About7a。m。ofNovember16thwerodeoutofAtlantabytheDecaturroad，filledbythemarchingtroopsandwagonsoftheFourteenthCorps;andreachingthehill，justoutsideoftheoldrebelworks，wenaturallypausedtolookbackuponthescenesofourpastbattles。WestoodupontheverygroundwhereonwasfoughtthebloodybattleofJuly22d，andcouldseethecopseofwoodwhereMcPhersonfell。BehinduslayAtlanta，smoulderingandinruins，theblacksmokerisinghighinair，andhanginglikeapallovertheruinedcity。Awayoffinthedistance，ontheMcDonoughroad，wastherearofHoward’scolumn，thegun—barrelsglisteninginthesun，thewhite—toppedwagonsstretchingawaytothesouth;andrightbeforeustheFourteenthCorps，marchingsteadilyandrapidly，withacheerylookandswingingpace，thatmadelightofthethousandmilesthatlaybetweenusandRichmond。Someband，byaccident，struckuptheanthemof\"JohnBrown’ssoulgoesmarchingon;\"themencaughtupthestrain，andneverbeforeorsincehaveI
heardthechorusof\"Glory，glory，hallelujah！\"donewithmorespirit，orinbetterharmonyoftimeandplace。
Thenweturnedourhorses’headstotheeast;Atlantawassoonlostbehindthescreenoftrees，andbecameathingofthepaSt。Arounditclingsmanyathoughtofdesperatebattle，ofhopeandfear，thatnowseemlikethememoryofadream;andIhaveneverseentheplacesince。Thedaywasextremelybeautiful，clearsunlight，withbracingair，andanunusualfeelingofexhilarationseemedtopervadeallminds——afeelingofsomethingtocome，vagueandundefined，stillfullofventureandintenseintereSt。Eventhecommonsoldierscaughttheinspiration，andmanyagroupcalledouttomeasIworkedmywaypastthem，\"UncleBilly，IguessGrantiswaitingforusatRichmond！\"Indeed，thegeneralsentimentwasthatweweremarchingforRichmond，andthatthereweshouldendthewar，buthowandwhentheyseemedtocarenot;nordidtheymeasurethedistance，orcountthecostinlife，orbothertheirbrainsaboutthegreatriverstobecrossed，andthefoodrequiredformanandbeast，thathadtobegatheredbytheway。Therewasa\"devil—may—care\"feelingpervadingofficersandmen，thatmademefeelthefullloadofresponsibility，forsuccesswouldbeacceptedasamatterofcourse，whereas，shouldwefail，this\"march\"wouldbeadjudgedthewildadventureofacrazyfool。IhadnopurposetomarchdirectforRichmondbywayofAugustaandCharlotte，butalwaysdesignedtoreachthesea—coastfirstatSavannahorPortRoyal，SouthCarolina，andevenkeptinmindthealternativeofPensacola。
Thefirstnightoutwecampedbytheroad—sidenearLithonia。
StoneMountain，amassofgranite，wasinplainview，cutoutinclearoutlineagainstthebluesky;thewholehorizonwasluridwiththebonfiresofrail—ties，andgroupsofmenallnightwerecarryingtheheatedrailstothenearesttrees，andbendingthemaroundthetrunks。ColonelPoehadprovidedtoolsforrippinguptherailsandtwistingthemwhenhot;butthebestandeasiestwayistheoneIhavedescribed，ofheatingthemiddleoftheiron—railsonbonfiresmadeofthecross—ties，andthenwindingthemaroundatelegraph—poleorthetrunkofsomeconvenientsapling。Iattachedmuchimportancetothisdestructionoftherailroad，gaveitmyownpersonalattention，andmadereiteratedorderstoothersonthesubject。
ThenextdaywepassedthroughthehandsometownofCovington，thesoldiersclosinguptheirranks，thecolor—bearersunfurlingtheirflags，andthebandsstrikinguppatrioticairs。Thewhitepeoplecameoutoftheirhousestobeholdthesight，spiteoftheirdeephatredoftheinvaders，andthenegroesweresimplyfranticwithjoy。Whenevertheyheardmyname，theyclusteredaboutmyhorse，shoutedandprayedintheirpeculiarstyle，whichhadanaturaleloquencethatwouldhavemovedastone。Ihavewitnessedhundreds，ifnotthousands，ofsuchscenes;andcannowseeapoorgirl，intheveryecstasyoftheMethodist\"shout，\"huggingthebannerofoneoftheregiments，andjumpinguptothe\"feetofJesus。\"
Iremember，whenridingaroundbyaby—streetinCovington，toavoidthecrowdthatfollowedthemarchingcolumn，thatsomeonebroughtmeaninvitationtodinewithasisterofSam。Anderson，whowasacadetatWestPointwithme;butthemessengerreachedmeafterwehadpassedthemainpartofthetown。Iaskedtobeexcused，androdeontoaplacedesignatedforcamp，atthecrossingoftheUlcofauhacheeRiver，aboutfourmilestotheeastofthetown。Herewemadeourbivouac，andIwalkeduptoaplantation—housecloseby，wherewereassembledmanynegroes，amongthemanold，gray—hairedman，ofasfineaheadasIeversaw。I
askedhimifheunderstoodaboutthewaranditsprogress。Hesaidhedid;thathehadbeenlookingforthe\"angeloftheLord\"eversincehewasknee—high，and，thoughweprofessedtobefightingfortheUnion，hesupposedthatslaverywasthecause，andthatoursuccesswastobehisfreedom。Iaskedhimifallthenegroslavescomprehendedthisfact，andhesaidtheysurelydid。Ithenexplainedtohimthatwewantedtheslavestoremainwheretheywere，andnottoloadusdownwithuselessmonths，whichwouldeatupthefoodneededforourfightingmen;thatoursuccesswastheirassuredfreedom;thatwecouldreceiveafewoftheiryoung，heartymenaspioneers;butthat，iftheyfollowedusinswarmsofoldandyoung，feebleandhelpless，itwouldsimplyloadusdownandcrippleusinourgreattask。IthinkMajorHenryHitchcockwaswithmeonthatoccasion，andmadeanoteoftheconversation，andIbelievethatoldmanspreadthismessagetotheslaves，whichwascarriedfrommouthtomouth，totheveryendofourjourney，andthatitinpartsavedusfromthegreatdangerweincurredofswellingournumberssothatfaminewouldhaveattendedourprogress。Itwasatthisveryplantationthatasoldierpassedmewithahamonhismusket，ajugofsorghum—molassesunderhisarm，andabigpieceofhoneyinhishand，fromwhichhewaseating，and，catchingmyeye，heremarkedsottovoceandcarelesslytoacomrade，\"Forageliberallyonthecountry，\"quotingfrommygeneralorders。Onthisoccasion，asonmanyothersthatfellundermypersonalobservation，Ireprovedtheman，explainedthatforagingmustbelimitedtotheregularpartiesproperlydetailed，andthatallprovisionsthusobtainedmustbedeliveredtotheregularcommissaries，tobefairlydistributedtothemenwhokepttheirranks。
>FromCovingtontheFourteenthCorps（Davis’s），withwhichIwastraveling，turnedtotherightforMilledgeville，viaShadyDale。
GeneralSlocumwasaheadatMadison，withtheTwentiethCorps，havingtorntiptherailroadasfarasthatplace，andthencehadsentGeary’sdivisionontotheOconee，toburnthebridgesacrossthatstream，whenthiscorpsturnedsouthbyEatonton，forMilledgeville，thecommon\"objective\"forthefirststageofthe\"march。\"Wefoundabundanceofcorn，molasses，meal，bacon，andsweet—potatoes。Wealsotookagoodmanycowsandoxen，andalargenumberof，mules。Inallthesethecountrywasquiterich，neverbeforehavingbeenvisitedbyahostilearmy;therecentcrophadbeenexcellent，hadbeenjustgatheredandlaidbyforthewinter。Asarule，wedestroyednone，butkeptourwagonsfull，andfedourteamsbountifully。
Theskillandsuccessofthemenincollectingforagewasoneofthefeaturesofthismarch。Eachbrigadecommanderhadauthoritytodetailacompanyofforagers，usuallyaboutfiftymen，withoneortwocommissionedofficersselectedfortheirboldnessandenterprise。Thispartywouldbedispatchedbeforedaylightwithaknowledgeoftheintendedday’smarchandcamp;wouldproceedonfootfiveorsixmilesfromtheroutetraveledbytheirbrigade，andthenvisiteveryplantationandfarmwithinrange。Theywouldusuallyprocureawagonorfamilycarriage，loaditwithbacon，corn—meal，turkeys，chickens，ducks，andeverythingthatcouldbeusedasfoodorforage，andwouldthenregainthemainroad，usuallyinadvanceoftheirtrain。Whenthiscameup，theywoulddelivertothebrigadecommissarythesuppliesthusgatheredbytheway。OftenwouldIpasstheseforaging—partiesattheroadside，waitingfortheirwagonstocomeup，andwasamusedattheirstrangecollections——mules，horses，evencattle，packedwitholdsaddlesandloadedwithhams，bacon，bagsofcornmeal，andpoultryofeverycharacteranddescription。Althoughthisforagingwasattendedwithgreatdangerandhardwork，thereseemedtobeacharmaboutitthatattractedthesoldiers，anditwasaprivilegetobedetailedonsuchaparty。Dailytheyreturnedmountedonallsortsofbeasts，whichwereatoncetakenfromthemandappropriatedtothegeneraluse;butthenextdaytheywouldstartoutagainonfoot，onlytorepeattheexperienceofthedaybefore。
Nodoubt，manyactsofpillage，robbery，andviolence，werecommittedbythesepartiesofforagers，usuallycalled\"bummers;\"
forIhavesinceheardofjewelrytakenfromwomen，andtheplunderofarticlesthatneverreachedthecommissary;buttheseactswereexceptionalandincidental。Ineverheardofanycasesofmurderorrape;andnoarmycouldhavecarriedalongsufficientfoodandforageforamarchofthreehundredmiles;sothatforaginginsomeshapewasnecessary。Thecountrywassparselysettled，withnomagistratesorcivilauthoritieswhocouldrespondtorequisitions，asisdoneinallthewarsofEurope;sothatthissystemofforagingwassimplyindispensabletooursuccess。Byitourmenwerewellsuppliedwithalltheessentialsoflifeandhealth，whilethewagonsretainedenoughincaseofunexpecteddelay，andouranimalswerewellfed。Indeed，whenwereachedSavannah，thetrainswerepronouncedbyexpertstobethefinestinfleshandappearanceeverseenwithanyarmy。
Habituallyeachcorpsfollowedsomemainroad，andtheforagers，—
beingkeptoutontheexposedflank，servedallthemilitaryusesofflankers。Themaincolumnsgathered，bytheroadstraveled，muchforageandfood，chieflymeat，corn，andsweet—potatoes，anditwasthedutyofeachdivisionandbrigadequartermastertofillhiswagonsasfastasthecontentswereissuedtothetroops。Thewagon—trainshadtherighttotheroadalways，buteachwagonwasrequiredtokeepclosedup，soastoleavenogapsinthecolumn。
Ifforanypurposeanywagonorgroupofwagonsdroppedoutofplace，theyhadtowaitfortherear。Andthiswasalwaysdreaded，foreachbrigadecommanderwantedhistrainupatcampassoonafterreachingitwithhismenaspossible。
Ihaveseenmuchskillandindustrydisplayedbythesequarter—
mastersonthemarch，intryingtoloadtheirwagonswithcornandfodderbythewaywithoutlosingtheirplaceincolumn。Theywould，whilemarching，shifttheloadsofwagons，soastohavesixortenofthemempty。Then，ridingwellahead，theywouldsecurepossessionofcertainstacksoffodderneartheroad，orcribsofcorn，leavesomemenincharge，thenopenfencesandaroadbackforacoupleofmiles，returntotheirtrains，diverttheemptywagonsoutofcolumn，andconductthemrapidlytotheirforage，loadupandregaintheirplaceincolumnwithoutlosingdistance。
OnoneoccasionIremembertohaveseentenoradozenwagonsthusloadedwithcornfromtwoorthreefullcribs，almostwithouthalting。Thesecribswerebuiltoflogs，androofed。Thetrain—guard，byalever，hadraisedthewholesideofthecribafootortwo;thewagonsdroveclosealongside，andthemeninthecribs，lyingontheirbacks，kickedoutawagon—loadofcorninthetimeIhavetakentodescribeit。
Inawell—orderedandwell—disciplinedarmy，thesethingsmightbedeemedirregular，butIamconvincedthattheingenuityoftheseyoungerofficersaccomplishedmanythingsfarbetterthanIcouldhaveordered，andthemarcheswerethusmade，andthedistanceswereaccomplished，inthemostadmirableway。Habituallywestartedfromcampattheearliestbreakofdawn，andusuallyreachedcampsoonafternoon。Themarchesvariedfromtentofifteenmilesaday，thoughsometimesonextremeflanksitwasnecessarytomakeasmuchastwenty，buttherateoftravelwasregulatedbythewagons;and，consideringthenatureoftheroads，fifteenmilesperdaywasdeemedthelimit。
Thepontoon—trainswereinlikemannerdistributedinaboutequalproportionstothefourcorps，givingeachasectionofaboutninehundredfeet。Thepontoonswereoftheskeletonpattern，withcotton—canvascovers，eachboat，withitsproportionofbalksandcheeses，constitutingaloadforonewagon。Byunitingtwosuchsectionstogether，wecouldmakeabridgeofeighteenhundredfeet，enoughforanyriverwehadtotraverse;buthabituallytheleadingbrigadewould，outoftheabundanttimber，improviseabridgebeforethepontoon—traincouldcomeup，unlessinthecasesofriversofconsiderablemagnitude，suchastheOcmulgee，Oconee，Ogeechee，Savannah，etc。
Onthe20thofNovemberIwasstillwiththeFourteenthCorps，nearEatontonFactory，waitingtohearoftheTwentiethCorps;andonthe21stwecampednearthehouseofamannamedMann;thenextday，about4p。m。，GeneralDavishadhaltedhisheadofcolumnonawoodedridge，overlookinganextensiveslopeofcultivatedcountry，abouttenmilesshortofMilledgeville，andwasdeployinghistroopsforcampwhenIgotup。Therewasahigh，rawwindblowing，andIaskedhimwhyhehadchosensocoldandbleakaposition。Heexplainedthathehadaccomplishedhisfulldistancefortheday，andhadthereanabundanceofwoodandwater。Heexplainedfurtherthathisadvance—guardwasamileorsoahead;soIrodeon，askinghimtolethisreardivision，asitcameup，movesomedistanceaheadintothedepressionorvalleybeyoud。Ridingonsomedistancetotheborderofaplantation，Iturnedoutofthemainroadintoaclusterofwild—plumbushes，thatbroketheforceofthecoldNovemberwind，dismounted，andinstructedthestafftopickouttheplaceforourcamp。
Theafternoonwasunusuallyrawandcold。Myorderlywasathandwithhisinvariablesaddle—bags，whichcontainedachangeofunder—clothing，mymaps，aflaskofwhiskey，andbunchofcigars。
Takingadrinkandlightingacigar，Iwalkedtoarowofnegro—hutscloseby，enteredoneandfoundasoldierortwowarmingthemselvesbyawood—fire。Itooktheirplacebythefire，intendingtowaittheretillourwagonshadgotup，andacampmadeforthenight。Iwastalkingtotheoldnegrowoman，whensomeonecameandexplainedtomethat，ifIwouldcomefartherdowntheroad，Icouldfindabetterplace。SoIstartedonfoot，andfoundonthemainroadagooddouble—hewed—loghouse，inoneroomofwhichColonelPoe，Dr。Moore，andothers，hadstartedafire。I
sentbackorderstothe\"plum—bushes\"tobringourhorsesandsaddlesuptothishouse，andanorderlytoconductourheadquarterwagonstothesameplace。Inlookingaroundtheroom，Isawasmallbox，likeacandle—box，marked\"HowellCobb，\"and，oninquiringofanegro，foundthatwewereattheplantationofGeneralHowellCobb，ofGeorgia，oneoftheleadingrebelsoftheSouth，thenageneralintheSouthernarmy，andwhohadbeenSecretaryoftheUnitedStatesTreasuryinMr。Buchanan’stime。Ofcourse，weconfiscatedhisproperty，andfounditrichincorn，beans，pea—nuts，andsorghum—molasses。Extensivefieldswereallroundthehouse;IsentwordbacktoGeneralDavidtoexplainwhoseplantationitwas，andinstructedhimtosparenothing。Thatnighthugebonfiresconsumedthefence—rails，keptoursoldierswarm，andtheteamstersandmen，aswellastheslaves，carriedoffanimmensequantityofcornandprovisionsofallsorts。
Indueseasontheheadquarterwagonscameup，andwegotsupper。
AftersupperIsatonachairastride，withmybacktoagoodfire，musing，andbecameconsciousthatanoldnegro，withatallow—
candleinhishand，wasscanningmyfaceclosely。Iinquired，\"Whatdoyouwant，oldman！\"Heanswered，\"DeysayyouisMassaSherman。\"Iansweredthatsuchwasthecase，andinquiredwhathewanted。Heonlywantedtolookatme，andkeptmuttering，\"Disniggercan’tsleepdisnight。\"Iaskedhimwhyhetrembledso，andhesaidthathewantedtobesurethatwewereinfact\"Yankees，\"
foronaformeroccasionsomerebelcavalryhadputonlight—blueovercoats，personatingYankeetroops，andmanyofthenegroesweredeceivedthereby，himselfamongthenumberhadshownthemsympathy，andhadinconsequencebeenunmercifullybeatentherefor。Thistimehewantedtobecertainbeforecommittinghimself;soItoldhimtogooutontheporch，fromwhichhecouldseethewholehorizonlitupwithcamp—fires，andhecouldthenjudgewhetherhehadeverseenanythinglikeitbefore。Theoldmanbecameconvincedthatthe\"Yankees\"hadcomeatlast，aboutwhomhehadbeendreamingallhislife;andsomeofthestaffofficersgavehimastrongdrinkofwhiskey，whichsethistonguegoing。LieutenantSpelling，whocommandedmyescort，wasaGeorgian，andrecognizedinthisoldnegroafavoriteslaveofhisuncle，whoresidedaboutsixmilesoff;buttheoldslavedidnotatfirstrecognizehisyoungmasterinouruniform。Oneofmystaff—officersaskedhimwhathadbecomeofhisyoungmaster，George。Hedidnotknow，onlythathehadgoneofftothewar，andhesupposedhimkilled，asamatterofcourse。HisattentionwasthendrawntoSpelling’sface，whenhefellonhiskneesandthankedGodthathehadfoundhisyoungmasteraliveandalongwiththeYankees。Spellinginquiredallabouthisuncleandthefamily，askedmypermissiontogoandpayhisuncleavisit，whichIgranted，ofcourse，andthenextmorninghedescribedtomehisvisit。Theunclewasnotcordial，byanymeans，tofindhisnephewintheranksofthehostthatwasdesolatingtheland，andSpellingcameback，havingexchangedhistiredhorseforafresheroneoutofhisuncle’sstables，explainingthatsurelysomeofthe\"bummers\"wouldhavegotthehorsehadhenot。
Thenextmorning，November23d，werodeintoMilledgeville，thecapitaloftheState，whithertheTwentiethCorpshadprecededus;
andduringthatdaytheleftwingwasallunited，inandaroundMilledgeville。FromtheinhabitantswelearnedthatsomeofKilpatrick’scavalryhadprecededusbyacoupleofdays，andthatalloftherightwingwasatandnearGordon，twelvemilesoff，viz。，theplacewherethebranchrailroadcametoMilledgevillefromtheMason&Savannahroad。Thefirststageofthejourneywas，therefore，complete，andabsolutelysuccessful。
GeneralHowardsoonreportedbylettertheoperationsofhisrightwing，which，onleavingAtlanta，hadsubstantiallyfollowedthetworoadstowardMason，byJonesboro’andMcDonough，andreachedtheOcmulgeeatPlanters’Factory，whichtheycrossed，bytheaidofthepontoon—train，duringthe18thand19thofNovember。Thence，withtheSeventeenthCorps（GeneralBlair’s）he（GeneralHoward）
hadmarchedviaMonticellotowardGordon，havingdispatchedKilpatrick’scavalry，supportedbytheFifteenthCorps（Osterhaus’s），tofeignonMason。Kilpatrickmettheenemy’scavalryaboutfourmilesoutofMason，anddrovethemrapidlybackintothebridge—defensesheldbyinfantry。Kilpatrickchargedthese，gotinsidetheparapet，butcouldnotholdit，andretiredtohisinfantrysupports，nearGriswoldStation。TheFifteenthCorpstoreuptherailroad—trackeastwardfromGriswold）leavingCharlesR。Wood’sdivisionbehindasarear—guard—onebrigadeofwhichwasintrenchedacrosstheroad，withsomeofKilpatrick’scavalryontheflanks。Onthe22dofNovemberGeneralG。W。Smith，withadivisionoftroops，cameoutofMason，attackedthisbrigade（Walcutt’s）inposition，andwashandsomelyrepulsedanddrivenbackintoMason。ThisbrigadewasinpartarmedwithSpencerrepeating—rifles，anditsfirewassorapidthatGeneralSmithinsiststothisdaythatheencounteredawholedivision;butheismistaken;hewasbeatenbyonebrigade（Walcutt’s），andmadenofurtherefforttomolestouroperationsfromthatdirection。
GeneralWalcuttwaswoundedintheleg，andhadtoridetherestofthedistancetoSavannahinacarriage。
Therefore，bythe23d，IwasinMilledgevillewiththeleftwing，andwasinfullcommunicationwiththerightwingatGordon。ThepeopleofMilledgevilleremainedathome，excepttheGovernor（Brown），theStateofficers，andLegislature，whohadignominiouslyfled，intheutmostdisorderandconfusion;standingnotontheorderoftheirgoing，butgoingatonce——somebyrail，somebycarriages，andmanyonfoot。Someofthecitizenswhoremainedbehinddescribedthisflightofthe\"braveandpatriotic\"GovernorBrown。Hehadoccupiedapublicbuildingknownasthe\"Governor’sMansion，\"andhadhastilystrippeditofcarpets，curtains，andfurnitureofallsorts，whichwereremovedtoatrainoffreight—
cars，whichcarriedawaythesethings——eventhecabbagesandvegetablesfromhiskitchenandcellar——leavingbehindmuskets，ammunition，andthepublicarchives。OnarrivalatMilledgevilleI
occupiedthesamepublicmansion，andwassoonoverwhelmedwithappealsforprotection。GeneralSlocumhadpreviouslyarrivedwiththeTwentiethCorps，hadtakenuphisquartersattheMilledgevilleHotel，establishedagoodprovost—guard，andexcellentorderwasmaintained。ThemostfranticappealshadbeenmadebytheGovernorandLegislatureforhelpfromeveryquarter，andthepeopleoftheStatehadbeencalledoutenmassetoresistanddestroytheinvadersoftheirhomesandfiresides。Eventheprisonersandconvictsofthepenitentiarywerereleasedonconditionofservingassoldiers，andthecadetsweretakenfromtheirmilitarycollegeforthesamepurpose。Theseconstitutedasmallbattalion，underGeneralHarryWayne，aformerofficeroftheUnitedStatesArmy，andsonofthethenJusticeWayneoftheSupremeCourt。ButthesehastilyretreatedeastacrosstheOconeeRiver，leavingusagoodbridge，whichwepromptlysecured。
AtMilledgevillewefoundnewspapersfromalltheSouth，andlearnedtheconsternationwhichhadfilledtheSouthernmindatourtemerity;manychargingthatwewereactuallyfleeingforourlivesandseekingsafetyatthehandsofourfleetonthesea—coaSt。Alldemandedthatweshouldbeassailed，\"front，flank，andrear;\"thatprovisionsshouldbedestroyedinadvance，sothatwewouldstarve;
thatbridgesshouldbeburned，roadsobstructed，andnomercyshownus。JudgingfromthetoneoftheSouthernpressofthatday，theoutsideworldmusthavesupposedusruinedandloSt。Igiveafewoftheseappealsassamples，whichto—daymustsoundstrangetothepartieswhomadethem:
Corinth，Mississippi，November18，1884。
TothePeopleofGeorgia:
Ariseforthedefenseofyournativesoil！RallyaroundyourpatrioticGovernorandgallantsoldiers！ObstructanddestroyalltheroadsinSherman’sfront，flank，andrear，andhisarmywillsoonstarveinyourmidSt。Beconfident。Beresolute。TrustinanoverrulingProvidence，andsuccesswillsooncrownyourefforts。I
hastentojoinyouinthedefenseofyourhomesandfiresides。
G。T。BEAUREGARD。
RICHMOND，November18，1884。
TothePeopleofGeorgia:
Youhavenowthebestopportunityeveryetpresentedtodestroytheenemy。Puteverythingatthedisposalofourgenerals;removeallprovisionsfromthepathofthe，invader，andputallobstructionsinhispath。
Everycitizenwithhisgun，andeverynegrowithhisspadeandaxe，candotheworkofasoldier。Youcandestroytheenemybyretardinghismarch。
Georgians，befirm！Actpromptly，andfearnot！
B。H。Hill，Senator。
Imostcordiallyapprovetheabove。
JamesA。SEDDON，SecretaryofWar。
Richmond，November19，1864。
TothePeopleofGeorgia:
WehavehadaspecialconferencewithPresidentDavisandtheSecretaryofWar，andareabletoassureyouthattheyhavedoneandarestilldoingallthatcanbedonetomeettheemergencythatpressesuponyou。Leteverymanflytoarms！Removeyournegroes，horses，cattle，andprovisionsfromSherman’sarmy，andburnwhatyoucannotcarry。Burnallbridges，andblockuptheroadsinhisroute。Assailtheinvaderinfront，flank，andrear，bynightandbyday。Lethimhavenorest。
JULIANHARTRIDGE
MARKBLANDFORD，J。H。ECHOLS
GEO。N。LESTER
JOHNT。SHUEMAKE
JAS。M。SMITH，MembersofCongress。
Ofcourse，wewereratheramusedthanalarmedatthesethreats，andmadelightofthefeebleoppositionofferedtoourprogress。Someoftheofficers（inthespiritofmischief）gatheredtogetherinthevacanthallofRepresentatives，electedaSpeaker，andconstitutedthemselvestheLegislatureoftheStateofGeorgia！A
propositionwasmadetorepealtheordinanceofsecession，whichwaswelldebated，andresultedinitsrepealbyafairvote！Iwasnotpresentatthesefrolics，butheardofthematthetime，andenjoyedthejoke。
Meantimeordersweremadeforthetotaldestructionofthearsenalanditscontents，andofsuchpublicbuildingsascouldbeeasilyconvertedtohostileuses。Butlittleornodamagewasdonetoprivateproperty，andGeneralSlocum，withmyapproval，sparedseveralmills，andmanythousandsofbalesofcotton，takingwhatheknewtobeworthlessbonds，thatthecottonshouldnotbeusedfortheConfederacy。MeantimetherightwingcontinueditsmovementalongtherailroadtowardSavannah，tearingupthetrackanddestroyingitsiron。AttheOconeewasmetafeebleresistancefromHarryWayne’stroops，butsoonthepontoon—bridgewaslaid，andthatwingcrossedover。Gilpatrick’scavalrywasbroughtintoMilledgeville，andcrossedtheOconeebythebridgenearthetown;
andonthe23dImadethegeneralordersforthenextstageofthemarchasfarasMillen。Thesewere，substantially，fortherightwingtofollowtheSavannahRailroad，byroadsonitssouth;theleftwingwastomovetoSandersville，byDavisboro’andLouisville，whilethecavalrywasorderedbyacircuittothenorth，andtomarchrapidlyforMillen，torescueourprisonersofwarconfinedthere。Thedistancewasaboutahundredmiles。
GeneralWheeler，withhisdivisionofrebelcavalry，hadsucceededingettingaheadofusbetweenMilledgevilleandAugusta，andGeneralP。J。HardeehadbeendispatchedbyGeneralBeauregardfromHood’sarmytoopposeourprogressdirectlyinfront。Hehad，however，broughtwithhimnotroops，butreliedonhisinfluencewiththeGeorgians（ofwhoseStatehewasanative）toarousethepeople，andwiththemtoannihilateSherman’sarmy！
Onthe24thwerenewedthemarch，andIaccompaniedtheTwentiethCorps，whichtookthedirectroadtoSandersville，whichwereachedsimultaneouslywiththeFourteenthCorps，onthe26th。Abrigadeofrebelcavalrywasdeployedbeforethetown，andwasdriveninandthroughitbyourskirmishline。ImyselfsawtherebelcavalryapplyfiretostacksoffodderstandinginthefieldsatSandersville，andgaveorderstoburnsomeunoccupieddwellingscloseby。Onenteringthetown，Itoldcertaincitizens（whowouldbesuretospreadthereport）that，iftheenemyattemptedtocarryouttheirthreattoburntheirfood，corn，andfodder，inourroute，Iwouldmostundoubtedlyexecutetotheletterthegeneralordersofdevastationmadeattheoutsetofthecampaign。Withthisexception，andoneortwominorcasesnearSavannah，thepeopledidnotdestroyfood，fortheysawclearlythatitwouldberuintothemselves。
AtSandersvilleIhaltedtheleftwinguntilIheardthattherightwingwasabreastofusontherailroad。Duringtheeveninganegrowasbroughttome，whohadthatdaybeentothestation（Tenille），aboutsixmilessouthofthetown。IinquiredofhimiftherewereanyYankeesthere，andheanswered，\"Yes。\"Hedescribedinhisownwaywhathehadseen。
First，therecomealongsomecavalry—men，andtheyburnedthedepot;thencomealongsomeinfantry—men，andtheytoreupthetrack，andburnedit;\"andjustbeforehelefttheyhad\"sotfiretothewell\"
Thenextmorning，viz。，the27th，Irodedowntothestation，andfoundGeneralCorse’sdivision（oftheFifteenthCorps）engagedindestroyingtherailroad，andsawthewellwhichmynegroinformanthadseen\"burnt。\"Itwasasquarepitabouttwenty—fivefeetdeep，boardedup，withwoodenstepsleadingtothebottom，whereinwasafinecopperpump，toliftthewatertoatankabove。Thesoldiershadbrokenupthepump，heavedinthestepsandlining，andsetfiretothemassoflumberinthebottomofthewell，whichcorroboratedthenegro’sdescription。
>FromthispointBlair’scorps，theSeventeenth，tookuptheworkofdestroyingtherailroad，theFifteenthCorpsfollowinganotherroadleadingeastward，farthertothesouthoftherailroad。WhiletheleftwingwasmarchingtowardLouisville，northoftherailroad，GeneralKilpatrickhad，withhiscavalrydivision，movedrapidlytowardWaynesboro’，onthebranchrailroadleadingfromMillentoAugusta。HefoundWheeler’sdivisionofrebelcavalrythere，andhadconsiderableskirmishingwithit;but，learningthatourprisonershadbeenremovedtwodaysbeforefromMillen，hereturnedtoLouisvilleonthe29th，wherehefoundtheleftwing。Hereheremainedacoupleofdaystoresthishorses，and，receivingordersfrommetoengageWheelerandgivehimallthefightinghewanted，heprocuredfromGeneralSlocumtheassistanceoftheinfantrydivisionofGeneralBaird，andmovedbackforWaynesboro’onthe2dofDecember，theremainderoftheleftwingcontinuingitsmarchontowardMillers。NearWaynesboro’Wheelerwasagainencountered，anddriventhroughthetownandbeyondBrierCreek，towardAugusta，thuskeepingupthedelusionthatthemainarmywasmovingtowardAugusta。GeneralKilpatrick’sfightingandmovementsaboutWaynesboro’andBrierCreekwerespirited，andproducedagoodeffectbyrelievingtheinfantrycolumnandthewagon—trainsofallmolestationduringtheirmarchonMillen。Havingthuscoveredthatflank，heturnedsouthandfollowedthemovementoftheFourteenthCorpstoBuckheadChurch，northofMillenandnearit。
Onthe3dofDecemberIenteredMillenwiththeSeventeenthCorps（GeneralFrankP。Blair），andtherepausedoneday，tocommunicatewithallpartsofthearmy。GeneralHowardwassouthoftheOgeecheeRiver，withtheFifteenthCorps，oppositeScarboro’。
GeneralSlocumwasatBuckheadChurch，fourmilesnorthofMillen，withtheTwentiethCorps。TheFourteenth（GeneralDavis）wasatLnmpkin’sStation，ontheAugustaroad，abouttenmilesnorthofMillen，andthecavalrydivisionwaswithineasysupportofthiswing。Thusthewholearmywasingoodpositionandingoodcondition。Wehadlargelysubsistedonthecountry;ourwagonswerefullofforageandprovisions;but，asweapproachedthesea—coast，thecountrybecamemoresandyandbarren，andfoodbecamemorescarce;still，withlittleornoloss，wehadtraveledtwo—thirdsofourdistance，andIconcludedtopushonforSavannah。AtMillenIlearnedthatGeneralBraggwasinAugusta，andthatGeneralWadeHamptonhadbeenorderedtherefromRichmond，toorganizealargecavalryforcewithwhichtoresistourprogress。
GeneralHardeewasahead，betweenusandSavannah，withMcLaw’sdivision，andotherirregulartroops，thatcouldnot，Ifeltassured，exceedtenthousandmen。IcausedthefinedepotatMillentobedestroyed，andotherdamagedone，andthenresumedthemarchdirectlyonSavannah，bythefourmainroads。TheSeven—
teenthCorps（GeneralBlair）followedsubstantiallytherailroad，and，alongwithit，onthe5thofDecember，IreachedOgeecheeChurch，aboutfiftymilesfromSavannah，andfoundtherefreshearthworks，whichhadbeenthrownupbyMcLaw’sdivision;buthemusthaveseenthatbothhisflankswerebeingturned，andprudentlyretreatedtoSavannahwithoutafight。AllthecolumnsthenpursuedleisurelytheirmarchtowardSavannah，cornandforagebecomingmoreandmorescarce，butrice—fieldsbeginningtooccuralongtheSavannahandOgeecheeRivers，whichprovedagoodsubstitute，bothasfoodandforage。Theweatherwasfine，theroadsgood，andeverythingseemedtofavorus。NeverdoIrecallamoreagreeablesensationthanthesightofourcampsbynight，litupbythefiresoffragrantpine—knots。Thetrainswereallingoodorder，andthemenseemedtomarchtheirfifteenmilesadayasthoughitwerenothing。Noenemyopposedus，andwecouldonlyoccasionallyhearthefaintreverberationofaguntoourleftrear，whereweknewthatGeneralKilpatrickwasskirmishingwithWheeler’scavalry，whichpersistentlyfollowedhim。Buttheinfantrycolumnshadmetwithnooppositionwhatsoever。McLaw’sdivisionwasfallingbackbeforeus，andweoccasionallypickedupafewofhismenasprisoners，whoinsistedthatwewouldmeetwithstrongoppositionatSavannah。
Onthe8th，asIrodealong，Ifoundthecolumnturnedoutofthemainroad，marchingthroughthefields。Closeby，inthecornerofafence，wasagroupofmenstandingaroundahandsomeyoungofficer，whosefoothadbeenblowntopiecesbyatorpedoplantedintheroad。Hewaswaitingforasurgeontoamputatehisleg，andtoldmethathewasridingalongwiththerestofhisbrigade—staffoftheSeventeenthCorps，whenatorpedotroddenonbyhishorsehadexploded，killingthehorseandliterallyblowingoffallthefleshfromoneofhislegs。Isawtheterriblewound，andmadefullinquiryintothefacts。Therehadbeennoresistanceatthatpoint，nothingtogivewarningofdanger，andtherebelshadplantedeight—inchshellsintheroad，withfriction—matchestoexplodethembybeingtroddenon。Thiswasnotwar，butmurder，anditmademeveryangry。Iimmediatelyorderedalotofrebelprisonerstobebroughtfromtheprovost—guard，armedwithpicksandspades，andmadethemmarchincloseorderalongtheroad，soastoexplodetheirowntorpedoes，ortodiscoveranddigthemup。