Lot 990

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE REPORT TO SHERMAN

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ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE REPORT TO SHERMAN

Estimate: $700 - $900

Starting Bid: $360

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by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
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ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE REPORT TO SHERMAN
Superb content and association A.L. (unsigned), 12pp. 4to., Gordon, GA, Nov. 23, 1864, in which an unnamed military leader writes to William T. Sherman regarding the crossing of the Ocmulgee River and battle of Walnut Creek. Spanning three days of maneuvers, it reads, in part: ‘…My command marched from White Hall near Atlanta in two columns, the left column Maj. [Francis P.] Blair comdg took the direct…roads, this column consisted of the 17th Corps, Bridge train, Engineer Regt & supply train of Genl. [Hugh Judson] Kilpatrick's cavalry the whole preceded by the 1st Ala Reg. The right column of the 15th Corps Maj. [Peter J.] Osterhaus comdg Dept Hd Qrs train with the herds of cattle…moved via Right & Ready trains to the left towards McDonough about five miles from Jonesboro. Upon the evening of the 15th the commanders went into camp Kilpatrick near Jonesboro, the heads of the 2 inf. Columns near Stockbridge. Kilpatrick met the enemies and skirmishers near East Point and drove them before him to the crossing of Flint river. Osterhaus met them not far from Right & Ready & again in the vicinity of Stockbridge. He…encamped at that Point. [William G.] Lewis's Brigade of Reb Cav reported 900 strong. Nov. 16/64 The com'd marched to vicinity of McDonough. Genl. Osterhaus met the enemies cav. at the crossing of Cotton River. They retreated rapidly setting fire to the bridge some mounted Inf had in advance down there from the bridge in time to put out the fire & save everything, but the planking of the bridge was mainly repaired & detained the columns just 40 minutes. Genl Kilpatrick crossed the Flint river at the bridge near Jamestown at 7 am finding the enemy had left there…he followed them to Lovejoy when he…the strong position, having 2 Brigs cavalry & 2 pieces of art'y & holding the old Rebel works. The Genl charged the works with…cavalry and…driving back the enemy, subsequently the enemies art'y was overtaken by another charging column & captured. He drove the enemy beyond Bear Sta. capturing over 50 prisoners. He then moved to the left & encamped in the Griffin & McDonough road. Nov. 17/64 Moved to Jackson and its vicinity in 3 columns encompassing the Rt near Indian Sp[rin]gs, the center near Warm [?] Spgs & the left at Henrick's Mill. Genl Kilpatrick moved to Ocmulgee C[reek]k. Some cav of the enemy crossed the ck… 18th Nov. The nearest division was pushed to…Planter's Factory early the next morning and a part of it crossed over by the ferry…the troops commenced crossing at 1 p.m. During that day & night Genl. Blair's corps, 3rd Div 15 Corps, and all the cavalry had crossed. The hill on the east side was steep & the heavy rain during the night rendered the ascent extremely difficult in the crossing of the 19th. Rgrs were detailed in each div. to assist the train & in getting up the river. The 15 Corps following the cav took country roads to Hillsboro. The 17th Corps toward vicinity of Hillsboro via Monticello. The roads now becoming very heavy the process was slower. We have 2 bridges at the point of crossing & they were kept full all day yet the crossing was not completed by the Rear Guard until the morning of the 20th inst. Nov. 20/64 The com'd moved on Gordon in 2 columns, Genl. Kilpatrick with his cav taking the Clinton Road & the river road towards Macon. Genl. Osterhaus with the Bridge Train, cav. train etc. moved towards Clinton. Genl. Blair with his com'd via Blountsville. The head of the Rt column encamped at Clinton & the left near Westville. Genl. Kilpatrick waited at Clinton ‘till the arrival of the Hd of the Inf column. At 12 noon when he moved out towards Macon on the Left Macon road. He met the enemies cav about 4 miles from Macon drove them & charged their works defended by Infy & Arty. The head of his column got inside the works but could not hold them. He succeeded in reaching the RR & destroyed about one mile of the track. The road? was struck by the cav in two or three places…and a train of cars burned…Nov. 21st The cav took up and advanced position covering all roads…from Macon. Genl. Blair continued his march direct to Gordon reaching that place [torn at bottom with one line lost]. The Rt column was subdivided, two divisions with small trains taking the road towards Irvinton and the rest with Hd Qrs, Bridge train, cattle & ? in the direct Gordon roads. The centre & left columns met at a point 6 miles from Gordon called Pitts Mill whereas the centre made a parallel road in to Gordon only the division of Genl. Giles A Smith however reached Gordon the 21st. 22nd New troops & trains were closed up towards Gordon excepting Genl. Woods' Division who was directed to take up a strong position in the Irwinton road and make a demonstration…towards Macon. The demonstration was ? by Genl [Charles C.] Walcutt's Brigade in conjunction with the ? in the different roads. The Rebel cav in force made a charge early in the morning capturing one of our cav. Picket posts estimated at 45 men killed wounded & missing, quite a little action grew out of it in which there was charging & counter charging of cavalry when finally the enemy were driven from the Field in confusion Walcutt's skirmishing lending a hand. In the afternoon Walcutt had taken up a position 2 miles in advanced [sic] of his division towards Macon, having with him 2 pieces of art'y. Genl Blair to send forward the 1st Ala cav & Genl G A Smith's division some 8 or 10 miles towards the [?] bridge which he did with instructions to move forward today & if possible to secure that bridge & plank it over for Infantry to cross. Nov. 23rd The 4 Div of 15 Corps with the Bridge Train having roads that were almost impassible only reached the vicinity of Clinton last night. This morning 5 [or] 6 mule teams have been sent to assist the pontoon [?] train through Genl Woods' Division in moving up this way abreast of Genl ?. Genl [William B.] Hazen moving wards Irwinton Genl Blair moving along the RR & destroying it. I propose with your sanction to cross the Ocmulgee River at 2 points, one six miles below RR Bridge (at Balls Ferry) the other 2 ½ miles above RR Bridge (at Jackson's Ferry). I have already forw'd to you despatches…Prisoners still estimate the strength of the enemy in our vicinity about 10,000. The attack in Walcutt was made I think by militia mingled with some old troops retained at Macon. The number of prisoners of war in my hand in the 17th Corps 35 enlisted men [in the] 15 [corps] 80…total 115. I believe the cav have some 50 or 60 in addition. We have about 40 wounded of our men. The number of bales of cotton reported officially to have been burned is 2130 – a large cotton factory known as the Ocmulgee Mill or Planters Factory…containing 1501 spindles & giving employment to 150 hands…also…destroyed. We have found the country free of provisions & forage & have almost completely supplied ourselves drawing very little upon our rations. The above estimate is independent of what has been draw[n] by the cav. I regret to say that quite a number of private dwellings which the inhabitants have left have been destroyed by fire but without official sanction. Also many instances of the most inexcusable & wanton acts as the breaking open of trunks, taking of silver etc. I have taken measures to prevent it & I believe they will be effectual. The inhabitants are generally terrified & believe us a 100 times worse than we are. My soldiers in the com'd who have been bitten by bloodhounds permission has been given to kill them. Permit me to commend also Genls Blair & Osterhaus, the officers and men under them also Genl Kilpatrick & his com'd for their faithfulness, energy and ? to make our March a complete success. While the pleasant weather lasted the marches were easily made but as soon as the rains came in, the roads became very heavy & the…mules broke down but we have found a number in the county that have…replaced our losses. The members of my staff have given me…aid and I hope to be able to reward them satisfactorily at some time for their service…'.

On the morning of Nov. 18, 1864, Sherman's flank (15th and 17th Corps, led by Howard) moved from its bivouacs in and near Jackson toward Planters' Factory (Ocmulgee Mills), on the Ocmulgee River at Seven Islands (9 miles SE), to effect a passage at that point on pontoon bridges to be laid by the 1st Missouri Engineers, the pontoniers of the Right Wing. Smith's 15th Corps was led by Peter J. Osterhaus (1823-1917) German-American Union major general who led brigades with distinction in the Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Atlanta campaigns. Accepted the surrender of Edmund Kirby Smith, the last Confederate general with an active army, on June 2, 1865. The 15th led the way and by the time they arrived at Jackson Ferry, two bridges had been built. Smith completed his crossing and camped two miles from the river on the Hillsboro road, to wait for Woods' and Hazen's divisions and to permit the cavalry to pass to the front. During the night of Nov. 18, 1864, Blair's 17th Corps crossed and moved via Monticello and Blountsville to avoid the Hillsboro road. On the 19th, Kilpatrick's cavalry division crossed, followed by Woods and Hazen and several wagon trains. Heavy rains having made the steep hills on the east bank extremely difficult, the passage was not completed until the afternoon of the 20th, when Corse's division of the 15th Corps cleared the bridge site and, with the bridge train, followed the 17th Corps to Monticello. The looting and unbecoming behavior mentioned in this document likely refers to the aftermath of the Battle of Griswold, though not named as such. Tape remains at some edges, still overall very good. Absolutely needful of further research to determine the writer of this important document!

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