Today in History:

210 Series I Volume XLIV- Serial 92 - Savannah

Page 210 Chapter LVI. OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA.

I append hereto a series of campaign maps,* prepared by Captain McDowell, chief topographical engineer for the corps, showing the positions of the several divisions at each camp during the march from Atlanta to Savannah. These positions were laid down and the notes accompanying the maps kept by Lieutenant-Colonel Asmussedn inspector-General of the corps. The faithful and skillful manner in which this work is done present a complete and accurate view of the daily marches of the corps.

Tabular statement marked A shows the casualties of the corps by division during the campaign-an aggregate of 12 killed, 88 wounded, 165 missing. Of the missing the greater part were stragglers and small parties of foragers captured. Some few were deserting bounty-jumpers, who had reached us just before marching from Atlanta. In the case of Captain Reid. One hundred and seventh New York Volunteers, missing with a detail of forty-three men, foraging, I have ordered a special report of the statement made by a rebel cavalry officer who was of the capturing party. If these statements are true, Captain Reid behaved in a most shameful and cowardly manner, and should be dismissed in disgrace. As both officer and men still prisoners of war no proper investigation can now be made.

We captured, on the march and before Savannah, 30 officers (13 of whom were naval), 135 privates, and 14 seamen; 122 deserters came into our ranks. A tabular statement and list of officers captured prepared by Major Parks, provost-marshal, is attached hereto, marked B. # A very considerable number of prisoners were taken on entering the city, all of whom are in the hands of the post commandant and will be the subject of report by him.

I make the following estimates of public property destroyed and supplies taken from the country, upon the information from commanders and staff officers, approved by my own observation and judgment:

Miles marched by the troops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305

Miles trains moved (as per odometer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281. 35

Miles of railroad destroyed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Besides railroad destroyed, more than a million feet of timber for the largest sized bridges and thousands of cords of wood were burned.

Number of animals taken from country:

Horses, reported by Captain Whittlesey, chief quartermaster. . . 410

Horses, reported by Major Reynolds, chief of artillery. . . . . . . . . 40

Horses, put into teams and not reported (estimated). . . . . . . . . . . . 150

600

Mules, reported by Captain Whittlesey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,020

Mules, reported by Major Reynolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Mules, put into trains in exchange for poor animals and

never reported (estimated). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600

1,720

Total animals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,320

Forage-

By Captain Whittlesey; s report:

Pounds.

Corn taken en route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,227,984

Corn taken east of Atlanta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,932,468

By Major Reynolds' report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130,000

Total corn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,290,452

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* See Plate LXXI, Maps 1 to 11 of the Atlas.

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# Omitted.


Page 210 Chapter LVI. OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA.