Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/133

 CHAPTER XX.

With Sherman to the Sea—Colonel Schoonover's Journal—Siege of Savannah.

Tuesday, the 8th instant, the Twenty-ninth was very busy holding election. Detachments from other organizations were permitted to vote at the Twenty-ninth headquarters. The Twenty-ninth regiment cast three hundred and eighty-four votes. Of these Lincoln received three hundred and fifty and McClellan thirty-four. During the day the regiment was wide awake and enthusiastic, and gave every soldier a chance to vote. At 6:30 on the following day, while the regiment was in tents eating breakfast, the rebels opened a lively fire with artillery, at short range. The enemy approached our picket, which was posted west of camp, covering the Sandtown road, who were surprised and fell back without firing a shot; hence the first intimation that we had that the enemy was near was the report of their artillery and the bursting of shells in our midst. The Twenty-ninth fell in and took position behind the fortification which the regiment had constructed. In the meantime a line of skirmishers was sent out and soon the enemy were driven back. A portion of the brigade was sent out on the Sandtown road, marched a few miles, but the Confederates had flown, and late in the afternoon the scouting party returned to camp.

November 10th. Remained in camp occupied in the usual camp and picket duties, and the inspection of amunition, arms, and accoutrements, and all was quiet,