December 10th. All things have remained quiet as we go through our regular routine of duty from day to day. We get newspapers quite regular from home, furnished by good people, for all of which we are very thankful.
Fort Gillem, Saturday, Dec. 10. Froze very hard last night Two inches of crust on the ground, very slippery and the air is very cold. On guard. Post No. 1 in’ the front. Ration day. We only drew ¾. Things are very short here to-day. We have to buy a great deal. Many of the boys are out of money too. No demonstrations on the line as we know of. Perhaps it is too cold for the boys to fight as they have enough to do to keep warm.
Before Savannah, December 10, 1864.
Crossed the Ogeechee near the mouth of the Canoochie, then a canal, and then up the tow path toward the city. All the other divisions of our corps are ahead of us. An awful country to get through, all lakes and swamps. We are now five miles from Savannah. Have just got our works up and got our suppers. Hear some skirmishing on our right, should think a mile from us. Commenced raining at dark and continued. Made 20 miles to-day.
10th. Saturday. Cold day. No drill. Boys on picket.
Painting by Conrad Wise Chapman.
“Fortifications in the rear of Charleston, where Henry A. Wise’s brigade was encamped.” – Conrad Wise Chapman, 1898
Saturday, 10th—We broke camp at 6 o’clock this morning and moved forward five miles, driving the rebels all the way. Our division was in the advance in line of battle and drove the rebels back inside their main works. There was some heavy skirmishing and we had to throw up breastworks. Our loss during the day was fifteen in killed and wounded. We had four men wounded by the explosion of torpedoes which the rebels had buried in the road. General Sherman was riding with our column, and when informed of what had taken place, ordered that the prisoners of our division be placed in front to pass over the road first. The prisoners requested that one of their number be permitted to return to their headquarters to inform their commander of the peril in which they were placed. This was granted and there were no more torpedoes planted in the road after that. The prisoners dug up five torpedoes for us.
Saturday, 10th.—Moved back one-quarter mile; throwing up new line of works. «
Friday, December 9. — We bought ourselves some rations and started for the depot at 10.30 A.M. There were eight in all. We reached the depot about 11 o’clock and had to wait there in the cold until 3.30, when a party of 185 officers came from the camp. Major Forbes was among them. Started immediately for Charleston in a drizzling rain. Stopped at Kingsville for refreshments. Charge $10, or your brains blown out. As the box cars were very cold I managed to get into the conductor’s car, where there was a fire.
Camp Russell, Virginia, December 9 (Evening), 1864.
My Darling: — We have had two winter days. It has been snowing f or the last hour or two. We feel that this ends our campaigning for this year. The last of the Sixth Corps left this morning. One “grapevine” (our word for camp rumor) says they have gone to Kentucky or Tennessee by way of the Ohio River, and another that they passed through Washington on the way to Grant. I conjecture the last is the truth.
General Crook gave me a very agreeable present this afternoon a pair of his old brigadier-general straps. The stars are somewhat dimmed with hard service, but will correspond pretty well with my rusty old blouse. Of course I am very much gratified by the promotion. I know perfectly well that the rank has been conferred on all sorts of small people and so cheapened shamefully but I can’t help feeling that getting it at the close of a most bloody campaign on the recommendation of fighting generals like Crook and Sheridan is a different thing from the same rank conferred well, as it has been in some instances.
Dr. Joe is busy court-martialling one of his brethren, who as medical chief of our hospitals at Winchester turned into private profit the medicines, stimulants, chickens, eggs, etc., which had been provided for our wounded.
We hope to get home together the last of this month or early next, but no one can yet tell what is to be our fate. We are waiting on Sherman and the weather. — My love to all.
Affectionately ever, your
R.
P. S. — I am ever so glad that Governor Chase is Chief Justice. I had given up all hope of his appointment.
I sent to Gallipolis directing my trunk or valise to be expressed to Chillicothe care of William McKell. If he is put to expense, as he will be, perhaps, have it paid. Get into it — my duds may need airing. — I shall want two or three pairs knit woollen socks.
Mrs. Hayes.
Friday, 9 — Cold and raw all day. First snow fell this evening. General Crook gave me a pair of his brigadier-general shoulder-straps this afternoon. A rank cheapened by poor appointments. I feel it an honor, conferred as it is at the close of a bloody campaign on the recommendation of General Crook approved by General Sheridan.
