Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[717] this place, with its garrison, to me on the 20th of April, immediately after the appearance of my advance before it. Since then he has put my officers in possession of all the Confederate supplies within our reach by rail, in central and south-western Georgia. I can supply the command with bread and meat for sixty days, and forage for the same period, but must have funds at once. After the expiration of that time if troops are retained here, supplies must be sent to us from the North. I fear that great suffering will be inflicted upon some districts, even then, as it will require all the supplies now in the State to feed the people till the new crops can be used.

I have paroled the prisoners captured by my command since leaving the Tennessee river, nearly six thousand in all, including those taken at this place. They have been deprived of their arms, and are going to their homes in all directions.

The men belonging to Lee's army have been passing at the rate of nearly a thousand a day for the past week. Those surrendered by Johnston have begun to arrive.

I had also taken precautionary measures to prevent the escape of Jeff Davis, by sending scouts and detectives to watch the line of the Savannah river, and the roads leading through north Georgia. I have ordered troops to Atlanta and Newnan, to care for the public property, and effectually watch and guard the country to the north and eastward, connecting with General Judah's troops. I had also requested General Grierson, who arrived at Eufaula the day before yesterday, to move by the way of Union Springs, Tuskegee, Montgomery, and Selma, towards Mississippi. He will send forward to put all the troops in central Alabama on the alert. Mr. Davis cannot possibly get through the country with wagons and a large escort, but it will be quite difficult to apprehend him if he attempt it well mounted with one or two attendants. I have already heard rumors, but which I can trace to no reliable source, that he went through this State between Atlanta and Marietta, five or six days ago.

As soon as I hear from General Upton I shall increase the force now on the way to Atlanta, so as to make it sufficient to meet all contingencies. Colonel Woodhall, by whom I send this, will explain more fully the condition of affairs in this section. I also send by him a summary of our operations, and copies of the original despatches, sent to you from time to time during the campaign.

As a matter of protection to the command, I have organized, armed, and equipped three full regiments of colored infantry since the capture of Selma. The men have all been carefully examined by medical officers. They cannot be excelled for physical qualities, according to the report of the surgeons, and as abundantly proved by the fact that they have marched upon several occasions thirty-five miles per day.

What shall I do with them? If directed to perfect their organization and discipline I can make them extremely useful, as train guards, garrison, &c. Please send me the necessary authority, if it is the policy of the Government to call into service any new regiments of this sort. If they are to be disbanded they can be used in repairing the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad.

In order to obtain small stores and clothing, I have sent a steamboat down the Ocmulgee and Altamaha to Darien and Savannah. It will require about ten days for the round trip. I think I can supply everything that we may need in that way till the railroad is opened.

My command is splendidly mounted, in most admirable discipline, and in every way ready for any service that may be assigned it. It has aided our cause as much by the influence of its discipline and good behavior as by its gallantry and endurance.

It may not be improper to say before closing this letter that the present condition of affairs is accepted throughout Alabama and Georgia, as far as I can learn, by all classes with becoming resignation, and in the hope that they will soon enjoy the privileges of peace, commerce, and good law. I am told by men of good judgment, and unquestioned loyalty, that seven-eighths of the people are ready and anxious for a return to their duties as citizens, without slavery, and under the laws of the land, whatever they may be. They express some anxiety in regard to confiscation and sweeping proscriptions, but seem to have confidence in the magnanimity of the Government. As a matter of course, from my position men of influence have inquired my views in regard to the civil and political matters. While I have endeavored as much as possible to avoid such questions, declaring that I could not speak officially, I have not hesitated to urge the civil officers of the peace to exert all of their powers in preserving good order throughout the community, by requesting the good citizens to resume their usual avocations, and compelling marauders and vagabonds to respect the new condition of affairs.

I have discountenanced everything like political meetings and discussions, and counselled the people to defer all political action till the excitement of the recent events has abated. I do not think a Legislature of State officers composed of men elected for their avowed hostility to the Union should be permitted at this time to exercise a controlling influence in determining the future conduct of the State. I shall, therefore, forbid any session of the Legislature, or the Assembly of any State or county convention, under such auspices as those to which I have mentioned, until the proper authority shall have been obtained from Washington, or till I shall have received definite instructions covering such matters. I am sure that when the soreness necessarily felt at defeat has been allayed, and the people have had time to think dispassionately, there will be no difficulty in re-establishing the relations of this State and Alabama with