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and stringers running from boat to boat continuously the entire length of the bridge, and were kept in their places by car wheels, the only anchors which could be procured.
Above the stringers was a flooring of plank obtained from the city wharves.
At eight o'clock on the evening of the 17th, the first pontoon bridge spanning the Savannah River from the foot of West Broad street to Hutchinson Island was completed, and by half-past 8 o'clock P. M. on Monday, the 19th, the remaining bridges were finished, and the route in readiness for the retreat of the Confederate garrison. * * * * Two regiments of General Geary's division occupied the upper end of Hutchinson's Island, and Carman's brigade was pushed forward to Argyle Island. * * * *
Heavy skirmishing occurred between General P. M. B. Young's command and the Federals on Argyle Island.
In the effort to advance in the direction of the Confederate line of communication with the Carolina shore, the enemy was repulsed with considerable loss.
The fighting along the rice dams was obstinate and bloody.
As the retention of this route was essential to the safety of the troops engaged in the defense of Savannah, all General Wheeler's available forces, assisted by Young's troops, and such of the South Carolina light batteries as could be spared from points along the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, were concentrated for its protection.
By these troops all attempts of the enemy to move upon our line were stubbornly and successfully resisted. * * * * The troops from the western lines were quietly withdrawn, in the order and at the hours indicated in the circulars issued by the Lieutenant-General for the evacuation of the city.
No confusion prevailed, and the movement was executed silently and in good order.
Guns were spiked, and ammunition destroyed as far as this could conveniently be done without attracting the notice of the enemy in our immediate front.
βTo conceal the movement, occasional firing was kept up until the latest moment.
Forty-nine pieces of artillery, with limbers, caissons, forges, battery wagons, and baggage wagons, were safely transported over the pontoon bridges.
A single battery wagon was lost.
Through some negligence of the driver, it got off the bridge.
The horses attached to it were saved.
No interruption was encountered at the hand of the enemy, and the Confederate army rendezvoused the next day at Hardeeville, South Carolina.β
So much for what the records and this last account have to say in regard to
Hardee's escape from
General Sherman.
The latter now contents himself with the following reflections (Vol.
II, page 218):
βI was disappointed that Hardee had escaped with his army, but on the whole we had reason to be content with the substantial fruits of victory.β
