GENERAL: All is well
with us. I think I have troops enough. Johnston is still in Jackson, and our
skirmishers are engaged all round the lines, and but little execution done by
either party. Our lines of investment are well covered by rifle trenches. We
are now firing every five minutes from four different batteries day and night,
and, as soon as the ammunition train is up, will increase the fire. We now
reach Pearl River above and below the town. I do not think Johnston is
receiving re-enforcements; at all events, he has manifested no intention to
rally, and has permitted us to surround him with parapets. A brigade is
breaking railroad both ways, and as soon as I know our ammunition train is
coming I will send a good brigade and artillery and cavalry to complete the
destruction at Canton and Big Black River Bridge; also a cavalry party to
Brookhaven, south.
Showing posts with label Ammunition Trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ammunition Trains. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 14, 1863—8 p.m.
HEADQUARTERS,
Army before Jackson, July 14, 1863—8 p.m.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General, Commanding Army.
Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A
Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,
Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 524-5
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Major-General William T. Sherman: Special Field Orders No. 120, November 9, 1864
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS
No. 120.}
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE
MISS.,
In the Field,
Kingston, Ga.,
November 9, 1864.
I. For the purpose of military operations this army is
divided into two wings, viz, the Right Wing, Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard commanding,
the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps; the Left Wing, Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum
commanding, the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps.
II. The habitual order of march will be, wherever
practicable, by four roads, as near parallel as possible and converging at
points hereafter to be indicated in orders. The cavalry, Brigadier-General
Kilpatrick commanding, will receive special orders from the commander-in-chief.
III. There will be no general train of supplies, but each
corps will have its ammunition train and provision train distributed habitually
as follows: Behind each regiment should follow one wagon and one ambulance;
behind each brigade should follow a due proportion of ammunition wagons,
provision wagons, and ambulances. In case of danger each army corps commander
should change this order of march by having his advance and rear brigade
unincumbered by wheels. The separate columns will start habitually at 7 a.m.,
and make about fifteen miles per day, unless otherwise fixed in orders.
IV. The army will forage liberally on the country during the
march. To this end, each brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient
foraging party, under the command of one or more discreet officers, who will
gather, near the route traveled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of any kind,
vegetables, corn-meal, or whatever is needed by the command, aiming at all
times to keep in the wagons at least ten days' provisions for the command and
three days' forage. Soldiers must not enter the dwellings of the inhabitants,
or commit any trespass, but during a halt or a camp they may be permitted to
gather turnips, potatoes, and other vegetables, and to drive in stock in sight
of their camp. To regular foraging parties must be intrusted the gathering of
provisions and forage at any distance from the road traveled.
V. To army corps commanders alone is intrusted the power to
destroy mills, houses, cotton-gins, &c., and for them this general
principle is laid down: In districts and neighborhoods where the army is
unmolested no destruction of such property should be permitted; but should
guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our march, or should the inhabitants burn
bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then army
commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless
according to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, &c., belonging to the
inhabitants, the cavalry and artillery may appropriate freely and without
limit, discriminating, however, between the rich, who are usually hostile, and
the poor or industrious, usually neutral or friendly. Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace the
jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or
brigades. In all foraging, of whatever kind, the parties engaged will refrain
from abusive or threatening language, and may, where the officer in command
thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no receipts, and
they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their
maintenance.
VII. Negroes who are able-bodied and can be of service to
the several columns may be taken along, but each army commander will bear in
mind that the question of supplies is a very important one and that his first
duty is to see to them who bear arms.
VIII. The organization at once of a good pioneer battalion
for each army corps, composed if possible of negroes, should be attended to.
This battalion should follow the advance guard, should repair roads, and double
them if possible, so that the columns will not be delayed after reaching bad
places. Also, army commanders should study the habit of giving the artillery
and wagons the road, and marching their troops on one side, and also instruct
their troops to assist wagons at steep hills or bad crossings of streams.
IX. Capt. O. M. Poe, chief engineer, will assign to each
wing of the army a pontoon train, fully equipped and organized, and the
commanders thereof will see to its being properly protected at all times.
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:
L. M. DAYTON,
Aid-de-Camp.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
39, Part 3 (Serial No. 79), p. 713-4
Labels:
Ammunition Trains,
Burning Bridges,
Burning Buildings,
Bushwhackers,
Forage Parties,
Foraging,
Guerrillas,
horses,
Judson Kilpatrick,
Mules,
Negro/Negroes,
Oliver O Howard,
Pioneer Corps,
Pontoon Trains,
Slocum,
Supply Trains,
Wagons,
William T. Sherman
Friday, April 29, 2016
Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: September 4, 1864
About midnight last night I was called up by the Adjutant to
take a detail of ten men, go to the rear, find the ammunition train, obtain
five thousand rounds of cartridges, five boxes. It was estimated the train was
about a mile in the rear, owing to the enemy's firing from field guns very late
in the night. The boxes were very heavy. The detail ought to have been twenty
men, as we had so far to carry the boxes. It was a fearful dark night. Going
back we lost our reckoning. Began to think we were approaching the enemy's
line. I ordered a halt. Told the boys I would go forward and investigate and
locate the regiment if I could. Going forward carefully, listening, looking in
all directions, believed I was approaching the enemy's line. I knew when
darkness came on both lines were very close to each other. To the right I could
see the outline of trees. Approaching them I saw horses, and men sleeping on
the ground. Owing to the darkness I could not see who they were. Putting on a
bold front I called out “What regiment?” For answer I received a glorious
reply, “The 18th Connecticut.” Overjoyed I near dropped to the ground. I ran
back to the boys and the ammunition was delivered to headquarters in safety,
for which I was very thankful. On our return from the ammunition train we had
worked off to the left, approached the regiment from the south instead of from the
north side, where we left. Lay down for a rest. Had a talk with some prisoners
captured last night on the charge. They were from Mississippi. Claimed they did
not know we were in their front. They were on their way to cross Snicker's Ford
and the Gap. It seemed to be a surprise all around. We are now under the
command of General Sheridan. The enemy won't fool him. At daylight the
ammunition was given out and the line of battle was changed. Ordered to fall
back and change our position. Passed the 12th Connecticut, in the 19th Corps.
We are under the command of Captain Tiffany. Owing to severe service for the
past eight months our regiment greatly reduced in numbers. Less than one
hundred men fit for duty and not a field officer except the Adjutant. Our regiment
detailed to guard the wagon train. Don't like that kind of duty. Must take our
turn at it. Guerillas keep us busy. As many of them dress in blue uniforms we
cannot tell them from our own men. Sometimes they manage to cut out of a train
three or four wagons loaded with supplies. The drivers will most generally obey
orders, whether from friend or foes, when they see a gun pointed at their
heads. Sometimes it is most impossible to keep the teams close together, but at
this time the train is parked, so we stand guard around it. All is quiet at
this time along our lines at Berryville.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 120-2
Labels:
12th CT INF,
18th CT INF,
Ammunition,
Ammunition Trains,
Berryville VA,
Charles H Lynch,
Guerrillas,
Mississippi,
POW's,
Shenandoah Valley 1864,
Sheridan,
Snicker's Ford,
Snicker's Gap,
Train Guard
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)