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.
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.
