The good citizens of Georgia

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

duplicate post

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

'they were thieves and houseburners.'

Hooray!!!

Jim Butler

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

'they were thieves and houseburners.'

Wouldn't it be a shame to just light our pipes with those torches? ;)

[508preach]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

We may not be as refined, you may not understand our Georgia accents, we may not understand your written word, but just remember a bullet sounds the same no matter where you go.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi,

in the Field, Kingston, Georgia, November 8, 1864.

The general commanding deems it proper at this time to inform the officers and men of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth Corps, that he has organized them into an army for a special purpose, well known to the War Department from our present base, and a long and difficult march to a new one. All the chances of war have been considered and provided for, as far as human sagacity can. All he asks of you is to maintain that discipline, patience, and courage, which have characterized you in the past; and he hopes, through you, to strike a blow at our enemy that will have a material effect in producing what we all so much desire, his complete overthrow. Of all things, the most important is, that the men, during marches and in camp, keep their places and do not scatter about as stragglers or foragers, to be picked up by a hostile people in detail. It is also of the utmost importance that our wagons should not be loaded with any thing but provisions and ammunition. All surplus servants, non-combatants, and refugees, should now go to the rear, and none should be encouraged to encumber us on the march. At some future time we will be able to provide for the poor whites and blacks who seek to escape the bondage under which they are now suffering. With these few simple cautions, he hopes to lead you to achievements equal in importance to those of the past.

By order of Major-General W.T. Sherman,

L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp.

Sorry poor citizens of Georgia but we can't take you with us no matter how you beg!!!

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

http://ngeorgia.com/history/march_to_the_sea.html

Heading in a southeastern direction, the right wing followed the Macon and Western Railroad as if preparing to attack the city of Macon, Georgia. Through Jonesboro, McDonough, Griffin, and Forsyth, the major towns on the railroad, Oliver Otis Howard led his men south. In Jonesboro men stopped to tear up about 5 miles of track, creating quite a few Sherman's Neckties, although the main body of the wing never entered the city. Further south in Lovejoy, the Georgia militia awaited Howard's army of some 30,000, ready to defend their position with no more than 3,000 mostly young boys and old men. Additionally, about 1,000 battle hardened members of the Orphan Brigade had been left to guard the road to Macon. After a brief encounter, these men pulled back to the city limits of MaconMany of the South's most famous generals journeyed to the city to participate in its defense. William Hardee, the swarthy Georgian was technically in command, but also in the city was Howell Cobb, one-time Georgia governor and former Secretary of the Treasury in command of the Georgia militia, Joseph Brown, present-day governor, and General P. G. T. Beauregard, who was in command of all Georgia forces. Unfortunately, the Union Army failed to show up. At Jackson they began a sweeping turn to the east, crossing the Ocmulgee River and heading into the low country.

As the columns moved east, Joe Wheeler and his men moved out of Macon to the northeast, quickly running into heavy skirmishing. He informed the command that the Union Army had unexpectedly bypassed Macon. The arsenal in Augusta was now the major concern to these Confederate commanders. To help defend it, General P. J. Phillips was ordered to advance with some 3,700 men (actually old men and boys) to Augusta . When Phillips, who had little battlefield experience, ran into resistance, he ordered a direct frontal assault on the Union center, across an open field. His men came up against seasoned Union veterans, many of whom had deadly Spencer Repeating Rifles. The ensuing fight, known as the Battle of Griswoldville, was little more than a slaughter of Phillips' men

How do the bullets sound from the repeating rifles??? ;)

[springkeeper]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

Life in Dixie During the War

DeKalb County, Georgia 1864

" I cannot say how long this state of affairs lasted before Wheeler's Cavalry, supported by Confederate infantry, stole a march upon the Yankees and put them into flight. Garrard and his staff officers were in our parlor holding a council; teamsters and army followers lounging about promiscuously, cursing, and swearing, and playing cards, and seeming not to notice the approaching artillery until their attention was called to it, and then they contended it was their men firing off blank cartridges...I ran to one of the parlor doors and knocked heavily and excitedly. An officer unlocked the door and opening it said:

'What is it?'

'Our men must be nearby' I replied.

'Impossible' he said.

In a few minutes horses and mules were hitched to wagons and the mules, wagons, and men were fairly flying from the approach of the Confederates. Women and children came pouring from every direction, and the house was soon filled. Before Garrard's wagon train was three hundred yards from our house, our yard was full of our own men - our own dear ' Johnnie Rebs.' "

Run Yankees, run! :baring_te

[PogueMahone]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

The New York Times reprinted information found in southern papers about Sherman's activities. Below is a link:

Published November 22, 1864, comments from southern papers of Nov 8 and 18

You can search the New York Times archive here. Use an advanced search to narrow the time frame to November and December 1864 and use "Sherman" or "Georgia" as search words and you will find a lot of speculation, queries and some downright informed reporting on what was taking place.

[Tom Dodson]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

So an army of 30,000 battle hardened veterans was able to defeat a militia of 3,000 comprised of young boys and old men. You should be proud.
Tom Dodson
Co. A 11th Georgia Militia

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

So an army of 30,000 battle hardened veterans was able to defeat a militia of 3,000 comprised of young boys and old men. You should be proud.
Tom Dodson
Co. A 11th Georgia Militia

NO not proud Sir...It just reenforces the idea that they were not too bright, and should have left or joined the Union when they had the chance. The rich Southern white slave owners were long gone and abandoned their homeland, but only the poor whites and slaves stayed behind.Those left were supposed to try in vain to defend Georgia? Hardly a positive outcome could come of this. These people were left to hastily defend a Georgia abandoned by the powerful Southern Whites who lobbied politicians to Rebel against the Union in the first place. Hmm.....these poor people never stood a chance.:(

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

Hitchcock in his diary Marching with Sherman ,makes several entries about the reasonable treatment of locals when they passed through.

Pg 61 Nov16th 1864 while in Decatur

..... Mighty few of the people about here were in favor of the war, but their leaders told them they ought to do so and so, and they done it. Manner and done very simple and earnest, and I am sure sincere: no fear nor cringing.

pg 64 same entry

....From Lithonia....., halted 1 1/2 hours at Mrs. Scott's - widow, say thrirty five, civil and disposed to talk. Told Audenried that at Atlanta we had shot and burned and drowned Negroes, etc etc. first said she believed it, then admitted she did not, but said they wanted the negroes to believe it.

pg 66 same entry

....Houses in Conyers look comfortable for Georgia village, and sundry good ones along road. Soldiers foraging all along, but only for forage- no violence so far as I saw or hear......Saw some few men almost all women and children, at front door or gate. Whites look sullen- darkies pleased. At Conyers Mrs, Scott says the negroes are the only free ones now- whites all slaves "in our country and yours too."

pg 67 same entry

.....Sorry enough am I for the women here and their anxiety and terror-though I must say they show very little fear of us. Good story about woman hiding cotton yarns from expected Yanks in barn, barn burnt. Yank soldier fished out her yarns for her from ruins and gave them to her. As to the men, I am not sorry for them, and so long as the destruction is not wonton, nor unoffending persons injured,- of which I hear no instance,- the rest is inevitable and necessary to end this War.

Friday Novemeber 18th 1864

pg 69
....It turned out the good people of Covington got up a deputation of citizens to meet their distingusihed visitor ("Brute Sherman") and to offer him all sorts of supplies, etc: but he did not go through the principal street and they missed him and he them. One lady, I hear had a fine dinner ready for him, which he did not hear of- but Captain Cole did and went there and kindly partook....

Saturday, November 19th, 1864

pg 74 in Newborn

....Stopped at home of John W. Pitts, a retired merchant, queer old cock...Sat by while Sherman gave him a talk, admirably conceived and put, alike to impress with the hopelessness and the wrong of their courses. He assented to everything-says he predicted all the consequences, etc etc. and declared the Southern people desrved it all and more. Our soldiers were taking his fodder, fowls, mules etc. right before his eyes. He said it was alright. " He knew the laws of war." etc., curious old gent.....Mr. Pitts told us today that the Confederates were a great deal worse than our men, that they pillaged and plundered everybody, and the inhabitants dreaded their coming.

[Tom Dodson]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

It is a known fact that one Southerner of prime military age can whip 5 Yankees so maybe we old men can only whip 2 Yankees. The children probably just 1.
As to the Southern women, well you don't want them mad at you for sure. I've been married to a Georgia Peach for 34 years and know what I am talking about.
So between the old men, young boys and Southern Belles we will be just fine. You Yankee fellas better bring the best you got 'cause we'll be ready fer ya.
Tom Dodson
Company A, 11th Georgia Militia

[PetePaolillo]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

It is a known fact that one Southerner of prime military age can whip 5 Yankees so maybe we old men can only whip 2 Yankees. The children probably just 1.
Tom Dodson
Company A, 11th Georgia Militia

In my reading I have never read that so called fact, please tell me where I can find that one

[PogueMahone]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

In my reading I have never read that so called fact, please tell me where I can find that one

For your reading pleasure ...

East Tennessee and the Civil War, page 336, second paragraph

I have also heard this as "One Southerner can whip twenty Yankees".

[Tom Dodson]

Re: The good citizens of Georgia

You mean it has to be written somewhere to be a known fact?
The previous post covers that anyway:p
Tom Dodson