Today in History:

37 Series I Volume LIII- Serial 111 - Supplements

Page 37 Chapter LXV. THE SAVANNAH (GEORGIA) CAPTAING.

behaved well. Their captain (Roberts) is a brave and daring man. Inclosed is a list* of those of the company who, sharing the fortunes of our troops, have returned to this place and been furloughed for thirty days. I recommend them for the full pardon conditionally promised.

With deep gratitude to a kind Providence, it is my pleasure to report that my losses were small, but 5 killed and 5 wounded. One of the wounded (Cadet Marsh) has since died, as also Mr. Stephen Manigault, of Charleston, S. C., of Heyward's cavalry, who received his death would under Hartride at Ball's Ferry on the evening of the 23rd of November. Advanced in years, possessed of wealth, and of high social position, all of which might have screened him from military service, he nevertheless did not hesitate to uphold, as a private in the ransk, the political opinions he maintained. He fell gallanty fighting for them. His friends have already embalmed his memory, but it many be permitted to his accidental commander, personally a stranger to him, but who had learned his worth, to add a leaf to the chaplet of laurels that crowns his tomb, and to hodl up his conduct as an example for imitation. What injury was inflicted upon the enemy we could not learn. Prisoners taken reported their loss as forty-five on the first day, November 23. Three bodies, unburied, were found at the ferry on the 24th, and I have learned since my return that a number of graves opposite the ferry mark in part the stubbornness of Talbot's resistance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

HENRY C. WAYNE,

Major-General.

His Excellency JOSEPH E. BROWN,

Governor of Georgia.

[44.]

Reports of Major General Gustavus W. Smith, C. S. Army, commanding First Division, Georgia Militia.


HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, Georgia MILITIA,
Camp near Augusta, Ga., December 31, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command during the recent siege of Savannah:

In compliance with your order of December 7 my division was placed upon the right of the lien, which at this point was about three miles from the city, and extended from the Savannah River to the Central railroad. One brigade, having been previously detached by your order, was stationed on the Atlamaha River, guarding the Savannah and Gulf railroad bridge. The enemy were at that time within a short distance, and steadily approaching by the Augusta and Louisville roads, on both of which slight batteries had already been constructed and four heavy guns placed in position. Near the river on our right flank were two small batteries, one 32-pounder being mounted on each. There were some rifle-pits prepared for skirmishers on a portion of the line. Otherwise the position was not fortified; but there was a swamp in front of us between the Louisville and Augusta roads, and rice-fields from the latter to the river-bank, which gave considerable natural strength to the position. Notwithstanding the deficiency of intrenching tools, a good deal of work was done upon the lines in the course of two days,

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* Omitted.

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Page 37 Chapter LXV. THE SAVANNAH (GEORGIA) CAPTAING.