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Volume VIII ♦ ♦ ♦ November 2014 (1864) ♦ ♦ ♦ No. 7
The Official Newsletter of the
PPALMETTO RRIFLEMEN && NNEW YYORK ZZOUAVES
Palmetto (S.C.) Sharpshooters & 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
Volume VIII, No. 8 Thursday, November 13th, 2014
The “Rifleman’s Standard” is the monthly publication of the “Palmetto Riflemen” & “New York Zouaves,” a group of American Civil War Living Historians and Reenactors, it is sent out via e-mail the first Thursday of each month. All submissions are welcome, and should be sent to the Editor.
CONTENTS OF THE STANDARD
Quote ...... 2
From the Field Desk – Captain K. Robison ...... 2 Comments from the Company Commander
Attention to Orders ...... 2 Announcements, notices, advertisements, and other items of interest
Marching Orders – Events Schedule ...... 3 Upcoming events and activities for the year
School of the Soldier – The Sergeant ...... 3 – 6 Articles about reenacting, drill, improving your impression, etc.
Company Songster – The Fall of Charleston ...... 7 Period music, songs, and poetry, written prior to January of 1865
Company Classroom – 17th N.Y. Veterans in November 1864 ...... 8 – 11 Historical articles about people, places, or events prior to January of 1865
After Action Reports ...... 11 – 12 Reports from reenactments, living histories, etc., from unit members
COMPANY STAFF
Captain Kenneth H. Robison II [email protected]; (803) 345 - 2025 1st Sergeant Matthew E. Wilbanks [email protected]; (864) 638 - 7598 Corporal Charles E. Ferguson [email protected]
Company Website – http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scprnyz/MainPage.html
On the Cover: Photograph of the Officers of the 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers, ca. 1865
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Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
"It is interesting to talk about the privates and line officers. We all admire the generals and our eyes kindle and beam, and our ♦ ♦ ATTENTION TO ORDERS ♦ ♦ ears are full of enthusiasm as we pay deserved tributes to their fame. But it is to the private soldier and the line officers, many Hawkins Zouave Uniforms. The Hawkins of them just as brave as the most famous general, to whom full Zouave Uniforms of the company are justice has not been, and can never be done.” available for purchase by company members. The package Captain George Hillyer, 9th Georgia Infantry Regiment includes the fez, sash, gaiters, jacket, vest, and trousers; the price for the set will be $350 or purchased individually at the prices listed as follows: Jacket - $200; Vest - $40; Sash - ♦ ♦ FROM THE FIELD DESK ♦ ♦ $40; Gaiters - $25; Fez - $40; Trousers - $70. Turnaround time on production of the uniform, if the materials are on-
Greetings All, hand, is about four to six weeks. When having your measurements taken it is important that the measurements I hope all of you are well and in the best of health and are correct. It is suggested that you have someone else spirits. The year is almost complete, and while other units measure you to be sure. For more information contact might already be in winter quarters, we are far from done. Michael Zatarga at [email protected]. The 150th Sandersville event has come off as a great success and was greatly enjoyed by all who attended; those To Arms! Recruiting for the Company. Do who missed it have missed quite an event! A report on the you know of someone who is interested in event will be published in the December newsletter, however a Reenacting or the American Civil War? If so take a few few pictures have been posted with this edition. moments to talk with them about the hobby, if they show an This Saturday, November 15th, we have a last minute interest invite them to come out and join us for an event. living history at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbia, South New recruits are always welcomed into the Company, and Carolina. It will be a timeline event, with several different era’s we will be glad to get them get involved. The company has represented, if you are able to attend please be on the lookout recruiting flyers and brochures available for members use; for an email with more information. these can be taken and placed at local libraries, school, civic The final event for 2014 will be the 150th Fort McAllister centers, and other public places. Anyone interested in near Richmond Hill, Georgia. This is a company MAXIMUM obtaining the materials or more information on how to do EFFORT event, all members are encouraged to try and be in recruit contact Captain Robison at [email protected]. attendance if at all possible. Be sure and get your registration in as quickly as possible. If you have not received the registration packet contact me and I will see that you receive one. This is sure to be a great event, and certainly worth the trip. Mark your calendars for January 30th, 31st, & February 1st, this is the weekend of the Annual Company Meeting and Lexington Museum Living History. We have several important matters that need to be discussed this year. With that said I hope that you are all well, and I look forward to seeing you on the field soon. Until then, Toujours Pret!
Kenneth H. Robison II,
Captain, “Palmetto Riflemen & New York Zouaves.”
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Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
♠ April 2015 (1865) ♠ 8th to 12th: 150th Appomattox, Virginia 17th to 19th: 150th Potters Raid, Camden, So. Carolina
♦ ♦ SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER ♦ ♦
DUTIES OF THE SERGEANT From the "Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned
Officers and Soldiers." By Augustus V. Kautz, ca. 1864. ♦ ♦ MARCHING ORDERS ♦ ♦ 365. IT is difficult to draw the line between the duties of
The following is the event schedule of the company, the corporal and those of the sergeant. There is really no covering the next six months. If you are aware of an event that great difference in their duties. Sergeants generally have should be added to this listing, email the information to larger details under their charge, and have corporals under [email protected]. their direction to assist them. They are usually entrusted with more responsible The events are indicated by date and the name of the event. duties, and they are Any event marked with a (+) represents a Company Maximum supposed to have greater Effort Event. A maximum effort event is an event that all experience, and to approach members of the company are encouraged to be present at and nearer the commissioned take part in. officer in a knowledge of all military matters. ♠ December 2014 (1864) ♠ 366. Sergeants generally 5th to 7th: Battle of Congaree Creek, South Carolina have a more general (+) 12th to 14th: 150th Battle of Fort McAllister, Georgia supervision of the men,
whilst corporals have more ♠ January 2015 (1865) ♠ of the detail to attend to. The 16th to 18th: Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina company should be divided 30th to Feb. 1st: Festival of the Bayonet, Lexington, So. Ca. into a number of squads proportionate to the number
♠ February 2015 (1865) ♠ of duty-sergeants in the company, with a 6th to 8th: 150th Rivers Bridge, South Carolina proportionate number of Sat., 14th: 150th Burning of Columbia, South Carolina corporals, who should have (+) 20th to 22nd: Battle of Aiken, South Carolina charge when the sergeants
are absent. ♠ March 2015 (1865) ♠ 367. They are 6th to 8th: The Columns, Florence, South Carolina responsible for the camp and (+) 20th to 22nd: 150th Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina garrison equipage which the 26th to 28th: Battle of Cheraw, South Carolina squad has in general use. They have charge of the
preliminary instruction of the men in their various duties,
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and must preserve order in their squad, and see that the men do the guard report for the officer of the guard, and, in general, not absent themselves without proper authority. is responsible that all the members of the guard under him 368. The most important duty of sergeant is that of file- perform their duty. closer. Posted in the rear of the company when paraded, it is his 376. Where the posts are numerous, sergeants assist the duty to see that the men pay attention to their duty, preserve corporals in posting the sentinels. They must see that the order, march properly, and keep closed. corporals comprehend the orders and are capable of 369. In time of battle, it is his duty to keep men in ranks, instructing the sentinels; and when a sentinel calls for the not to allow them to fall out on any pretext, and to prevent corporal of the guard, it is the duty of the sergeant to see them from misbehaving before the enemy. He is even required that the corporal obeys the call promptly. to shoot men down when they attempt to run away in times of 377. The sergeant carries the keys of the prisons, sees danger. that the prisoners are duly locked up at night and sent out to 370. The men must not be permitted to fall out to attend the work in the morning, and that those sentenced to close wounded without orders; the battle must be won first, and then confinement on bread and water are not visited or fed by the wounded can be taken care of without endangering the any of the other prisoners or members of the guard. When safety of the entire command. prisoners are brought to the guard-house to be confined, he takes charge of them, takes down their names, company, 371. On the march he must see that the men do not fall out and regiment, the charges against each, by whom preferred, unnecessarily, and, when absolutely necessary, that the soldier and by whose order confined. turns over his gun and accoutrements to a comrade to be carried until he can overtake his company again. 378. Prisoners undergoing sentence he must attend to, and see that the penalty is executed; also that those whose 372. He must see that the men fill their canteens with sentences expire are reported to the officer of the guard or water, and not whiskey, before the march commences, and that officer of the day, in order that they may be released; and they do not eat up their rations at improper hours on the march; also that the prisoners are supplied by the cooks with their for the habit of munching at all hours on the march, besides victuals. Prisoners are usually supplied from their company being injurious to the health of the soldier, may defeat the by the cooks. Citizen prisoners, or prisoners of war, are purpose of an expedition based on the necessity that a limited either assigned to some of the companies, where their supply of food must last a given number of days. rations are cooked, or else, where they are numerous, some
one is detailed to cook for them. 373. Sergeants are usually appointed, by the commanding 379. The sergeant should verify the list of prisoners, and officer of the regiment or post, from the corporals, on the see that they are all present when he marches on guard. He recommendation of the company commander. should also see that all the articles on the guard-book, for 374. In advancing non-commissioned officers from one which he or the officer of the guard receipts, are on hand. grade to another, no claim of seniority is considered, except These are, usually, the furniture of the guard-room, the where the merits of the two candidates are equal; then the utensils for labor used by the prisoners, and the handcuffs or senior in date should be appointed. The pay of duty-sergeants shackles, &c. of infantry, cavalry, and artillery is seventeen dollars per 380. The guard report is usually made out in a Guard month, with an allowance of clothing and one ration. Report Book, furnished from post or regimental head- 375. SERGEANT OF THE GUARD. — The sergeant of quarters. In the absence of such a book, a report must be the guard has general supervision of the corporals and members ruled out on a sheet of foolscap, according to the prescribed of the guard. He sees that the relief’s are turned out at the form in the Regulations, page 63. proper time, that the corporals obey the calls of the sentinels, 381. Whatever happens during the tour of guard is receives the prisoners and sees that they are properly secured, mentioned in the column of remarks. These are usually the that sentences of prisoners are carried out each day, prepares visits of the officer of the day, the visits of the officer of the
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guard to the sentinels, the manner in which they have forming a line of supports to which the vedettes retire on the performed their duty, and the incidents of note that have approach of a superior force, and with which they are occurred during the tour. connected by a chain of sentinels within call of each other. 382. The attention of the commanding officer may also be 388. POLICE. — The policing of camp is usually called to any changes that may be thought necessary of matters performed by two kinds of details. The roster for the or things over which the officer of the day or officer of the company police is kept in the company, and the duty- guard exercises supervision. When there is no officer of the sergeants and the corporals alternate in taking charge of this guard, the report is signed by the sergeant and countersigned by detail, whose duty it is to police the company-grounds twice the officer of the day. a day, and they are turned out by the non-commissioned 383. In the absence of cavalry, infantry is sometimes used officer when the police-call sounds. on picket-duty, to furnish the outer sentinels, particularly where 389. General police is usually performed by the guard the contending armies are in close proximity, as immediately which was marched off the morning previous; and the duty preceding a battle, or during a siege. of this detail is to police the grounds in general use by all 384. In this case, the same precautions are necessary in the regiment or detachment, the quarters of the field selecting positions, remaining concealed, and being constantly officers, and, generally, to perform all the clearing up that it on the alert, as are enjoined upon cavalry. The same system of is necessary to do outside of the company-grounds. The posting and relieving sentinels is pursued. The sentinels patrol police-call sounds usually twice during the day,—once in in the same way in the night and during foggy weather. the morning, immediately after reveille, and again in the afternoon, just before retreat parade. 385. During the day it is not generally considered proper to patrol. The sentinels are 390. The sergeant of the guard that has marched off the usually posted in commanding previous morning parades his men, and, with the corporals positions, where they have a to assist him, proceeds to collect all the rubbish that has good view to the front, and can accumulated since the last detail, and to do any other see the posts on the right and cleaning that the officer of police may direct. Sometimes left. the officer of the day acts as officer of police, and gives the instructions to the sergeant. 386. Sometimes, especially where the men would be 391. This duty is performed by collection the rubbish in expose to the enemy’s fire, the heaps by one part of the detail, whilst another portion is reliefs are dispensed with, and engaged with handbarrows in transporting it to some place the three sentinels of each post of general deposit, where, if necessary, it may be again are posted together and relieve removed in wagons. each other,—two sleeping on 392. The men who are absent from this detail from their arms, whilst the third sickness, or any other legitimate cause, are not usually keeps watch. This is replaced. It is, however, the duty of the non-commissioned particularly recommended in officers to see that all the members of the old guard parade, Indian warfare. or are properly excused. 387. When cavalry is used 393. Where prisoners are numerous, the general police for the outer sentinels, the may be dispensed with, and the work be performed by the infantry is usually posted in prisoners, under the direction of the provost-sergeant; and small detachments in rear, each this is usually the case where there is no other work for the under an officer or non- prisoners to be employed at. commissioned officer, 394. A provost-sergeant is one who is detailed according to its strength, permanently to take charge of the prisoners, to attend to the
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execution of sentences, and perform all the duties relating to review, or for battle. The sergeant is in the front rank, the the prisoners prescribed for the non-commissioned officers of two senior corporals are on the right and left of the sergeant, the guard. He is often charged with making arrests of non- and the three junior corporals are in the rear rank. The post commissioned officers and soldiers. of the color-guard is on the left of the right center company. 395. In barracks, besides being chiefs of squads, sergeants All the romance and heroism of the regiment center in the take their turns with the corporals, a week at a time, as room- color-guard and the emblem with which they are entrusted. orderlies, and are required to keep the room in order, and see On it are inscribed the battles in which the regiment has that the men have every thing prepared for inspection every participated and which recall the deeds it has performed. morning. Much depends upon the courage and daring of the color- sergeant. Wherever he will carry the flag, the men will
follow to protect and defend it; and no non-commissioned 396. The kitchen must be supplied with wood and water. officer occupies a post that is so likely to bring distinction This may be done either by special details for the purpose each and promotion if he does his duty; whilst none is more day, or by the company police. In either case a sergeant or certain to bring disgrace if he proves recreant to his trust. corporal is in charge of the party, and is responsible that the wood and water are properly furnished. 397. FATIGUE. — Sergeants are usually placed in charge of larger details for fatigue than corporals, and have perhaps one or more corporals to assist them. The same general principles that are laid down for corporals on fatigue duty apply to sergeants. The sergeant may be under the direction of an officer immediately over him, or may have exclusive charge of the party and of the execution of the duty. 398. Fatigue duty, including as it does the entire range of labor likely to fall to the lot of troops, may sometimes require peculiar knowledge and special experience. The construction of a bridge, the repairing of a railroad, or the management of a boat, at a critical moment when there is no time to look for competent men, may involve a success the accomplishment of which might win an undying laurel for some sergeant who has stored up the knowledge or experience for the favorable moment. 399. On all occasions of police, fatigue, or guard duty, the details are marched to and from their work in an orderly and military manner; and any disorderly conduct or neglect of duty on the part of the men should be promptly reported for punishment. The neglect to enforce these minor requirements of service soon leads to more serious dereliction of duty. 418. THE COLOR-SERGEANT. — In each regiment a sergeant is selected for his gallantry and military bearing, to carry the regimental colors. He is accompanied by a color- guard, composed of five corporals, who are also distinguished for their military conduct. They parade with the colors on all occasions when the regiment is formed for the march, parade,
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♦ ♦ COMPANY SONGSTER ♦ ♦ And again o’er Sumter’s battered walls, the Stars and Stripes do fly,
THE FALL OF CHARLESTON While the chivalry of Sixty-one in the “Last ditch” died;— Author Unknown With Sherman, Grant and Porter too, to lead our men to glory, Oh have you heard the glorious news, is the cry from every mouth, We’ll squash poor Jeff’s confederacy, and then get “Hunky-dory!” Charleston is taken, and the rebels put to rout; And Beauregard the chivalrous, he ran to save his bacon— With a whack, rowdy-dow, When he saw General Sherman’s “Yanks,” and “Charleston How are you, neutral Johnny Bull? is taken!” Whack, rowdy-dow,
With a whack, rowdy-dow, We’ll settle next with you!
A hunkey boy is General Sherman, Whack, rowdy-dow, Invincible is he!
This South Carolina chivalry, they once did loudly boast, That the footsteps of a Union man, should ne’er pollute their coast. They’d fight the Yankees two to one, who only fought for booty, But when the “mudsills” came along it was “Legs, do your duty!”
With a whack, rowdy-dow, Babylon is fallen, Whack, rowdy-dow, The end is drawing near!
And from the “Sacred City,” this valiant warlike throng; Skedaddled in confusion, although thirty thousand strong— Without a shot, without a blow, or least sign of resistance, And leaving their poor friends behind, with the “Yankees” for assistance!
With a whack, rowdy-dow,
How are you, Southern chivalry?
Whack, rowdy-dow, Your race is nearly run!
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On the night of the 15th we reached Atlanta, and found most of the troops had left the city. We camped about a mile from the center of the city, on an elevation that gave us a fine view. During the night Atlanta was burned, and from our camp it was one of the grandest sights I ever witnessed. Flames rolled from house to house, and from block to block, like waves of the sea, and lighted our camp so we could easily read the finest print any where about it. The clothing intended for our regiment had been left in the city, and by some mismanagement part of it was in one of the burning buildings, and although Quartermaster Corry made every ♦ ♦ COMPANY CLASSROOM ♦ ♦ effort to save it, the bulk of it was destroyed. That was a
serious loss just at that time, when we had severed our The following article pertains to the history of the United communications, and knew not where the next would come States and World History prior to January of 1861. The purpose from, and were sadly in want of refitting. of this section is to assist in improving the first person impressions of company members, by expanding the The next day we left Atlanta and found ourselves fairly knowledge of the events that were taking place prior to the started on what proved to be "Sherman's famous march to American Civil War. These articles will cover everything from the sea." Just as we were called in line an order was read to biographies of prominent historical figures from the time, us that had probably been written for the army who had military conflicts of the U.S. and foreign countries, local remained at Atlanta since its capture, but we thought it did historical information about South Carolina and New York, as not fit our case at all, as it told how we had enjoyed a long well as and other items of interest. rest after the arduous summer campaign, and had been rested and clothed, and were now starting to win new
honors! We thought this decidedly refreshing, as to the rest THE 17TH NEW YORK VETERANS and clothes, as we had been on the move most of the time IN NOVEMBER OF 1864 since Atlanta was captured, and were now starting again,
and not one in twenty had a change even of underclothing, From “Lights & Shadows of Army Life,” by 1st Sergeant and many of our men were nearly barefoot, as their shoes William Westervelt of Company K, 17th New York Veteran were worn and broken. Volunteer Infantry Regiment Yet we were not so badly off as would at first appear, as
the troops who started ahead of us had been so well supplied On Nov. 8, the day Pres. Lincoln was re-elected, we broke they had overloaded themselves, and the usual result camp and passed through the ruins of Cassville, and near night followed. The first day out they began to reduce baggage by camped near Cartersville, where we received our last mail until throwing away what they could not carry. Our men quietly we arrived at Savannah, the latter part of December. On the came after and picked up by the roadside shirts, drawers, 13th we again broke camp, and after marching a few miles we shoes, socks and everything requisite for a complete outfit, crossed the Ettawa river and burned the bridge behind us. We and in two days' time we had all we wished to carry, then tore up several miles of R. R. track, burning the ties and without the trouble of a requisition on the quartermaster. twisting the rails. This was the first break in our line and cut off We were now fairly started on Sherman's "March to the all communication of Sherman's army with the North, and Sea." Of course our destination was unknown, but, with an caused a considerable speculation among us in the ranks as to intuitive sense that comes to an old campaigner, we what the move was to be. The next two days we made long concluded we were starting on a long march, and were to marches, and by way of variety would stop occasionally and tear up a few miles of R.R. track.
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live on the country we were marching through, so we laid our covered bridge over a branch of the Oconee river. This gave plans accordingly. us a vantage ground, as the river guarded our flanks, so it After our last engagement at Jonesboro I had been was only necessary to post two pickets at the end of the appointed 2d lieutenant, but as my commission failed to arrive bridge, giving the remainder of the men a chance to sleep. I was still 1st sergeant. Our captain was on other duty, leaving Soon a thunder shower came up, and for two hours the wind me in command of the company, so I selected four good genial blew and the rain seemed to pour down in sheets, but we, fellows to comprise our mess. One of them was sent out as a with the tight roof of the bridge over our heads, could laugh forager, knowing he was well adapted to that line of duty, and at the storm, as we were dry and comfortable as in a house, he filled his part of the work so well that our mess were seldom and of course felt very sorry for company A, who, though hungry. The remainder of us divided up our cooking utensils occupying the reserve, were exposed to the full fury of the and baggage, with a portion for each to carry, while our work blast. was so arranged that each one had a certain part to perform, all The next morning we leisurely cooked our breakfast, of which we were willing to do, and a little more if necessary. then packed up our tents and blankets all dry and in good So we always ran our mess without any growling or fault order, and at eight o'clock a.m. were called back to the finding, so common in the army. Our noon halt was from forty reserve, and we found them in a pitable condition. They had minutes to an hour, and so systematically was our work been stationed in a cornfield, and put up their tents performed that in that time we would start a fire, boil coffee, congratulating themselves on being on the reserve, with but cook meat and potatoes, eat a hearty dinner, wash and pack our little to do. But the first blast of the storm had taken down mess kit, and often have a few minutes left to wash ourselves, most of the tents, while the rain soon changed the ground to or if any preferred it, enjoy an after dinner smoke, before the the consistency of a bed of mortar, and in that unenviable bugle sounded to "fall in." At night, when ordered to camp, it condition they had passed the night. Now they were busy was the duty of one who carried a small hatchet to cut tent- wringing the water from their tents and blankets, and with poles and put up our small shelter tent; another to make fire and their clothes thoroughly saturated were getting ready to cook supper; the third brought water and made coffee, while march. the fourth would look up a back load of straw for a bed. By this Monday, Nov. 21 — We were quite late in starting, and means our mess often had our tent up, a good bed provided, were then sent to guard our wagon train. This gave us a hard and were sitting around a steaming supper of coffee, fresh pork, day's march and deprived us of our dinner hour. We did not and sweet potatoes, before some had even got their tents up. reach camp until eight p.m., when, with appetites sharpened On Sunday, Nov. 20, after a long day's march, we camped from a day's fasting, we were in good condition to enjoy our for the night near the village of Eatonton. We soon had our supper. tents up and everything comfortable for the night, when orders Tuesday, Nov. 22 — Seeing no signs of a move I came for two companies to go on picket. Co. A and our Co. K managed to secure a horse and went out with a party for a were selected, and placed in command of the captain of Co. A, day's foraging. The horse I rode was a captured one, and who, in order to give his company an easy tour of duty, proved a good mount. He would take any fence or ditch I remained with them at the reserve, and ordered me to take my rode him to, so we took our course right across the country. company about a half mile in advance, and occupy the outpost. At noon we had ridden about twenty miles, when we This would give his men a chance to sleep all night, while our stopped at a plantation for dinner, then loaded an ox cart company would have to stand guard, and be deprived of sleep, and two wagons with potatoes and pork, with which we leaving us in poor shape for a long march the day following. started to return. All went merrily for a few miles, when, on But he being captain and I sergeant there was nothing for me to ascending a hill, as we reached the top we met a squadron of do but obey. rebel cavalry coming up on the opposite side. As our party We advanced about a half mile, when, seeing a much better numbered but six, we saw there was no show of fighting, so place beyond the village, we advanced to it, where we found a concluded it was to be a foot-race, and setting an example to
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Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
the rest of our party, I wheeled, gave my horse the spur, and slowly until four p.m.. when we went into camp. Soon our started down the hill, leaving our loads of forage for the enemy. forager arrived well loaded, and our Thanksgiving dinner, Half way to the foot of the hill we turned to the right, leaped that was thrown away in the morning, was more than made the fence, and, with about fifty yelling rebels at our heels, up at night. Instead of enjoying it at 12 o'clock noon, it was struck for a piece of woods near by. The shots from their 12 o'clock midnight. Nevertheless, with appetites sharpened carbines flew thick and fast, and how we all escaped was a from long hours of fasting, we did ample justice to a bill of mystery. Not one of us were hit, not even our horses. We soon fare of no mean order. reached the wood, and the enemy retired, when we, taking a First, there was boiled turkey and roast sweet potatoes; roundabout course, reached camp soon after dark, having then came baked corn bread, dressed with, sorghum syrup. ridden over fifty miles since starting in the morning. This, washed down with a quart cup of coffee, made a meal plenty hearty enough to retire immediately after. But nothing seemed to disturb the digestion of a soldier. Dyspepsia was an unknown disease in the army. The enemy seemed now to have got an idea of what our march meant, and determined, if they could not stop us to annoy us all they could. They gathered together all the cavalry that could be spared from other places, and placing them under command of Gen. Wade Hampton, hung upon our advance and flanks, ready to pick up any forager who strayed away too far from our line of march. Most of the skirmishing was done by the foragers, who went in advance of our main army. They were composed of a reckless dare- devil sort of rough riders, each one striving to take the advance, and with a dash drive the enemy back, and then be the first to reach a plantation, as the first ones in usually had the best picking, and the foraging was not always for the benefit of the army. Self was not forgotten. If money, watches or jewelry was found it was invariably confiscated. Some of them who never owned even the cheapest kind of a
watch, or any jewelry before entering the service, were now Thursday, Nov. 24. - To-day was Thanksgiving in N.Y., sporting expensive gold watches and diamond rings. This and as we saw no signs of moving we commenced cooking had a very demoralizing effect upon the men. Even those Thanksgiving dinner. Just as we had it nearly started orders who were considered honest before the war soon learned to came to move, and as we could not carry a half-cooked dinner gather in anything of value that they considered portable. we had to throw it away. And I believe there are in prisons today, in different parts of At noon we reached Milledgeville, the capital of the State, the country, men who took their first lessons in thieving and halted just outside the city. The fog was so heavy we could while acting as one of Sherman's foragers. see but little of the place. The state house loomed up in the Saturday, Nov. 26.—Reveille at four, and at seven we distance, but we could see nothing distinctly. While we halted were on the road. For the first few miles we moved slowly here some of our officers went into the city, and taking and could hear the foragers skirmishing quite lively. possession of the legislative hall, organized a mock legislature, Sometimes the firing would be by volleys almost as heavy and proceeded to vote Georgia back into the Union. as a line of battle. The 20th corps were moving on a road We passed through the suburbs and crossed a covered parallel to the one we were on, and a few miles to our right, bridge that spans the Oconee river. From here we traveled on
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Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
and we could hear them popping away about as lively as our through the town of Louisville and a few miles from there own advance. Soon the work became too heavy for the went into camp. foragers, when our regiment were sent forward to help them. We remained in camp at Louisville two days, which Now a running fight commenced that was kept up until about gave us a chance to close up and get the army in good ten a.m., when we reached Sandersville, a small station on the shape, as the army in front of us were increasing in Savannah & Macon R. R. Here the road traveled by the 20th numbers, rendering it necessary to be always ready for an corps and the road our corps (the 14th) were on came together. attack. Here Gen. Sherman showed his superior military We found the 150th N. Y. regiment, of Dutchess Co., were on genius in deceiving the enemy. He faced the whole army one road while our regiment was in advance on the other, - so towards Augusta, leading the enemy into the mistake of there was not only a running fight with the enemy but a foot concentrating their forces at that place, which they race between the two regiments, to see which would first enter commenced to fortify. He then quickly turned towards the the village. I guess "honors were easy" between us, as we came seacoast, making Savannah the objection point. into the place neck and neck, and found some good foraging on our arrival. We saw several of our men, as well as the enemy, dead by the roadside, showing that the skirmishing had not been for nothing. A mile from here we camped and could hear Wade Hampton's cavalry skirmishing with our pickets all night. Sunday, Nov. 28. - On starting we found the enemy's cavalry still hovering about our advance, trying to annoy us all in their power. They destroyed the road bridges to delay us, while we destroyed the railroad tracks to cripple them, but they neglected one important factor which, had they taken in consideration, would have made Sherman's raid almost if not ♦ ♦ AFTER ACTION REPORTS ♦ ♦ entirely a failure—that is to have destroyed all the forage in The following are the after actions reports of members advance of us and have driven off all cattle, horses, and mules. of the company on the events that we have attended over the As it was, we lived entirely on the country, while our drove of past month. Anyone wishing to submit a report contact the cattle, numbering some three thousand when we started from Newsletter Editor at [email protected]. Atlanta, from which we killed as needed all the way through, numbered more than twice that amount when we arrived in front of Savannah. Worn out mules we left, and took good ones 150TH FLORENCE STOCKADE in their places, while our cavalry were never so well mounted. OCTOBER 10TH TO 12TH, 2014 All this was our gain and at the same time impoverished the
South, as it left them no animals to work their land. November 5th, 1864 (2014) About noon of the 28th we reached a small branch of the On October 11th, myself along with several others in Ohoopee river, and found Wade Hampton's troops had burned my company and other unfortunate comrades from other the bridge just before our arrival, so we turned aside and rested companies, arrived at the so called Florence Stockade. I say until near sunset, while our engineers put down a pontoon so called, because there was barely a trace of any wall, bridge. These pontoon boats were different from the heavy except for a rope, which marked the boundary of the lumbering concerns that were used in Virginia, requiring five to stockade until the wall could be built. ten teams to transport them. These were made with light frames Once we arrived, we set about building shelters with covered with canvas. They were easily taken apart and were so what meager blankets and shelter tents we had. After light that one team would carry several of them, and yet they building our scanty shelters, we laid about, until someone possessed sufficient strength and buoyancy to bridge the started singing those oft repeated strains which we all could swiftest running stream. After crossing the stream we passed
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Volume VIII, No. 8 The Riflemen’s Standard Thursday, November 13th, 2014
remember when we were back in the ranks fighting for the glorious Union. At which time we all joined in singing those songs that gave us hope, that we may again be back in the ranks fighting this "Southern Confederacy." After which we went to bed. The night was made terrible by the loathsome mosquito. We were in the swamps of South Carolina, and these devils seemed to think you an endless reservoir of life blood, of which they fed. We would have made perfect candidates for the insane asylum. The next day we spent milling about the stockade, becoming familiar with the area and searching for any friends Returning the Prisoners to the Stockade we knew from Andersonville. During this time we met the most cruel guard, Kenneth Robison, he was quite a mean fellow and was known to have taunted our boys in to crossing 150TH SANDERSVILLE the rope just so he could shoot them. He wouldn't have been so NOVEMBER 7TH TO 9TH, 2014 brave had he been inside the stockade!
We had a few local citizens came by to visit with the guards and gawk at us as if we were animals on display. I will say, that we were quite the spectacle and should not be surprised at their intrigue. Later in the day, some of the boys had the liking of sneaking out of the stockade to find something to eat. The plan, however, was made known to most of the men on our side of Pie branch, and the attempt was made by almost all of them. We escaped just long enough to get a decent meal from a local eatery. The people were very kind. After which we were eventually rounded up and marched back to the stockade. David Bourhenne, Co. H, 17th N.Y.V.V. The Flying Dutchmen Mess at Sandersville
Inside the Stockade Sign on a Business Door in Sandersville
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