^ - <-" • .''(CCCC-X George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection 1 4 ^ fere ^^«^ ^S: ^y f^ cS (^ *cl:vA ; ^^ i\^ ■',>'£<« ^(cd oflH lo w-v^-.^^-"* - ♦ **\ r' ' -i-f^ \ 3 THE FLOWERS COLLECTION T^. . 'P STATE OF GEORGIA, l AlUUTANT & ISHV. GkXS. OFVICK. - ^FtKutn, Fohrnary *2S. I'^t*;"). ) To His Exckli-kncv, .iosKPH E. J>rown, Governor of (xeoi'ij^ia : Vou/' E.rcvllency : — In coin])li;UH'G with the Rosohiti'on of the House of TiepresentativctJ, of the IStli iupt.. received this niorntin>-, 1 have the l)onor to trarisniit herewith, th(? Reports of Major Generals Smith and Wayne of the operations of the Militia in the lield since 18th of Outobcr last: nnd also, the Resolution of tlie ITout^e callin«^ for these pii})e)s. \^ery Respectfully, Your ol)'t serv't, HENRY C. AVAYNE, Adj't. and Lisp. Gen, lIEADQUARTEKy 1st DIVS. GA. MILITIA. I DKCEMiua: (.i'.'ii 18<)4. \ Lt. (rENL. W. J, HaUOEE, CoTninundineaure.gard and Hood, (and by them aj^proved,) it was deemed neither practicable or expedient to make a direct ^attack nj^ODx Atlanta, or upon the railroad line us suggested ; so niy command continued in obser- vation near Atlanta, j^reventing the enemy from foruaiug and keeping them within their line of works, supporting Ihigadier (•General Iverson who had, just in advance of us, two brigades of cavalry. On ihe night of the 12th of November, Major General Wheeler of the qavalry, reached my lieadquurtev:* anil soon after the advance of his forces from Alabama began to arrive. On the 15th of November, the enemy moved out from Atlanta and advanced upon us with his whole force, viz : the 15th, 17th and •JOth Corps, with Artillery and Cavalry, which was soon after joined by the 14th. Our cavalry were driven that afternoon from Jonesboro to Lovejoy's and at dark I moved my force back to Griffin, at which place we had fortificatiens and I felt we could there check the enemy should he advance directly upon us. In the afternoon of the 16th it was ascertained the great mass of the enemy-s forces had moved through McDonough on the 'direct road from Atlanta to Macon, at which latter place there was at that time no garrison. At dark on the same day I left Griffin and marched my command to Forsyth, a distance of thirtj-five miles in twenty-four hours. Learning that the enemy were crossing to the east bank of the Ocmulgee River, I moved the command to Macon, and about that time received orders from General Beauregard to report by letter to Lieutenant Gen- eral Taylor. A copy of that letter is herewith transmitted. All of my command except the Georgia Militia, and two Reg- iments of State Line Troops (which reported to me just before leaving Lovejoy's,) were at this time turned over to Major Gen- eral Cobb. The defence of a portion of the lines around Macon, on the west bank of the Ocmulgee, was assigned to the force still left in my command. Before the troops were fairly in position, orders were received to cross the river and occupy a position covering East Macon, This movement occupied the whole night. Soon after daylight next morning my five Brigades were in the respective positions assigned them, no two being in the same part of the field. During the morning of Monday the 21st, the First Brigade, under your own personal instructions, given direct to the Colo- nel Commanding, was sent along the line of the Central Rail Road, with orders to move as rapidly as possible, either by rail- road or otherwise to the city of Augusta. In the afternoon of tlie same day, Anderson's Battery of Artillery was assigned to the Militia, and you directed me to move as soon as possible with this battery, the 2d, 3d and 4th Brigades of Militia, and tlio two regiments of the State Line to Augusta. They moved Tuesday morning in the direction of Griswoldville, with orders to l^alt there aSd^aWg^it further instructions from me. You also informedM'e that you had ordered Major Cook with the Athens and Augu&ta Battalions to proceed to Augusta, and directed me to take them in my command if I came up with them on the route. Arrangements for transportation, of ammu- nition, and supplies detained me for a few hours in Macon, which place you had left on the evening previous. Lieuteoant General Taylor arrived there on the morning of the 22d. In- formation having been received showing very clearly that a much larger force of the eiiemy .wae near the city th^n w%8 supposed when you ^ave the orders for my troops to move, he authorized me to direct them to return. Mj order reached them on the eve of an engagement with what was supposed to be a small force of the enemy. Notwithstanding my order to avoid an engagement at that place and time a collision occurred, we being the attacking party, and though the officers and men behaved with great gal- lantry, they failed to carry the works of the enemy, but held a position within one hundred and fifty yards of their line until after dark, when they were withdrawn to Macon by my order. The First Brigade of Militia M-as not engaged, having passed that point in the execution of orders given by yourself. Major Cook commanding the Athens and Augusta Battalions, moving under orders direct from yourself, was upon the ground, and en- faged in the action. Our loss was a little over six hundred, eing more than one-fourth of the efiective muskets -we had in the engagement. Several of the best field officers of the com- mand were killed and wounded. It is evident now that our men were opposed by the largej* portion of one corps of the enemy, while another was marching trom Clinton in their rear, and I consider the troops were very fortunate in being withdrawn without disaster. Lieutenant (leneral Taylor having become satisfied that the enemy was leaving the vicinity of Macon, directed me to move my command on Friday morning by rail to Albany, thence march to Thomas ville, thence by rail to Savannah. We arrived in Thomasville by noon Monday, having marched from Albany, a distance between fifty-five and sixty miles in fifty-four hours. At Thomasville, instead of finding five traint;, the number I had requested to be sent, there were but two, and these could not be started until after dark, and did not arrive here until two o'clock Wednesday morning, occupying twice the time necessary between Thomasville and Savannah, and leaving the 2d, 3d, and 4th brigades at the former place. Upon arriving here, almost broken down by fatigue and want of rest, with oflr eers and men similarly situated,! received, before leaving the cars, a peremptory order from yourself, requiring me to take the Militia of Georgia beyond the limits of tho State, which was in direct violation of the Statute organizing and calling them into service. Considering the jaded condition of both officers and men, I determined not to move the Militia or the State Line beyond the limits of Georgia until satisfied in my own mind that absolute necessity demanded it. In a personal inter^•iew with yourself, you informed me that the enemy had moved out from Broad Tliver, were encamped within a few miles of the Savannah and Charleston Eailroad, threatening Grahamville and Coosawhatchee, and unless vigor- ously opposed would undoubtedly break the road at one or both of these points, soon after daylight, and that the only force you '6 had in your whole command which could by any possibility be brought upon the ground in time, was two regular Confederate Regiments from (Jharleston, and you believed these would be there too late, and that if I could hold the enemy in check until 2 o'clock, P. M. and prevent their cutting the road before that time, several thousand reinforcements from ISTorth and South Carolina, intended for Savannah would arrive. In this inter- view I showed you my qualined authority from the Governor to witlidraw the Georgia State forces under my command from Confederate service in case they were ordered beyond the limits of tile Stata After a full conference with yourself, I was per- fectly satisfied that for the purposes intended it was right and proper tlie movement should be made, and I gave orders accord- ingly. Notwithstanding some objections made by a portion of officers and men the order was willingly obeyed. The leading brigade arrived at Grahamvijle about 8 o'clock Wednesday morning, the 30th of Xovember. You kindly tendered me the services of your Chief of Artillery, Col. Gonzales, who upon our arrival at Grahamville, introduced me to Col. Colcock, Commander of the Military District, Maj. Jenkins, the Commander of the immedi- ate vicinity, and Capt. DeSaussure, Col. Colcock's Adjutant General. To these foui- gentlemen particularly, and other offi- cers acquainted with the locality, I am indebted for the informa- tion upon which I based the direction of the whole operations for tlie day. Colonel Colcock reported the enemy rapidly ad- vancing, skirmislung with some companies of his cavalry and a few pieces of artillery. He was just starting to the front and I roo^uested him to select a position for my leading Brigade so soon as I could dispatch it to him. I awaited the arrival of the second train of my own troops and the Forty-Seventh Georgia which was momentarily expected from Charleston. Having "•Ivcn the necessary orders to these forces, I joined Co]. Colcock •I few minutes after 10 o'clock, some four miles from the Graham- ville depot, and about one-half mile from the position we finally assumed. Col. C. informed me tJie enemy had already occilpied the position selected by him as the best for defence, before my troops arrived. This made it necessary in my judgment, that the leadino:; brigade should be counter-marched at once and placed in position on a line with our main battery. The troops in rear were hurried up and placed upon the same line to the right and left of the road. The enemy in the meanwhile steadily advanced along the main road upon our position. After a proper disposition of our forces had been made and a skirmish line ordered forward, Colonel Colcock, the Commander of the District, and next oflicer in command upon the field to tnyself, was assigned to the immediate executive command ef the main line ; Colonel Gonzales was ])laced in charge of the Artillery, and Major Jenkins of &U the Cavalry, Captain De« Saussure who was thoroughly acquainted with the whole coun- try remained near me. The Forty-Seventh Georgia had not yet reached the field. Within five or ten minutes after these dispositions had been made, the battle begun by an advance piece of our artillery firing upon the enemy. Their line of bat- tle was soon formed, and from that time until near dark thev made continuous efforts to carry our position. We had actuall^ engaged five pieces of artillery, and it is due to the South Caro- lina Artillerists that I should say that I have never seen pieces more skilfully employed and gallantly served upon a difficult field of battle. In an hour the enemy had so extended and de- veloped their attack that it decame absolutely necessary for me to place in the front line of battle my last troops, the Forty- SeVenth Georgia Regiment, making in all about fourteen hundred eft'ective muskets on the field, and all engaged. From time to time alterations had to be made in our lines by changint^ the positions of regiments and companies, extending intervals 6cc. to prevent being fianked, and while we could not, from the dense wood, accurately estimate the number of the enemy, it was verv clear their force largely exceeded ours, and I awaited with some anxiety, the arrival of the Thirty-Second Georgia, and the forces expected from North and South Carolina. Too nmch credit cannot be given to Colonel Colcock, Colonel Gonzales, Major Jenkins, and Capt DeSaussure, to all the officers of my own staff — to Colonel Willis, commanding First Brigade of Georgia Militia; Colonel Wilson, Commanding State" Line Brigade: Major Cook, Commanding the Athens and Augusta Battalions of Reserves ; Lieutenant Colonel Edwards, Commanding the Forty-Seventh Georgia Confederate Regiment, and to all the officers and men of every arm engaged upon that field. In short, I have never seen or known of a battle-field upon which there was so little confusion, and where every order was so cheerfully and promptly obeyed, and where a small number of men for so'lon^r a time successfully resisted the determined and oft repeated el- forts of largely superior attacking forces. The flight of the en- emy during the night, and the number of their dead left upon the field, is evidence of the nature of the attack as well as the defence. About half-past-four o'clock, P. M., Brigadier General Robert- son arrived with a portion of the Thirty Second Georgia from Charleston, a Battery of Artillery, and a Company of Cavalry. These constituted an efiective reserve, but came up too late to bo used in the action. During the night the enemy retired rap- idly in the direction of their (run Boats. Our loss in every arm of service was eight (S) men killed and forty-two (42) wounded. The enemy left over two hundred of their dead upon tlie field, and their whole loss in killed and wounded is believed to be upwards of one thousand. At midnight Brigadier General Chesnut arrived at Graham* ville Station with about three hundred and lifty eflective mus- kets of South Carolina Reserves, and a little before daylight upon the morning of the 1st of December, Brigadier General Baker came up with eight hundred and sixty of his Brigade from North Carolina, the remainder of his command, about eleven hundred reached Coosawhatchie at nine o'clock. Lieut. Grneral Hardee arrived at Grahamville Station between eight and nine o'clock on the morning of the 1st of December. The enemy having been beaten back on the 30th of Novem- ber, and the Confederate forces having now arrived, there was in my judgment, no longer any necessity for retaining the State Troops of Georgia beyond their legal jurisdiction. 1 therefore asked and obtained permission to bring these exhausted troops back to their own State. They arrived here by Lieutenant General Plardee's order, about ten o'clock that nig]it. P'or full particulars of the engagement near Grahamville, S. C, I refer you to the reports of subordinate commanders which will be forwarded as soon as furnished. Very respectfully^, your ob't serv't, (Signed)' • ' G. W. SMITH, Major General. j Copy. I Macon, November, 19, 1864. General: — General Beauregard has informed me by tele- o-raph, that you will take immediate command of the forces in (reoroia, and directed me to report to you by letter. My own proper command consists of one division of Militia — four brig- ades of Infantry, numbering in all, nineteen hundred effective muskets when we left Lovejoys. I have not yet received the return since their arrival here yesterday afternoon. Besides the xMilitia there was temporarily assigned to me by Gen. Cobb, one rec^iment and two battallions of Reserve Infantry, number- int>- about i^ine hundred; some three hundred Reserve Local Caval- ry^and one battalion of Confederate Artillery. The forces other than ]\[ilitia proper will, I take for granted, be now placed un- der some other Commander. The enemy moved their strongest column through McDonough, and when I was at Griffin, they had passed through McDonough, and were nearer Macon than J was. AYhen I roachcd Forsyth, having made 50 miles in 48 hours, they were reported crossing the Ocmulgee, and could, by a rapid march, reach Macon by the left bank of the Ocmulgee, M-itlumt opposition. Gen. Cobb ordered the cars to Forsyth for the Infantrv, and directed me to move the whole command to this place without delay. Gen. Wheeler was the senior offi- cer on this theatre of operations, and without giving direct or- ders to the Infantry and Artillery strongly advised, as soon as he developed the strength of the enemy, that I should move to Macon at once. I i'ully concurred in opinion with both Gens. Wheeler and Cobb. Gen. Wheeler is confident that Sherman has with him in this movement, at least tliirty-five thousand effective men, and informs me that the 14th army corps is mov- ing in addition to join Sherman. Since I commenced this let- ter Lt. Gen. Hardee has come in. I will sliow him this letter before mailing to your address. I remain. General, Very Resp'tfully and trulv yours, (Signed) G. W: SMITH, Maj. Gen'l let Div. Geo. Militia. Lt. Gen'l Kicuabd Taylor, Com'dg, &c., tfcc, Sclma, Ala. [Duplicate sent to Montgomery. P. S. General Hardee has just shown me his orders from Richmond dated 17th inst., stating that he commands all Georgia soutli of the Chattahoochee, and directing him to gather convalescents, local troops, etc., to garrison this place. G. W. S. In the above I omitted the two regiments of State Line troops — they joined us the day before we left Lovejoys — the two togeth- er numbering about 400 muskets. G. W. S. [coPY.J HEADQUARTERS Sd BRIGADE [ East Macon, Nov'r. 24, 1864. [ Brig. Gen'l. Phillips, Commd'g 1st Div. G. M : General : — Below please find a report of the casualties of the 3d Brigade, w^kich would have been forwarded sooner, had 1 not been too unwell since my return to camp, to do any busi- ness until this morning. My brigade went into the action on the 22d inst., I suppose about 2 o clock, as you are aware, on the extreme left of the command. After driving the enemy through the field, across the ravine to the edge of the woods about one hundred yards beyond the ravine, I halted them, and although our ammunition was nearly exhausted, I held that position tiring slowly until dark. The enemy having ceased tiring, and having been in- formed that our forces w'ere being withdrawn on the right, I withdrew my brigade slowly, and In good order, and reported to you at Griswoldville. I am glad to be able to say, that the men and officers of my command, although they suffered severe- ly as the list of casualties will show, acted well. * Respectfully submitted, [SignedJ C. D. ANDERSON, Brig. Gen'l. 3d. Div. 10 f-coPT 1 HEADQUARTERS Ci. S. LINE, ) November 2Wh, 1864. f Brg. Gen. Phillips, Commanding Division: General : I have the honor to report the part of my com- mand took in the engagement with the enemy on the 22d No- vember. Having been ordered to lead the advance on the mardh on the 22d, upon arriving within one mile of Griswoldville, I was informed by Major Cook, of the Twenty-Third Battalion that the enemy had reoccupied the place. I immediately sent for- ward a line of skirmishers to feel the position of the enemy and drive their pickets, this line advanced through the village and halted at enemy's picket line, at this point my line of battle joined the battalion of Major Cook and Major Jackson, who formed on my right, we advanced again our skirmishers, and drove in the enemy's line of pickets and took position on the edge of the old field recently occupied by the enemy. We soon discovered the enemy drawn up in line of battle in the opposite woods behind temporary breastworks. • I had been in line but a few moments before ordered to advance and attack the enemy in front. Major Cook and Major Jackson on the right, my left being supported by General Anderson's Militia Brigade who were to make a simultaneous attack on the enemy's right. By some mis- understanding or mistake the order to advance did not reach Major Cook till my command had been some time in motion. We charged down' through the old held alone, but were soon supported handsomely by Majors Cook and Jackson on my right, both regiments of the State Line keeping a tine line under a most galling and destructive hre trom the entire line. The command advanced to the branch in front of the enemy's works, halted and delivered a heavy and destructive lire on the enemy's front and immediately advanced across the branch under the slope' of the next hill, where they again halted, tiring on the_ en- emy's front, causing them to abandon the houses and take refuge behind their works.- While in this position, the second line composed of the Militia reached the branch, at which point they, supposing our men to be the enemy, fired into my ranks produ- cino- a temporary confusion. Just at this moment the command of &eneral Anderson, (Militia) having been ordered to move by the left flank, the order was also obeyed by one of ray regiments, the second, .to avoid this rear tire, the First Regiment still touching as ordered to the right upon Majors Cook and Jackson, thus causing a small sap in my centre that was immediately filled by the Militia who were then in the branch. The Second Regiment State Line in their movement towards the left, encountered the enemy on the right flank, and poured a well directed fire into their ranks, causing them to exhibit some confusion, while the right wing were actively engaged on the right, the firing was incessant, both my regiments were well ' 11 supported by the Militia who moved up to my line, and became mingled with my men, all forming the same line, that it was difficult to distinguish them, thus matters continued till night and ammunition being well nigh exhausted the command re- tired in good order. Too much commendation cannot be be- stowed upon the men of both regiments of the State Line for the handsome manner in which they bore themselves in the charge through the field for a distance of five hundred yards, un- der a most destructive fire from the enemy, keeping an unbroken front amidst a hailstorm of of bullets, as well as for their deter- mined courage in maintaining their position during the whole engagement. Accompanying herewith I send a list of casual- ties. Among them is some of m}' best men and officers. Con- sidering the number engaged my loss is heavy. I am, General, your most ob't serv't, (Signed) ' B. D. EVANS, Lieut. Colonel Com'ns; Ga. St. Line. [copy.] headquarters 1st DIV. G. M. ) 4;> O'COCK, NOVEMBEK 22l», 1864. ( Brig. Gkn'l. Phillips : I am directed by the Major General to instruct you to with- draw your troops immediately to some convenient camp this side of the Cross Keys, and take a suitable position for the night, unless you receive further orders, ^'ou Avill leave your camp this side of the Cross Jveys at daylight to-morrow morning and come back to the fortifications. Your note of two o'clock has been received, keep the courier who brings this until you march, and notify us accordingly. When you leave to-morrow morning, send a courier stating the time you begin your march for the fortifications. Put your scouts well out to-night upon all roads leading from Clinton, or if the enemy mass upon you from any direction fall back to the lines of fortifications upon their ap- proach and immediately report the facts. There is a good branch just this side of Walnut Creek. Our cavalry were near Clinton this morning, but are being pushed back l>y the enemy. By order, Arc, (Signed) T. H. Jr., A. A. G. I LATER.] mm,. (iK.N. Phillips : The Superintendent of the Central Railroad will have a train by 9^- o'clock at the break about two-and-a-half miles this side of Griswoldville. Dr. Rains will accompany the train and will do all in his power to relieve your wounded men. You will please have vour wounded removed to this point v,'ith all possi- ble speed, ^ho Major General takes this method of tendering 12^ you, and the troops of your command his grateful acknowledge- ments for their gallant conduct in the engagement through ■which you have passed, and is gratified at your success in dri- ving before you the enemies of your country. Had anything of this character been anticipated, the Major General and staff would have been with you to have shared your danger and your honor. The reported advance of the enemy from Clinton makes it necessary that you have your command in position in our works at a very early hour to-morrow morning. You will there- for withdraw them as directed in a previous order, after making suitable arrangements for _yOTi,r wounded, and giving sufiicient time for your men to recover from the fatigue incident to an engagement. The Major General expects information here from the column advancing from Clinton, and if anything of a serious nature occurs he will meet you in person to aid you in giving proper directions to your command. (Signed) T. H. Je., A. A. G. [copy] HD. QUAKTEKS 1st DIV. G. M. ) 12:20 P. M., Macon, Nov. 22d, 1864. ) Bkig. Gen. Phillips : General : — Wheeler having retired to the right, keep a close look out with your skirmishers, and avoid a fight with a superior force. You can best judge of the direction. The wagon train will not leave this evening. * , By command Gen'l SMITH, [Signed] R. Toombs, Ch'f Staff. P. S. — If it be dangerous to get back, take down the Marion Road. Later : 12:45 P. M. General : — Since this note was written, a courier has come in from Maj. Cook, stating that the enemy were advancing upon him at Griswoldville. The wagon train is still here, and it had already been determined not to send it by the route you are on before this information came in. If pressed by a superior force fall back upon this place without bringing on a serious engage- ment if you can do so. If not, fall back upon the road indica- ted in Gen. Toombs' note. Anderson Battery started out this morning — has probably joined you. Let me know as soon as possible exactly what is going on in your front. [Signed] G. AV. SMITH, Maj. Gen'l. If the brigades are not concentrated before this reaches you, Capt. Hawkins is instructed to show this to each Brigade Com- mander and to Maj. Cook. If Anderson's battery has act al- 13 ready joined the Infantry, it will return to tliis place, or join the infantry as may be best in the opinion of the ranking offi- cer present. [Signed J G. W, S. Capt. E. Hawkins, A. D. C. to Maj. Gen. Smith. Gbiswoldville, Nov. 22d, '64. 3:20 P. M. General: — The whole division including Cook's battalion, is one mile in advance of this place on the Central R. 11, in line of battle, with the State Line troops thrown out in front skirmish- ing with the enemy. Anderson's battery opened upon them just as T rode up to the line, the enemy's battery replying, (-ren. Phillips does not know what their force is, and on receiving your instructions, concluded not to advance farther. On the movements of the enemy depends whether or not he will fall back to this place, or remain where he now is. Very Eesp'tfnlly, your ob't serv't, [Signed I E. HAWKINS, A. D. C. F. S. — I will remain to see any developments wiiich may be made before I report in person. | Signed] E. 11. [coi-yj HI). Ql'AllTERS 2d BKIADE, G. M. \ December 8, 18G4. \ CoL. Tnos. Hardeman, A. A. (i : Colonel : — I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the four brigades under my command on the 22d November last. The command loft East Macon at about 8 A. M., and arrived without incident at 12 or 1, within about one mile of Griswold- ville, where I found the Athens and Augusta battalions (under command of Maj. Cook) drawn up in line of battle. 1 also met a number of cavalry at and near this point, all of whom inform- ed me that the enemy was in Griswoldville, and had been en- gaged with some of our cavalry. He was represented to be about 8 or 1"J(>0 strong. 1 formed a line of battle, with Gen. Anderson's Brigade on the right, the Athens and Augusta bat- talions on his immediate left, and J>rig. Gen'l ]\rcCoy"s brigade on the left of the line. The Second P>rigade, under Col. Mann, was formed in the rear as a reserve. The State J^ine under Lt. Col. Evans was deployed as skirmishers und advanced on Gris- woldville, where the enemy had just burnt some buildings and retired before we arrived — of wiiich facts I intbrmed the Major General Commanding at about -1 o'doc^k V. M. Wbilsjt iij GriewoldviUe. Afaj. Cook withdrew the Athens and 14 Augusta 1)attalions from the line, informinc; me tliat he wsa^ or- dered by Lt. Gen'l Hardee to proceed to Auf^-nsta) and proceed- ed down the Central Rail lioad. I soon ordered the command to move down the C. E. R. until it should clear the villaji;e and halt, to await further orders from Maj. Gen. Smith. The rear of the column had not cleared the vilhig-e, when tiring of small arms was heard, some half mile in advance of onr column, which was between the advance and rear unards of Maj. Cook and the enemy. I ordered an advance of the command, and on arriving, I met Maj. Cook who pointed out ro me the enemy, posted on the opposite eminence in line of battle, behind some temporary entrenchments and fortilicatiuns. Maj. Cook's t^kirmishers were then engaged with the eiiom^- on his left. I disposed of the forces represented by the acjcompanying dia- gram, vix : The Athens and Augnsta battalions on our right, (owing to the position they then iield) making rather an obtuse angle, with the State Line on their left, and Gen. ]\[cCoy's brig- ade on the left of the State Line — Gen. M's. left resting neai- and south of the Railroad. Gen. Anderson's brigade was form- ed on the north side of the Railroad, his left resting parallel with the Railroad, and posted Capt. Anderson's battery of four guns at an eligible site on the Railroad on the north side. The Second Brigade under Col. Mann was drawn up in rear of the State Line, and Gen. McCoy's brigade in a secure place to act as reserves. In this position an advance was ordered. Gen. Anderson with his brigade to attack the enemy on his right flank, Maj. Cook with his to attack him on his left tlank, whilst Capt. Anderson, with his battery, the State Line and Gen. Mc- Coy's commands attacked him in the front. Tlio State Line and Gen. McCoy's brigade moved forward in Hue style under a heavy and galling lire, until they reached within some iifty yards of the enemy's works, which position they maintained du- ring the contest, and from which position they delivered a tell- ing lire. Col. Mann deeming that his brigade could be of moie service near the lines, advanced it to near the same position, where it participated in the general action. From some mis- conception of orders when the general advance was being made, Gen. Anderson's brigade faced to the right and swept across the Railroad (saw a small detachment on his extreme left that was cut oft* by a deep cut in the Railroad) and participated with the State Line and Gen. McCoy's brigade in the direct attack, where they, both ofhcers and men, sustained themselves with decision and gallantry. After the action had progressed ibr some hours. Gen. Anderson took the detachment of his men that had been cut olf, went round to the enemy's right ftank, when a most spirited and desperate fight ensued, lasting some hour or more and a half, but the enemy was too firmly estab- lished and the General's force too small to dislodge him. The order to Ma-jor Cook (from some cause of which I mn l)Ot aw»re) 15 to turn the enetny'8 left, was never carried out, yet his command participated fully in the action, deported themselves o;allantly, and I regret to say, suftered much from wounds and deaths. Captain Anderson with his battery did good and valuable ser- vice, soon silencing the enemy's battery and forced upon him many telling shots, lie is a skilfull, brave and meritorious offi- cer. The officers and men deported themselves well during the entire action, which lasted from o P. M., until dark, held their positions and retired in good order to Griswoldville, where I had intended to eneamp and bring olf those of our wounded and dead that had not been removed from the battle-field, but on my reaching Griswoldville I received an order from the Major General Commanding, ordering me to fall back to the trenches at Macon, where I arrived about 2 o'clock, A. M. I can but be- lieve if the flank movement had been carried out with all the Ibrces assigned to that duty, that it would have resulted in dis- lodging and probably routing the enemy — notwithstanding he was, I am satisfied fully e([ual, if not superior, to our forces. Whilst we have to regret the loss of many gallant officers and men, yet we cannot but hope, that they died not in vain. Ac- companying please find a diagram of the field and position of the forces, and the reports of all the officers that I have been able to procure. i am with high regard, your ob't sei vant, (Signed) ■ P. J. PHILLIPS, Brig, Gen. Commanding T)iv. Ga. Militia. riEADQUARTEES FIEST DIYISON G. j\r., i Camp nkar Auuu.sta, January 2Gth, 1865. \ Maj. Gen. II. C. Wavnk, A. cV: I. G. : ' General — Some weeks since, I transmitted for your informa- tion and that of His Excellency the Governor, a copy of my report to l^ieutenant General Hardee, of the operations of the Afilitia from Lovejoy's Station to Savannah, dated December t;th, 1864:. I received yesterday the report of (Tcneral Phillips, who commanded at Griswoldville, and sub reports from his subordinates, all of which are sent herewith, together with copies of orders sent to General Phillips during the day from my Head- quarters, and request that these papers mny be filed in your office, with the copy of my report to General llardce, above alluded to. The casualties' in the battle of Griswf)ldvi]le m-oiv 51 killed and 472 wounded, and it is believed the loss of the enemy was equally as great. Very respectfully, "^'our ob't serv't, (Signed,) G. W. SMITH, Major Geueral; 16 STATE OF GEOEGIA, ) Adjutant a2jd Inspector General's Office, '- Milledgevillc, February 6th, 186.5 \ 2o Ills Excellency JOSEPH E. BKOWN, Governor of Georgia : Your Excellency : An accidental injury to my right hand has prevented a report earlier, of the operations of the Militia under my command since the evacuation of Milledgevillc by the State Forces on the 19th November, 1864, Parting with your Excellency on the evening of the 19th of November at Gordon, where I had been ordered by you at the request of General Cobb, C. S. P. A., dispositions for the night were made as well as could could be done. The command con- sisted of the Corps of Cadets, Prudens' Battery of Artillery, Talbotts' Company of Cavalry, Williams' Company of Militia, the Factor}'^ and Penitentiary Guards, and the Roberts Guards, (convicts.) In all, nominally, 500 men, with 460, aggregate, ac-^ tually fit for effective service, and all under the immediate di-' rection of Major F. W. Caj^ers, Superintendent of the Georgia Military Institute, whom I had apppointed Executive Officer. On Sunday morning, the 20th, my telegraphic communica- tion with Macon was cut at Griswoldville by the enemy, about 10:30 A. M. At 12 M., I learned that the enemy, in force, were moving on my right towards Milledgevillc. Further information of the enemy's movement on Milledgevillc reached me in the afternoon. At 8 P. M., having received no communication from Macon siBce the cutting of the wires in the morning, and feeling in consequence that I was thrown upon my own respon- sibility, I determined, on consultation with my principal officers, to abandon Gordon, as its occupation was of no value, either for the protection of property (all trains and stores having been sent off), or as a military position, and to full back to the Oconee Bridge, as the most important point on the Central Eailroad to be defended. Telegraphing for a train from below, to move down to this new position, one Was sent up on Monday, at about 12:30 P. M. The guns and baggage were immediately put on, and at 4 P. M., as the men were getting on, a report of the ene- my in heavy force three miles oft', was brought in. Talbot's Cavalry was sent forward to hold them in check, while the train moved off', and did so handsomely, covering it also from a liank movement on our right to cut us off, and the retreat of the Artilti j lery horses sent down with their drivers by the Irvvinton Turii-I . pike. A few scattering shots as the train moved off, dropping harmlessly around it, announced the entrance of the advanced guard of the enemy's 15th Corps into Gordon. We brought off everything safely, and arrived at the Oconee Bridge at 0:30 o'clock, P. M, 17 At the bridge, I found a guard ot* ISO men, oonsisting of 1 ley- ward's Companj of South Car«lina Cavah-y, a section of Artil- lery (two pieces) under Lieutenant JIuger, and a Company of the 27th ]>attalion Georgia Reserves, under ALajor Ilartridge, C. S. F. A., sent up two days before by (xeneral McLaws, from Savannah. Tuesday, the 22d, was spent in examining tlie ground and in preparations. The orders from my superior^* were to hold tiie bri<3ge to the last extremity. The mo\ement of the enemy -^yas not a little raid, but his army marching on Savannah. The bridge could be Hanked on the right frem Milledgeville, l>ullalo C>'eek only intervening, and on the left by IJall's Ferry, eight miles below, as well as attacked in front. The long and thick swamps on our side of the river prevented the use of Artillery or Cavalry at either the bridge or Ball's Ferry. An Infantry defence only could be made, and rough tield works, to be hastily thrown up, as there were no ])rcvious preparations lor cover. Major Ilartridge, on liis arrival, had judiciously burned the iMain bridge over the Futfalo and guarded the crossing, and placed a light picket at Ball's Ferry, but his force was too small to prevent any formidable resistance. Three other bridges over the Buftalo wwrc destroyed, the crossings guarded, and the picket at the Ferry strengthened, lleinforcements were called ibr from Savannah, but General McLaws had none to send, and the small command, of not quite seven hundred men, had twenty miles, at least, of line to watoh and guard. IFeld to extreme orders, witli an overwhelming force in front and on both ilanks, these gallant officers and men cheerfully prepared to do their duty and meet their fate. Wednesday, the 2od, the enemy (a Brigade of ICili^atrick's Division of Mounted Infantry, as we were informed by prison- ers taken) appeared on our front at the bridge, about 10:45 A. M., and commenced the attack, which was handsomely met «»ii tlie west bank of the river by the Cadets, under Captaiu Austin, and l>y a detachment of the 4th Ky. Mounted Infantry, under Colonel Thompson, sent to my assistance that morning by (leneral Wheeler, and by one gun of Fruden's Jjattery, mounted on :i platform car, under tlie gallant Fruden himself IvCtiring slowly as they were pressed back to the bridge by the? superior force n\' the enemy, the detac-hment of the 4th Kentucky was \\itluh-:iuii. the Factory and Feuitentiary Guards and Williams' Militia seni in, and a line formed on the east bank of th» river, under the direction of ^[ajor Ca]»prR, who had begn assigned t» special command at the bridge. At 12:304^1., it was reported to me i'rom the ferry, that the enemy, in numbers, were on the opposite side, had driven in our pickets, seized the tlat whi(;h the olticei" in charge there had not destroyed on the approach of the enemy, as he had been ordered to do, and were crossing the river. Major Hartridgo was immediately sent down with Heyward's Company 3 IS of Soutli Carolina Cavnliy, Talbot's Cavalry, tho Company of ■ the '37tli Battalion, the Pioberts' Guards and Huger's seol^on of Artillery, to meet this force and drire it back over the river ,- reclaim the flat, and establish a strong guard at the ferr j. This dut}^ the Major performed in a most gallant manner, marching ten miles, driving back over the river between two and three Imndred of the enemy who had crossed — carrying out my orders completely. Leaving Talbot's Cavalry and the Roberts' Guard as an addditional guard, and picketing Blackshear's Ferry, still four miles lower down, ho rejoined me with the remainder of his troops at the bridge, at 10:30 P. M, The force Major Ilartridgo encountered was subsequently reported to be the advance of the 1 5th Corps. As the attack at Ball's Ferry, if successful, necessitated the abandonment of the bridge, by placing the enemy in our rear, the forces at the bridge being as it were in a pocket, I had directed the baggage to be packed, the telegraph to be discon- j nocted, and prepared for an orderly retreat, should we be com- ' polled to abandon the ground. Taking post at the head of the trestle, I awaited the result of Ilartridge's movements. His I ^success re-established our position. In the meantime, the enemy ; at the bridge had been hammering Capers and his command in a lively manner, but without making any impression. Night closed active operations, but only to excite our men to sleepless \igilance, lest, under the shelter of darkness, the enemy might, Avitli his larger numbers, sei;^e an advantage. Thursday the 24th opened bright and cold, and with daylight recommenced the attempt on the bridge. At Balls Ferry the enemy 'had fallen back to his main body. Talbot crossed with some of his cavalry and gathered forty-three rifled carbines, and a (piautity of clothing, knapsacks and other articles apparently abandoned in a hurry. Prisoners and scouts reported the enemy in three columns, about sixty thousand strong, moving in our iront, and on our right and left. At 1:30 P. M. the enemy opened At the bridge with light, long range of artillery, but after throw- ing a few shells withdrew it. Enemy reported building a raft in the woods below Capt. Warthen with flfty -three men, Washing- ton Militia, some mounted and some on foot, reported for duty. At 5 P. M. enemy reappeared in small numbers, a reconnoiter- ing party at Balls' Ferry, and after delivering a few shots re- tired. Bridge hard pressed all day — small parties of cavalry marauding on the other side of the Buffalo, and occasionally feeling the crossings. At 8:15 P. M., the enemy under cover of night, and of heavy vollies of small arms, succeeding in forcing a tiring party up to the far end of the trestle on their side, almost without range of our best rifles, and fired it. Colonel Gaines, with five hundred men joined me at midnight by direction off CJIeneral Wheeler, who had crossed in the morning at Black- shear's Ferry, and at Dubliii. Friday 3r)th, at I A. M., General 19 Ilardce arrived with a portion of his stafl'. At daybreak, tlie enemy opened heavily at the Ferry on Talbot, with two pieces of artillery and small arms. Trestle work burninf!; slowly to- wards the bridge, enemy covering its progress. At A. ]\I., General Hardee returned to No. 13, Enemy reported moving in large force on SanJersville and No. V). At 11 A. M., Lien- tenant Colonel Young, 3<)th Georgia, sent to the Ferry witli a portion of Gaine's command to reinforce Talbot, who was hai-d pressed, but well covered and conlident. The -Ith Iventucky detachment patrolling the roads to our right. During the after- noon tlie lire having approached the bridge, the enemy withdrew from our i'ront, moving to our left. In the evening, Major Capers assuring liimseJf that the enemy had entirely left (»iir front, extinguished the tlames which had reached the bridge, but only charred a few feet of it. The attempt to destroy tlu- bridge by a direct attack in front had failed. At 9:15 V. ]M., Colonel Young commanding at Balls' Ferry, reported that tlie enemy were preparing to cross above and below him, that his men and ammunition were nearly exhausted, and if held in hi.- })Osition until daylight, his command would be sacrificed. ( )n telegraphing this report to General Hardee, at No. 1:!, for wliifli ]>oint the enemy were also making, I receiNcd ordiMv tt> with draw all my forces, and fall back on No. 1."». Saturday, 26tli, 5 minutes past 1 A. j\[., the lbrc(;s were w it!i- drawn, bringing off everything, and at 5:30 A. M.. icacbcd \,j. 13. Here liuger's Artillery was turned ovc'r to (u'lUMai Wheeler, who was impeding the enemy's march from Saining \ille. At 9 A. ]\r., left for the Ogeechee bri*lge, No. !<>, MJiirh 1 had been ordered by General Hardee to occnj)y. Arrivt'd at i L\ M. at the Ogeechee. . *, • '.Sunday 27th — Enemy cut the Waynesboro Kaihvad at Waynesboro in the morning. Ordered to fall back to Milh-ii and fortify. Cavalry left in the front by order of (iemTal llardee, to watch the lu-idges. Arrived at ^^illen 3:3n 1^. M., with the infantry and I'ruden's Ihittery, in all 423 strong. I'\>i tified around the Uailroad Dejmt. JSEonday 2sth — x\t 2 A. M., received information from (ien- oral Wheeler that ivilpatrick with his (•(.•mmand of b(^t\vcon 4,000 und 5,(1011 men had left Waynesboro for ^lillen. Mv scouts on that road gave us no notice of the enemy. At S:l.> .A. M., Major J31ack, Inspector General to (leneral Hardee, ar- rived from u}) the road with the same information. As Kil patriclc, was on good autlTority, reported "to have left Waynes- boro for ^fillen, and as my scouVs "Cn the direct road between the two places give me no hint of his approach, I concluded that his march was to cut me oti' at No. 5 bel^w, and that the safety of my comtiiand required me to fall back to or near that point, i Mafor r>l,ack concurring, theconnuand was moved back to No. 4^ boliindtlie little Ogeechee Bridge, arriving tltere at .'1:30 P. M. 20 Thursday 29th — Occupied in preparing defences. Sent Major TIartridge with his company, of the 2Tth Battalion, to Savannah, as ordered by General Hardee, Rumors vague as to the move- ments and force of the enemy above. Command reduced to the Cadets and Milledgeville Battalion of Infantry, Prudeus' Bat- tery, and the Washington County Militia, in all 350' men. — Emanuel Militia, mounted, numbering about thirty men. re- ported for duty under Captain Clifton. Wednesday November 30 — Sent Major Capers, with an en- gine up the road for information ; communicated with General Wheeler. Thursday, December 1 — Moved with the command up the road to No. G, as a corps of observation. Leaving the command tliere, proceeded on the engine with some of my statF to ISTo. 7. Enemy reported in force at No. 8, and crossing to west bank of the -Oconee. Can learn nothing positively of the force on the right. Friday, December 2 — Captains Bridwell and Darling, Quar- termaster and Commissary, C. S. P. A., who had volunteered their services at Gordon, returned to their station at Milledge- ville, the enemy having left that place. Ascertained positively that the enemy, said to be the 17th corps, are moving down the road; and that another column, reported to be the 15th corps, are three miles below me on the other side of Ihe Oconee. A courier from General Wheeler reports a heavy cavalry force moving down on my right from Waynesboro'. Fell back again to No. 4:1, arriving there at -1 P. M. Saturday, December 3 — Daybreak joined by the State Line and 1st Brigade Georgia militia, of General Smith's Division, from Savaiyiah, under direction of Colonel Ilobert Toombs, Inspector. General 1st Division, lOf A. M. Learned that the 15th corps, on the other side of the Ogeechee, was moving for No. 2, as I had supposed. As this march, if not anticipated, would cut my rear, determined on consultation with Colonel Toombs, to ftxU back to that point, our only dependence being upon the railroad, having no v/agons nor other means of trans- IDortation and no cavalry to cover our movements. Three col- , umns of the enemy being also in our front on the railroad and on \ our rignt. At 11 A. M., joined by General Baker, C. S. P. A., with Ills Brigade of North Carolinians. Explaining to him the position of the enemy, he agreed with me that No. 2 was our post, and the command was accordingly moved down to that station. On arriving at No. 2, I was met by Major Black, of! General Hardee's staff, with instructions to return to No. 4-J, and that further reinforcements would be sent to me. Obeyed the instructions, though in opposition to my own judgment and ^ of my officers, and reoccupied No. 1^ about 7 P. M. Sunday, December 1 — Reinforced early in the morning by Anderson's and Phil lips' Brigades, Georgia militia, of Genera] i 21 Smith's Division. Formed line of battle behind the little Ogeechee, throwing back the right to protect that flank, as the river was fordable above ns, with open pine barren to the Savan- nah river, enabling a superior force to envelop ns easily. Our force consifited of about 4000 men and three pieces, of Pruden's battery. No cavalry. Assigning General Baker as executive officer in command of the line, and Major Capers as Chief of tlie Staff, waited for events. At 1:35 ]•. su, the advance of the 17th corps appeared on our left in front of the cadets, one of Avhom — Coleman, a vidette — brought down the officer of the party, who de'manded his surrender. Skirmishing began on our leftand in front of the bridge oti the railroad. At -i p. >[., General McLaws arrived from Savannah with orders from General Har- dee to assume the command. At 5^ ?. x.. General McLaws having learned the position, directed me to withdraw tlie troops quietly during the night and fall back to 1^. At 7 p. ^r., euemy ceased skirmishing and began entrenching in our front. Monday, Dec. 5, 2 A. M. — Troops withdrawn, and in march for 1-^ Central Railroad. Arrived at 1^, and while examinin"- for a line, received orders to fall back still farther and take up a position within three and a half miles of the city of Savannali. Tuesday, Dec. ('> — Arrived at the lines, within tlircc and a half miles of Savannah, atJ2 A.M. At 10 A.M.. examined the line to be occupied by the State Troops. It extended from the Central Railroad to the Savannah river. Batteries were erected at the Central Railroad, at the Augusta Road' and at Williamson's plantations on the river, but no lines for infantry, nearly three- quarters of a mile, had been tlirown up. Wednesday, Dec. 7 — Gen. Smith rctui-ned to duty, havini:; been temporarily nnwelK and turning over to him his own Divi- sion and Major Capers' l>attalion, I reported to General llardcc for any assistance I could render him. " ' ', Remaining in Savannah until AEonday, the IDtli of Dei^ember, when General JTardee informed me he had ordc.rs to evacuate tlie city, I left with my Staff in the evening, and ridino" up on Xhe South Carolina side, reached this place again cai 'rucsday, the 27th December, and resumed my office duties as Adjutant and Inspector General of the State. In concluding tliis report, I take the opportunity 6f bri'iifiu"- to the notice of your Excellency, a7ul of officially cxpressin^r niv thanks to Majors Ifartridge and Capers, and to the officers «')f ' my Stafl' improvised for the occasion, viz: ^Fajor John O. Vo.y- rell. Assistant Adjutant General ; ]Vressrs. S. P.'jAIyrick. of Hald- win; Chas. J. Harris, of IJibb; Picnjamin Myrick" of iJaldwin, Hon. Francis P. Gue, of Chatham, (nicinber of the Legislature;) R. L. Hunter, of Baldwin, and Captains Bridewell and Darlinif, C. S. P. A., for tlieir valuable counsel, confidence and active aV- Bistance at all times and under any circumstances My thanks arc also due to the gallant officers and mci: whom I had the honor to command, anil to whom I am indebted for fiupport. i would coiispicuoiitily mention Majors liartridge and Capers, and Captains Talbot, Pruden, Austen and "Warthen. The gallantry uf these gentlemen cannot be surpassed. To Major Capers I am under the greatest obligations. His qualifi- cations fur military command are of the highest order, and en- title him to a prominent position. They have been brilliantly illustrated by the Corps of Cadets, whose gallantry, discipline and skill equal anything I have seen in any .military service. I cannot speak too liighly of these youths, who go into a light as cheerl'nlly as they would enter a ball-room, and with the silence and steadiuess of veterans. The Washington county and Eman- uel county militia (foi'ty days" men) deserve commendation, con- sisting as they did of gentJcmen advanced in life, to whom the hardships of camp must have been severe, whose homes were being overrun by the enem3\ and yet who, froni the purest in- , centives of patriotism and of duty, offered their lives in defence,,, uf their State. My thanks arc also due to ])rs. S. D. Brantley and James II. SmitJi, of ^\"ashington county, who volunteered tli.eir surgical skill and instruments during our contest on the banks of the Oconee. Tlic itobcrts' (iuards (convicts) generally behaved well. ''Vheir Ca]>tain, Huberts, is a brave and daring man. Enclosed i> a list of thobC of the Company, who, sharing the fortunes of our troops, luive returned to this place and been furloughed for tliirly days. I recummend them for the full pardon condition- ally promii'jed, AVith deep gratitude to a kind I'rovidence, it is my pleasure t. W. Giilispio. Ivxna Fowlkes. 'i'homus Roomy, S. T. 8cllars. i>everly Watkins. W Woods, l^. A. Robert:^, John Agan, W. H. Turner. J". ('. Craven, W. Smith, J. Donaldson. HEIS-KY C. AVAYj^E, Adjutant and Inspector General 'lA:>L:AJCi llJT]!, J.bti:>. JIe7Jio7rinda. 1st. There is no ])Ctter established fact in military liistory than tliis : " "When a Sovereign ^tate determines to keep in ser- vice a rcguhar army she must pay the expenses.'' 2Ioney is just as necessary to jMilitia vrhilst in service as it is to regulars. TJic Legislature of this State should make an appropriation at once for the su])port of tlic Militia. If this is not promptly done the organization should be given up. lid. All the Militia, or State forces, sliould be regularly .sNrorji and mustered into the service of the State. ;5d. At least one permanent Court Martial should be estab- lished l)y haw for the trial oi']\Iilitia -who are charged Avitli hav- ing cominitted offences against cither the military or civil laws of the State. 4th. No officer should be commissioned even after beiut,' elec- ted until he had first ])asscd an examination before a iJuard oi" competent olli'-crs, and received from such I'-oard u certiiicate staging that he was qualilicd to perform the duties of the oiiu:v. AH officers now in service should be subject to examinatioti before such Board, ou the rccommcndatiou of the commander iu 24 4 the field, and when found incompetent should be reduced to the ranks ; a good court martial and good examining board both made permanent, their duties defined and habitually holding their meetings in the camp would be of great service. . (Signed) G. W. S. To Maj. Gen. 11. C. AVayne, A, A: I. Gen'l. Milledgeville, Georgia. HAMBURG HILLS, S. C, ) February "12, 1865. ^ General — 1 iiavc the bonor herewith to transmit my report to General J. B, Hood, of the part taken by the Georgia Militia ill the operations at and near Atlanta, with tlie rcouest that you show it to his Excellency the Governor and then have it placed oi\ file in your office. I. desire this in connection with the report made to Lieutenant General Hardee, at Savannah, on the 6th of T)eceuit)er, 1864, which has already been sent you, to form the official i-ecord of their action during the time embraced in the two reports. \'ery truly, yours, (Signed,) ' ' G! AV. SMITH, Major General. Ma.ioj: General H. C. Wayjse, A. and I. G., State of Georgia. Otiicial: Jno. O. Ffkrill, a. a. G. HEADQUAETEPvS FIRST DIY. G. M., ] Macox, Ga., September 15, 1864. ) General J. B. Hood, Commanding Army of Tennessee, Xear Lovejoy's Station : (Jejieral — I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Georgia Militia under my command dur- ing the operations at and near Atlanta. My appointment was dated the 1st of June. 1 took com- mand a few days thereafter, relieving Major General Wayne, who returned' to the duties of his ofiice as Adjutant and Inspector General of the State. Tlie force tlien in the field was composed entirely of State officers, civil and military. They had been formed into two Brigades, of three Regiments each, and one Bat- talion of Artillery, numbering in all a little over 3,000 men. The officers of the militia not needed for these Regiments took their places in the ranks as privates with the civil officers. The command had reported to General J. E. Johnston for duty '25, and had been ordered to guard the crossings of the Chattahoo- chee river from Eoswell Bridge to West Point, which duty they continued to perform until ordered by General Johnston to cross the Chattahoochee and support the cavalry upon the left wing of his army, the right wing then being at Kennesaw Mountain. In the execution of this order the militia were twice brought into conflict with the enemy's infantry. They behaved well, thoroughly executed the part assigned them. And when the army fell back to the Chattahoochee they were the last in- fantry withdrawn to the fortilied position. General Johnston, in a letter to Governor Brown, paid a hand- some, and I think, well deserved compliment to them for their conduct beyond the river and their services ii\ beating back the enemy in their attempts upon the various crossings. The da}'^ we readied the Chattahoochee, we were assigned to your corps of the array. You soon placed us in reserve, which it was thought would give some opportunity for drilling and discipling the command, no opportunity for this having previously oc- curred. In the meantime the Reserve Militia of Georgia were ordered out by Governor Brown, and I was ordered to Poplar Spring, near the Atlanta and West Point llailroad, for the pur" pose of reorganizing, arming the reserves, etc. We had not been there three days before you found it necessary to order us into the trenches on the east side of Atlanta. You had m the mean- while been assigned to the command of the army, and instructed mc to report to you direct, instead of through a corps com- mander. There were at this time about 2000 elfective muskets in the command. We guarded over two miles of the lines, hav- ing on them, however, some eighty pieces of Confederate artil- lery. On the 22d of July, whilst Hardee was attacking the enemy on our extreme right, in the direction of Decatur, you ordered the troops on my left to advance. Without waiting for orders, I closed the intervals in my line, formed line of battle in tlie trenches, and moved the militia forward over the parparet more than a mile against the enemy's strong works in our front. They were directed upon a battery wliich had annoyed us very much. Capt. Anderson, who had served with my command be- yond the Chattahochee, volunteered to move his batteiy with us. He took his position in clear open ground, within about 400 yards of th-e embrasure battery of the enemy, supported by the militia on his right and left. Within ten minutes, the effective fire of the enemy was silenced in our front, and after this they only occasionally ventured to show themselves at the embrasure or put their heads above the parapet. My troops were eager to be allowed to charge the battery, but the brigade upon my left had given way, and the falling back was extending still further to the left. Hardee's hre upon mj^ right had ceased just after wc moved out of the trenches. I considered it useless to make an isolated attack, and therefore held the position awaiting further 2.(; developnieuts. In about t^vo liours 1 ^ccei^'ed orders from you, directing me to Avitlidraw to the trenches. "We lost only about fifty men killed and "wounded. The officers and men behaved admirabl}^ Every movement vas promptl}^ and accurately made. There -was not a single straggler. A few days after this affair of the 22d of July, I Avas^rdered again to Poplar Spring, but "was scarcely established in camp there before we had again to b/8 placed in the trenches on the left of the Marietta road, and from this tisje until the end of the siege, continued under close lire night and day. We had to move from one portion of the lines to another, and had our full share of all the hardest places, extending from the left of the Marietta road across the Peachtrec road to our extreme right. The militia, although but poorly armed, very few having proper equipments, more than two-thirds ©f them without car- tridge boxes, almost without ambulances or other transporta- tion, most of the reserve men never having been drilled at all, and the others but a few days, all performed well every service recjuired, during an arduous and dangerous camjDaign. They have been in service about one hundred days, during at least fifty of which they have been under close fire of the enemy mostly night and day ; they have always shown a willing spirit, whether in camp, on the march, working at fortifications, guarding trenches, or iipon the open battle-field ; they have done good ancl substantial service in the cause of their country, and have estab- lished the fAct that Georgia is willing and able to do somethine: efl:ective in her own name, beyond iurnishmgmore than her quota to the Confederate Armies proper. The geatest number of efiec- tive muskets in the trenches at any one time was about 6000, — When Atlanta was evacuated the Eeserve Artillery of the army passed out through my lines, and my men were formed .as a rear guard. The whole was safely brought to Griflin under your or- ders. The march from Atlanta to Griffin satified me that men over fifty are not as a class fitted for military duty. I have therefore strongly advised the Governor to withdraw them from continuous active service; There being a lull in active operations the Governor has with my recommendation and your concurrence, temporarily with- drawn the militia from Confederate service and furloughed them 'for thirty days. This report is hastily written, without access to the detailed records and papers of my Adjutant General's Of- fice, but all omissions can be readily supplied by the returns already forwarded to your oflice. Before closing I cannot refrain allluding to a subject which under ordinary circumstances forms no part of reports of subor- dinates to their commanders? I allude to the outcry from the press and the people against yourself because of the evacuation of Atlanta. Unsolicited b;)J mc, without my consent or knowledge the civil •i7 iind military oiiicert^ of tlie State of Crcorgia, wLeii (.-ailed upon to take up arms in defense of tlicir homes, almost miauimouslj elected me their leader, and as their leader, I -wish iu this report to say to you and place officiall}'- on record this opinion, viz ; Had your orders been properly executed either upon the 20th of July at Peachtrcc Creek, the 22d of July on our right, or on the ;!(U:h of xiugust at Joncsboro, Sherman would have been foiled and Atlanta saved, at least Jbr some time to come ; and I am not alone in this^ opinion. Commanding a peculiar organi;;ation, the ranking officers in tlie force, of the State within which you were operating, I was invited to, and i)articipated in, your councils. I had cveiy opportunity of knovv'ing what was going on. Your plans were fully explained to your Lieutenant Generals, your Chief of Ar- tillery, Chief Engineer and myself. Opinions and views were called for, and l.hcn speciiic orders were given. I have never known one of them to express dissent to any plan of yours that was attempted to be executed,; never a doubt expressed as to the meaning and intent of your orders, nor a suggestion made by them of u plan they supposed M'ould be better than that you ordered. If they are not now unanimous, there is but one, if ;iny, who dissents from the opinion expressed above, namely : Sherman would have been beaten had your orders been obeyed on the 20th of July, 22d of July, or 30th of August. What- ever the press or people may say, the militia of Georgia are more than satislied with you as their {Confederate General, and when they again enter tliat service, in defence of tlieir homes, will be glad to hail you as their Confederate Chief. (Signed) G. ^Y. SMITH, Major Gcn(ii-al. Official : John P. FiajEiLL, A. A. G. HEADQUAETEKS, 1st DIY. G. M. ) December 31st 18Gi. - Caimi', near AuorsTA, Georgia. " j Lieut. Genl. W. J. IIahdee, Commanding Department, ifcc, Charleston, S. C. General: I have the honor to submit tlie following report of the operations of my comnumd during the recent siege of Sa- vannah. In compliance with your order of December 7th, my division was placed upon the right of the line, which at this point was about three miles from the city, and extended from the Savan- Tiah river to the Central Lailroad. One brigade having been previously detached by your order was stationed on the Alta- niaha river, guarding tUe Savaiina,li and Gulf Kuilroad bridge. 28 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 thirty-two pounder being mounted on each. There were some rifle pits prepared for skirmishers on a portion of the line ; otherwise the position was not fortfled, 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 entrenching tools, a good deal of work was done upon the lines in the course of tw^o days, so that when the enemy appeared in force upon our front on the 9th, we were prepared to make a very effective resistance to any direct attack the enemy might make. A strong detached work was constructed beyond the rice fields near the river bank which enfiladed the whole of our front and added very materially to the strength of the position. My line was two and a half miles in length. "We had on it about two thousand men, afterwards a good deal reduced by detachments. The two regiments of the State Line were placed near the Louisville road. The first bri- gade of Militia held the Augusta road, and the immediate line was occupied by the battalion of Cadets. The whole under command of Brigadier General Carswell. The second and third brigades held the line from the Augusta road to the river bank. Colonel Hill with a detachment from the third brigade, a de- tachment of Cadets, and Pruden's Militia Battery, occupying the advanced work beyond the rice fields. The whole of mj right was under the command of Brig. Gen. Anderson. Later a portion x^f Anderson's Battery, eight pieces of Major Hamil- ton's Artillery and some additional heavy guns were placed in position. The enemy pressed close upon our works, but made no direct or determined attempt to carry them. After the fall of Fort McAlister, it was clearly only a question of time when Savannah would fall into the hands of the enemy. "We were informed that no reinforcements could be expected. Our only line of communication was across the Savannah river, upon a narrow rice field dyke. Our supplies of provisions and ammu- nition Avere very limited. I urged upon you the necessity of preparing a pontoon bridge, and did every thing immy power to aid in its early construction. The enemy after the capture of Fort McAlister, eft'ected a permanent lodgment on Hutchinson's Island, crossed the Savan- nah river, and established works on the South Carolina shore, almost in range of our only line of retreat. In my judgment, as expressed to you at that time, they were in position to prevent the escape of any portion of the garrison for two or three days before we gave up the place. On the night of the 20th of December, the evacuation of Sa- 20 vannali commenoeJ. About two on the morning of the 21st, the militia, which formed the rear guard, left the city at day- break, reached the Sand Hills in South Carolina, opposite to Savannah, from which place we marched to Barnburg on the Charleston and Augusta llailroad. At the latter place you de- prived us of the transportation which we had brought from in front of Atlanta, and the connnand came by railroad to this place, where v,'e are now encamped. The oflicers and men behaved uniformly well, and are entitled to all the credit and respect due to soldiers who have performed their full duty. Before closing this report. I wish to call especial attention to three Confederate othcei*s who have loug served with the Militia of Georgia, and by their gallantry and skill have materially aided in our success. I refer to Lieut. Col. J>. W. Frobel, Chief Engineer ; Capt. J. U Troup, Inspector General ; and Capt. R. W, Anderson, who, besides commanding his own most excellent battery, acted at Savannah as Chief of Artillery upon my line. Much credit is also due to the staff officers of my division, belonging to the i\rilitia proper, for gallantry, skill and good conduct throughout the arduous campaign irom beyond the Chattahoochee to Savannah and Augusta. (Signed) ^ (r. W. SMITH, Official : Major General. Jno. Fekktll, a. a. Cf. :?r- :;t^;>2)>l»>,2J>:^^. ^:^S^ ,mmfyi>-i>:>' iy )Kat» >» ? 3^'"W^^i!. rr >> Vt }' a> ^^;^ |3I)>1>\ ^