of the Shenandoah, and entered Staunton on the 2d. Thence he pushed on to Waynesboro, and there found the enemy, under Early, intrenched. Without stopping for a reconnoissance, an immediate attack was made, the position carried, 1600 prisoners, 11 pieces of artillery, 200 wagons, and 17 battle-flags captured. Thence Sheridan marched on Charlottesville, breaking the railroad as he went. He remained at that place two days, destroying the railroad toward Richmond and Lynchburg, including the large iron bridges over the north and south forks of the Rivanna, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. That delay obliged him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynchburg. On the 6th he divided his force into two columns. One of these marched up the James River from Scottsville to New Market, destroying every lock, and in many places the bank of the canal. The other column moved down the railroad toward Lynchburg, breaking it as far as Amherst Courthouse; thence it marched across the country, and united with the former at New Market. The river being very high, Sheridan's pontoons could not reach across; he therefore returned toward the White House, on his way destroying every lock on the canal, and cutting its banks wherev er practicable. He concentrated his whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten Richmond, he crossed the Annas, burning all the bridges and many miles of railroad, and proceeded down the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which he reached on the 19th. He made a junction with the Army of the Potomac, in front of Petersburg, on the 27th.

CHAPTER LXXXIX.

MARCH OF THE ARMY OF THE WEST FROM GEORGIA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE CAROLINAS.

There were two modes by which the Army of the West, under General Sherman, could be brought into connection with the Army of the East, under General Grant : (1), by a sea voyage; (2), by an overland march.

Of these, at Sherman's request, both for military and political reasons, the overland march was selected. It was accomplished in the depth of winter, and in spite of the most formidable difficulties.

The railroads and military resources of South Carolina were destroyed; its capital, Columbia, was captured; the Confederate forces were compelled to evacuate Charleston, which was occupied by national troops, and the national flag was raised on Fort Sumter.

Sherman entered Goldsboro, in North Carolina, his proposed objective point. The resumption of hostilities was arrested by a communication sent to Sherman by the Confederate General Johnston.

Acts of the Army of the West.

THE Army of the West had accomplished the objects to which it had been assigned. It had forced its way through the mountains to Atlanta; then, dividing, one portion of it, under Thomas, in the battle of Nashville had totally destroyed the Confederate army which, under Hood, had been defending Georgia; the other, under Sherman, had marched irresistibly across that state, devastating it throughout its length, capturing Milledgeville, its capital, and Savannah, its sea-port, and had established an unassailable military basis on the coast. There could not have been a more triumphant or more complete

success.

The point next to be accomplished was to bring the powerful army which now, under Sherman, lay at Savannah, to a junction with the army of Grant, confronting Lee at Richmond.

There were two modes by which this junction might be Modes proposed for effected: 1st, by a sea voyage; 2d, by a land march through the Carolinas.

its junction with the Army of the East.

by sea.

The first of these modes presented no unusual practical Transportation difficulty, the national government having the undisputed control of the sea, and being able to bring rapidly to Savannah the requisite amount of shipping. The considerations against its adoption had reference mainly to the chances which must be encountered on a stormy coast, the partial disorganization which an army always suffers while cooped up on board of transports, and the loss of time and effect which must be submitted to while so powerful a force was idly making its voyage. The second mode presented at once very formidable difficulties and very conspicuous advantages. The difficulties lay chiefly in the state of the country through which the long march must be made. It was the depth of winter; there had been unusual rains; the low lands were all overflowed; the roads in many places were quagmires; streams commonly insignificant had be come formidable rivers. For many weeks the weather could not be expected to improve.

A march through the Carolinas.

Military and polit

a march.

But Sherman felt that, great as these difficulties were, his army was able to overcome them; that, ical results of such in spite of the season, the condition of the roads, and the military opposition it might meet, it could make good its way to Wilmington, Goldsboro, or any other selected point at the North. In doing this there were advantages of a very conspicuous kind. The army, instead of being injured as in a sea-voyage, would even be improved; it would reach its objective point in a higher condition of discipline and efficiency. And while such were the military advantages, the political results would be equally important. The State of South Carolina had taken the lead in bringing on the war. At Charleston the first gun had been fired, and the national flag first insulted. Thus far South Carolina had enjoyed immunity from those inflictions which her conduct had brought on so many other states. Her vainglory would be enhanced

if she should altogether escape. A knowledge of what the march through Georgia might have been, indicated in no ambiguous manner what a march through South Carolina would be. The Army of the West would leave no cause of boasting in its track. Afar off, the towns upon the coast, and among them Charleston, must fall, as the towns on the Mississippi had fallen when an army marched past their rear.

It was the painful but profound conviction of many persons who were versed in the political affairs of the nation that no durable peace could be hoped for, no security against future assaults on the government provided, no guarantee against the disturbance of the tranquillity of the country obtained, unless this march were made.

The conclusion that it should be made was, however, not arrived at hastily. There entered into it no feeling of revenge. It was deliberately viewed and reviewed as a matter of military expediency and state policy. We are now to see how, when once resolved upon, it was inexorably carried into effect.

To General Sherman must be accorded the merit of the Sherman prefers the conception, as well as the execution of the marches through Georgia, and from Georgia

overland march,

through the Carolinas.

While he was at Chattanooga, it was intended by the government that his objective should be, not upon the Atlantic coast, but upon the Gulf. After the fall of Atlanta, it was not without some difficulty that he obtained permission to turn from the pursuit of Hood, and make his way to the coast. He first perceived the great political and military results which must follow an overland movement northward, and, though thoroughly appreciating its difficulties, had the courage to recommend strenuously its execution.

It was Grant's purpose to bring Sherman's army to the

vicinity of Richmond. It was his intention at first that it should be transported by sea.

Not without exertion did Sherman carry his point, and obtains Grant's and obtain permission to make the overland consent to it. movement. He had written to General Foster on the 18th of December: "You are aware that I am ordered to carry this army to Virginia by sea;" and to Grant on the same day: "I will do nothing rash or hasty, and will embark for James River." In a few days, however (December 23d), we find him earnestly suggesting to Grant: "I have now completed my first step, and should like to go to you by way of Columbia and Raleigh, but will prepare to embark as soon as vessels come. You know well how much better troops arrive by a land march than when carried by transports." After the movement had actually commenced, he again addressed Grant from Pocotaligo: "I know that this march is necessary to the war. It must be made sooner or later, and I am in the proper position for it. I ask no re-enforcement, but simply wish the utmost activity at all other points, so that the enemy may not concentrate too powerfully against me. I expect Davis will move heaven and earth to resist me, for the suc cess of my army is fatal to his dream of empire. Richmond is not more vital to his cause than Columbia." Grant gave his consent, and Sherman answered him: "I am gratified that you have modified your Wilmington, not to former orders, as I feared the transportation

The march to be to

Charleston. by sea would very much disturb the unity and morale of my army, now so perfect." To Halleck he expresses his delight that he is not to embark, but to march through the Carolinas, preferring to go to Wilmington rather than to Charleston, the former being a live place, the latter dead and unimportant when its railroad communications are broken. To Admiral Porter he expresses a fear that the President's anxiety to take Charleston may induce Grant to order him to operate against that city rather