Notwithstanding the arduous campaign and severe hardships endured during
my first year's service, I did not feel the least depressed in spirit or
patriotism. On the contrary the arms of the Confederacy in the main had
proven themselves very successful in repelling the enemy's attacks and
forcing that government continually to call new levees to crush our
forces in the field.
Those measures on the part of our adversaries appealed to every patriot
at home and regardless of hardships already endured. Hence the First
Georgia Regiment although disbanded as an organization, the rank and
file had sufficient pluck to re-enter the service for the period of the
war regardless as to how long it might last. Possessing some hard
endured experience, many of them organized commands of their own, or
joined other commands as subalterns or commissioned officers.
The following is a roll of promotion from the members of the Washington
Rifles as first organized.--See Appendix D.
The foregoing record proves that the Washington Rifles were composed of
men capable of handling forces and that it had furnished men and
officers in every branch of service in the Confederate States Army, and
had been active after their return home from their first year's
experience in raising no little army themselves, and what I have
recorded of the Washington Rifles may be written of every Company
composing the First Georgia Regiment.
The State of Georgia furnished more men than any other State, and
Washington County furnished more Companies than any other County in the
State.
Such men cannot be denominated as rebels or traitors, epithets that our
enemies would fain have heaped upon us. If the true history of the
United States as written before the war and adopted in every
school-house in the land, North, South, East and West, did not
demonstrate them as patriots, ready and willing to sacrifice all but
honor on the altar of their country.
On the first of May, 1862, Sergeant E. P. Howell came to me saying:
"Herman, how would you like to help me make up an artillery Company? I
have a relative in South Carolina who is a West Pointer and understands
that branch of the service. The Yankees are making tremendous efforts
for new levees and we, of the South, have to meet them." "All right,"
said I, "I am tired after my experience with infantry, having gone
through with 'Stonewall's' foot cavalry in his Romney campaign." The
following day we made a tour in the neighborhood and enlisted a few of
our old comrades in our enterprise. We put a notice in the Herald, a
weekly paper edited by J. M. G. Medlock, that on the 10th day of May we
would meet in Sandersville for organization, and then and there we
formed an artillery Company that was to be known as the Sam Robinson
Artillery Company, in honor of an old and venerable citizen of our
County.
General Robinson, in appreciation of our having named the Company in his
honor presented the organization with $1,000.00, which money was applied
in uniforming us.
The following members formed the composite of said Company, and Robert
Martin, known as "Bob Martin" from Barnwell, S. C., was elected Captain.
See appendix E.
The writer was appointed bugler with rank of Sergeant.
That night after supper, it being moon-light, Mr. A. J. Linville a North
Carolinian, a school teacher boarding at my lodging proposed to me as I
performed on the flute, he being a violinist, to have some music on the
water. He then explained that water is a conductor of sound and that
one could hear playing on it for a long distance and music would sound a
great deal sweeter and more melodious than on land. The Ogeechee River
ran within a couple of hundred yards from the house. There was on the
bank and close to the bridge a party of gentlemen fishing, having a
large camp fire and prepared to have a fish-fry, so Linville and myself
took a boat that was moored above the bridge and quietly, unbeknown to
anybody paddled about 1¼ mile up stream, expecting to float down with
the current. Although it was the month of May the night was chilly
enough for an overcoat. Linville and myself struck up a tune, allowing
the boat to float along with the current, the oar laying across my lap.
Everything was lovely, the moon was shining bright and I enjoyed the
novelty of the surroundings and the music, when an over-hanging limb of
a tree struck me on the neck. Wishing to disengage myself, I gave it a
shove, and away went the boat from under me and I fell backwards into
the stream in 12 feet of water. To gain the surface I had to do some
hard kicking, my boots having filled with water and my heavy overcoat
kept me weighted down.
When reaching the surface after a hard struggle my first observation was
for the boat which was about 50 yards below, Linville swinging to a
limb. I called him to meet me, and he replied that he had no oar, that I
kicked it out of the boat. The banks on each side were steep and my
effecting a landing was rather slim. I spied a small bush half-way up
the embankment, I made for it perfectly exhausted, I grabbed it, the
bank was too steep and slippery to enable me to land, so I held on and
rested and managed to disembarrass myself of the overcoat and told
Linville to hold on, that I was coming. I could not get my boots off, so
I made an extra effort to reach him anyhow, as the current would assist
me by being in my favor, so I launched off. I reached the boat perfectly
worn out. I do not think I could have made another stroke. After a
little breathing spell and by a tremendous effort I hoisted myself into
the boat, but not before it dipped some water.
On our way I picked up my discarded overcoat and a piece of a limb which
served as a rudder to guide the boat to a successful landing, and thus
ended the music on the water.
We went to the house, changed our clothes and returned, mingling with
the fishermen and kept all the fun we had to ourselves. They all made a
fine catch and there was fish a plenty for all. Linville and myself
enjoyed the repast, as the physical exercise we had just undergone
sharpened our appetite.
A few days later we rendezvoused at Sandersville, and the Company left
for Savannah, our camp of instruction. Under the tuition of Jacobi,
leader of the band of the 32nd Georgia, W. H. Harrison's Regiment, I
soon learned all the calls and commands.
While thus engaged the Company had a gross misunderstanding with Capt.
Martin, who, before coming in contact with the members of his command,
was an entire stranger to them. Most all were ignorant of military
duties, but strictly honest and patriotic citizens. Capt. Martin was a
strict disciplinarian and putting the screws on rather a little too
tight placed him into disfavor with the men, who petitioned him to
resign, otherwise they would prefer charges against him. Thus matters
stood when I returned to camp. Martin was tried before a board and
exonorated. To revenge himself upon those who were active in his
persecution he reduced those that were non-commissioned officers to
ranks and appointed others in their stead; and to make matters more
galling, appointed a substitute, a mercenary as orderly Sergeant over a
Company of volunteers, who solely served their country through
patriotism. Ned Irwin, when elevated to the position he was, proved
himself a worthy tool in the hand of his promoter. Men could not express
an opinion on hardly any subject without being reported, he would sneak
about in the dark, crouch behind a tent evesdropping and make report as
unfavorably as he could to bring the individual into disfavor. He made
himself so obnoxious that he did not have a friend in the whole Company,
and when he died at Yazoo City, you could hear freely expressed the
following sentiment: "Poor old Ned is dead, thank God this saves some
good men of having to kill him."
When I returned to camp I presented myself before Capt. Martin who
examined me as to my proficiency as a bugler. I said, "Captain, there
has been quite some changes made since I have been away," he said, "Yes,
the men have accused me of speculating on their rations." I said I was
very sorry that such a state of affairs existed among officers and men,
where harmony ought to prevail; he said he insisted that those charges
be substantiated and demanded a court martial, who on hearing the facts
cleared him of any criminality, so he punished the leaders of the gang
by reducing them to ranks.
Capt. Martin, however, proved himself a capable officer in handling
artillery and the men finally came to love him on account of his
efficiency and fairness.
While in camp of instructions in Savannah, the Government furnished us
with six brass pieces (2 Howitzer and 4 Napoleon) with the necessary
accoutrement and horses and we were ordered to Bryan County in support
of Fort McAllister. We went into camp by the side of the Ogeechee River,
about three miles this side of the Fort, which camp we named "Camp
McAllister." The fort was an earth structure, strongly constructed with
redoubts and parapets. The magazine underground was strongly protected
by heavy timbers, and so was what we called bomb-proof, for the men not
actually engaged, but who were ready to relieve those who were, or
became disabled under fire and exposure, and compelled to be at their
post of duty. Short reliefs were necessary, for it is hard work to
manage heavy seige guns, but the heaviest in that fort were only of
forty-two caliber. For some time nothing of importance worth to
chronicle happened; the boys attended to their regular camp life duty,
roll calls and drills; those off duty went fishing along the river
banks.
The country surrounding was low, flat, marshy and replete with malarial
fever, so that we had to remove our camp several miles further up the
river, but still within close call of the fort. This new camp was called
"Camp Arnold," in honor of Doctor Arnold, on whose land we stationed.
One morning I was ordered to blow the call, only one man, Sergeant Cox,
reported. All the rest of the command were down with chills and fever.
There was no quinine to be had, owing to the blockade, such medicines
being considered by our adversaries as contraband of war. Men tried
every remedy possible, even drank cottonseed tea, at the suggestion of a
country physician by the name of Dr. Turner, who pronounced it as a good
substitute (it was in taste if not in efficiency). The writer was also
stricken with the disease, and was sent to Whitesville Hospital, about
thirty miles from Savannah on the Central of Georgia Railroad. Dr.
Whitehead was in charge of the same, and Madam Cazzier and her daughter
from New Orleans were matrons. During my fever spells I would rave
sometimes and not having been in this country over three years in all,
my friends predominated over the English language. Madam Cazzier, who
spoke French also, took a great interest in me; in fact, she was
strictly interested in all the patients, but she seemed to be a little
partial to myself, and spent some time by my bedside when the fever was
off, and would tell me what I said during my delirium. She nursed me and
devoted on me a motherly care, for which I shall always remain thankful.
My recuperation was rapid, and I soon felt myself again.
One morning it was announced that General Mercer of Savannah, and the
Board of Inspectors were to come on a round of inspection, when we heard
heavy firing, the sounds coming from the east. Presently we heard that
the enemy with a large fleet was attacking Fort McAllister. General
Mercer and his Board had come up from Savannah on a special train. He
called for all convalescent, able to fight to volunteer to go to the
front. I presented myself; I was the only one. We cut loose the
locomotive and one car and went flying to Savannah at the rate of a mile
a minute, crossed the City in a buss at full speed to the Gulf Depot,
now known as the S. F. & W., just in time to board the train to Way
Station, twelve miles from Savannah. An ambulance carried us to the
Fort; the whole distance from the hospital to the Fort was about
fifty-two miles. We changed conveyances three times and arrived at
destination in less than two hours. Capt. Martin was in charge of a
Mortar Detachment, so I reported to him for duty, but my place had been
taken, and the detachment was complete, hence he had no use for me. I
learned that Major Galley, the Commander of the Fort, had been killed by
the first shot from the enemy's guns, which penetrated a sixteen foot
embankment, knocked off the left hand trunnion of a thirty-two pounder,
and struck the Major above the ear, and took off the top of his head, so
Captain Anderson, of the Savannah Blues, took command. Captain Martin
sent me up the River to a band about half a mile to the rear, which
position placed me at a triangle point to the Fort and the gun boats. I
was instructed to notice the effect of our shots on the enemy's boats. I
kept tally sheets as to the hits between the belligerent points. From my
observation I counted seventy-five hits by the guns of the Fort, and one
hundred and seventy-five hits by those of the boats, which raised a
cloud of dust equal to an explosion of a mine. Their caliber being three
hundred and seventy-five pounders, and fifteen inches in diameter, while
our shots merely made a bright spot where they struck the heavy
armoured vessels and ricochet beyond. While thus observing I noted a
strange move of one of the boats, suddenly I saw an immense flash, and a
splash in the river a couple of yards in front of me. The water being
very clear, we noted a large projective at the bottom of the stream,
evidently aimed at me, as it was in direct line, as I sat on my horse;
undoubtedly they must have taken me for a commanding officer and thus
paid me their res-- I mean disrespect.
A concourse of people in the neighborhood gathered to observe this
unequal artillery duel of five armoured gun boats and eleven wooden
mortar boats hidden behind a point below the Fort, sending their
projectiles like a shower of aerolites into and around the Fort.
Undaunted, the boys stood by their guns, having the satisfaction to
notice one of the armoured vessels break their line and floating down
the River, evidently having been struck in some vital part, and thus
placed hors de combat. This bombardment continued from early morning
until near sundown, when the enemy withdrew, we giving them parting
shots as they steamed down to their blockade station, lying in wait for
the Nashville, a blockade runner, who plyed between Nassau, and any
Confederate Port, which it might enter with goods, easily disposed of
at remunerative prices. The Fort was badly dilapidated, our breastworks
had been blown to atoms, the guns exposed to plain view, all port holes
demolished, the barracks injured by fire, which the boys extinguished
while the battle was raging; in fact, had a cyclone struck the Fort in
its full majestic force, it could not have been worse. However, that
night we pressed into service all the negroes on the rice plantations.
Spades, shovels and pick axes were handled with alacrity; baskets, bags
and barrels were filled, the enfeebled portions of the Fort were
reinforced by working like Trojans all night long, and the Fort was
again placed in a presentable condition.
Early the following morning, when the enemy again appeared, undoubtedly
to take possession, as the Fort would have been untenable in the
condition they left it the previous evening, we opened fire on them, but
they had seen what had been done during the night, saw at once that we
were not disposed to give up; they withdrew without even returning our
fire, and the boys would remark, they are treating us with silent
contempt.
For awhile we enjoyed repose and the luxuries of the season at the
Southern sea-coast, hunting squirrels, rabbits and fishing, getting
leave of absence to visit home for a few days, when one day the report
reached us that the enemy effected a landing at Killkanee, some distance
below us and to our right. The battery was called out and we took up the
line of march to meet the enemy. We camped that night near a church,
when we were informed that the enemy's demonstration was against a small
salt works, an enterprising citizen having erected a small furnace with
a half a dozen boilers, in which he boiled sea water to obtain salt,
which, at that time, was selling at a dollar a pound by the hundred
pound sack. The Company returned to camp.
About ten days later word came late one afternoon that the enemy is
making for Pocotalico, a small station on the Savannah and Charleston
Railroad, intending to burn a long range of trestle on said road. Two
detachments were sent to that place by post haste, arriving in time to
place themselves in position, in as quiet a way as possible. At about
ten o'clock P. M. we heard a very noisy demonstration to our right,
through the marshes of the swamps; many torches became visible. They
undoubtedly expected the place to be unprotected; when they came within
full range we sent canister and schrapanel into the ranks; they fell
back in confusion, leaving dead and wounded behind. This expedition
started out from Beauford, S. C., then in possession of the enemy. One
dark night the tide being up, the Nashville loaded with cotton attempted
to run the gauntlet of the blockaders. On the turn of the river just
opposite the Fort, the River Ogechee being about a mile wide, the vessel
run aground on a sand bank, and was unable to extricate itself. The
enemy being on the lookout, spied her position and came within firing
distance; the Fort fired at them furiously, but they paid no attention
to us, but concentrated their fire on the steamer Nashville with hot
shots and soon had her in flames. The crew jumped overboard and swam
ashore like ducks. The steamer was burned and completely destroyed. I
was again taken with chills and fever and sent home by way of Dr.
Whitehead's hospital. Sergeant Hines also came home to recuperate, when
one morning I suggested to have an egg-nog. Cousin Abe was a merchant
before the war, and still kept a store at Fenns Bridge, but the store
had but few remnants in it. He only kept such goods as people were
willing to dispose of in the way of exchange, for something else, and
among his stock, he had a barrel of corn whiskey. I said, "Bill, if you
furnish the eggs, I will furnish the sugar and whiskey; my chill will be
on at eleven o'clock; we have an hour yet and kill or cure, I'm going to
drink nog. It may help me." Dr. Whitehead had supplied me with a vial of
Fowler's Solution, which was nearly exhausted, and which had done me no
good. Sergeant Hines came up, brought a dozen eggs and we made a nog. At
ten thirty A. M. I took the first goblet, he made it tolerably strong. I
replenished and enjoyed the contents, and as we were sipping it quietly,
I looked at my watch and was surprised to see it was fifteen minutes
past eleven and no chill. We slowly finished the third glass, I felt the
effects of it somewhat, but we were not intoxicated. At twelve o'clock
the dinner bell rang at the house, and it was the first time in two
weeks that I was able to partake of that meal, the chills always
interfering. I never had another chill in twenty years thereafter, hence
I never became a prohibitionist. I believe the abuse of whiskey is
wrong, while its proper use is right. Sergeant Hines and myself, after a
few days longer among our friends, returned to our camp.