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where — about one hundred bales were destroyed; at Lee Gordon's plantation, two hundred and eighty bales destroyed by
General Geary; and at Tennille Station, on Central Railroad, where between three and four hundred bales were burned.
Other lots, ranging from ten to thirty bales were frequently found.
fugitive slaves.
Negroes of all ages, of every variety of physical condition, from the infant in its mother's arms to the decrepid old man, joined the column, from plantations and from cross-roads, singly and in large groups, on foot, on horseback, and in every description of vehicles.
The vehicles were discarded as obstructing the progress of our very long column.
Beyond this, no effort was made to drive away the fugitives.
The decrepid, the aged, and the feeble were told of the long journey before them, and advised to remain behind.
I estimate that from six to eight thousand slaves, at different points in the campaign, joined the march of this corps, of whom something over two thousand five hundred reached our camp before
Savannah.
About one thousand seven hundred, of whom one third were able-bodied, were, on account of scarcity of subsistence, placed in colony at the
Colerain plantation, on 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 to five hundred (not of the colony) found employment as officers' servants and teamsters for the
Government.
ordnance and ordnance stores destroyed in
Milledgeville, per report of
Colonel Hawley, commanding post:
| Muskets, calibre 69, | 2,300 |
| Accoutrements, sets, | 300 |
| Lances, | 5,000 |
| Cutlasses, | 1,500 |
| Ammunition, calibre 69, rounds, | 10,000 |
| Ammunition, fixed artillery, boxes, | 170 |
| Ammunition, kegs powder, | 200 |
Destroyed in
Milledgeville, by
Lieutenant Shepherd, Ordnance Officer Artillery, as per report of
Major Reynolds,
Chief of Artillery:
| Rounds fixed ammunition, artillery, | 3,500 |
| Rounds fixed ammunition, infantry, | 20,000 |
| Boxes Sharp's Primers, | 2 |
| Pounds of powder, | 2,000 |
Major Reynolds reports the number of guns, of all calibres, found in and around
Savannah in works first taken possession of by the Twentieth corps, at eighty-nine.
Of these, twenty-three, of calibre from six-pounder smooth bore to forty-two pounder carronades, were found in position in front of the line occupied by the corps before
Savannah.
Major Reynolds's report, forwarded herewith, will furnish details.
On entering the city,
General Geary took possession of a large quantity of ordnance stores and material 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 instances 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 divisions rested but one entire day without marching.
The division commanders deserve my cordial acknowledgments for zealous, cheerful, and intelligent cooperation at all times.
I desire, also, to acknowledge the valuable services of
Major Yates, and the officers and men of the First Michigan engineers and mechanics, who, while temporarily attached to the corps, were indefatigable as well as skilful, in assisting in the destruction of railroads, in constructing bridges, and repairing roads.
From the length of the column, often from twelve to fifteen miles, the duties which fell upon several officers of the staff were often very 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
Major-General Commanding, and, through him, to the
Government, the names of such of these officers whose meritorious services on this and previous campaigns entitle them, I think, to promotion.
I forward, herewith, the reports of division commanders, and such subordinate reports as have been received; also, reports and statements of staff-officers, covering estimates of property destroyed and supplies taken from the country.
I am,
Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
