The siege of Savannah in December, 1864, and the Confederate operations in Georgia and the third military district of South Carolina during General Sherman's march from Atlanta to the sea

Front matter

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Preface

To perpetuate the Confederate memories connected with the march of General Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah is the design of the following pages. ^ To be guided in all that he relates by the genuine circumstances of the action has been the author's care. This sad chapter in the history of Georgia has been written only by those who made light of her afllictions, laughed at her calamities, gloated over her losses, and lauded her spoilers. A predatory expedition, inaugurated with full knowledge of her weakness, conceived in a spirit of wanton destruction, conducted in violation of the rules of civilized warfare, and compassed in the face of feeble resistance, has been magnified into a grand military achievement worthy of all admiration. The easy march of a well appointed army of seventy thousand men through the heart of a state abounding in every supply

VI

save men and materials of war, and at the most delightful season of the year, has been so talked of and written about by those who either participated in the enterprise or sympathized with its leaders, that multitudes have come to regard this holiday excursion as a triumph of consummate military skill and valor — as one of the most wonderful exploits in the history of modern warfare. Audi alteram partem.

New York City,

December 20, 1874.

Chapter I

General Sherman's Intentions in Projecting Ms Expedition from Atlanta to the Coast — Compositionand Strength of the Federal Army — Defenceless Condition of Georgia — Inability of the Confederate Leaders to Concentrate an Army of Opposition — The Federal Advance — General Beauregard' s Dispatches — A Levy en masse ordered by the Legislature — Proclamation of Governor Brown — Circular from Georgia Representatives in Confederate Congress, to their Constituents — Supplemental Proclamation of General A. R. Wright, . . 1

CHAPTER n.

Operations of Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith in the Vicinity of Atlanta — He Retires upon Griffin, and falls bach to Macon — Movements of the Confederate Cavalry under Maj, Gen. Wheeler — Macon Defenses, their Armament and Garrison — Federal Demonstration against Macon — Battle of Griswoldville — Report of Brig. Gen. Phillips, . . . .21

CHAPTER HI.

The Federals occupy Milledgeville — Maj. Genl. Smith moves his Command from Macon, by way of Thomasville, to Savannah — Ordered by Lieut. Genl. Hardee at once to Grahamville, S. G. — Admirable Conduct of the Georgia State Forces — Battle of Honey -Hill — Signal Defeat of the Federal Expedition from Boyd's Neck, under the Command of Brig. Genl. Hatch — Complimentary Resolutions adopted by , the Georgia Legislature, . . . . . . .32

VUl

CHAPTER IV.

Adjutant General Wayne occupies Gordon — Retreats to Oconee Bridge — Major Hartridge' s Report of Confederate Operations at that Point — Wayne^s Command retires to Millen — Confederate Movements at Numher 4^ and Number 2, Central Rail Road — Col. Fizer disputes Osterhaus's Crossing at the Cannouchee — 31aj. Gen. Wheeler's Re-port of the Operations of the Confederate Cavalry^ . . . . .44

CHAPTER y.

The Siege of Savannah — Concentration of Confederate Forces for the Defense of the City — Investment hy the United States Forces — Federal Attempts to communicate with the Fleet — Confederate Line at Monteitli — Obstruction of Roads leading into Savannah — Western Line for the Protection of the City, its Location^ Principal Batteries, and Armament — Enumeration of Light Artillery Companies concentrated, for its Support — Inundation of the Low Grounds in Front of this Western Line — the Western Line, how Subdivided, Commanded, and Garrisoned — Supply of Ordnance, Quarter- Master, and Commissary Stores — Statement of Rations issued, ......... 7S

CHAPTER VI.

Confederate Forces in theSd Military District of South Carolina, under Maj. Genl. Sam Jones, guarding the Line of the Charleston and Savannah Rail Road — Federal Advance from Gregory's Point, and its Repidse near the Tullifinney Trestle — Original Confederate Line conceived for the Protection of the Sea Coast of Georgia — Advanced Line controlling the Water Approaches to Savannah — Line of Defense for the Immediate Protection of the Eastern and Southern Exposures of the City — Location and Armament of the Savannah River Batteries, and of the Forts and Earth-ioorks erected to guard the Water Approaches to the City — Relative Bearings and Distances of these Fortifications from Oglethorpe Barracks — Genl. Beauregard's Instructions for the Defense of Savannah, ........ 92

IX

CHAPTER yil.

Dislribution of Covfederate Forces along the Western Line — Federal Timidity and Hesitation — Capture of the Dispatch Boat Ida — Affair at Shaw's Dam — Repulse of the Assaidt upon Fort Hardeman — The Tender Resolute captured, hy the Enemy — Federal Movement against Fort McAllister — Assault upon and Capture of that Work hy Uazens's Division — Reports of Major Anderson and of Brig. Genl. Hazen — Gcdlcmt Conduct of the Garrison, . . Ill

CHAPTEE VIII.

Federal Communication established with the Fleet — Evacuation of Savannah rendered Imperative — Li7ie of Retreat considered and determined upon — Location and Construction of Pontoon Bridges across Savannah River — Progress of the Siege — Heavy Shirmishinghetween Confederate Cavalry and the Enemy on the Left Banh of the Savannah — Desertions from BrooJes's Foreign Battalion — Sherman's Demand for the Surrender of Savannah, its Garrison, and Dependent Forts — 'Lieut. Genl. Hardee's Refused — Maj. Genl. Sherman prepares to Bombard the City, .... 131

CHAPTER IX.

Progress of the Siege — Maj. Genl. Wheeler's Cavalry Operations on the Left Bank of the Savannah and in Rear of the Federal Army — Confidential Circulars from Lieut. Genl. Hardee's Head Quarters directing the Evacuation of Savannah — Evacuation of the City — Order in which the Confederate Forces were withdrawn — Good Conduct of the Troops — Movement successfully concealed from the Enemy, until fxdly Accomplished — Line of Retreat — Heavy Guns disabled. Ammunition destroyed, and the Naval Vessels in the River burnt and sunk — Reports of Coin. Anderson commanding the River and Shore Batteries, and of Lieut. Coin. Jones, Chief of Artillery — Genl. Beauregard's Orders for the Disposition of the Confederate Forces after tlieir Retreat from Savannah — Formal Surrender of the City by the Mayor on the Morning of the 21st of December, 1864 — The Federals occupy Savannah, . . . . . . .145

CHAPTER X.

Extravagant and Unjustifiable Destruction of Property along the Line of llarch — Comparison between the Conduct of Confederate and Federal Invading Armies — Sherman's Violations of the Accepted Rules of Civilized Warfare — Wanton Insidts, Wholesale Plunder, and Barbarous Treatment of Unarmed Citizens and Defenseless Women, Children and Negroes, by Federal Soldiery — The Conduct of the Royalist Prevost in 1779 outheroded in 1864 by that of the Republican >>herman — The Campaign criticized as a Military Movement — Its Success entirely attributable to the Weakness of the Confederacy — Federal and Confederate Losses — Capture of Savannah in 1778 — The Evacuation of the City^ under the Ci?'cumstances, a, Severe Refection upon the Activity and Skill of the Federal Commander^ and a marked Achievement on the part of the Confederates^. . 164

1864.

CHAPTER I.

General Sherman's Intentions in Projecting his Expedition from Atlanta to the Coast — Composition and Strength of the Federal Army — Defenceless Condition of Georgia — Inability of the Confederate leaders to Concentrate an Army of Opposition — The Federal Advance — General Beauregard's Dispatches — A Levy en masse ordered by the Legislature — Proclamation of Governor Brown — Circular from Georgia Representatives in Confederate Congress, to their Constituents — Supplemental Proclamation of General A. R. Wright.

" Until we can repopulate Georgia, it is useless to occupy it : but the utter destruction of its roads, houses and 'people will cripple their military resources. By attempting to hold the roads we will lose a thousand men monthly, and will gain no result. I can make the march and make Georgia liowl. ***** Hood may turn into Tennessee and Kentucky, but I believe he will be forced to follow me. Instead of being on the defensive 1 would be on the offensive. Instead of guessing at what he means, he would have to guess at my plans. The difference in war is full twenty-five per cent. I can make Savannah, Charleston, or the mouth of 1 the Chattahoochee. / 'prefer to march through Georgia, smashing things to the sea^

So wrote Major General Sherman, from Atlanta, to Lieutenant General Grant. That officer having sanctioned the proposed movement, and indicated a preference for Savannah as the objective point of the campaign. General Sherman, about the middle of November, 1864, put his columns in motion for their march of spoliation and devastation through the heart of Georgia. The "smashing" operation of this modern Alaric was fairly inaugurated by the wanton and merciless destruction of the cities of Atlanta and Rome.

For the purposes of the predatory incursion, the Federal army was divided into two wings ; the right — commanded by Major General 0. 0. Howard — comprising the Fifteenth Corps under Major General P. I. Osterhaus, and the Seventeenth Corps under Major General Frank P. Blair jr., and the left, under Major General H. W. Slocum, consisting of the Fourteenth Corps, brevet Major General J. C. Davis, and the Twentieth Corps, Brigadier General A. S. Williams. This infantry force of sixty thousand men was accompanied by a cavalry division numbering fifty-five hundred sabres, commanded by Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick. There was an allowance of about one field piece to every thousand men, aggregating between sixty-five and seventy guns, fully manned and thoroughly equipped. A pontoon train was assigned to each wing of the army, and an efficient pioneer battalion organized for each corps. The entire command was amply provided with good wagon trains, loaded with ammunition, and carrying supplies approximating forty days' rations of bread, sugar and coffee, a double allowance of salt for the same period, and grain forage for three days. Beef cattle, sufficient for forty days' subsistence, attended the army. No equipment was lacking which could in any wise enhance the comfort, power, and efficiency of this formidable expedition. Acquainted with the character of the country through which his route lay, and aware of the fact that he would meet with an abundance of provisions and forage everywhere.

General Sherman anticipated little difficulty in subsisting his troops. At this season of the year plantation barns were filled with the newly gathered harvest. Corn, peas, fodder, sweet-potatoes, syrup, hogs, cattle, mules and horses were to be expected without stint. The recent movement of General Hood, ill-advised and pregnant with naught save disaster, left the state of Georgia fairly open to a Federal advance. She was destitute of the means of offering any substantial resistance. Few troops remained within her confines to dispute Sherman's passage to the coast. Such was the physical conformation of the country, that there existed only occasional and partial obstacles to a rapid and successful march ; none which could not be readily overcome by the pontoon trains and pioneer corps with which the Federal army was supplied. For his rear Sherman entertained no reasonable fears, because the forces of General Thomas were an over-match for General Hood's advancing columns. Under no possible circumstances could Sherman have then been overtaken by Hood, had the latter abandoned his plans and started in pursuit. Nor was there any likelihood of his encountering serious opposition from the Confederates in his front. They were far too weak to do more than skirmish in a desultory manner with this powerful army of invasion. Enveloped by an ample guard of cavalry, and presenting a front, varying from thirty to sixty miles in extent, during their sweeping march toward the Atlantic, the Federal general readily perceived that his columns could speedily overcome any local interruptions and partial hindrances which might be attempted by newly organized and feeble bodies of citizen soldiery hastily assembled for the defense of their immediate homes.

At best there were in the interior of the state only old men and boys to shoulder their fowling pieces and dispute the passage of swamps. General Lee, sore-pressed in Virginia, could not spare from his depleted ranks a single battle-scarred brigade for the emergency. A reenforcement of seventy-five thousand men would not have placed him in condition to have coped, man for man, with the ever multiplying hosts marshalled under the bloody banners of Grant. Such was the posture of affairs at Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, and elsewhere, that no disposable troops could be found with which to form even a tolerable army of observation. General Hood, as we have already intimated, was now so far removed from the scene of action that no change in his plans would necessitate a postponement of the purposed advance. The once puissant armies of the Confederacy were sadly reduced by sickness, and poverty and wounds and death. Tens of thousands of her bravest sons had been gathered to their patriot graves, and there were none to stand in their places. Her treasures and supplies of every kind were well nigh exhausted, and no helping hand was outstretched in the hour of supreme need. Whole departments did not comprise within their limits troops requisite for the successful defense of a sub-district. Isolated in position and cut off from all avenues of succor, each drop of shed blood flowed from her single arm, every feather which warmed and sheltered her offspring was plucked from her own breast.

Lieut. General E. Kirby Smith, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, was capable of no demonstrations which would compel the recall of the formidable reenforcements which were hastening to the support of General Thomas. Such was the scarcity of troops in Alabama and Mississippi, that Lieut. General Dick Taylor could detach but a handful in aid of Generals Cobb and Smith, who, with the Georgia state forces, were concentrated in the vicinity of Griffin. Lieut. General Hardee could muster forces barely sufficient to constitute respectable garrisons for the fixed batteries on the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. General Beauregard looked in vain throughout the length and breadth of his extensive military division of the west for the means of effectual resistance, and was disappointed in the amount of assistance which he hoped to realize from the Militia, Home Guards, and Reserves of the respective states embraced within the geographical limits of his command.

By carefully concealing his objective, and, with the heavy masses at command by well conceived feints cloaking his real design, General Sherman readily conjectured that the small army of observation which the Confederates might bring into the field would be so divided in the effort to defend various and important points, widely removed the one from the other, that unity of action would become quite difficult. For the same reason the chances of his encountering anything like formidable resistance, were well nigh dissipated.

At the outset, the cavalry corps of Major General Joseph Wheeler, and the Georgia state forces, under the command of Major Generals Howell Cobb and Gustavus W. Smith, constituted almost the only opposing forces on the Confederate side.

The season of the year selected for the movement was most propitious ; just the period of invigorating airs and delightful autumnal suns, of clear skies and bracing frosty mornings, of firm roads, and abounding health. The stock upon the plantations, now in fine condition, could be relied on to supply any lack of transportation.

As, more than three hundred years before, the Spanish Adelantado in his quest of treasure compelled the aid of the Red men of this region to bear the burdens of his command while despoiling the homes and graves of the sons of the forest, in like manner did it enter into the calculation of these modern expeditionists to utilize the negroes found :on the plantations adjacent to the lines of march by compelling them to accompany the columns and assist in transporting the booty which was to be ruthlessly collected on every side at the hands of unprotected women, fatherless children, and decrepit old men.

In all fairness, therefore, this vaunted undertaking of General Sherman might well have been characterized, in advance, as a holiday excursion, on a gigantic military scale, and not as a martial enterprise involving exposures, dangers, and uncertainties.

Having on the 14th of November, 1864, completed his preliminary arrangements. General Sherman put his right wing, accompanied by Kilpatrick's cavalry, in motion in the direction of Jonesboro and McDonough, with orders to make a strong feint on Macon, cross the Ocmulgee about Planter's Mills, and rendezvous in the neighborhood of Gordon in seven days exclusive of the day of march. The same day General Slocum moved with the Twentieth Corps by Decatur and Stone Mountain, with instructions to tear up the rail road from Social Circle to Madison, burn the rail road bridge across the Oconee east of Madison, and, turning south, reach Milledgeville on the seventh day, exclusive of the day of march. General Sherman in person left Atlanta on the 16th in company with the Fourteenth Corps, brevet Major General Jeff C. Davis, moving by way of Lithonia, Covington, and Shady Dale, directly on Milledgeville.

By the 23d General Slocum was occupying Milledgeville and the bridge across the Oconee, and Generals Howard and Kilpatrick had concentrated in and around Gordon. The fact of Sherman's advance was, by Major General Wheeler, promptly communicated to General Beauregard then commanding the military division of the west. His action in the emergency is indicated by the following orders and communications.

Tuscumbia, Ala., !N"ov. 16th, 1864. Lieut. Genl. R. Taylor,

Selma, Ala. : Reports of Genl. "Wheeler indicate that Sherman is about to move with three corps from Atlanta to Augusta or Macon. Tn that event you will repair to points threatened with the available forces you can spare from your department, and assume command of all troops in Georgia operating against Sherman. You will cut and block up all dirt roads in advance of him, and remove or destroy supplies of all kinds in his front. Wheeler's Cavalry will harass his flanks and rear. You will call on Governors Brown and Bonham, and Genl. Hardee for assistance. I will join you should it become necessary. When yon leave your "department, turn over the command to Genl. Wheeler.^

G. T. Beauregaed.

^ Copies of this dispatch were sent to Col. Q-. W. Raines, Angusta, Ga., Gov. Jos. E. Brown, Milledgeville, Ga., Gov. M. L. Bonham, Columbia, S. C, and Lt. Genl. W. J. Hardee, Charleston, S. C.

TuscumUa, Ala., ITov. 16, 1864.

A. & I. General, Richmond, Ya. :

Reports of Genl. Wheeler indicate that Sherman is about to move with three corps from Atlanta to Augusta or Macon; thence probably, to Charleston or Savannah, where a junction may be formed with the enemy's fleet.

The threatened attack on Wilmington, in that event, must be intended for Charleston.

I would advise that all available forces which can be spared from iJ^orth and South Carolina, be held ready to move to defense of Augusta, or crossing of Savannah river, in conjunction with forces in state of Georgia. Should Sherman take Charleston, or reach Atlantic coast, he then might reinforce Grant.

Genl. Taylor has been ordered to move with his available forces into Georgia, and assume command of all troops operating against Sherman, should he move as reported. G. T. Beauregard.

Cherokee, Ala., 'Nov. 17, 1864.

Maj. Genl. Howell Cobb, ^'^^ ^' ^'

Macon or GriiSiu, Ga. : Have ordered Genl. Taylor to send at once all troops he can possibly spare, and Genl. Hood to send immediately one brigade of Jackson's Cavalry Division, or the whole division if it can possibly be spared at this juncture. A victory in Tennessee will relieve Georgia.

Call on every available white man and slave to destroy and block up roads in Sherman's front, flanks, and rear. G. T. Beauregard,

General.

[Confidential.]

luka, Miss., ITov. 17th, 1864,

6:30 p. M.

Genl. R. Taylor, Selma, Ala.

" H. Cobb, Macon or Griffin, Ga.

" G. W. Smith, Macon or Griffin, Ga.

Adopt Fabian system. Don't run risk of losing your active forces and guns, available for the field, to hold any one place or position, but harass at all points. Hannibal held the heart of Italy for sixteen years, and then was defeated. Be cool and confident, and ^11 will yet be right. I will join you soon as possible.

G. T. Beauregard.

H'd. Qrs. Mil. Biv. of the West, Tuscumbia, Nov. 17th, 1864.

Genl. J. B. Hood,

Commd'g, &c., General: Genl. Beauregard directs me to say that he desires you will take the offensive at the earliest practicable moment, and deal the enemy rapid and vigorous blows ; striking him whilst thus dispersed, and by this means distract Sherman's advance into Georgia. ***** Respectfully

Your Obd't Servt., George W". Brent, Col. & A. A. G.

ConniK Nov. 18, 1864.

Via 8 elm a.

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 roads in Sherman's front, flank and rear, and his army will soon starve in your midst. Be confident and resolute. Trust in our over^ ruling Providence, and success will crown your efforts. I hasten to join you in defense of your homes and firesides. Gr. T. Beauregard.

West Point, Miss., Kov. 20th, 1864.

Lt. Gent. Taylor, ^

Maj. Gent. J. Wheeler ^ Maj. Gent. H. Cobb : Genl. Hardee will, for the present, give orders for the defense of Georgia, East (South) Chattanooga. My views are that positions should be defended only so long as not to risk safety of troops and material required for active operations in the field. Meanwhile, remove to safe locality all government property on line of enemy's march, and consume or destroy all supplies within his reach. G. T. Beauregard.

The Legislature of Georgia being in session at Milledgeville, then the capital of the state, in prompt acknowledgment of the danger, and in earnest effort to provide to the utmost for the protection of the Commonwealth, on the 18th of November, passed the following Act.

AN ACT to Authorize a levy en masse of the population of Georgia for the protection of its liberty and independence.

Whereas the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of G-eorgia, in General Assembly convened, have learned from a communication from his Excellency the Governor, that a large hostile force of the foe, whose presence has so long desecrated the soil of Georgia, has left Atlanta under the leadership of a general whose past history is but a recital of every I violation of civilized warfare, and a repetition of every ' outrage which links barbarism with the coarsest instincts of brutal nature, with the apparent intention of penetrating the heart of our noble old Commonwealth ; and whereas in such an emergency it becomes a people who are determined to die freemen rather than to live slaves, to rise en masse and offer on the altar of a common country all the resources in men and money which God in His benevolence and wisdom has placed at their disposal for the vindication of their rights, their liberties and their honor; therefore, finding in the history of the past nothing to appall us, but on the contrary every incentive to stimulate and press us forward to the achievement of a glorious independence by sundering the ties which once bound us to a near friendship to our vindictive foe :

Section I. Be it enacted, That the Governor be, and he is hereby authorized, during the emergency now arising out of the present invasion of the interior of our State by the armies of our barbaric foes, to summon to arms in the field the entire white male population of the State now residing or domiciled in the State, physically capable of bearing arms, between the ages of sixteen and fifty-five : and to compel their attendance for the protection of our soil aud the defense of our liberties.

Section 11. Be it further enacted. That the Governor be authorized to accept volunteers in such numbers, and such organizations, and for such time as in his discretion he may deem wise and prudent, during the present emergency, conforming as closely as circumstances will permit to the existing militia organization of the State.

Section m. * * *

Section IV. * * *

Section y. * * *

Section YI. And be it further enacted, That the powers conferred upon his Excellency the Governor by this Act, shall continue in force for the period of forty days and no longer, from and after the forces are called out under it.

Section YII. Be it further enacted. That whereas the Constitution has defined the coordinate branches of the Government, to wit, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative, and the powers of each ; and whereas one branch of the Government should not be subject to the control of the others ; therefore it is provided that the enlistment of those engaged in the Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Government shall not be compulsory, but voluntary.

In order to call public attention at once to the

scope and effect of this extraordinary legislation, the Governor, on the day following the passage of the Act, issued this spirited proclamation.

State of Georgia, Executive Department,

Milledgeville, ITov. 19, 1864.

The whole people understand how imminent is the danger that threatens the state. Our cities are being burned, our fields laid waste, and our wives and children mercilessly driven from their homes by a powerful enemy. We must strike like men for freedom, or we must submit to subjugation.

Death is to be preferred to loss of liberty. All must rally to the field for the present emergency, or the state is overrun.

I, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the statute of this state, hereby order a levy en masse of the whole free white male population residing or domiciled in this state between sixteen (16) and fifty-five (55) years of age, except such as are physically unable to bear arms, which physical defect must be plain and indisputable, or they must be sent to camp for examination, and except those engaged in the legislative or judicial departments of the government, which are by the recent act of the legislature declared exempt from compulsory service.

All others are absolutely required, and members of the legislature, and judges are invited to report immediately to Major General G. W. Smith, at Macon, or wherever else in Georgia Ms camp may be, for forty (40) days' service, under arms, unless the emergency is sooner passed.

The statute declares that all persons hereby called out shall be subject, after this call, to all the rules and articles of war of the Confederate states, and on failure to report shall be subject to the pains and penalties of the crime of desertion.

Volunteer organizations formed into companies, battalions, regiments, brigades or divisions, will be accepted for forty (40) days if they even approximate to the numbers in each organization which is required by the militia laws of this state which were in force prior to the late Act.

All police companies formed in counties for home defense will report, leaving at home for the time only those over fifty-five (55) years of age, and all persons having Confederate details or exemptions who, by the late decision of the Supreme Court of this state, are held to be liable to state militia service and bound to obey the call of the governor.

All such, refusing to report, will be arrested by the police force or by any aid de camp or other officer of this state, and carried immediately to the front. The necessary employees of rail-roads, now actively engaged, and the necessary agents of the express company, and telegraph operators are, from the necessity for their services in their present position, excused.

All ordained ministers of religion in charge of a church or synagogue, are also excused.

All rail-road companies in this state will transport all persons applying for transportation to the front, and in case any one refuses, its president, superintendent, agents and employees will be immediately sent to the front.

All aides de camp and other state officers are required to be active and vigilant in the execution of the orders contained in this proclamation, and all Confederate officers are respectfully invited to aid state officers in their vicinity in sending forward all persons hereby ordered to the front.

The enemy has penetrated almost to the center of your state. If every Georgian able to bear arms would rally around him, he could never escape.

Joseph E. Brown,

Governor.

The same day the representatives from Georgia, in Confederate congress assembled at Richmond, addressed this circular to their constituents.

Richmond, ITov. 19, 1864.

To the People of Georgia.

"We have had a special conference with President Davis and the secretary of war, and are able to assure you that they have done and are still doing all that can be done to meet the emergency that presses upon you. Let every man fly to arms. Remove your negroes, horses, cattle and provisions away from Sher- 3 man's army, and burn what you cannot carry. Burn all bridges, and block up the roads in his route. Assail the invader in front, flank, and rear. By day and by night let him have no rest.

Julian Hartridge, W. E. Smith, Mark Blandford, John T. Shewmake, J. H. Echols, James M. Smith, GrEo. 'N. Lester, H. P. Bell.

Both Governor Brown and Major General G. "W. Smith having, by the rapid intervention of the enemy, been cut off from direct communication with that portion of the state lying east of the Oconee river, obedience to the proclamation of the 19 th of November, so far as the eastern and southern portions of the state were concerned, became physically impossible. In order to dispel existing doubt, avoid delay, prevent confusion, and assist in concentrating at the earliest moment the manhood of the state, General A. R. Wright who, by virtue of his office as president of the senate, became, during the temporary territorial disability of the governor, the de facto commander in chief of that part of Georgia for the time being beyond the influence of the executive, issued the following supplemental proclamation.