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

[20] moved to Atlanta. During this movement the Twentieth corps was left for the defence of Atlanta. The hospitals of every corps of the army, containing many of our sick and wounded, were located within the line of works constructed by the enemy; and the nature of the movement of our forces operating against General Hood had also compelled the commanders of every corps to leave at this point a portion of their artillery, together with all surplus transportation and stores. In addition to the troops and stores, belonging strictly to the Twentieth corps, there remained at the post twelve thousand seven hundred wounded, sick, and convalescent soldiers, eighty pieces of artillery, and over five thousand horses and mules, together with much other valuable property. The duty of protecting this property, and securing supplies for the garrison and forage for the animals, devolved upon the Twentieth corps. At the time our railroad communication was destroyed at Kingston and Big Shanty the amount of subsistence stores on hand was deemed amply sufficient to sustain the garrison until communication could be reestablished; but it was subsequently found necessary to send a portion of these supplies to the main army at Rome.

The supply of forage on hand was not sufficient for the animals for over three days. I was therefore compelled not only to reduce the issue of meat to a half-ration, but to resort to the country for supplies of subsistence, as well as forage. From the tenth of October to the fourth of November, foraging expeditions were sent into the country, all of which were completely successful, and conducted with but small loss of life. About two million pounds of corn and a large quantity of fodder were collected on these expeditions, together with subsistence for the foraging parties. Great credit is due General Geary, Colonels Robinson, Dustin, and Carman, the officers commanding the several expeditions, also to Colonel Garrard and the brigade of cavalry under his command.

The Twentieth corps left Atlanta on the morning of November fifteenth, marching via Stone Mountain and Social Circle to Madison, arriving at the latter place on the evening of the eighteenth. At that point General Geary's division moved to the Oconee and destroyed the railroad bridge over that river, the other divisions moving direct to Milledgeville, via Eatonton, Geary's division rejoining the corps at Little River. The corps reached Milledgeville on the twenty-second of November. Two regiments were sent forward to take possession of the city and establish the necessary guards. The Fourteenth corps left Atlanta on the morning of November sixteenth, and moved via Decatur, Covington, and Shady Dale to Milledgeville, arriving at the latter place November twenty-third. The Georgia Railroad was destroyed by the Fourteenth corps from Lithonia to Yellow River, and from Social Circle to Madison by the Twentieth corps. It was also broken at several points between Madison and the Oconee River, and the bridge at that river burned by Geary's division of the Twentieth corps. On the twenty-fourth of November, both corps moved from near Milledgeville to Sandersville — the Fourteenth via Black Spring, and the Twentieth via Hebron. The two corps reached Sandersville almost simultaneously on the morning of November twenty-sixth, driving the enemy's cavalry very rapidly through the town. On the twenty-seventh, both corps moved toward Louisville; two divisions of the Fourteenth, unincumbered by wagons, going via Fenor's Bridge, for the purpose of protecting our left flank, and to uncover the crossing of Ogeechee River and Rocky Comfort Creek, at a point near Louisville. Two divisions of the Twentieth corps moved along the Georgia Central Railroad from Tennille to the Ogeechee River, destroying the road and bridges. The remaining division of each corps, with all the trains, moved on an interior road direct to Louisville. The bridges over the Ogeechee and Rocky Comfort Creek, had been destroyed by the enemy, but a pontoon-bridge was soon constructed by Colonel Buell; and on the twenty-ninth, both corps were encamped near Louisville. Two divisions of the Fourteenth corps left Louisville December first, crossing Buckhead Creek, five miles above the church, and passing through Habersham, reached Jacksonboro on the fifth. Baird's division moved from Louisville in support of the cavalry, and made a demonstration in the direction of Waynesboro, rejoining the corps at Jacksonboro. The Twentieth corps left Louisville December first, crossing Buckhead Creek at the church, and passing through Birdsville, struck the railroad leading from Millen to Augusta, five miles from Millen, and encamped on the fifth near Hunter's Mills. From Jacksonboro the Fourteenth corps moved toward Savannah, on the Augusta and Savannah road, the Twentieth corps taking the road through Springfield. On the tenth of December, my command reached the main line of the enemy's works in front of Savannah, and took position; the Twentieth corps on the left, with its left resting on the Savannah River; the Fourteenth on the right, and connecting with the Seventeenth corps beyond the canal, near Lawson's plantation. Our line was established as close as possible to that of the enemy, and the time spent in preparations for an assault upon his works. Batteries were established on the river in such positions as prevented any boats from passing. The steamer Ida, while attempting to pass up from Savannah on the tenth of December, was captured and burned. On the twelfth, two gunboats and the steamer Resolute attempted to pass our batteries from above, but both ganboats were driven back by Winnegar's battery, and the steamer was so disabled that she fell into our bands. She was soon repaired, and has since been transferred to the Quarter master's department.

On the eighteenth, a brigade of the First division Twentieth corps was thrown across the river, and established near Izzard's plantation, on the South-Carolina shore, in a position which