Pocotaligo, S.C., Jan. 16, 1865.

 

My Dear Mother:

                        Pocotaligo, our present location is a station on the Savannah and Charleston R.R., distant 40 miles from Savannah, 60 from Charleston, and 22 from Beaufort. Our march to this place was but feebly opposed, although we encountered strong works, commanding a narrow road through impassable swamps. The usual tactics, flanking, compelled them to leave. How long we shall remain here, is uncertain. Probably however not many days; when we shall start either for Branchville or Charleston. The rebs. are terribly afraid of Sherman's army. We found here when we arrived yesterday late copies of Charleston papers. The most intense dissatisfaction is manifested against the rebel leaders. Jeff. Davis is called an imbecile, their generals are worthless, and utter disorganization prevails / in their army. It is more than hinted that Jeff. Davis must be thrown overboard, and the rebel Government entirely reorganized. Never have I seen such bitter denunciation of our own Government by any Copperhead paper as this Charleston Mercury administers to Jeff. Davis. It is also bitter against the proposition to arm the slaves. Evidently the South Carolinians are in a state of frantic terror. Well may they be, too, for they will meet with little mercy.

 

            But to return to the record of our march to Savannah. I must hasten over it more rapidly, or I shall not have time to finish it.

 

            Thursday, Nov. 24^th passed without any event worthy of special note. We marched about 10 miles, tearing up railroad by the way. Vast quantities of pine woods was the principal feature of the country.

 

            Friday, Nov. 25^th we made about seven miles, camping for the night at Toomsboro'. Forage was very plenty. 

 

            Saturday we moved forward 9 miles in the morning, and then stopped until about sundown. Starting then again we passed over three miles of swamp, when we came to the Oconee River. We passed over on the pontoons, and camped on the other side.

 

            Sunday, after marching 8 miles we camped about 11 o'clock A.M.

 

            Monday we traveled 16 miles. The day was a warm one, the marching unsteady, and at night we were very weary. Hitherto we had known nothing of the 20^th and 14^th Corps, which were on our left. To-day however, we found that a portion of them had passed over a road which we came upon.

 

            Tuesday, we were rear guard. The weather was still warm, and the frogs were croaking in the swamps. We marched until 8 o'clock, stumbling along in intense darkness over rickety rail bridges over swamps and creeks. More than one unlucky wight got a tumble and a ducking that night.

 

            Wednesday we marched 11 miles, when / we reached the Ogechee River. We passed over a very swampy section of country. There was an average of a swamp to every mile. They did not hinder us however. The teams would go right through, and the pioneers would cut down trees and carry rails for us to cross on. We inaugurated a new style of marching on this campaign. The wagons took the road, and we marched through the fields and woods on each side of the road. In this way, the length of the column was very much reduced, and the wagon train rendered entirely safe.—The banks of the Ogechee were like the Oconee, low and swampy. We crossed at Sebastopol Station. As we passed along, the honored form of our commander, "Billy Sherman", was visible a little distance off, pacing up and down before the camp fire. It was the first we had seen of him since leaving Atlanta.

 

            Thursday we commenced operations upon the railroad again, after which we moved forward seven miles, and camped near Burton Station.

 

            Friday we went to Millen, the junction of the Augusta branch with the Savannah road. We passed over a fine portion of country, abounding in large plantations. Millen contains a splendid depot and a few houses. A large warehouse was fitted up as a stockade in which to keep our prisoners. The tables were turned now, and we kept one or two hundred there that we had picked up on the road.

 

            Saturday tore up railroad, and marched 9 miles. Nothing noteworthy.

 

            Sunday marched 17 miles. Saw large quantities of Spanish moss. This is a long, fibrous grey moss which grows on trees. It gives a very beautiful appearance to the trees, especially where the trees are evergreen. The moss hangs down in bunches sometimes 4 or 5 feet long. I never had seen any before. There are vast quantities of it everywhere here. /

 

            Monday we went out to tear up railroad again. Scarce had the work commenced ere we were ordered forward to reinforce the rest of our Division, the rebs. having made a stand. This was the first that we had encountered them. We went into line of battle, but a flank movement scattered the rebs, and we were soon in their works. At night we were on picket.

 

            Tuesday the Regiment went back and tore up railroad. Our Company remained on picket. In the absence of any enemy to fight we made assault on a flock of sheep. Two fell victims which number made six of us just meat for just three meals.

 

            Here I must stop again.

 

            Please send me another one of my photographs. Have received no letter from home for several days. Mail arrangements are very imperfect. Please write soon.

                                                           

Your aff. Son

George.

 

Address to Pocotaligo.                                                                        

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