Today in History:

212 Series I Volume XLIV- Serial 92 - Savannah

Page 212 Chapter LVI. OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA.

were able-bodied, were, on account of scarcity of subsistence, placed in colony on the Coleraine plantation, an the Savannah River, and plentifully supplied with rice, and occasionally with beef. The able-bodied men were employed in transporting rice from the islands and in working rice mills. When communication was opened by way of the Ogeechee the whole colony was turned over to the chief quartermaster and chief commissary. Four hundred to 500, not of the colony, found employment as officer's servants and teamsters for the Government.

Ordnance and ordnance stores destroyed in Milledgeville, per report of Colonel Hawley, commanding post.

Muskets (caliber. 69). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,300

Accouterments (sets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Lances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000

Cutlasses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500

Ammunition (caliber. 69). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rounds. . . . . 10,000

Ammunition (fixed artillery). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boxes. . . . . . . 170

Powder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kegs. . . . . 200

Destroyed at Milledgeville by Lieutenant Shepherd, ordnance officer, artillery, as per report of Major Reynolds, chief of artillery.

Fixed ammunition:

Artillery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rounds. . . . . . . . . . . 3,500

Infantry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,000

Sharps primers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Powder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pounds. . . . . . . . . . . 2,000

Major Reynolds reports the number of guns of all calibers found in and around Savannah in works first taken possession of by the Twentieth Corps at 89. Of these, 23 of calibers from 6-pounder smooth-bores to 42-pounder cannonades were found in position in front of the line occupied by the corps before Savannah. Major Reynolds' report, forwarded herewith furnish details. * On entering the city General Geary took possession of a large quantity of ordnance stores and materials of war, details of which will be found in his report to these headquarters. They are not recapitulated, as the chief ordnance officer has doubtless already received schedules of them.

Notwithstanding repeated instance of wanton pillage occurred on the march, the general conduct of the men was orderly, contented, and faithful to duty. The nature of the march was calculated to relax discipline, and yet, after all, it was comparatively but the few (ever found in large bodies of men) who were disorderly and vicious. The labor, especially of those in guard of the trains, was very arduous, often extending through the night. I calculate our average daily marches for each marching day exceeded thirteen miles. Two of the division rested but one entire day without marching.

The division commanders deserve my cordial acknowledgment for zealous, cheerful, and intelligent co-operation at all times. I desire also to acknowledge the valuable services of Major Yates and the officers and men of the First Michigan Mechanics and Engineers, who, while temporarily attached to the corps, were indefatigable, as well as skillful, in assisting in the destruction on railroad, in constructing bridges and repairing roads.

From the length of the column, often from ten to fifteen miles, the duties which fell upon several officers of the staff were often laborious and fatiguing, but were always executed with cheerfulness and zeal. I desire, in an especial report hereafter, to bring to the notice of the

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* See p. 356.

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Page 212 Chapter LVI. OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA.