Today in History:

46 Series I Volume LIII- Serial 111 - Supplements

Page 46 Chapter LXV. S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C.

the vessels containing them to come immediately to Savannah, but only two arrived in time to be of service in supplying the army before it left Sister's Ferry and Pocotaligo on the march northward. There was some delay in the arrival od supplies from the North, adn the amount that could be spared from the depot at Hilton Head was very small. Forage was especially slow in arriving, not being received in suffeicient quantities to supply the daily consumption until about the 10th of January, and for a week the animals suffered a great deal for want of food. In the meantime they subsisted mainly on rice straw, which was found in the vicinity, but did not do well on that alone.

My officer worked with ability and almost unceasingly to hasten the resupply of the army, and notwithstanding the unavoidable delay occasioned by the slow arrival of forage, shoes, stockings, stationery, wagon grease, and other articles of less importance, the army was sufficiently supplied by the 15th of January to begin the new campaign. The want of wagon grease I patrially remedied by directing Captain Butze to take possession of and issue a quantity of tar owned by the Savannah Gas Company, which, mixed with a little flour, made a tolerable substitue. The overflowing of the low country occasioned by the heavy rains dealyed the Left Wing, the command of General Slocum, from crossing the Savannah River at Sister's Ferry until February 1, and the Right Wing, General Howard, was detained at Pocotaligo until January 29. Supplies were forwarded to both these points in light-draft steamers up the the last moment before the troops left, so that before starting they were nearly equipped. The principal deficiency was in stockings. A patrial supply of that article arrived and was immediately forwarded to the two wings a few days before they left. The commanding general left Savannah for the army January 22, 1865, and order me to remain on the coast and be prepared to supply his army wherever it might be compelled to come to the coast. Georgetown, Willmington, and Morehead City, and possibly Charleston, were mentioned as points to turn my attention to. The uncertainty of the point was very perplexing and embarrassing, and I determined to make a trip to Morehead City, looking into the harbors designated, in order to get all the information I could in regard to the facilities, &c., for supplying an army. After making this inspection I returned to Savanah on 20th of Februarty, 1865, and gave orders that all vessels laden with supplies for our army then at Hilton Head or in Savannah River, or which should arrive, be sent to Morehead City, expect that some vessels conatining forage and subsistence should be left at Hilton Head and some should go into Cape Fear River so as to be prepared for the possibility of the army's coming to the coast at Charleston, Georgetown, or Wilmington. Such of our supplies at Savannah as had not been taken by the army were realaden and sent to Morehead City, leaving sufficient at Savannah for the troops at that place.

Having a good deal of faith in General Sherman's ability to reach Goldsborough, I determined to commence at once preparations at Morehead City for a depot. On the 21st of February I sent my chief depot officer, Captain Cadwalader, and his assistants, to Morehead City with instructions to commence work at once. Having given instructions to Major C. W. Thomas, quartermater at Hilton Head, that in case General Sherman should come to the coast, either at Charleston or Georgetown, to immediately force supplies to him (the means having ben Head for that purpose), I started from Savannah March 4. I touched at Wilmington, placed an officer in charge of the laden vessels arriving there, and reached Morehead City March 8. At this place


Page 46 Chapter LXV. S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C.