War of the Rebellion: Serial 092 Page 0663 Chapter LVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Ebenezer Creek, GA., December 8, 1864 - 8 a. m.
Lieutenant Colonel H. C. RODGERS,
Chief of Staff, Left Wing:
I have the honor to report my arrival at this point last night. Ebenezer is a large stream and requires bridging, and considerable to be cut out of the road. Our road was obstructed by timber at many points yesterday; notwithstanding, we made twenty miles. Kilpatrick reports his rear attacked yesterday afternoon; number of force not reported. We heard some artillery and small-arms yesterday evening in rear of the Twentieth Corps. The bridge in my front will be done by 10 a. m. ; I will then commence crossing. It will take all day to get on the other side of Ebenezer. I sent you a messenger yesterday morning, who has not returned.
JEF. C. DAVIS,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
************************************************************* HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Ebenezer Creek, GA., December 8, 1864.
Brigadier General A. BAIRD,
Commanding Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps:
General Carlin has just begun to advance toward the crossing. The general commanding directs you to take charge of the cavalry, dispose it as you may deem best to cover your crossing, and cross your division over the creek to-night. He desires that you give orders to the commanders of the cavalry to hold possession of the causeway on this side of the bridge until to-morrow noon at least. Having crossed his animals, he will thoroughly obstruct the road with fallen timber and will destroy the bridge as completely as possible.
Atlanta, or any such nonsense. I profess to be the best kind of a friend to Sambo, and think that on such a question Sambo should be consulted.
They gather round men in crowds, and I cant's find out whether I am Moses or Aaron, or which of the prophets; but surely I am rated as one appreciated by Sambo-in saving him from his master, or the new master, or the new master that threatens him with a new species of slavery. I mean State recruiting agents. Poor negro-Lo, the poor Indian! Of course, sensible men understand such humbug, but some power must be invested in our Government to check these will oscillations of public opinion. The South deserves all she has got her injustice to the negro, but that is no reason why we should go to the other extreme. I do and will do the best I can for negroes, and feel sure that the problem is solving itself slowly and naturally. It needs nothing more than our fostering care. I thank you for the kind hint and will heed it so far as mere appearances go, but not being dependent on votes, I can afford to act, as far as my influence goes, as a fly wheel instead of a mainspring. With respect, &c., yours, W. T. SHERMAN. WAR DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 194. Cannouchee Bridge, December 9, 1864. * * * * * * *
War of the Rebellion: Serial 092 Page 0671 Chapter LVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.
II. The corps will continue its march to-morrow, in the following order: First, First Division, Brigadier-General Woods commanding, will march from its present camp early to-morrow morning to the pontoon bridge near Dillon's Ferry. On arriving there General Woods will cross his division and trains, turning over the trains of Second Division to General Hazen. The brigade of the First Division stationed at Eden Court-House will leave camp at 5 a. m., and march on the direct road from Eden to Dillon, the commanding officer of which will take measures to pass the old camp of Second Division by 7 a. m. Major Stolbrand will cause the commanding officer of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery to join the brigade of the First Division marching from Eden Court-House when en route. Second, the Second Division, Brigadier-General Hazen commanding, will march from its present camp at 7 a. m., by the direct road from Cannouchee bridge, to Dillon's Ferry. As soon as his troops and trains have re-crossed the Cannouchee River the commanding officer of the First Missouri Engineers will cause the pontoon bridge to be taken up, and will follow the Second Division. The rear guard of the Second Division will escort the pontoon train, and to that end will remain here until the same is well on the road. As soon as the First Division is over the Ogeechee River Brigadier-General Hazen will proceed to cross his command. III. The Third Division, Brigadier-General Smith commanding, will leave its present camp at 7 a. m. to-morrow for the place laid down on the maps as Beverly. It will follow substantially the tow-path, on the south side of the canal, but will at the same time patrol and reconnoiter the plank and country roads into Savannah. The Fourth Division, Brigadier-General Corse commanding, will, at 8 a. m., continue its reconnaissance toward the point indicated as Hermitage, scouring all the approaches to Savannah in his front, with a view of obtaining the most perfect information of the enemy's position and works. The First and Second Divisions, after having executed the movements as ordered in paragraph II, Special Orders, Numbers 194, of date, will continue to close on the leading divisions, as follows: The First Division, Brigadier-General Woods commanding, will follow the Third Division, while Brigadier-General Hazen with the Second Division will march to the support of the Fourth Division, Brigadier-General Corse commanding. In order to join as fast as possible their respective columns Generals Hazen and Woods will, on their arrival at the Ogeechee River, leave their respective trains in charge of one regiment each, with instructions to guard and corral them east of the Ogeechee and on the south side of the canal until further orders. Department headquarters will march with the left column (First and Third Division), while the corps commander will accompany the right column (Second and Fourth Divisions).
By order of Major General P. Joseph Osterhaus: F. F. WHITEHEAD, Assistant Adjutant-General.
https://ehistory.osu.edu/books/official-records/092/0674 War of the Rebellion: Serial 092 Page 0674 Chapter LVI. OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Two Miles South of Ebenezer Creek, December 9, 1864 - 9 a. m. Colonel H. C. RODGERS, Chief of Staff, Left Wing: COLONEL: My rear only completed the crossing of the creek at daylight. I am now moving for Saint Augustine Creek, and if the obstructions or opposition is not too great will reach there to-day. One of the enemy's gun-boats made several demonstrations against our bridge yesterday, but a few shells satisfied them they could accomplish nothing, and it up the project. My troops skirmished all day. Fewer attacks in rear. I have destroyed the bridge behind me, and do not think I shall be troubled from the rear to-day. I can hear nothing of the Twentieth Corps. Heave cannonading is now progressing in the direction of Savannah or Coosawhatchie. I am, very respectfully,
