1864/12/27 Report of Col. S.Ross

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIV [S# 92]

NOVEMBER 15-DECEMBER 21, 1864.--The Savannah (Georgia) Campaign.

No. 131.--Report of Col. Samuel Ross, Twentieth Connecticut Infantry, commanding Third Brigade.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., THIRD DIV., 20TH ARMY CORPS,

Savannah, Ga., December 27, 1864.

On the 15th of November this brigade, with the division and corps, left Atlanta on the campaign which terminated on the 21st of December in the capture of Savannah. We marched east through Decatur, passed Stone Mountain, crossed the Yellow River, through Rock Bridge to Social Circle, from Social Circle to Rutledge, a distance of seven miles. This command destroyed the Georgia State Railroad with short intervals. The destruction was thorough and complete. The ties were taken up and burned in piles, the rails laid on the piles, and bent so as to make them useless. The railroad buildings at Rutledge and Social Circle were also destroyed. The next day we destroyed about a mile of railroad with side track, at Madison; also some railroad buildings and 100 bales of cotton; marched thence southeast through Eatonton across Little River to Milledgeville, where we halted one day, crossed the Oconee River, passed Hebron, Sandersville, and Davisborough; crossed the Ogeechee River, thence through Louisville, and crossed the Augusta and Millen Railroad about three miles north of the latter place, thence to Springfield, and thence southeast toward Savannah, before which we arrived on the 10th of December, and formed line of battle on the right of the division, connecting with the Fourteenth Corps, facing east, with our right on the Georgia Central Railroad. Our picket-line was advanced to within 300 yards of the enemy's works. A strong line of works was constructed, and we lay under fire of the enemy's batteries until the morning of the 21st of December. At sunrise of that day I received orders from General Ward to advance my picket-line. The advance found that the enemy had evacuated their works during the night. We captured 36 prisoners (among whom were 2 officers), 5 large guns, and I brass piece, with ammunition. My men removed six torpedoes, two on the railroad track and four on the turnpike road leading into the city. I shortly after received orders to move my brigade toward the city and encamp it, which I did.

The casualties during the campaign are as follows.(*)

Since my command left Atlanta it has subsisted mainly from the country. Up to the time of the capture of Savannah ten days' rations only had been issued by the commissaries. On the march foraging parties were sent out daily from each regiment and found ample supplies, subsistence stores of all kinds, and forage. But four days' rations of forage were brought from Atlanta, and up to the date of this report all the forage that has been used has been taken from the country. I have estimated that the troops of my command have procured from the country 62,000 rations and 13,000 days' forage. It is proper to state that the supplies thus obtained were equal in quantity to double rations.

My command captured from the country 21 serviceable horses and 65 mules; besides these a number of animals were taken, which were used on the march and abandoned; also 150 head of cattle and 50 sheep.

Recapitulation.--Captured from the enemy and the country:

Artillery: Number of guns 6

Rations of subsistence 62,000

Casualties: Officers--wounded (since dead), 1. Enlisted men--wounded, 2; missing, 18. Total, 21.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel Twentieth Connecticut Infantry, Comdg. Brigade.

Assistant Adjutant-General.