This Day in Georgia Civil War History
November 18, 1864
Georgia Militia Man Wrote Wife from Macon
Other than some scouts sent to follow Sherman by Confederate military authorities, about the only people standing in his way were the Georgia militia, which were no match for the large, well trained and well supplied Union army. On this day one of these men wrote to his wife from Macon.
“…We marched all night until about one hour today we stopped. After day we started again and marched all day until 10 o’clock last night, when we were halted and to camp. We were used completely up and thought we would rest all night. We ate what little we had and could get, not having any rations given us since the day before, and then did not get it in time to cook it and had to throw it away. From Griffin [to] Forsyth [is] about 40 miles, which we made [in] one day and night. … The times look gloomy about here now, I assure you. The citizens of Macon are in great confusion and are moving out pretty fast. It is not worthwhile for me to write you anything about the Yankees, as you will know as much as I can tell you and sooner than I can tell you. Suffice it to say they are making demonstrations this way. The hopes that we had of being let loose soon has faded from our minds at this time. I can’t say what will be the next move on foot or whether we will stay here long or not. I will not be surprised at any move now. …” Source: Mills Lane (ed.), “Dear Mother: Don’t grieve about me. If I get killed, I’ll only be dead.”: Letters from Georgia Soldiers in the Civil War (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1990), pp. 334-335.
