17th.—The military movements are important, but to what they tend we know not. More troops have been added from Sheridan to Grant, and Early to Lee, and Sherman has crossed Georgia with little opposition or loss. Our last news is, that he has taken Fort McAllister, some miles below Savannah. What fate awaits that city we tremble to think of. A raid on Bristol and up the railroad, towards Saltville, has alarmed us for the salt-works; but General Breckinridge having turned up in the right place, suddenly appeared in their front and drove them off, to the great relief of the public mind.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
December 17th.—Warm and cloudy.
Quiet below.
The President was reported better, yesterday, to my wife, who called.
It is said Gen. Cooper, R. Ould, etc. etc. have never taken their compensation in Confederate States Treasury notes, hoping at a future day (which may not come) to draw specie or its equivalent!
It was reported on the streets, to-day, that the President was dead. He is much better; and will probably be at his office today.
The following telegram was sent over by the President this morning:
“Savannah, Ga., December 16th, 1864.—Sherman has secured a water base, and Foster, who is already nearly on my communications, can be safely and expeditiously reinforced. Unless assured that force sufficient to keep open my communications can be sent me, I shall be compelled to evacuate Savannah.—W. J. Harder, Lieut.-Gen.”
Alas for President Davis’s government! It is now in a painful strait. If reinforcements be sent from here, both Savannah and Richmond may fall. Gen. Bragg will be crucified by the enemies of the President, for staying at Augusta while Sherman made his triumphant march through Georgia; and the President’s party will make Beauregard the scape-goat, for staying at Charleston— for sending Hood North—which I am inclined to think he did not do, but the government itself.
Capt. Weiniger (government clothing warehouse) employs about 4000 females on soldiers’ clothes.
Some people still believe the President is dead, and that it is attempted to conceal his death by saying he is better, etc. I saw his indorsements on papers, to-day, dated the 15th, day before yesterday, and it was a bold hand. I am inclined almost to believe he has not been sick at all! His death would excite sympathy: and now his enemies are assailing him bitterly, attributing all our misfortunes to his incompetence, etc. etc.
Saturday, 17. — An inspection of First Brigade. [The] Twenty-third looked well, but alas! very few of the old men. I shed tears as I left the line. It never looked better. Abbott, wounded at Cloyd’s Mountain and a prisoner for months, joined us today. General Thomas completed his victory at Nashville. One hundred guns fired here. General Crook fears that one division will go to Grant.
Camp Russell, December 17, 1864.
My Darling: — No certainty about things yet. We fired fifty guns yesterday and one hundred more today over General Thomas’ great victories. How happy our men are. We had an inspection today of the brigade. The Twenty-third was pronounced the crack regiment in appearance, etc. It looks very finely — as large as you used to see it at Camp White, but so changed in officers and men. A great many new ones at Camp White; then three hundred of the Twelfth in July; and three hundred conscripts, volunteers, and substitutes since. I could see only six to ten in a company of the old men. They all smiled as I rode by. But as I passed away I couldn’t help dropping a few natural tears. I felt as I did when I saw them mustered in at Camp Chase.
Captain Abbott joined us today— a prisoner since Cloyd’s Mountain. He is very happy to be back. He looks in good health, his arm not perfectly well.
Lieutenant McBride, the brave fellow who took Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar and forty-two others at Winchester, is here again. Sweet and Snyder are back. Hastings is in capital spirits; says he will be well long before next spring campaign. Heiliger writes me that he wants to get a commission in Hancock’s Veterans.
The band is playing its finest tonight. It contains all the old members and some good additions.
I have written the boys. I asked them how they would like to call the little soldier George Crook; they don’t reply. — Love to all.
Affectionately ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Fort Gillem, Saturday, Dec. 17. Rained terribly last night. The torrents filled our ditches and swept through the tent, under—or rather over—our bed, making it decidedly wet. Got up, ate hard-tack, and then laid down and slept, and took ” wet sheet pack” bath at once. Griff on guard last night in the fort. Induced the infantry guard to let him carry off lumber enough for bunk under cover of the night, so we need not fear of wet bed any more. All is quiet this morning. The storm is over and the papers tell us of the glorious whipping which Hood received. Fifteen thousand prisoners and 30 cannon the work of yesterday. To-day he is flying demoralized. No excitement manifested over the news because it is only as everyone expected.
All the men that could be spared this morning marched under Captain Hood near Camp Barry and set to work digging post-holes for stables. David Evans and I were given axes and we “butted” poles all the forenoon. Chopped hard, and I was tired by dinner time. Did not go back after dinner. It is mud! muddier! muddiest!
17th. Saturday. More good news from Thomas. Brigade officer of the day. Rode over to infantry. Received a beautiful pair of shoulder straps as Christmas gift—with a note from A. B.
Saturday, 17th.—This morning found us at Franklin, a badly demoralized army. 39th sent back to river. Soon Yanks came up.. Our corps in rear. Our brigade rear guard. Formed in line across the old battlefield at Franklin. Federal cavalry dashed after us, but a few shot from cannon sent them back. Then the retreat began, one line being formed and fighting until another could form in the rear and so protect while the other, the first line, moved back, and so that continued all day. Late in the evening came very near surrounding our division, but Clayton’s Division coming back, fired into them and saved us. While the two brigades were engaged in front, and the three pieces of artillery were moving back in the dark, about twenty Yankee cavalrymen dashed in the rear, cut the horses loose from the artillery, and cut one wheel down, so we lost the three pieces.
Saturday, 17th—Large details of men from our division were sent out to cut and prepare timber for the engineers to build a wharf at the landing so that the boats can be unloaded more readily. Several hundred of us were at work, some cutting the trees—tall pines, others cutting them into proper lengths, and still others hewing and squaring the timbers. The teamsters then hauled them to the landing. Two more boats came up the river today, one loaded with hay for the mules, the other with our provisions. We received our mail today. All is quiet along the line and the weather is fine.
