Friday, December 2, 1864

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Headquarters, near Millen, Georgia

General Wheeler, with his division of rebel cavalry, has succeeded in getting ahead of us between Milledgeville and Augusta, and General P. J. Hardee had been dispatched by General Beauregard from Hood's army to oppose our progress directly in front. He has, however, brought with him no troops, but relies on his influence with the Georgians (of whose State he was a native) to arouse the people, and with them to annihilate Sherman's army!

The southern newspapers predict our “utter annihilation.” But our advance through this country has been steady and mostly unnoposed. After the skirmish in Sandersville, General Wheeler’s cavalry has all but disappeared from our midst, and I expect no serious opposition from here on. On entering Sandersville, I told certain citizens (who would be sure to spread the report) that, if the enemy attempted to carry out their threat to burn their food, corn, and fodder, in our route, I would most undoubtedly execute to the letter the general orders of devastation made at the outset of the campaign.

I accompanied the Twentieth Corps from Milledgeville to Sandersville. I now shift to the Right Wing, and am accompanying the Seventeenth Corps (General Blair) on the south of the railroad, till abreast of Station 91/2 (Barton), General Howard, in person, with the Fifteenth Corps, keeping farther to the right, and about one day's march ahead, ready to turn against the flank of any enemy who should oppose our progress. At Barton I learned that Kilpatrick's cavalry had reached the Augusta railroad about Waynesborough, where he ascertained that our prisoners have been removed from Millen, and therefore the purpose of rescuing them, upon which we had set our hearts, was an impossibility. But as Wheeler's cavalry had hung around him, I ordered him to leave his wagons and all incumbrances with the Left Wing, and move in the direction of Augusta; if Wheeler gave him the opportunity, to indulge him with all the fighting he wanted.

The Seventeenth Corps has taken up the destruction of the railroad at the Ogeechee, near Station 10, and will continue it to Millen, the enemy offering little or no opposition. Pierce the shell of the Confederacy and it’s hollow, all hollow inside. Tomorrow I enter Millen with the Seventeenth Corps and there will pause one day, to communicate with all parts of the army. Will send word to Pepper for Jennie to return with the courier to Millen. Manuel is complaining about her absense and one must keep the cook happy. Restless energy to-night.



JENNIE LEWIS, On the Freedom Road

Captain Pepper scolded me to-night for leaving camp and missing so many of our lessons. 'I thought you were serious about your studies, Jennie. I had hoped we could continue making progress. But it appears you have abandoned your hopes for elevation above ignorance and want.'

‘No, Captain Pepper, sir…’

‘Further, you left camp without my knowledge. If something had happened to you, what would I even say to your mother? You could have been just another anonymous dead black body along this road. It is utterly irresponsible.'

I have stayed up all night with my speller to write the words he said. The only answer I gave was to show him Caroline and the baby in my tent. Captain Pepper said the General should not be told about them.

General Sherman is now in a different camp, and so is Manuel. So I have all day long to play with Jake and talk to Caroline. I hold the baby and rock him to sleep. Then I hold him and watch him sleep. Then I hold him when he wakes up. I read lessons to him and he lissens like he knows what they mean. In the evening I do not want to be away from them. So I have missed my lessons with Captain Pepper. He is unhappy about that.

I wish General Sherman were here. He would know why I chose Caroline and Jake over a lesson. He told me how much he misses his children and the son who died. General Sherman understands about family. And he loves me. He told me so himself.