With Sherman to the Sea--Colonel Schoonover’s Journal--Siege of
Savannah.
Tuesday, the 8th instant, the Twenty-ninth was very busy holding
election. Detachments from other organizations were permitted to vote
at the Twenty-ninth headquarters. The Twenty-ninth regiment cast three
hundred and eighty-four votes. Of these Lincoln received three hundred
and fifty and McClellan thirty-four. During the day the regiment was
wide awake and enthusiastic, and gave every soldier a chance to vote.
At 6:30 A. M. on the following day, while the regiment was in tents
eating breakfast, the rebels opened a lively fire with artillery, at
short range. The enemy approached our picket, which was posted west
of camp, covering the Sandtown road, who were surprised and fell back
without firing a shot; hence the first intimation that we had that the
enemy was near was the report of their artillery and the bursting of
shells in our midst. The Twenty-ninth fell in and took position behind
the fortification which the regiment had constructed. In the meantime a
line of skirmishers was sent out and soon the enemy were driven back. A
portion of the brigade was sent out on the Sandtown road, marched a few
miles, but the Confederates had flown, and late in the afternoon the
scouting party returned to camp.
November 10th. Remained in camp occupied in the usual camp and picket
duties, and the inspection of ammunition, arms, and accoutrements, and
all was quiet, and at 8 o’clock in the evening the city of Atlanta
took fire and was nearly annihilated. Saturday, the 12th, in camp, and
all is quiet. Sunday, November 13th, the Twenty-ninth was detailed to
tear up and destroy the railroad, and 7:30 marched out on the railroad
leading to Chattanooga, and was engaged until 10 at night in burning
the ties and bending the rails. At night the regiment returned to its
old camp at Atlanta. 14th instant, in camp; all quiet. A man in company
I was injured by falling from a building. 15th instant, marched at 6:30
A. M. on the road leading to Stone mountain in a southeast direction
from Atlanta, and at 6 P. M. halted and went into camp (marched fifteen
miles). 16th instant, marched at 7:30 A. M., and at 5:15 P. M. halted
and camped for the night (marched twelve miles). 17th instant, marched
at 5 o’clock A. M., and after marching twelve miles halted for dinner,
and at 2 P. M. fell in and marched until 5 P. M., when the regiment
halted and went into camp. 18th instant, moved at 4:30 A. M.; marched
ten miles, and at 12 M. halted for dinner; fell in at 1 o’clock and at
6 P. M. halted and camped for the night (marched twenty miles during
the day). 19th instant, marched at 6:30 A. M.
Twentieth instant, moved fourteen miles and camped for the night
near Edenton. 21st, marched through Edenton in the direction of
Milledgeville, a distance of sixteen miles, and went into camp. 22d,
marched at 5:30 A. M., halted at 12 M. one hour for dinner, and at
1:15 P. M. fell in and marched until 8 o’clock P. M., passed through
Milledgeville and crossed the Oconee river and camped for the night.
23d, Twenty-ninth regiment detailed for picket; fell in and moved east
about three-fourths of a mile, passing through the woods and advancing
into an open country; during its stay on picket duty some of the
boys went out on a foraging expedition, and it is not necessary to
state that they were successful, and that honey, sweet potatoes, and
some fine chickens (which the quartermaster had left), made a very
pleasant repast. 24th, received orders to join the brigade; marched at
7 o’clock A. M., and halted at 1:30 for dinner; fell in at 2:15 P. M.,
halted at 7:30, camped for the night; marched fifteen miles. 25th,
moved at 7 A. M., passing through a low country covered with heavy
timber and thick undergrowth; the Twenty-ninth was train guard; halted
at 12 M., at Buffalo creek, for dinner; found the bridge destroyed;
parked the train, and late in the afternoon the bridge was repaired
and the regiment with the train crossed, passed through Buffalo swamp
and camped for the night; marched twelve miles. 26th, the regiment was
ordered up at 3:30 A. M., remained on arms until 7:30, when it marched
with the brigade; halted at 1:30 P. M. at Sandersville for dinner, and
in the afternoon marched to the Georgia Central railroad, tore up
about two miles of track, and at 8:30 went into camp; drew rations of
honey for supper. 27th, marched at 5 A. M., reached the railroad at
8:50, tore up the track, and at 2:30 P. M. marched to Davisboro, which
it reached at 9 o’clock, and camped here; marched nine miles. 28th,
in the forenoon marched back to the railroad, and tore up track until
5 o’clock P. M., then marched back to Davisboro, and camped for the
night; nothing special transpired during the night except the burning
of a house, which accidentally (?) took fire; search was made in the
regiments of the brigade by the staff officers to find out if possible
the cause of the fire, but “not guilty” was the response. 29th, marched
at 6:30 A. M., halted at 11:30, at Bartlows station, for dinner, and in
the afternoon marched through Bostwick and went into camp; marched 14
miles. 30th, marched at 6 A. M., halted at Daniel Blake’s plantation
for dinner, and in the afternoon marched four miles and camped for the
night.
December 1, 1864, marched at 7:30 A. M., the Second division in the
advance, passed through a low, wet country, almost impassable to the
ordnance train; halted at 8:15 and camped for the night; marched
fifteen miles. 2d, marched at 6 A. M., First brigade in advance; moved
about ten miles; halted at 12 M. for dinner, at a creek where the
rebels had destroyed the bridge, and while preparing dinner, the
Twenty-ninth regiment was ordered to fall in, which it did without
delay, and marched to the creek; the enemy was found on its opposite
bank in considerable force; the regiment was ordered to drive the enemy
out of the timber, force them back and hold them while the bridge was
being rebuilt; we loaded our guns, and crossing the bank four companies
under Captain Schoonover advanced to the right up the road, through the
timber (which was a thick undergrowth) driving the enemy out of the
woods and into an open field about one mile from the bridge; barricaded
the road with rails, and the other six companies under Major Wright,
advanced direct to the point through the woods about one mile, the
enemy falling back; the regiment held its position until the bridge
was rebuilt, and a crossing effected, and late in the P. M. the brigade
moved through the swamp and camped for the night. 3d, remained in camp
until after dinner, then moved forward the remainder of the day and
all night; had no supper; halted at 7 A. M. for breakfast, near Millen;
the old stockade was empty, the prisoners having been removed the day
before; after breakfast on the 4th, we moved forward, marched all day,
and at 8 P. M. halted and camped for the night. 5th, marched at 7 A. M.,
halted at 2:30 P. M. for dinner; moved three miles in the afternoon, and
at 6 went into camp for the night. 6th, marched ten miles and camped
for the night. 7th, marched at 7 A. M., halted at 12:30 for dinner;
rained all the forenoon, had no dinner; marched in the afternoon,
halted at 7 P. M. and camped for the night, near Springfield; marched
twelve miles. 8th, marched at 6:30 A. M. and camped at 4:30 P. M. near
Eden.
9th instant at 9 A. M., moved six miles and halted thirty minutes for
dinner at Wallhower Swamp, where the Confederates were found in force.
The fallen timber which obstructed the road was soon removed by the
Pioneer corps, and in the meantime with the Third brigade, of Geary’s
division in the advance, had a sharp skirmish with the rebels. While
the road was being cleared the Second division were resting on their
arms, except the Third brigade, which had advanced nearly through the
swamp. While engaged with the enemy the train was ordered forward,
and the Twenty-ninth regiment advanced on double-quick in support
of the brigade thus engaged. Passing the train it reached the Third
brigade, which had advanced about one mile and a half. The Twenty-ninth
immediately formed line on the left of the road in rear of the Third
brigade, and skirmished until dark, when the firing ceased. During the
night the rebels fell back. 10th instant, moved at 7 A. M. and marched
through the swamp where we found small earth works and two small field
pieces masked to cover the road through the swamp, but when the boys in
blue were discovered the rebels moved to the rear. The regiment marched
thirteen miles with some skirmishing and artillery firing during the
day and night.
When about four miles from the city of Savannah, Georgia, rebel
artillery was found to be in the road behind earthworks to impede our
progress. The Twenty-ninth regiment, with the brigade, filed to the
left of the road and took position in the timber, where it bivouacked
for the night. After leaving Atlanta, Georgia, on the 15th day of
November, 1864, the army was designated as the Army of Georgia, the
Twelfth and Fourteenth corps, known as the left wing, commanded by
Major-general H. W. Slocum, and the Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps,
known as the right wing, commanded by Major-general O. O. Howard,
Major-general William T. Sherman in command of the Army of Georgia.
On this march the army cut loose from the base of supplies at Atlanta,
and lived mostly from forage on the country. On reaching the enemy
within four miles of Savannah, on the 10th day of December, the
division had accumulated several hundred head of cattle. Sunday,
December 11th, moved in the morning about one mile, and took a position
near the rebel lines, the Twenty-ninth regiment, on the extreme left
of the line, with its left reaching the Savannah river. While in this
position the rebels opened fire with artillery from a fort immediately
in our front, and the infantry from their strong line of works, kept
up a continual fire. The brigade remained in line until late in the
afternoon, sustaining slight loss, when it fell back through the open
field into the woods and laid on arms all night. On the 12th inst., at
2:30 A. M., fell in and advanced to the front about one-half mile to the
old levee, and thence filed to the left. Marched about three-fourths
of a mile, halted, and prepared to charge the rebels. To do so the
right had to pass a dike or canal with four or five feet of water,
and assault the fort and breastworks in open field. The charge was
abandoned, and at 4:30 A. M. the regiment returned to camp, where we
remained skirmishing and artillery firing during the day. On the 13th
inst. the Twenty-ninth was on skirmish line all day. During the night
we advanced our line through a woods, which was heavy pine, mixed with
live oak, within two hundred yards of the rebel line, where they were
strongly intrenched. Between the contending armies was no timber except
scattering undergrowth, and a canal near the rebel line of works. In
this advanced position the regiment dug rifle-pits, which were strongly
barricaded with timber.
In the lines of rifle-pits our pickets were stationed and performed
the duty of skirmishers, being relieved every twenty-four hours, which
was done under cover of night. In the meantime the regiment fell back
about one-fourth of a mile, and constructed works of heavy timber, in
the rear of which the men put up their shelter tents. Here they could
partake of the scanty rations (but dare not sleep), as the artillery
firing and skirmishing was kept up continually day and night on the
14th, 15th, 16th and 17th; and Sunday, the 18th, skirmishing and
artillery duelling all along the line. On the 19th skirmishing all day.
In the evening a detail was made from our brigade under the command
of Major Myron T. Wright, to construct new lines of works. While
engaged in the work at 7 o’clock P. M., he received a severe wound in
the left foot (at which time Captain Jonas Schoonover took command),
the ball entering the foot a little below the instep, and lodged into
the center of the heel about one inch from the bottom of the foot. On
the 20th, firing all along the line. This ceased at 11 o’clock P. M.
The Twenty-ninth regiment, with its brigade and division, has been in
position on the left of the road leading from Springfield to the city
of Savannah, with its main line in the timber, its right resting on the
river. During the ten days the command remained in front of Savannah
it took charge of large rice mills on the river, and supplied the men
with rice. The quartermaster used large quantities for the train teams.
At one time rice sold for fifty cents per quart (before the capture
of Fort McAllister, on December 13th, 1864). The rebels in our front
were behind a heavy line of works, which was surmounted with large
timber called head logs, with port holes in their front. At their rear
was a large body of timber, their right rested on the river, where
they had constructed two forts, one near the river, and the other a
short distance west along their line, where they had a strong position
behind sand bags. But our lines were advancing nearer every day, and
during the night of December 20th they evacuated their works, and
fell back to Savannah, crossing the river into South Carolina. At 4
A. M., on the 21st day of December, the Twenty-ninth fell in, and moved
in the advance of the brigade to the front. Passing the rifle-pits,
it filed to the left, across the canal near the rebel fort, finding
their works and entire line evacuated. We moved on in the direction of
Savannah. On reaching the city, the Twenty-ninth Ohio and Twenty-eighth
Pennsylvania regiments moved down the river to Fort Jackson, which
had been evacuated and set on fire. The regiments reached the fort at
9 A. M., and at 12 o’clock at night the rebels blew up their gunboat
Beauregard. We remained at the fort until December 24th, with the usual
routine of camp and garrison duty. In the meantime the Twenty-ninth
took an inventory of the ordnance and ordnance stores captured by
the Twenty-ninth regiment and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania in Fort
Jackson and other forts along the Savannah river. On the 24th instant
the regiment was ordered to move at 9 A. M. The Twenty-ninth, in rear
of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, marched to the city of
Savannah, passing through it, and encamping on the west side.
On the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th, fixing company quarters, and
attending to the usual routine of camp and guard duty. Friday, the
30th, the army reviewed. The Twenty-ninth regiment moved from camp
at 8:30 A. M., and marched to Liberty street in the city of Savannah,
where it joined the brigade formed on the left, in prolongation with
the Sixty-sixth regiment of Ohio volunteers. After review it returned
to its old camp at 2 o’clock P. M. Saturday, the 31st, inspection and
muster for pay at 10 A. M.
January 1, 1865, monthly inspection at 2 o’clock P. M. 2d, 3d, 4th and
5th, nothing occurred except the usual camp duty. 6th, 7th, 8th and
9th, in camp, and up to the 18th the Twenty-ninth was doing camp duty,
and on the 18th received news of the fall of Fort Fisher. From the 19th
to the 25th engaged in camp duty and regimental drill.
CAPTAIN SCHOONOVER’S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-NINTH OHIO }
VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. }
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, DEC. 28, 1864. }
A. H. W. Creigh, first lieutenant, and acting assistant
adjutant-general First brigade, Second division, Twentieth corps:
“LIEUTENANT:--In compliance with circular from headquarters First
brigade, Second division, Twentieth corps, dated Savannah, Georgia,
December 23, 1864, I have the honor most respectfully to make the
following report:
“I took command of the regiment in front of Savannah, Georgia, on
December 20, 1864. Nothing worthy of note transpired during the day.
At 4 o’clock A. M. of the 21st instant the Twenty-ninth in advance of
the First brigade, took up a line of march to the city of Savannah,
and from there to Fort Jackson, when I reported to Colonel Flinn,
Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, for duty, and performed garrison
duty until December 24th, when the regiment was ordered to march at
9:30 A. M. The Twenty-ninth in rear of Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania
volunteers, marched to the city, and through it to the west side, where
we are now encamped.
“I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JONAS SCHOONOVER,
Captain commanding Twenty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteer
Infantry.”
“HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, }
SECOND DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS. }
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, DECEMBER 25, 1864. }
“Captain W. T. Forbes, assistant adjutant general:
“In compliance with circular order No. 144, I have the honor to submit
the following report of the operations of this brigade, from the
capture of Atlanta, September 2, 1864, to the occupation of Savannah,
Georgia, December 21, 1864, etc., etc.... December 2d, the march was
resumed at daybreak and was uninterrupted until Buckhead creek was
reached. The bridge over this place was partially destroyed, and a few
of the enemy’s cavalry were on the opposite side of the swamp. Major
Wright, commanding the Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, was ordered to
cross the creek with his regiment and drive and keep away this force,
which was accomplished without loss. The command camped for the night
near Buckhead church.... December 12th to December 20th inclusive,
a substantial line of works was thrown up for the protection of the
command from the artillery of the enemy, and in addition to this two
forts, with thirteen embrasures in the aggregate, were constructed by
the command. The working parties on Fort No. 2 were under the command
of Captain Kreicler, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania
volunteers, and those on Fort No. 3 under command of Captain E. B.
Woodbury, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers. Both these officers and the
men under their command are deserving of praise for the energy and
perseverance manifested in the prosecution of the duty assigned them.
“December 21st, the enemy having evacuated their position the
night previous, their works were occupied at an early hour by the
skirmishers of the division, and by sunrise the city of Savannah was
entered and occupied, this brigade being in line in the advance into
the city. Soon after reaching the city, the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania
and Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, under command of Colonel John Flynn,
were, by order of the commanding-general of division, through Captain
Veale, aide-de-camp, dispatched to occupy Fort Jackson and the smaller
forts and batteries near it. The possession of the forts and other
works was gained with but slight resistance.
“Inventory of ordnance and ordnance stores captured by the
Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania
in Fort Jackson and other forts on the Savannah river:
Forty-four thirty-two-pounders, two ten-inch Columbiads, twenty
eight-inch Columbiads, two rifled thirty-two-pounders, twelve
twenty-four-pounder howitzers, one eight-inch mortar, three
three-inch rifled field-pieces, etc., etc. Of the ninety-one guns
captured, fourteen only were found to have been spiked and shotted.
The gun-carriages were broken and temporarily disabled, and all the
implements were broken and destroyed.
“To the regimental commanders I tender my thanks for the strict
obedience to orders, and the enforcement of the regulation prescribed
in regard to the conduct of the march, and especially are they due to
Major M. T. Wright, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, who was seriously
wounded while supervising the working parties on the forts, for the
promptitude exhibited by him in the execution of all orders, and his
strict attention to the duties incumbent on him throughout the entire
campaign.
“Respectfully submitted,
“ARIO PARDEE,
Commanding Brigade.”
EXTRACT--OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL GEARY.
“December 29th, a conference of the division and brigade commanders
with the general commanding the corps, was held at 10 A. M. to-day,
with the view to the adoption of a plan for storming the enemy’s
works, as soon as the heavy guns should be in readiness to open fire.
Fort No. 1 was finished this evening. The details from the First and
Third brigades continued work on the other forts during the night,
under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy. Several casualties
occurred, among them Major Wright, a most valuable officer, commanding
the Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, who was severely wounded by a shell.
Sloan’s battery of three-inch rifled guns had already taken position
in a work thrown up to the right of Fort 3, and in the open field.
“December 20th. The usual artillery firing and sharp shooting to-day.
By this evening we had constructed and in readiness for use in the
contemplated assault, two hundred large straw fascines, to fill up
ditches in front of the enemy’s works; also a large number of fascines
made of bamboo-cane. The latter were to be used for bridging the canal
by laying them across baulks, which were furnished from the pontoon
train for that purpose. The work on Forts 2 and 3 was well advanced
to-day, and would probably be completed to-night. Three siege-guns
(thirty-pounder Parrotts) were brought down this evening and mounted
in Fort No. 2. I ascertained this morning that the enemy had completed
a pontoon bridge from Savannah across to the South Carolina shore, and
notified the general commanding corps of the discovery. This bridge
was about two and a half miles from my left. The usual artillery
firing was kept up by the enemy during the day and night. During the
night I heard the movement of troops and wagons across the pontoon
bridge before mentioned, and sent a report of the fact to the general
commanding corps. Leaving one of my staff to watch the sounds in that
direction, I notified my officer of the day and brigade commanders
to keep a vigilant watch upon the enemy, as they were probably
evacuating. The details on Forts 2 and 3 continued working through the
night, the enemy shelling them heavily.
“December 21st. After 3 o’clock this morning the firing ceased, and my
pickets advancing to the enemy’s line, found them hastily retreating.
Having possession of their line of works with all their cannon in
front of my own and the other division of the corps, I immediately
sent a staff officer to notify the general commanding, and at the
same time pushed forward rapidly in the direction of Savannah, hoping
to overtake and capture a part of the enemy’s force. My skirmishers
deployed and swept over all the ground between the evacuated works
and the Ogeechee canal, from the river to the Augusta road, while my
main body of troops marched rapidly by the flank through McAlpin’s
plantation to the Augusta road, and on into the city. Just outside
of the city limits near the junction of the Louisville and Augusta
roads, I met the mayor of Savannah and a delegation from the board of
alderman, bearing a flag of truce. From them I received in the name
of my commanding general the surrender of the city. This was at 4:30
A. M., and I sent immediately another staff officer to announce the
surrender to the general commanding the corps. He had considerable
difficulty in passing the line of another division of this corps on
the Augusta road, but finally convinced them that he belonged to
the Twentieth corps and not to the enemy. In the meantime my entire
division entered the city of Savannah at early dawn, and before the
sun first gilded the morning clouds, our National colors, side by side
with those of my own division, were unfurled from the dome of the
exchange, and over the United States custom house. The brigade which
led on entering the city, was at once ordered to patrol it, reduce it
to order and quiet, and prevent any pillaging or lawlessness on the
part either of soldiers or citizens. My orders on the subject were
very strict, and within a few hours this city, in which I had found
a lawless mob of low whites and negroes pillaging and setting fire
to property, was reduced to order. Many millions of dollars worth of
cotton, ordnance and commissary stores, etc., which would have been
otherwise destroyed, were saved to the United States Government, and
the citizens once more enjoyed security under the protection of that
flag which again waved over them, exactly four years since the passage
by the State of South Carolina of the Secession Act.
“Two regiments from Pardee’s brigade, the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania
and Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, were sent down to Fort
Jackson, and early in the morning had possession of it and all the
intermediate and surrounding works. The iron-plated ram, Savannah,
which lay in the river below the city, threw shells at these two
regiments as they flung the stars and stripes to the breeze from the
walls of Fort Jackson. All the other gun-boats of the enemy had been
fired by them and burned to the water’s edge.
“On the arrival of the major-general commanding the left wing, I was,
by his order, placed in command of the city. Until nearly 10 A. M.
continued firing was heard in the direction of Beaulieu, and supposing
that a portion of the enemy might still be south of us, I kept one
brigade under arms during the forenoon. Three rebel flags were
captured by my command, which will be duly forwarded.
“I am, Colonel, very-respectfully
Your obedient servant,
JOHN W. GEARY,
Brigadier-general commanding Second division Twentieth
corps.”