Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/79

Rh no discouragement, rather a sterner motive and a more spirited fight than usual on that unequal held. * * *

General Sherman's column was on its "march to the sea," and on November 11th he telegraphed General Halleck: "I would like to have Foster break the Charleston and Savannah Railroad about Pocataligo about the 1st of December."

Later in the month the following detail was made, which was ready on the 28th of November, and some troops did embark on that day.

Gunboats.Pawnee, Mingoe, Pontiac, Sonoma, Winona and Wissahickon.

Naval Brigade.Composed of 500 sailors and marines, with twelve howitzers for duty ashore; Commander George H. Preble.

Artillery.Batteries B and F, 3d New York, and Battery A, 3d Rhode Island, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel William Ames.

Infantry.General E. E. Potter's "1st brigade." New York regiments, 56th, 127th, 144th, 157th; Ohio regiment, 25th; United States colored troops, 32d, 34th, 35th regiments; Colonel A. S. Hartwell's "2d brigade." Massachusetts regiments, 54th and 55th; United States colored troops, 26th and 102d regiments.

Cavalry.A detachment of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under Captain George P. Hurlbut.


 * Men.

Navysix gunboats, naval brigade, sailors and marines,-500

Armythree batteries of artillery, - 300

Twelve regiments of infantry of 400 each, - 4,800

Total, 5,600

The landing was made a secure base for their operations. The double-enders of the fleet lay in line, stern to stern, near the shore, presenting a broadside of nineteen heavy guns and sixteen howitzers.

A cavalry detachment, two squadrons, four companies, 200 men. Total estimated at from 5,500 to 6,000 soldiers for duty all under command of Major-General J. C. Foster, U. S. A.

Orders were issued that the fleet should start before daybreak on the 29th, but a heavy tog settled over the river, preventing much