Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

November twenty-ninth, detained by crossing of trains until ten o'clock P. M., when the brigade crossed, and under orders went into camp, remaining to guard rear of train and pontoon-bridge train.

November thirtieth, remained in camp until seven P. M., when the brigade moved forward, taking pontoon-train. Crossed Rocky Comfort Creek, passed through Louisville at nine P. M., and encamped about twelve M. near Dry Creek, three miles east of Louisville.

December first, remained in camp waiting for the passage of the trains until three P. M. Brought up trains of Twentieth corps, one division Fourteenth corps, and General Kilpatrick's cavalry. Third division in rear, Second brigade in centre. Crossed Big Creek and went into camp at midnight about one mile east of the crossing, having made eight miles during the day.

December second, moved at daylight, crossing Baker's Creek and passing through the most difficult swamp yet found. Third division in rear, Second brigade in advance of division. Roads good except the swamp just mentioned. Went into camp at dark near Jones Creek, about one mile west of Buckhead Creek, having marched fifteen miles.

December third, moved at seven A. M., the brigade having been ordered to report to General Geary, commanding Second division. By his orders took charge of cavalry train of two hundred and forty wagons, crossed Buckhead Creek, passed Millen prison-camp about noon. Leaving Millen to the south, crossed the Augusta and Millen Railroad about dark, taking the Sylvania road and going into camp about midnight four (4) miles east of Millen.

December fourth, broke camp at half-past 6 A. M., crossed Big Horn and Little Horn Creeks, still guarding cavalry train. Marched eight (8) miles.

December fifth, moved at half-past 6 A. M. in same order as for the past two days. Rejoined the division, and went into camp at seven P. M., having marched fifteen miles.

December sixth, broke camp at six A. M. Third division in advance, Second brigade in advance of division. Moved about thirteen miles, going into camp at three P. M. in a pine forest ten (10) miles north-west of Springfield.

December seventh, broke camp at eight A. M. Third division in advance, Second brigade in rear. Crossed Turkey Creek, marched ten miles, and went into camp near Springfield at four o'clock in the afternoon.

December eighth, remained in camp until noon for the First and Second divisions to pass. Moved six miles. Second brigade in centre of division. Went into camp about eleven P. M.

December ninth, broke camp at daylight. Second brigade in advance. Eighty-fifth Indiana was detached and sent forward to repair the roads for the trains; the work was severe and constant, and the faithful manner in which it was performed was very creditable to the officers and men of the regiment. Moved fourteen miles, and went into camp at dark sixteen miles from Savannah.

December tenth, broke camp at seven A. M., and marched to within five (5) miles of Savannah on the Savannah and Augusta dirt road, crossing the Charleston and Savannah Railroad ten miles from the latter place. Here our advance, coming upon the enemy's troops, went into position. The Second brigade being in reserve, went into camp in good season in rear of the line of the First and Third brigades of our division.

December eleventh, remained in position until dark. In obedience to orders from corps headquarters, the Twenty-second Wisconsin was detached and sent to Gibbon's plantation, on the Savannah River, to support a battery and blockade the river. At dark the brigade moved forward into the first line, connecting the right of the First brigade with the left of the Third brigade, midway between the dirt and railroad, the general direction of the line of battle being nearly north and south.

December twelfth, remained in position.

December thirteenth, the battery supported by the Twenty-second Wisconsin attacked three boats attempting to pass the blockade, one being a gunboat, the other two side-wheels, one armed; the unarmed boat was soon disabled by the battery, and the other two abandoned her, our forces immediately taking possession of her and her crew. The Twenty-second Wisconsin at the river took possession of rice-mills on the river, and by details from the regiment commenced operating them, contributing very materially toward relieving the embarrassment of the subsistence department on account of the scarcity of supplies. This work was energetically prosecuted under direction of Lieutenant Harbort, Acting Commissary of Subsistence of the Second brigade, by details from the brigade. Line of battle corrected and advanced. Second brigade again in reserve.

December fourteenth, by direction from corps headquarters, two regiments, Eighty-fifth Indiana and Nineteenth Michigan, Colonel Crane commanding, made an expedition eight and a half miles into the country with twenty-four wagons, returning in eight hours with the wagons loaded with stores.

December fifteenth, remained in position.

December sixteenth, at seven A. M., brigade moved to the left of the Augusta dirt road, occupying partially completed works just then evacuated by the Second brigade, First division, Twentieth army corps, (Colonel Carman,) connecting on the right with the First brigade of our division, and on the left with the First brigade, First division, Twentieth army corps. Picket-line five hundred yards in advance of line of battle, and within five hundred yards of the enemy's line of battle.

December seventeenth, remained in position; details from the regiments were set to work, and the unfinished breastworks in front of the brigade put in good condition for defence.