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

[92] the case for several days past, was over plains of a sandy soil, well-timbered, (pine,) and crossed numerous small streams and marshes. The Little Ogeechee River was crossed this day.

December 6th.--Nothing of any special importance transpired to-day.

December 7th.--Owing to the exceeding bad condition of the roads, the troops of the brigade were distributed along the train, and rendered material assistance in pushing them along. The camp for the night was near Springfield, and the distance marched, about twelve (12) miles.

December 8th.--The command moved at daylight, crossing Jack's Creek, and passing through Springfield, in the direction of Monteith.

December 9th and 10th.--These two days were occupied in marching to a point on the Augusta road, five miles from Savannah, Georgia.

December 11th.--At nine A. M., the brigade marched to the bank of Savannah River, opposite Huchinson's Island, and went into position in rear of Third (3d) brigade, Second division, there skirmishing slightly with the enemy. In this position it remained until three P. M., when, in compliance with orders from the General commanding division, it was placed in position on the right of the Third brigade, and relieved the troops of the Second brigade, Second division, Twentieth corps.

At one A. M., December twelfth, in obedience to orders, the brigade was placed under arms, and afterward formed in line in rear of the Third brigade, to await the movement. The orders from the General commanding division, were for me to occupy the position of the Third brigade, when it moved out, it being understood that these troops were to assault the works of the enemy at half-past 2 A. M., and then report to him for further instructions.

At half-past 4 A. M., I received, through Captain Lambert, orders from the General commanding division, to withdraw my command, and march it to its original position, the assault having been postponed.

December 12th to December 20th, inclusive.--The command remained in the position previously mentioned. A substantial line of works was thrown up for the protection of the command from the artillery of the enemy, and, in addition to this, two forts, with thirteen embrasures in the aggregate, were constructed by the command. The working parties on Fort No. 2 were under the command of Captain Kreicler, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, and those on Fort No. 3, under command of Captain E. B. Woodbury, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers. Both these officers and the men under their command are deserving of praise for the energy and perseverance manifested in the prosecution of the duty assigned them.

December 21st.--The enemy having evacuated their position the night previous, their works were occupied at an early hour by the skirmishers of the division, and by sunrise the city of Savannah was entered and occupied, this brigade being the second in line in the advance into the city. Soon after reaching the city, the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania and Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, under the command of Colonel John Flynn, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, were, by order of the General commanding division, through Captain Veale, Aid-de-Camp, despatched to occupy Fort Jackson, and the smaller forts and batteries near it. The possession of the fort and other works was gained without resistance.

The Fifth Ohio volunteers, Lieutanant-Colonel Kirkup, commanding, was placed in charge of the arsenal, on President street. With the remainder of the command, I took possession of the United States barracks.

Attached to this report, please find inventories of ordnance and ordnance stores found at each of those places.

I have the honor to call your attention, also, to the statements of the Brigade Quartermaster and Brigade Commissary, and would respectfully state that the forage and subsistence taken by the troops at halts and camps do not enter into these estimates.

The supply trains are in much better condition than they were on leaving Atlanta, notwithstanding the long and tedious march, over roads which at times seemed almost impassable.

The rations, owing to judgment exercised by Lieutenant Samuel D. Conner in their issues, lasted until the night of the fifteenth instant. He is deserving of especial credit for the systematic manner in which he secured supplies, and for their equitable distribution to the troops of the command.

The Pioneer corps, under command of Captain Hedges, rendered valuable service in the construction of bridges, and the repair of roads, and especial thanks are due them for the part taken in the construction of the forts to which allusion has been made.

To the regimental commanders, I tender my thanks, for the strict obedience to orders, and the enforcement of the regulations prescribed in regard to the conduct of the march, and especially are they due to Major M. T. Wright, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, who was seriously wounded while supervising the working parties on the forts, for the promptitude exhibited by him in the execution of all orders, and his strict attention to the duties incumbent on him throughout the entire campaign.

To Lieutenant A. H. W. Creigh, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General; to Captain John W. Watkins, Acting Assistant Inspector-General; to Surgeon William R. Longshore, Chief Surgeon of brigade; and to Lieutenant C. W. Kellogg, Acting Aid-de-Camp, my especial thanks are due, for their devotion to duty, and for the creditable manner in which their several departments were conducted.

Accompanying this, please find the reports of the regimental commanders, to which your attention is respectfully called, as well as to the list of casualties which is hereunto annexed: