Thursday 1st December 1864
Started at 7. The 2nd Division in the advance. Marched about 14
miles and camped at dark. Ten men from the Regiment were detailed to forage hogs. We had
plenty of fresh pork for supper.
Friday 2nd December 1864
Started at 7. The 149th marched with the pontoon bridge all day. We
came to the bridge the Rebs tried to burn yesterday, but the Cavalry drove them off.
Crossed over the bridge and camped.
Saturday 3rd December 1864
Left camp at noon. Our Brigade was in the rear of the wagon train.
The road was bad so we got along real slow. Came to Millen on the Macon and Augusta RR at
dark. We were hindered by the wagon train & didn't get into camp until 4 AM. The 2nd
Brigade to the rear of us didn't get camped till daylight.
Sunday 4th December 1864
We started again at 8. Marched until 2 o'clock when we stopped for
dinner. The Pioneers had built a road across a large swamp a short distance ahead of us.
They finished the road at dark. we crossed it and camped.
Monday 5th December 1864
Started at 8. We had a very good road today. Marched about 12 miles
before dinner. Passed the 1st Division in the afternoon. Went into camp at 10 PM.
Tuesday 6th December 1864
Started at 8 with the 3rd Division in the rear. We passed through
very good looking country today. Went into camp at dark. It rained a little during the
night.
Wednesday 7th December 1864
Left camp at 7. It rained hard during the forenoon. Stopped for
lunch at three o'clock. Marched 4 miles farther and camped after dark. The 149th &
29th went on picket.
Thursday 8th December 1864
Started at daylight. The 2nd Division in the advance. Ate dinner at
3 PM. Marched about 2 miles further and camped.
Friday 9th December 1864
Left camp at 8 with the 1st Division in the advance. Marched about 2
miles and halted for two hours. We heard heavy cannonading in front of us. Every man had
20 extra cartridges delt out to him. Marched 9 miles and halted at 2 o'clock by the side
of a large swamp. The Rebs had cut a lot of timber across the road, and as the Pioneers
were clearing it out of the way the Johneys opened up on them from a battery on the other
side of the swamp. A brigade of the First Division waded through the swamp and came up on
the Rebel flank. They up and dusted leaving two of their caissons behind them. The
pioneers finished clearing the road. We crossed over the swamp and camped for the night.
Saturday 10th December 1864
Started at 7. The 1st and 3rd Divisions in advance of us. We were 15
miles from Savannah this morning. Heard heavy cannonading in from all day. Camped for the
night 6 miles from Savannah.
Sunday 11th December 1864
The 3rd Brigade was ordered out at 8 this morning. We marched along
the main road toward Savannah about 2 miles. Came near a Rebel front which commanded the
road. We turned off to the left on a road leading through the pine woods. We marches about
1/2 mile and halted. The Rebs commenced shelling us. Three Regiments were sent ahead as
skirmishers. They drove the Rebs up to Fort Charleston on the bank of the Savannah River.
The Brigade then advanced and took position within 40 rods of the fort. We were lucky
enough to get into a small ditch which had once been used to draw water from the Savannah
River to flood the rice fields which were dry now. This ditch sheltered us from the shells
which flew around most lively to be healthy. Was on the skirmish line at night within 30
rods of the fort. The night was very cold. The Brigade was ordered up at one o'clock at
night and formed a double column to charge the fort. After we were all ready to charge and
the first line had crossed over the ditch the order to charge was countermanded.
Monday 12th December 1864
The Rebs shelled us considerably during the day but as we laid
rather low none of us got hit. One of our batteries on the bank of the river captured a
Rebel steamer loaded with ammunition.
Tuesday 13th December 1864
Everything quiet today, except for the Rebel shells. We heard heavy
cannonading on the right in the direction of Fort Mc Allister.
Wednesday 14th December 1864
An order from General Sherman was read to us this morning. It
gave an account of the capture of Fort Mc Allister by the 2nd Division, 15 corps. We were
giving three rousing cheers when the Johneys got mad and started shelling us right smart.
From this time until December 21st we were lying flat in the breastworks dodging rebel
shells most of the time.
Wednesday 21st December 1864
This morning at 3 o'clock some of our skirmishers lines went over to
the fort and found it deserted. Our Brigade was ordered up and started for Savannah on a
double quick. We got to the city just before daylight. The rear of the Rebel army was
crossing the river. We captured some of the rear guard and a lot of stragglers
Thursday 22nd December 1864
General Geary had been appointed governor of the city, the Third
Brigade being the first of our troops to enter the city they have the honor of guarding
it. The 149th is stationed in the southern part of the city.
