Aot - 1865

[larry_cockerham]

Meanwhile the Union Army is on the move in Georgia:

"Cump" Sherman gives instructions to General Howard regarding the next phase of their campaign. "As soon as possible we will cast off, and then for another cruise that will, in my judgment, do more to bring matters to a crisis than the last. Choose the best points you can find to land stores for Pocotaligo. Don't cross the Salkehatchie [River], but hold all the ground up to it, as though we intended to break across. The next movement I want the enemy to feel is from the left flank."

General Hardee informs President Davis of the latest movements of Sherman's army. "Enemy seems to be concentrating at Pocotaligo. A force reported to be moving up the Coosawhatchie." Hardee continues, "Deserters from the enemy concur in stating that the force which crossed at Port Royal Ferry, and which is now [in] vicinity of Pocotaligo, consists of Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps; also that their destination is Charleston."

 

[larry_cockerham]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Near Steep Bottom Church, January 17, 1865--9.15 a.m.
General L. McLAWS, Commanding, near Salkehatchie Station:

- GENERAL: There were captured..., near Station No. O, three Yankee prisoners who belong to the Eighteenth Missouri Regiment, Sheldon's brigade, Mower's [division], Seventeenth Corps. They state that the Seventeenth Corps was near Station No. 6, and that the Fifteenth...is at Beaufort....They do not know the amount of artillery or number of wagons with them, but say their wagon train is small; say the talk in camp is that Charleston is their destination....They say the Fourth [Fourteenth] and Twentieth Corps were to march from Savannah to Charleston by the line of the railroad. A scouting party of about fifty men came up a short distance this side of Gillisonville yesterday, and was driven back toward Grahamville....

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER, Major-General.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 18, 1865

On this day Gen. Sherman turned over the city pf Savannah to Gen. John G. Foster who had been in command on the coast and issued orders for the movement of his whole army, at this time numbering about 65,000 men. The right wing was at Pocotaglio about 45 miles north of Savannah and the left wing at Robertsville, twenty miles west of Pocotaglio. The weather and the complexity of the move caused some delay.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Past time for a change!

January 21, 1865 in the Confederate Congress:

In joint committee, January 9, 1865.

Resoled, That the chairman of the committee communicate to the President of the Confederate States a copy of the joint resolution under which the committee have been appointed, and to request respectfully on behalf of the joint committee an interview upon the subject thereof at this earliest convenience.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION.

Resolved (the House of Representatives concurring), That if the President will appoint General J. E. Johnson to the command of the Army of Tennessee, it will, in the opinion of the Congress of the Confederate States, be hailed with joy by the army and will receive the approval of the country.
[Indorsements.]

A concurrent resolution relative to the assignment of General Joseph E. Johnston.

SENATE, January 16, 1865.
Passed the Senate.
JAMES H. NASH,
Secretary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 18, 1865.
Considered and passed.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE, C. S. A., January 21, 1865.
I do hereby certify that this resolution originated in the Senate; and that the within is a true copy of the same as finally passed by the two houses of Congress.

JAMES H. NASH,
Secretary.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 21, 1865 (Saturday) More Union communication:

General Grant informs "Cump" Sherman that, instead of having General Thomas "make a campaign into the heart of Alabama," as Sherman has suggested, he has transferred Schofield's corps to Virginia. "The advance, 6,000, will reach seaboard by the 23d, the remainder following as rapidly as railroad transportation can be procured from Cincinnati. The corps numbers over 21,000 men." Grant explains he reasons; "I was induced to do this because I did not believe Thomas could possibly be got off before spring. His pursuit of Hood indicated a sluggishness that satisfied me that he would never do to conduct one of your campaigns."

 

[larry_cockerham]

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 21, 1865. (Received 29th.) -
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

When Hood had crossed the Tennessee, and those in pursuit had reached it, Thomas had not much more than half crossed the State, from whence he returned to Nashville to take steamer for Eastport. He is possessed of excellent judgment, great coolness, and honesty, but he is not good on a pursuit. He also reported his troops fagged, and that it was necessary to equip up....Canby has been ordered to act offensively from the sea coast to the interior toward Montgomery and Selma....In the meantime should you be brought to a halt anywhere, I can send two corps of 30,000 effective men to your support from the troops about Richmond. To résumé: Canby is ordered to operate to the interior from the gulf. A. J. Smith may go from the north, but I think it doubtful. A force of 28,000 or 30,000 men will co-operate with you from New Berne or Wilmington, or both. You can call for re-enforcements. This will be handed to you by Captain Hudson of my staff, who will return with any message you may have for me. If there is anything I can do for you in the way of having supplies on shipboard at any point on the sea coast ready for you let me know it.

U.S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Sherman about to head north

The recent rainy weather in South Carolina and Georgia has slowed Sherman's preparations for embarking on his new campaign. He writes to Admiral Porter, "The weather has been villainous, and all the country is under water, and retards me much. It may be some days yet before I can cast off, as the roads are under water, and my men are not exactly amphibious yet, nor the mules either." However, Sherman remains optimistic. "I shall spare no efforts to be off, and the foul weather of January may be a guarantee for better in February and March." Sherman also gives Porter his opinion of Benjamin Butler. "The best part of the taking of Fort Fisher was the killing of Butler. He has no blood on his skirts, and, judging from the past, it will be long before his blood stains anything. His solicitude for the blood of his men is a moonshine." In addition, Sherman sends a letter to General Grant promising to meet him in Virginia in "April or May." Sherman writes, "I have turned over everything to General Foster, so that nothing now hinders me but water....When I am at Goldsborough and move against Raleigh, Lee will be forced to divide his command or give up Richmond."

 

[larry_cockerham]

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Savannah, January 21, 1865. - Lieut. Gen. U.S. GRANT, City-Point, Va. - GENERAL: I have been told that Congress meditates a bill to make another lieutenant-general for me. I have written to John Sherman to stop it, if it is designed for me. It would be mischievous, for there are enough rascals who would try to sow differences between us whereas you and I now are in perfect understanding. I would rather have you in command than anybody else for you are fair, honest, and have at heart the same purpose that should animate all. I should emphatically decline any commission calculated to bring us into rivalry....I doubt if men in Congress fully realize that you and I are honest in our professions of want of ambition. I know I feel none, and to-day will gladly surrender my position and influence to any other who is better able to wield the power. The flurry attending my recent success will soon blow over, and give place to new developments....I am, truly, yours, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General

 

[larry_cockerham]

Grandpa Cockerham packs it in.

It was about this date that Generals Hatch, Croxton and Hammond arrived shortly after Wilson at Gravelly Springs, Alabama. Watkins and La Grange arrived the next day. This was the beginning of the almost two-month training period for Wilson's forming Cavalry that was to battle Forrest at Selma, Alabama on April 2. As the 13,000 plus newly armed and outfitted cavalry was being assembled, log cantonments (cabins) were crafted from the surrounding Alabama woods. Intensive training was to follow prior to the movement south. James Patterson Cockerham and the 10th Tennessee remained in western Tennessee. The war, for him at least, was over.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Sharing is best

Some 27,000 men assembled under Wilson between Waterloo and Gravelly Springs. There were mounts available for 17,000 men, leaving 10,000 still dismounted.

According to Donn Piatt and Henry Van Boynton in their General George Thomas, A Critical Biography,

"Hatch's entire Division composed of veterans of the highest quality from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee [at least two of these men, John Q.A. Bryant and James Patterson Cockerham were from North Carolina, serving in the 10th Tennessee] voluntarily gave up their horses and arms in order that they might be used to eke out the supply of other divisions." [The 10th Tennessee had participated heavily in the pursuit of the AOT from Nashville and after several months prior service, were well overdue a rest period.] Arrangements were made to remount and rearm their splendid Division, but their was no chance of getting this done in time to enable it to participate in the earlier stages of the final campaign, but orders were left for it to take the field and join the corps at the earliest possible day wherever it might be. Meanwhile, it was to continue to camp at Chickasaw and keep watch and ward as best it might over Northern Mississippi and West Tennessee." James Patterson Cockerham served out the remainder of the war in West Tennessee, largely on guard duty.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Thomas H. Noblet's corn and cows

Here's some information on the battle at Sugar Creek I recently received through the courtesy and efforts of Noblet descendant Jim Newton. My farrier gg grandfather Cockerham may well have eaten some of this mutton, pork or beef!

Thomas H. Noblet, Esq.

List of property taken by the Federal army

1864.

11 head of sheep worth $2 per head. $22.00
five (fine?) wethers [sic]

500 pounds of fodder worth $2 per hundred 10.00
12-1/2 bushel of corn worth $1 per bushel 12.50
3 hogs weighing 125 pounds which makes 375 pounds worth 37.50

1864 Dec

500 bushel of corn worth $1 per bushel $500

150 pounds of salted pork taken out of smokehouse worth 12-1/2 cents per pound 18.75

14 head of fat shoats avg weight 55 pounds,
whole amount 770 pounds $77

2 beef cattle worth $16

all of the above was taken by the command of Gen Wilson, Gen Hammond and Gen Hatch while fighting Rebble Hood back on his march to Nashville they command camped three day in half mile of my Premicis when the above was taken.

I give the above claim to W.J. Hill at Pulaski for collection or to Ed Luster. Luster has left. I have called on Hill for the claim; he says he has not got them. I can't find them. I don't think any thing as been done in the case.

T. H. Noblet

[All the above was in Mr. Noblet's very excellent handwriting. My transcript from photo provided by Jim Newton.]

Looks as if the government run-around was alive and well in 1865!

 

[larry_cockerham]

The AOT effort continues...

January 23, 1865

John Bell Hood was relieved this day of command of the Army of Tennessee while in headquarters at Tupelo. He left for Richmond where he was to arrive on February 8. His replacement was Lt. General Richard Taylor. See later. (Yes, for what it's worth Richard was Zachary's son.) Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, however, was the 'official' link from the Confederate presidency and remained in factual command of the AOT until Lee was to re-appoint Johnston on February 22,1865. Taylor, as it happened, remained in Alabama with Forrest while the AOT moved on to Georgia and South Carolina to meet Sherman.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 24, 1865

Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest wrote his official report of the Tennessee Campaign, preserved in the Official Record. On this day Forrest assumed command of all mounted troops in east Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. While arguably the most successful of the commanders in the western theatre, Forrest at this point was a man completely surrounded by the fatigue of four years in the saddle who was still gamely fighting for the continued existence of the Confederacy. While no officer had more affinity for or logistical knowledge of northern Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, Forrest knew the war was drawing to a conclusion. He had done more than his part to assist the effort. Faced with a lack of new manpower, adequate supplies and enthusiasm, all he could do was organize to meet Wilson in one last-ditch effort to defend his homeland and those he loved.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 25, 1865

From the history of the 11th Tennessee Infantry Regiment:

On January 25, the 11th/29th with the remainder of Cheatham's Corps left Tupelo on foot and marched to West Point, Mississippi where they arrived on January 28. At West Point, they boarded trains that transported them to *******n, Mississippi and thence to Selma, Alabama. From Selma, the boys boarded a steamboat and were transported to Montgomery, and from there they traveled by train to Columbus, Georgia. From Columbus they marched to Macon, through Milledgeville, and then to Mayfield. At Mayfield, they took the train to Augusta. From there, they marched on to Newberry, South Carolina.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the 63rd Virginia may have been not too far from the 11th TN during this time….. LDC 2007

[If the chamber of commerce of M-E-R-I-D-I-A-N, Mississippi ever meets the little censor, I hope he keeps his head down!]

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 27, 1865 Cheatham's Corps in *******n, Mississippi by rail.

(The Little Censor, if he were here, would spell this M*E*R*I*D*I*A*N!)

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 28, 1865 Cheatham's Corps in Demopolis, Alabama by
rail and ferry.

The Tombigbee River remained a major obstacle for the movement east of the AOT. The railroad bridge was simply not yet in existance, hence a ferry trip was required to make progress beyond Selma. Some of the Confederate forces were transported by rail on south to Mobile and then ferried across the river there only to be called on to march north again to rejoin the main force.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 30, 1865 Cheatham's Corps in Selma, Alabama

There was no rest in Selma, the site of a major Confederate arsenal. This little city was to see combat on April 2 when Forrest and Taylor rose to resist the invasion of Wilson's cavalry. For now, Frank Cheatham was headed on toward Georgia in the quest to stop Sherman's northern advance from Savannah.

 

[cw1865]

Too late!

and he should've been there with Hood trying to stop the EASTWARD advance to Savannah from Atlanta! ;-)

 

[larry_cockerham]

I agree somewhat. Forrest and Hood along with Cleburne and a few others in command instead of Hood, should have been fighting in Georgia, rather than Tennessee. Some seriously fatal tactical errors (in my usually slightly historically innacurate hindsight) must have been made by Beauregard and that fella Davis. The war had to end and the horrific campaign led by Hood in Tennessee hastened that goal, but at the expense of 10-15,000 brutal deaths.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Confederates and yanks heading north for battle

February 1, 1865 Cheatham's Corps in Montgomery, Alabama. It took three days for Cheatham's Corps to travel from Montgomery to Macon, a distance of only a about one hundred fifty miles (?) via railroad.

This day Sherman's army began their northward march from Pocotaligo, South Carolina.

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

On 1 Feb. 1865 the regiment was ordered to take the cars to Mobile, Alabama. The few men remaining in Featherston's Brigade knew they were heading to the Carolinas and would be up against their old nemeses, Gen. William T. Sherman. For many Confederate soldiers it was just too much. Desertions became frequent and soldiers proclaimed their own decision about the fate of the Confederate States of America by removing themselves from the war and going home.

Looking at the other side of the line for a moment we find Sherman's army split at two locations this day. The right wing was at Pocotaligo, Georgia forty miles north of Savannah and the left wing at Robertsville, Georgia twenty miles west of Pocotaligo. Both divisions started north for Columbia, SC on their route to Goldsboro, NC.