Iregretverymuchthatthereducedcomplementsofthevesselspreventmefrommaintainingtheforceinconstantorganization。
WiththreehundredmoremarinesandfivehundredseamenIcouldfrequentlyoperatetogreatadvantage，atthepresenttime，whentheattentionoftherebelsissoengrossedbyGeneralSherman。
ItissaidthattheyhaveaforceatHardeeville，thepicketsofwhichwereretainedontheUnionCausewayuntilafewdayssince，whensomeofourtroopscrossedtheriverandpushedthemback。
Concurrentlywiththis，IcausedtheSonomatoanchorsoastosweepthegroundinthedirectionofthecauseway。
Thetransferoftheright—wing（thirtythousandmen）toBeaufortwillsoimperiltherebelforceatHardeevillethatitwillbecutoffordispersed，ifnotmovedinseason。
MeanwhileIwillsendtheDai—ChingtoSt。Helena，tomeetanywantthatmayariseinthatquarter，whiletheMingoandPontiacwillbereadytoactfromBroadRiver。
Thegeneralrouteofthearmywillbenorthward;buttheexactdirectionmustbedecidedmoreorlessbycircumstanceswhichitmaynotbepossibletoforesee……
MycooperationwillbeconfinedtoassistanceinattackingCharleston，orinestablishingcommunicationatGeorgetown，incasethearmypushesonwithoutattackingCharleston，andtimealonewillshowwhichofthesewilleventuate。
Theweatherofthewinterfirst，andtheconditionofthegroundinspring，wouldpermitlittleadvantagetobederivedfromthepresenceofthearmyatRichmonduntilthemiddleofMay。SothatGeneralShermanhasnoreasontomoveinhaste，butcanchoosesuchobjectsasheprefers，andtakeasmuchtimeastheirattainmentmaydemand。TheDepartmentwilllearntheobjectsinviewofGeneralShermanmorepreciselyfromaletteraddressedbyhimtoGeneralHalleck，whichhereadtomeafewdayssince。
Ihavethehonortobe，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，J。A。DAHLGREN，Rear—Admiral，commandingSouth—AtlanticBlockading，Squadron。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，POCOTALIGO，SOUTHCAROLINA，January29，1885。
Major—GeneralJ。G。FOSTER，commandingDepartmentoftheSouth。
GENERAL:IhavejustreceiveddispatchesfromGeneralGrant，statingthatSchofield’scorps（theTwenty—third），twenty—onethousandstrong，isorderedeastfromTennessee，andwill`besenttoBeaufort，NorthCarolina。Thatiswell;IwantthatforcetosecureapointontherailroadaboutGoldsboro’，andthentobuildtherailroadouttothatpoint。IfGoldsboro’betoostrongtocarrybyarapidmovement，thenapointneartheNeuse，southofGoldsboro’，willanswer，butthebridgeandpositionaboutKinston，shouldbeheldandfortifiedstrong。ThemovementshouldbemaskedbythetroopsalreadyatNewbern。PleasenotifyGeneralPalmerthatthesetroopsarecoming，andtobepreparedtoreceivethem。
Major—GeneralSchofieldwillcommandinperson，andisadmirablyadaptedforthework。Ifitispossible，IwanthimtosecureGoldsboro’，withtherailroadbacktoMoreheadCityandWilmington。
AssoonasGeneralSchofieldreachesFortMacon，havehimtomeetsomeoneofyourstaff，toexplaininfullthedetailsofthesituationofaffairswithme;andyoucangivehimthechiefcommandofalltroopsatCapeFearandinNorthCarolina。Ifhefindstheenemyhasallturnedsouthagainstme，heneednotfollow，butturnhisattentionagainstRaleigh;ifhecansecureGoldsboro’andWilmington，itwillbeasmuchasIexpectbeforeI
havepassedtheSantee。Sendhimalldetachmentsofmenthathavecometojoinmyarmy。Theycanbesoorganizedandofficeredastobeefficient，fortheyarenearlyalloldsoldierswhohavebeendetachedoronfurlough。UntilIpasstheSantee，youcanbetterusethesedetachmentsatBull’sBay，Georgetown，etc。
IwillinstructGeneralMcCallum，oftheRailroadDepartment，totakehismenuptoBeaufort，NorthCarolina，andemploythemontheroadout。Idonotknowthathecanusethemonanyroadhere。I
didinstructhim，whileawaitinginformationfromNorthCarolina，tohavethembuildagoodtrestle—bridgeacrossPortRoyalferry;
butInowsupposethepontoon—bridgewilldo。Ifyoumovethepontoons，besuretomakeagoodroadouttoGarden’sCorners，andmarkitwithsign—boards——obstructingtheoldroad，sothat，shouldIsendbackanydetachments，theywouldnotbemisled。
IpreferthatHatch’sforceshouldnotbemateriallyweakeneduntilIamnearColumbia，whenyoumaybegovernedbythesituationofaffairsaboutCharleston。IfyoucanbreaktherailroadbetweenthisandCharleston，thenthisforcecouldbereduced。
Iam，withrespect，etc。，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，POCOTALIGO，SOUTHCAROLINA，January18，1865。
Hon。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar，Washington，D。C。
SIR:WhenyouleftSavannahafewdaysago，youforgotthemapwhichGeneralGearyhadpreparedforyou，showingtheroutebywhichhisdivisionenteredthecityofSavannah，beingthefirsttroopstooccupythatcity。Inowsendittoyou。
IavailmyselfoftheopportunityalsotoincloseyoucopiesofallmyofficialorderstouchingtradeandintercoursewiththepeopleofGeorgia，aswellasfortheestablishmentofthenegrosettlements。
DelegationsofthepeopleofGeorgiacontinuetocomein，andIamsatisfiedthat，byjudicioushandlingandbyalittlerespectshowntotheirprejudices，wecancreateaschisminJeff。Davis’sdominions。AllthatIhaveconversedwithrealizethetruththatslaveryasaninstitutionisdefunct，andtheonlyquestionsthatremainarewhatdispositionshallbemadeofthenegroesthemselves。Iconfessmyselfunabletoofferacompletesolutionforthesequestions，andprefertoleaveittothesloweroperationsoftime。Wehavegiventheinitiative，andcanaffordtoawaittheworkingoftheexperiment。
Astotrade—matters，IalsothinkitistoourinteresttokeeptheSouthernpeoplesomewhatdependentonthearticlesofcommercetowhichtheyhavehithertobeenaccustomed。GeneralGroverisnowhere，andwill，Ithink，beabletohandlethismatterjudiciously，andmaygraduallyrelax，andinvitecottontocomeininlargequantities。Butatfirstweshouldmanifestnoundueanxietyonthatscore;fortherebelswouldatoncemakeuseofitasapoweragainstus。Weshouldassume，atoneofperfectcontemptforcottonandeverythingelseincomparisonwiththegreatobjectofthewar——therestorationoftheUnion，withallitsrightsandpower。Ittherebelsburncottonasawarmeasure，theysimplyplayintoourhandsbytakingawaytheonlyproductofvaluetheyhavetoexchangeinforeignportsforwar—shipsandmunitions。Bysuchacourse，also，theyalienatethefeelingsofalargeclassofsmallfarmerswholooktotheirlittleparcelsofcottontoexchangeforfoodandclothingfortheirfamilies。IhopetheGovernmentwillnotmanifesttoomuchanxietytoobtaincottoninlargequantities，andespeciallythatthePresidentwillnotindorsethecontractsforthepurchaseoflargequantitiesofcotton。Severalcontracts，involvingfromsixtotenthousandbales，indorsedbyMr。Lincoln，havebeenshownme，butwerenotinsuchaformastoamounttoanordertocompelmetofacilitatetheirexecution。
AstoTreasuryagents，andagentstotakechargeofconfiscatedandabandonedproperty，whosesalariesdependontheirfees，Icanonlysaythat，asageneralrule，theyaremischievousanddisturbingelementstoamilitarygovernment，anditisalmostimpossibleforustostudythelawandregulationssoastounderstandfullytheirpowersandduties。IratherthinktheQuartermaster’sDepartmentofthearmycouldbetterfulfillalltheirdutiesandaccomplishallthatisaimedatbythelaw。YetonthissubjectIwillleaveGeneralsFosterandGrovertodothebesttheycan。
Iam，withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，POCOTALIGO，SOUTHCAROLINA，January2，1865。
Hon。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar，Washington，D。C。
SIR:IhavejustreceivedfromLieutenant—GeneralGrantacopyofthatpartofyourtelegramtohimofDecember26threlatingtocotton，acopyofwhichhasbeenimmediatelyfurnishedtoGeneralEaston，chief—quartermaster，whowillbestrictlygovernedbyit。
IhadalreadybeenapproachedbyalltheconsulsandhalfthepeopleofSavannahonthiscotton，question，andmyinvariableanswerwasthatallthecottoninSavannahwasprizeofwar，belongedtotheUnitedStates，andnobodyshouldrecoverabaleofitwithmyconsent;that，ascottonhadbeenoneofthechiefcausesofthiswar，itshouldhelptopayitsexpenses;thatallcottonbecametaintedwithtreasonfromthehourthefirstactofhostilitywascommittedagainsttheUnitedStatessometimeinDecember，1860;andthatnobillofsalesubsequenttothatdatecouldconveytitle。
MyorderswerethatanofficeroftheQuartermaster’sDepartment，UnitedStatesArmy，mightfurnishtheholder，agent，orattorney，amerecertificateofthefactofseizure，withdescriptionofthebales’marks，etc。，thecottonthentobeturnedovertotheagentoftheTreasuryDepartment，tobeshippedtoNewYorkforsale。
But，sincethereceiptofyourdispatch，IhaveorderedGeneralEastontomaketheshipmenthimselftothequartermasteratNewYork，whereyoucandisposeofitatpleasure。IdonotthinktheTreasuryDepartmentoughttobotheritselfwiththeprizesorcapturesofwar。
Mr。Barclay，formerconsulatNewYork，representingMr。Molyneux，formerconsulhere，butabsentalongtime，calledonmewith。
referencetocottonclaimedbyEnglishsubjects。HeseemedamazedwhenItoldhimIshouldpaynorespecttoconsularcertificates，thatinnoeventwouldItreatanEnglishsubjectwithmorefavorthanoneofourowndeludedcitizens，andthatformypartIwasunwillingtofightforcottonforthebenefitofEnglishmenopenlyengagedinsmugglingarmsandinstrumentsofwartokillus;that，onthecontrary，itwouldaffordmegreatsatisfactiontoconductmyarmytoNassau，andwipeoutthatnestofpirates。Iexplainedtohim，however，thatIwasnotadiplomaticagentoftheGeneralGovernmentoftheUnitedStates，butthatmyopinion，sofranklyexpressed，wasthatofasoldier，whichitwouldbewellforhimtoheed。Itappeared，also，thatheownedaplantationonthelineofinvestmentofSavannah，which，ofcourse，waspillaged，andforwhichheexpectedmetogivesomecertificateentitlinghimtoindemnification，whichIdeclinedemphatically。
IhaveadoptedinSavannahrulesconcerningproperty——severebutjust——foundeduponthelawsofnationsandthepracticeofcivilizedgovernments，andamclearlyofopinionthatweshouldclaimallthebelligerentrightsoverconqueredcountries，thatthepeoplemayrealizethetruththatwarisnochild’splay。
Iembraceinthisacopyofaletter，datedDecember31，1864，inanswertoonefromSolomonCohen（arichlawyer）toGeneralBlair，hispersonalfriend，asfollows:
Major—GeneralF。P。BLAIR，commandingSeventeenthArmyCorps。
GENERAL:Yournote，inclosingMr。Cohen’softhisdate，isreceived，andIanswerfranklythroughyouhisinquiries。
1。NoonecanpractiselawasanattorneyintheUnitedStateswithoutacknowledgingthesupremacyofourGovernment。IfIamnotinerror，anattorneyisasmuchanofficerofthecourtastheclerk，anditwouldbeanovelthinginagovernmenttohaveacourttoadministerlawwhichdeniedthesupremacyofthegovernmentitself。
2。Noonewillbeallowedtheprivilegesofamerchant，or，rather，totradeisaprivilegewhichnooneshouldseekoftheGovernmentwithoutinlikemanneracknowledgingitssupremacy。
3。IfMr。CohenremainsinSavannahasadenizen，hisproperty，realandpersonal，willnotbedisturbedunlessitstemporaryusebenecessaryforthemilitaryauthoritiesofthecity。Thetitletopropertywillnotbedisturbedinanyevent，untiladjudicatedbythecourtsoftheUnitedStates。
4。IfMr。CohenleavesSavannahundermySpecialOrderNo。148，itisapublicacknowledgmentthathe\"adherestotheenemiesoftheUnitedStates，\"andallhispropertybecomesforfeitedtotheUnitedStates。But，asamatteroffavor，hewillbeallowedtocarrywithhimclothingandfurniturefortheuseofhimself，hisfamily，andservants，andwillbetransportedwithintheenemy’slines，butnotbywayofPortRoyal。
Theseruleswillapplytoallparties，andfromthemnoexceptionwillbemade。
Ihavethehonortobe，general，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
Thisletterwasinanswertospecificinquiries;itisclear，andcoversallthepoints，and，shouldIleavebeforemyordersareexecuted，Iwillendeavortoimpressuponmysuccessor，GeneralFoster，theirwisdomandpropriety。
IhopethecourseIhavetakeninthesematterswillmeetyourapprobation，andthatthePresidentwillnotrefundtopartiesclaimingcottonorotherproperty，withoutthestrongestevidenceofloyaltyandfriendshiponthepartoftheclaimant，orunlesssomeotherpositiveendistobegained。
Iam，withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
CHAPTERXXIII。
CAMPAIGNOFTHECAROLINAS。
FEBRUARYANDMARCH，1865。
Onthe1stdayofFebruary，asbeforeexplained，thearmydesignedfortheactivecampaignfromSavannahnorthwardwascomposedoftwowings，commandedrespectivelybyMajor—GeneralsHowardandSlocum，andwassubstantiallythesamethathadmarchedfromAtlantatoSavannah。Thesamegeneralorderswereinforce，andthiscampaignmayproperlybeclassedasacontinuanceoftheformer。
Therightwing，lessCorse’sdivision，FifteenthCorps，wasgroupedatornearPocotaligo，SouthCarolina，withitswagonsfilledwithfood，ammunition，andforage，allreadytostart，andonlywaitingfortheleftwing，whichwasdetainedbythefloodintheSavannahRiver。Itwascomposedasfollows:
FifteenthCorps，Major—GeneralJOHNA。LOGAN。
FirstDivision，Brigadier—GeneralCharlesR。Woods;
SecondDivision，Major—GeneralW。B。Hazen;
ThirdDivision，Brigadier—GeneralJohnE。Smith;
FourthDivision，Brigadier—GeneralJohnM。Corse。
Artillerybrigade，eighteenguns，Lieutenant—ColonelW。H。Ross，FirstMichiganArtillery。
Seventeenth。Corps，Major—GeneralFRANKP。BLAIR，JR。
FirstDivision，Major—GeneralJosephA。Mower;
SecondDivision，Brigadier—GeneralM。F。Force;
FourthDivision，Brigadier—GeneralGilesA。Smith。
Artillerybrigade，fourteenguns，MajorA。C。Waterhouse，FirstIllinoisArtillery。
Theleftwing，withCorse’sdivisionandKilpatrick’scavalry，wasatandnearSister’sFerry，fortymilesabovethecityofSavannah，engagedincrossingtheriver，thenmuchswollen。Itwascomposedasfollows:
FourteenthCorps，Major—GeneralJEFF。C。DAVIS。
FirstDivision，Brigadier—GeneralW。P。Carlin;
SecondDivision，Brigadier—GeneralJohnD。Morgan;
ThirdDivision，Brigadier—GeneralA。Baird。
Artillerybrigade，sixteenguns，MajorCharlesHoughtaling，FirstIllinoisArtillery。
TwentiethCorps，Brigadier—GeneralA。S。WILLIAMS。
FirstDivision，Brigadier—GeneralN。I。Jackson;
SecondDivision，Brigadier—GeneralJ。W。Geary;
ThirdDivision，Brigadier—GeneralW。T。Ward。
Artillerybrigade，Sixteengnus，MajorJ。A。Reynolds，FirstNewYorkArtillery。
CavalryDivision，Brigadier—GeneralJUDSONKILPATRICK。
FirstBrigade，ColonelT。J。Jordan，NinthPennsylvaniaCavalry;
SecondBrigade，ColonelS。D。Atkins，Ninety—secondIllinoisVol。;
ThirdBrigade，ColonelGeorgeE。Spencer，FirstAlabamaCavalry。
Onebatteryoffourguns。
Theactualstrengthofthearmy，asgiveninthefollowingofficialtabularstatements，wasatthetimesixtythousandandseventy—ninemen，andsixty—eightguns。Thetrainsweremadeupofabouttwenty—fivehundredwagons，withsixmulestoeachwagon，andaboutsixhundredambulances，withtwohorseseach。Thecontentsofthewagonsembracedanamplesupplyofammunitionforagreatbattle;
forageforaboutsevendays，andprovisionsfortwentydays，mostlyofbread，sugar，coffee，andsalt，dependinglargelyforfreshmeatonbeevesdrivenonthehoofandsuchcattle，hogs，andpoultry，asweexpectedtogatheralongourlineofmarch。
RECAPITULATION—CAMPAIGNOFTHECAROLINAS。
February1。March1。April1。April10
Pers:60，07957，67681，15088，948
TheenemyoccupiedthecitiesofCharlestonandAugusta，withgarrisonscapableofmakingarespectableifnotsuccessfuldefense，bututterlyunabletomeetourveterancolumnsintheopenfield。Toresistordelayourprogressnorth，GeneralWheelerhadhisdivisionofcavalry（reducedtothesizeofabrigadebyhishardandpersistentfightingeversincethebeginningoftheAtlantacampaign），andGeneralWadeHamptonhadbeendispatchedfromtheArmyofVirginiatohisnativeStateofSouthCarolina，withagreatflourishoftrumpets，andextraordinarypowerstoraisemen，money，andhorses，withwhich\"tostaytheprogressoftheinvader，\"and\"topunishusforourinsolentattempttoinvadethegloriousStateofSouthCarolina！\"Hewassupposedatthetimetohave，atandnearColumbia，twosmalldivisionsofcavalrycommandedbyhimselfandGeneralButler。
Ofcourse，Ihadaspeciesofcontemptforthesescatteredandinconsiderableforces，knewthattheycouldhardlydelayusanhour;andtheonlyseriousquestionthatoccurredtomewas，wouldGeneralLeesitdowninRichmond（besiegedbyGeneralGrant），andpermitus，almostunopposed，topassthroughtheStatesofSouthandNorthCarolina，cuttingoffandconsumingtheverysuppliesonwhichhedependedtofeedhisarmyinVirginia，orwouldhemakeanefforttoescapefromGeneralGrant，andendeavortocatchusinlandsomewherebetweenColumbiaandRaleigh？IknewfullwellatthetimethatthebrokenfragmentsofHood’sarmy（whichhadescapedfromTennessee）werebeinghurriedrapidlyacrossGeorgia，byAugusta，tomakejunctioninmyfront;estimatingthematthemaximumtwenty—fivethousandmen，andHardee’s，Wheeler’s，andHampton’sforcesatfifteenthousand，madefortythousand;which，ifhandledwithspiritandenergy，wouldconstituteaformidableforce，andmightmakethepassageofsuchriversastheSanteeandCapeFearadifficultundertaking。Therefore，Itookallpossibleprecautions，andarrangedwithAdmiralDahlgrenandGeneralFostertowatchourprogressinlandbyallthemeanspossible，andtoprovideforuspointsofsecurityalongthecoast;as，atBull’sBay，Georgetown，andthemouthofCapeFearRiver。Still，itwasextremelydesirableinonemarchtoreachGoldsboro’intheStateofNorthCarolina（distantfourhundredandtwenty—fivemiles），apointofgreatconvenienceforulterioroperations，byreasonofthetworailroadswhichmeetthere，comingfromtheseacoastatWilmingtonandNewbern。BeforeleavingSavannahIhadsenttoNewbernColonelW。W。Wright，oftheEngineers，withorderstolooktotheserailroads，tocollectrolling—stock，andtohavetheroadsrepairedoutasfaraspossibleinsixweeks——thetimeestimatedasnecessaryforustomarchthatdistance。
Thequestionofsuppliesremainedstilltheoneofvitalimportance，andIreasonedthatwemightsafelyrelyonthecountryforaconsiderablequantityofforageandprovisions，andthat，iftheworstcametotheworst，wecouldliveseveralmonthsonthemulesandhorsesofourtrains。Nevertheless，timewasequallymaterial，andthemomentIheardthatGeneralSlocumhadfinishedhispontoon—bridgeatSister’sFerry，andthatKilpatrick’scavalrywasovertheriver，Igavethegeneralorderstomarch，andinstructedallthecolumnstoaimfortheSouthCarolinaRailroadtothewestofBranchville，aboutBlackvilleandMidway。
TherightwingmoveduptheSalkiehatchie，theSeventeenthCorpsontheright，withordersonreachingRivers’sBridgetocrossover，andtheFifteenthCorpsbyHickoryHilltoBeaufort’sBridge。
KilpatrickwasinstructedtomarchbywayofBarnwell;Corse’sdivisionandtheTwentiethCorpstotakesuchroadsaswouldbringthemintocommunicationwiththeFifteenthCorpsaboutBeaufort’sBridge。Allthesecolumnsstartedpromptlyonthe1stofFebruary。
WeencounteredWheeler’scavalry，whichhadobstructedtheroadbyfellingtrees，butourmenpickedtheseupandthrewthemaside，sothatthisobstructionhardlydelayedusanhour。InpersonI
accompaniedtheFifteenthCorps（GeneralLogan）byMcPhersonvilleandHickoryHill，andkeptcouriersgoingtoandfrotoGeneralSlocumwithinstructionstohurryasmuchaspossible，soastomakeajunctionofthewholearmyontheSouthCarolinaRailroadaboutBlackville。
IspentthenightofFebruary1statHickoryHillPost—Office，andthatofthe2datDuckBranchPost—Office，thirty—onemilesoutfromPocotaligo。Onthe3dtheSeventeenthCorpswasoppositeRivers’sBridge，andtheFifteenthapproachedBeaufort’sBridge。
TheSalkiehatchiewasstilloveritsbanks，andpresentedamostformidableobstacle。Theenemyappearedinsomeforceontheoppositebank，hadcutawayallthebridgeswhichspannedthemanydeepchannelsoftheswollenriver，andtheonlyavailablepassageseemedtobealongthenarrowcausewayswhichconstitutedthecommonroads。AtRivers’sBridgeGeneralsMowerandGilesA。
Smithled，theirheadsofcolumnthroughthisswamp，thewateruptotheirshoulders，crossedovertothepine—land，turnedupontherebelbrigadewhichdefendedthepassage，androuteditinutterdisorder。ItwasinthisattackthatGeneralWagerSwaynelosthisleg，andhehadtobeconveyedbacktoPocotaligo。Still，thelossoflifewasverysmall，inproportiontotheadvantagesgained，fortheenemyatonceabandonedthewholelineoftheSalkiehatchie，andtheFifteenthCorpspassedoveratBeaufort’sBridge，withoutopposition。
Onthe5thofFebruaryIwasatBeaufort’sBridge，bywhichtimeGeneralA。S。Williamshadgotupwithfivebrigades’oftheTwentiethCorps;IalsoheardofGeneralKilpatrick’sbeingabreastofus，atBarnwell，andthengaveordersforthemarchstraightfortherailroadatMidway。IstillremainedwiththeFifteenthCorps，which，onthe6thofFebruary，wasfivemilesfromBamberg。Asamatterofcourse，Iexpectedsevereresistanceatthisrailroad，foritslosswouldseverallthecommunicationsoftheenemyinCharlestonwiththoseinAugusta。
Earlyonthe7th，inthemidstofarain—storm，wereachedtherailroad;almostunopposed，strikingitatseveralpoints。GeneralHowardtoldmeagoodstoryconcerningthis，whichwillbearrepeating:HewaswiththeSeventeenthCorps，marchingstraightforMidway，andwhenaboutfivemilesdistanthebegantodeploytheleadingdivision，soastobereadyforbattle。Sittingonhishorsebytheroad—side，whilethedeploymentwasmaking，hesawamancomingdowntheroad，ridingashardashecould，andasheapproachedherecognizedhimasoneofhisown\"foragers，\"mountedonawhitehorse，witharopebridleandablanketforsaddle。Ashecamenearhecalledout，\"Hurryup，general;wehavegottherailroad！\"So，whilewe，thegenerals，wereproceedingdeliberatelytoprepareforaseriousbattle，aparcelofourforagers，insearchofplunder，hadgotaheadandactuallycapturedtheSouthCarolinaRailroad，alineofvitalimportancetotherebelGovernment。
Assoonaswestrucktherailroad，detailsofmenweresettoworktotearuptherails，toburnthetiesandtwistthebars。Thiswasamostimportantrailroad，andIproposedtodestroyitcompletelyforfiftymiles，partlytopreventapossibilityofitsrestorationandpartlytoutilizethetimenecessaryforGeneralSlocumtogetup。
Thecountrythereaboutswasverypoor，buttheinhabitantsmostlyremainedathome。Indeed，theyknewnotwheretogo。Theenemy’scavalryhadretreatedbeforeus，buthisinfantrywasreportedinsomestrengthatBranchville，onthefarthersideoftheEdisto;
yetontheappearanceofameresquadofourmentheyburnedtheirownbridgestheverythingIwanted，forwehadnouseforthem，andtheyhad。
Weallremainedstrungalongthisrailroadtillthe9thofFebruary——theSeventeenthCorpsontheright，thentheFifteenth，Twentieth，andcavalry，atBlackville。GeneralSlocumreachedBlackvillethatday，withGeary’sdivisionoftheTwentiethCorps，andreportedtheFourteenthCorps（GeneralJeff。C。Davis’s）tobefollowingbywayofBarnwell。Onthe10thIrodeuptoBlackville，whereIconferredwithGeneralsSlocumandKilpatrick，becamesatisfiedthatthewholearmywouldbereadywithinaday，andaccordinglymadeordersforthenextmovementnorthtoColumbia，therightwingtostrikeOrangeburgenroute。KilpatrickwasorderedtodemonstratestronglytowardAiken，tokeepupthedelusionthatwemightturntoAugusta;buthewasnotifiedthatColumbiawasthenextobjective，andthatheshouldcovertheleftflankagainstWheeler，whohungaroundit。IwantedtoreachColumbiabeforeanypartofHood’sarmycouldpossiblygetthere。
SomeofthemwerereportedashavingreachedAugusta，underthecommandofGeneralDickTaylor。
Havingsufficientlydamagedtherailroad，andeffectedthejunctionoftheentirearmy，thegeneralmarchwasresumedonthe11th，eachcorpscrossingtheSouthEdistobyseparatebridges，withorderstopauseontheroadleadingfromOrangebergtoAugusta，tillitwascertainthattheSeventeenthCorpshadgotpossessionofOrangeburg。ThisplacewassimplyimportantasitsoccupationwouldseverthecommunicationsbetweenCharlestonandColumbia。
Alltheheadsofcolumnreachedthisroad，knownastheEdgefieldroad，duringthe12th，andtheSeventeenthCorpsturnedtotheright，againstOrangeburg。WhenIreachedtheheadofcolumnoppositeOrangeburg，IfoundGilesA。Smith’sdivisionhalted，withabatteryunlimbered，exchangingshotswithapartyontheoppositesideoftheEdisto。Hereportedthatthebridgewasgone，andthattheriverwasdeepandimpassable。IthendirectedGeneralBlairtosendastrongdivisionbelowthetown，somefourorfivemiles，toeffectacrossingthere。Helaidhispontoon—bridge，butthebottomontheothersidewasoverflowed，andthemenhadtowadethroughit，inplacesasdeepastheirwaists。Iwaswiththisdivisionatthetime，onfoot，tryingtopickmywayacrosstheoverflowedbottom;but，assoonastheheadofcolumnreachedthesand—hills，IknewthattheenemywouldnotlongremaininOrangeburg，andaccordinglyreturnedtomyhorse，onthewestbank，androderapidlyuptowhereIhadleftGilesA。Smith。Ifoundhiminpossessionofthebrokenbridge，abreastofthetown，whichhewasrepairing，andIwasamongthefirsttocrossoverandenterthetown。ByandbeforethetimeeitherForce’sorGilesA。
Smith’sskirmishersenteredtheplace，severalstoreswereonfire，andIamsurethatsomeofthetowns—peopletoldmethataJewmerchanthadsetfiretohisowncottonandstore，andfromthisthefirehadspread。This，however，wassoonputout，andtheSeventeenthCorps（GeneralBlair）occupiedtheplaceduringthatnight。Iremembertohavevisitedalargehospital，onthehillneartherailroaddepot，whichwasoccupiedbytheorphanchildrenwhohadbeenremovedfromtheasyluminCharleston。Wegavethemprotection，and，Ithink，someprovisions。Therailroadanddepotweredestroyedbyorder，andnodoubtagooddealofcottonwasburned，forweallregardedcottonashostileproperty，athingtobedestroyed。GeneralBlairwasorderedtobreakupthisrailroad，forwardtothepointwhereitcrossedtheSantee，andthentoturnforColumbia。Onthemorningofthe13thIagainjoinedtheFifteenthCorps，whichcrossedtheNorthEdistobySnilling’sBridge，andmovedstraightforColumbia，aroundtheheadofCaw—CawSwamp。OrdersweresenttoallthecolumnstoturnforColumbia，whereitwassupposedtheenemyhadconcentratedallthementheycouldfromCharleston，Augusta，andevenfromVirginia。ThatnightIwaswiththeFifteenthCorps，twenty—onemilesfromColumbia，wheremyaide，ColonelAudenried，pickeduparebelofficerontheroad，who，supposinghimtobeofthesameservicewithhimself，answeredallhisquestionsfrankly，andrevealedthetruththattherewasnothinginColumbiaexceptHampton’scavalry。Thefactwas，thatGeneralHardee，inCharleston，tookitforgrantedthatwewereafterCharleston;therebeltroopsinAugustasupposedtheywere\"ourobjective;\"sotheyabandonedpoorColumbiatothecareofHampton’scavalry，whichwasconfusedbytherumorsthatpouredinonit，sothatbothBeauregardandWadeHampton，whowereinColumbia，seemtohavelosttheirheads。
Onthe14ththeheadoftheFifteenthCorps，CharlesR。Woods’sdivision，approachedtheLittleCongaree，abroad，deepstream，tributarytotheMainCongaree;sixoreightmilesbelowColumbia。
Ontheoppositesideofthisstreamwasanewly—constructedfort，andonourside——awideextentofoldcottonfields，which，hadbeenoverflowed，andwascoveredwithadeepslime。GeneralWoodshaddeployedhisleadingbrigade，whichwasskirmishingforward，buthereportedthatthebridgewasgone，andthataconsiderableforceoftheenemywasontheotherside。IdirectedGeneralHowardorLogantosendabrigadebyacircuittotheleft，toseeifthisstreamcouldnotbecrossedhigherup，butatthesametimeknewthatGeneralSlocum’srouteworldbringhimtoColombiabehindthisstream，andthathisapproachwoulduncoverit。Therefore，therewasnoneedofexposingmuchlife。Thebrigade，however，foundmeanstocrosstheLittleCongaree，andthusuncoveredthepassagebythemainroad，sothatGeneralWoods’sskirmishersatoncepassedover，andapartywassettoworktorepairthebridge，whichoccupiedlessthananhour，whenIpassedoverwithmywholestaff。Ifoundthenewfortunfinishedandunoccupied，butfromitsparapetcouldseeoversomeoldfieldsboundedtothenorthandwestbyhillsskirtedwithtimber。Therewasaplantationtoourleft，abouthalfamile，andontheedgeofthetimberwasdrawnupaforceofrebelcavalryofaboutaregiment，whichadvanced，andchargeduponsome，ofourforagers，whowereplunderingtheplantation;myaide，ColonelAudenried，whohadriddenforward，camebacksomewhathurtandbruised，for，observingthischargeofcavalry，hehadturnedforus，andhishorsefellwithhiminattemptingtoleapaditch。GeneralWoods’sskirmish—linemetthischargeofcavalry，anddroveitbackintothewoodsandbeyond。Weremainedonthatgroundduringthenightofthe15th，andIcampedonthenearestdrygroundbehindtheLittleCongaree，whereonthenextmorningweremadethewritten’ordersforthegovernmentofthetroopswhileoccupyingColumbia。ThesearedatedFebruary16，1865，inthesewords:
GeneralHowardwillcrosstheSaludaandBroadRiversasneartheirmouthsaspossible，occupyColumbia，destroythepublicbuildings，railroadproperty，manufacturingandmachineshops;butwillsparelibraries，asylums，andprivatedwellings。HewillthenmovetoWinnsboro’，destroyingenrouteutterlythatsectionoftherailroad。Hewillalsocauseallbridges，trestles，water—tanks，anddepotsontherailroadbacktotheWatereetobeburned，switchesbroken，andsuchotherdestructionashecanfindtimetoaccomplishconsistentwithpropercelerity。