December 16th.—Clear and pleasant; subsequently cloudy and chilly.
All quiet below, save the occasional booming of our guns from the iron-clads.
The capture of Fort McAlister, Savannah, has caused a painful sensation. It is believed we have as many men on the Georgia coast as the enemy; but they are not the men of property—men of 1861-62; and those without property (many of them) are reluctant to fight for the benefit of the wealthy class, remaining at home.
The following dispatch from Gen. Bragg was received this morning:
“Charleston, December 15th, 1864.—My services not being longer needed in this department, I shall leave this evening for Wilmington, and resume my command.
“Sherman has opened communication with his new base, by the Ogeechee. The means to meet him do not exceed one-half the estimate in yours of the 7th instant. Braxton Bragg.”
So ends Gen. Bragg’s campaign against Sherman!
I have not heard about the President’s health to-day. But no papers have come in from his office.
Lieut.-Col. Ruffin, Commissary Department, certifies (or Col. Northrop for him) that he is “not fit for duty in the field.”
London, December 16, 1864
Popular opinion here declares louder than ever that Sherman is lost. People are quite angry at his presumption in attempting such a wild project. The interest felt in his march is enormous, however, and if he arrives as successfully as I expect, at the sea, you may rely upon it that the moral effect of his demonstration on Europe will be greater than that of any other event of the war. It will finish the rebs on this side for a long time, if not, as I believe, for ever. . . .
Friday, 16. — A thawing, raw day; no rain. General Thomas attacks Hood’s left with good results. We hope for a complete victory. Nothing new from Sherman. . . . Fifty guns fired.
Fort Gillem, Friday, Dec. 16. Warm and wet night. Mud still increasing, but the battle progressed. Firing commenced at early dawn, and has continued with unabated fury till after dark. We lay quiet and undisturbed. There are nearly enough troops to hold Nashville against Hood’s assault left unemployed around the reserve line. Twenty new regiments. It is the common opinion of all the Battery, that it has never listened to heavier and steadier artillery firing for so long a time. Once in a while the crash of musketry would be louder even than the artillery, and I could but shudder at the thought of how many must be falling in the charge, for they undoubtedly are. Fighting continues to recede. It seemed six miles off last night at sundown, but we have not heard anything definite. In the midst of this noise of the conflict I wrote to John. Detail of twenty men sent through the mud to Major’s headquarters this afternoon and marched back again.
16th. Got news of Thomas’ attack on Hood’s flank. Great rejoicing in infantry.
Friday, 16th.—This morning Brigade formed in line near where we were. I went to infirmary and was excused from duty. Brigade fortifying. 7. A. M., Heavy cannonading began and continued until 12 M. Federals charged right wing, but were held back. 3 P. M., Heavy fighting all round the line. 4 P. M., lines broken; 5 P. M., whole army in retreat, in wild confusion losing most of the artillery that was on the line. Have been in good many retreats, but this was the wildest I have ever seen. No semblance of order; every fellow for himself. Late in the night came to a point where some one was calling out: All who belong to a certain corps, come this way. Afterwards called for divisions, brigades, and regiments.
Thursday, 16th.—Sick to-day. Yankees would not exchange papers to-day.
December 16th, 1864.—We have had company today, ladies from town to spend the day. I have listened to many a bit of gossip and heard some laughable incidents related. Life is a complex problem; it is like a kaleidoscope in its changing scenes. On one side all is gay and bright and on the other, sorrow and dark misery.
One of Father’s favorite texts is this: “Trust in the Lord and do good,” and it seems that is the only thing left for us to do. Father says I must remember that the Bible says there is a time for all things, a time to laugh and a time to weep and it is as much our duty to “rejoice with them that do rejoice” as it is “to weep with them that weep.” So I have tried to forget the poor sick Yankee and his sad death and take part in the fun these ladies are having.
There are to be two or three weddings; at least two engagements are in sight, if not yet une fait accompli. One couple were married last week and parted at the church door; he to go to Virginia and she to go home to wait for him.
Lieutenant So-and-So was suspected of casting soft glances at a certain charming young widow, who still wears her weeds, and eyebrows went up and voices were lowered to a whisper, as the tale was recited of a certain aged Romeo and Juliet who are, at present, amusing Tallahassee society. Well, the day is over and I will not deny that I have laughed as heartily as if there was no war, but it is only to lose sight of it for a little while.
Friday, 16th—Left this morning at 8 o’clock for King’s bridge over the Ogeechee river at a point fifteen miles from Savannah, where we again went into camp. All the torpedoes having been removed from the river, small boats can now come up to the bridge and land. Two boats came up with mail and some other articles. There were four tons of mail for the army. All is quiet along the line, but we have no rations yet. We still have plenty of rice with the hull on, but all the mortars upon the plantation have now been gathered together and the cavalry have put all the negroes of the plantation at work hulling rice.
