighton, South Carolina
Marched at seven a.m. and moved forward rapidly. Found the roads
around here to be very good. Passed the ruins of a very fine residence
belonging to J. G. Lawton. Saw the nicest arbor vitae trees ever.
about one mile further on, and one-half mile to the right of the
main Augusta road, we passed the ruins of Joe Lawtons' plantation,
also most beautifully decorated, but now nearly everything destroyed.
The work of devastation is finishing what Southern despotism has
long failed to do.
Crossed Boggy Creek and marched to Beaver Dam Creek and then halted
for dinner.
After a pause of one hour, moved forward and we camped for the
night, having come a full twenty miles. Saw but one tolerably
decent house during the day, which was occupied by a widow lady
and children in altogether destitute circumstances.
Travelled on the main August road, leading about North, Northwest.
2nd division is in the rear of Corps, 1st Division, Carlin's,
is on the road to our right. Baird's Division is ahead on same,
which has made destruction complete and forage scarce.
Picket: three companies from the 22d Indiana.
Order of March
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
Friday, February 10, 1865
Departed at 6:30 a.m. Still on the Augusta road. After marching
about one mile, we turned to the right on the Barnwell Road. Crossed
one creek and then another creek Road is generally good. passed
the ruins of General Irwin's house. Moved rapidly forward and
reached Linch, where we halted for dinner.
The country moved over today has been much better than that seen
nearer the coast, which is literally one vast swamp and very sparsely
settled. The principal products are rice and cotton. All plantations
are large and usually have one large residence on them, in which
the Chivalrous Nabob lives and is surrounded by from ten generally
very badly arranged and ill-constructed. Have seen but few white
inhabitants since our Army entered this State and only one white
male citizen, who said he had never been in the Army (reb), though
he appeared perfectly able for such service. After an hour's rest,
we again moved forward, crossing the Boggy Gut Creek and camped
for the night at the crossroads of Augusta, and Fiddle Pond Road.
Water is very scarce and not too good.
Found rebel fortifications on the north bank of Boggy Gut Creek
- a position well chosen. But only the height of folly would induce
a small force to make a stand against our powerful army. The country
is much more hilly in this region than that passed over heretofore,
since our advent into this State. Some marvelous plantations were
located here at one time, but now all is in ruins. Saw a great
many Negro women and children, nearly all of them destitute.
Picket: three companies from the 22d Indiana
Distance marched: 20 miles.
Order of March
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
52d Ohio