«Мемуары генерала Уильяма Шермана. Том 1»

Я был разочарован тем, что Харди ускользнул со своей армией, но в целом у нас были причины быть довольными осязаемыми плодами победы. Выяснилось, что река Саванна сильно загромождена торпедами и бревенчатыми сваями, протянутыми поперек фарватера ниже города; эти сваи были забиты булыжным камнем, которым некогда мостились улицы. Адмирал Далгрен проявлял крайнюю активность, неоднократно навещал меня в городе, в то время как его флот продолжал наблюдать за Чарлстоном и всеми путями прорыва блокады, кишевшими на побережье и по общему признанию принадлежавшими англичанам и управлявшимися ими, причем в качестве своего рода перевалочного пункта они использовали остров Нью-Провиденс (Нассау). Одно из таких небольших судов прорыва блокады зашло в Саванну уже после того, как мы полностью овладели городом, и шкипер не осознавал своей ошибки до тех пор, пока не сошел на берег, чтобы заглянуть на таможню. Разумеется, его судно досталось флоту в качестве приза. Были немедленно начаты масштабные работы по удалению торпед и препятствий на главном фарватере реки, и с того момента Саванна стала главной базой снабжения для войск, действовавших в том районе.

Тем временем 15 и 16 декабря перед Нэшвиллом разыгрались великие сражения, в которых генерал Томас столь достойно выполнил свое обещание сокрушить Худа; подробности этих боев во всех деталях изложены в его собственных официальных отчетах, опубликованных уже давно. Слухи об этих великих победах доходили до нас в Саванну урывками, но его официальный отчет прибыл 24 декабря вместе с письмом от генерала Гранта, в общих чертах описывавшим события вплоть до 18-го числа, и я немедленно написал через своего начальника штаба, генерала Вебстера, генералу Томасу, выразив ему высочайшую похвалу. Его блестящая победа под Нэшвиллом была необходима для завершения моей победы под Саванной в единое целое, и этот факт прекрасно понимал мистер Линкольн, который всесторонне признал его в своем личном письме от 26 декабря, приведенном выше полностью, а также заявил об этом в то время в моем Специальном полевом приказе № 6 от 8 января 1865 года, который приводится здесь:

(Special Field Order No. 6.)

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

IN THE FIELD, NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, January 8, 1864.

The general commanding announces to the troops composing the Military Division of the Mississippi that he has received from the President of the United States, and from Lieutenant-General Grant, letters conveying their high sense and appreciation of the campaign just closed, resulting in the capture of Savannah and the defeat of Hood's army in Tennessee.

In order that all may understand the importance of events, it is proper to revert to the situation of affairs in September last. We held Atlanta, a city of little value to us, but so important to the enemy that Mr. Davis, the head of the rebellious faction in the South, visited his army near Palmetto, and commanded it to regain the place and also to ruin and destroy us, by a series of measures which he thought would be effectual. That army, by a rapid march, gained our railroad near Big Shanty, and afterward about Dalton. We pursued it, but it moved so rapidly that we could not overtake it, and General Hood led his army successfully far over toward Mississippi, in hope to decoy us out of Georgia. But we were not thus to be led away by him, and preferred to lead and control events ourselves. Generals Thomas and Schofield, commanding the departments to our rear, returned to their posts and prepared to decoy General Hood into their meshes, while we came on to complete the original journey. We quietly and deliberately destroyed Atlanta, and all the railroads which the enemy had used to carry on war against us, occupied his State capital, and then captured his commercial capital, which had been so strongly fortified from the sea as to defy approach from that quarter. Almost at the moment of our victorious entry into Savannah came the welcome and expected news that our comrades in Tennessee had also fulfilled nobly and well their part, had decoyed General Hood to Nashville and then turned on him, defeating his army thoroughly, capturing all his artillery, great numbers of prisoners, and were still pursuing the fragments down in Alabama. So complete success in military operations, extending over half a continent, is an achievement that entitles it to a place in the military history of the world. The armies serving in Georgia and Tennessee, as well as the local garrisons of Decatur, Bridgeport, Chattanooga, and Murfreesboro', are alike entitled to the common honors, and each regiment may inscribe on its colors, at pleasure, the word "Savannah" or "Nashville." The general commanding embraces, in the same general success, the operations of the cavalry under Generals Stoneman, Burbridge, and Gillem, that penetrated into Southwest Virginia, and paralyzed the efforts of the enemy to disturb the peace and safety of East Tennessee. Instead of being put on the defensive, we have at all points assumed the bold offensive, and have completely thwarted the designs of the enemies of our country.

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman,

L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.

На этом завершился «Марш к морю», и я лишь добавлю несколько писем, выбранных из множества других, чтобы проиллюстрировать царившее тогда по всей стране общее чувство ликования. Я рассматривал марш от Атланты до Саванны лишь как «смену базы», как переброску сильной армии, не имевшей противника и завершившей свою на тот момент задачу, из внутренних районов в точку на морском побережье, откуда она могла бы добиться других важных результатов. Я считал этот марш средством для достижения цели, а не самостоятельным актом войны. Тем не менее тогда, как и теперь, марш к морю обычно расценивался как нечто из ряда вон выходящее, нечто аномальное, выбивающееся из обычного порядка вещей; в то время как на самом деле я просто совершил переход из Атланты в Саванну как один из шагов в направлении Ричмонда — движение, которое необходимо было встретить и разгромить, иначе война неизбежно подошла бы к концу.

Если бы мне пришлось выразить меру относительной важности марша к морю и похода из Саванны на север, я бы оценил первый единицей, а второй — десяткой, то есть максимумом.

Теперь я завершаю эту длинную главу приведением табличной ведомости потерь за время марша и количества захваченных пленных. Захваченное имущество исчислялось тысячами лошадей и мулов, а также огромными массами продовольственных припасов, которые в совокупности составляют весьма значительную величину, но могут быть оценены с достаточной точностью из расчета, что шестьдесят пять тысяч человек были обеспечены обильным продовольствием примерно на сорок дней, а тридцать пять тысяч животных кормились в течение такого же срока, благодаря чему прибыли в Саванну в прекрасной упитанности и кондиции. Я также прилагаю несколько наиболее важных писем, которыми обменялись генералы Грант, Халлек и я, иллюстрирующих наши взгляды на том этапе войны:

ВЕДОМОСТЬ ПОТЕРЬ И ЗАХВАЧЕННЫХ ПЛЕННЫХ ДЕЙСТВУЮЩЕЙ АРМИЕЙ В ХОДЕ КАМПАНИИ В ДЖОРДЖИИ.

Killed Wounded Missing Captured

Officers Men Officers Men Officers Men Officers Men

10 93 24 404 1 277 77 1,261

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY

WASHINGTON, December 16, 1864

Major-General SHERMAN (via Hilton Head).

GENERAL: Lieutenant-General Grant informs me that, in his last dispatch sent to you, he suggested the transfer of your infantry to Richmond. He now wishes me to say that you will retain your entire force, at least for the present, and, with such assistance as may be given you by General Foster and Admiral Dahlgren, operate from such base as you may establish on the coast. General Foster will obey such instructions as may be given by you.

Should you have captured Savannah, it is thought that by transferring the water-batteries to the land side that place may be made a good depot and base of operations on Augusta, Branchville, or Charleston. If Savannah should not be captured, or if captured and not deemed suitable for this purpose, perhaps Beaufort would serve as a depot. As the rebels have probably removed their most valuable property from Augusta, perhaps Branchville would be the most important point at which to strike in order to sever all connection between Virginia and the Southwestern Railroad.

General Grant's wishes, however, are, that this whole matter of your future actions should be entirely left to your discretion.

We can send you from here a number of complete batteries of field-artillery, with or without horses, as you may desire; also, as soon as General Thomas can spare them, all the fragments, convalescents, and furloughed men of your army. It is reported that Thomas defeated Hood yesterday, near Nashville, but we have no particulars nor official reports, telegraphic communication being interrupted by a heavy storm.

Our last advises from you was General Howard's note, announcing his approach to Savannah. Yours truly,

H. W. HALLECK, Major-General, Chief-of-Staff.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY

WASHINGTON, December 18, 1864.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, Savannah (via Hilton Head).

My DEAR GENERAL: Yours of the 13th, by Major Anderson, is just received. I congratulate you on your splendid success, and shall very soon expect to hear of the crowning work of your campaign--the capture of Savannah. Your march will stand out prominently as the great one of this great war. When Savannah falls, then for another wide swath through the centre of the Confederacy. But I will not anticipate. General Grant is expected here this morning, and will probably write you his own views.

I do not learn from your letter, or from Major Anderson, that you are in want of any thing which we have not provided at Hilton Head. Thinking it probable that you might want more field-artillery, I had prepared several batteries, but the great difficulty of foraging horses on the sea-coast will prevent our sending any unless you actually need them. The hay-crop this year is short, and the Quartermaster's Department has great difficulty in procuring a supply for our animals.

General Thomas has defeated Hood, near Nashville, and it is hoped that he will completely, crush his army. Breckenridge, at last accounts, was trying to form a junction near Murfreesboro', but, as Thomas is between them, Breckenridge must either retreat or be defeated.

General Rosecrans made very bad work of it in Missouri, allowing Price with a small force to overrun the State and destroy millions of property.

Orders have been issued for all officers and detachments having three months or more to serve, to rejoin your army via Savannah. Those having less than three months to serve, will be retained by General Thomas.

Should you capture Charleston, I hope that by some accident the place may be destroyed, and, if a little salt should be sown upon its site, it may prevent the growth of future crops of nullification and secession. Yours truly,

H. W. HALLECK, Major-General, Chief-of-Staff.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY

WASHINGTON, December 18, 1864.

To Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi.

My DEAR GENERAL: I have just received and read, I need not tell you with how mush gratification, your letter to General Halleck. I congratulate you and the brave officers and men under your command on the successful termination of your most brilliant campaign. I never had a doubt of the result. When apprehensions for your safety were expressed by the President, I assured him with the army you had, and you in command of it, there was no danger but you would strike bottom on salt-water some place; that I would not feel the same security--in fact, would not have intrusted the expedition to any other living commander.

It has been very hard work to get Thomas to attack Hood. I gave him the most peremptory order, and had started to go there myself, before he got off. He has done magnificently, however, since he started. Up to last night, five thousand prisoners and forty-nine pieces of captured artillery, besides many wagons and innumerable small-arms, had been received in Nashville. This is exclusive of the enemy's loss at Franklin, which amounted to thirteen general officers killed, wounded, and captured. The enemy probably lost five thousand men at Franklin, and ten thousand in the last three days' operations. Breckenridge is said to be making for Murfreesboro'.

I think he is in a most excellent place. Stoneman has nearly wiped out John Morgan's old command, and five days ago entered Bristol. I did think the best thing to do was to bring the greater part of your army here, and wipe out Lee. The turn affairs now seem to be taking has shaken me in that opinion. I doubt whether you may not accomplish more toward that result where you are than if brought here, especially as I am informed, since my arrival in the city, that it would take about two months to get you here with all the other calls there are for ocean transportation.

I want to get your views about what ought to be done, and what can be done. If you capture the garrison of Savannah, it certainly will compel Lee to detach from Richmond, or give us nearly the whole South. My own opinion is that Lee is averse to going out of Virginia, and if the cause of the South is lost he wants Richmond to be the last place surrendered. If he has such views, it may be well to indulge him until we get every thing else in our hands.

Congratulating you and the army again upon the splendid results of your campaign, the like of which is not read of in past history, I subscribe myself, more than ever, if possible, your friend,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, December 26, 1864.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, Savannah, Georgia.

GENERAL: Your very interesting letter of the 22d inst., brought by Major Grey of General Foster's staff; is fast at hand. As the major starts back at once, I can do no more at present than simply acknowledge its receipt. The capture of Savannah, with all its immense stores, must tell upon the people of the South. All well here.

Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, December 24, 1864.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, City Point, Virginia.

GENERAL: Your letter of December 18th is just received. I feel very much gratified at receiving the handsome commendation you pay my army. I will, in general orders, convey to the officers and men the substance of your note.

I am also pleased that you have modified your former orders, for I feared that the transportation by sea would very much disturb the unity and morale of my army, now so perfect.

The occupation of Savannah, which I have heretofore reported, completes the first part of our game, and fulfills a great part of your instructions; and we are now engaged in dismantling the rebel forts which bear upon the sea-channels, and transferring the heavy ordnance and ammunition to Fort Pulaski and Hilton Head, where they can be more easily guarded than if left in the city.

The rebel inner lines are well adapted to our purpose, and with slight modifications can be held by a comparatively small force; and in about ten days I expect to be ready to sally forth again. I feel no doubt whatever as to our future plans. I have thought them over so long and well that they appear as clear as daylight. I left Augusta untouched on purpose, because the enemy will be in doubt as to my objective point, after we cross the Savannah River, whether it be Augusta or Charleston, and will naturally divide his forces. I will then move either on Branchville or Colombia, by any curved line that gives us the best supplies, breaking up in our course as much railroad as possible; then, ignoring Charleston and Augusta both, I would occupy Columbia and Camden, pausing there long enough to observe the effect. I would then strike for the Charleston & Wilmington Railroad, somewhere between the Santee and Cape Fear Rivers, and, if possible, communicate with the fleet under Admiral Dahlgren (whom I find a most agreeable gentleman, accommodating himself to our wishes and plans). Then I would favor an attack on Wilmington, in the belief that Porter and Butler will fail in their present undertaking. Charleston is now a mere desolated wreck, and is hardly worth the time it would take to starve it out. Still, I am aware that, historically and politically, much importance is attached to the place, and it may be that, apart from its military importance, both you and the Administration may prefer I should give it more attention; and it would be well for you to give me some general idea on that subject, for otherwise I would treat it as I have expressed, as a point of little importance, after all its railroads leading into the interior have been destroyed or occupied by us. But, on the hypothesis of ignoring Charleston and taking Wilmington, I would then favor a movement direct on Raleigh. The game is then up with Lee, unless he comes out of Richmond, avoids you and fights me; in which case I should reckon on your being on his heels. Now that Hood is used up by Thomas, I feel disposed to bring the matter to an issue as quick as possible. I feel confident that I can break up the whole railroad system of South Carolina and North Carolina, and be on the Roanoke, either at Raleigh or Weldon, by the time spring fairly opens; and, if you feel confident that you can whip Lee outside of his intrenchments, I feel equally confident that I can handle him in the open country.

One reason why I would ignore Charleston is this: that I believe Hardee will reduce the garrison to a small force, with plenty of provisions; I know that the neck back of Charleston can be made impregnable to assault, and we will hardly have time for siege operations.

I will have to leave in Savannah a garrison, and, if Thomas can spare them, I would like to have all detachments, convalescents, etc., belonging to these four corps, sent forward at once. I do not want to cripple Thomas, because I regard his operations as all-important, and I have ordered him to pursue Hood down into Alabama, trusting to the country for supplies.

I reviewed one of my corps to-day, and shall continue to review the whole army. I do not like to boast, but believe this army has a confidence in itself that makes it almost invincible. I wish you could run down and see us; it would have a good effect, and show to both armies that they are acting on a common plan. The weather is now cool and pleasant, and the general health very good. Your true friend,

W. T. SHERMAN Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI

IN THE FIELD, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, December 24, 1864.

Major-General H. W. HALLECK, Chief-of-Staff; Washington, D. C.

GENERAL: I had the pleasure of receiving your two letters of the 16th and 18th instant to-day, and feel more than usually flattered by the high encomiums you have passed on our recent campaign, which is now complete by the occupation of Savannah.

I am also very glad that General Grant has changed his mind about embarking my troops for James River, leaving me free to make the broad swath you describe through South and North Carolina; and still more gratified at the news from Thomas, in Tennessee, because it fulfills my plans, which contemplated his being able to dispose of Hood, in case he ventured north of the Tennessee River. So, I think, on the whole, I can chuckle over Jeff. Davis's disappointment in not turning my Atlanta campaign into a "Moscow disaster."

I have just finished a long letter to General Grant, and have explained to him that we are engaged in shifting our base from the Ogeeohee to the Savannah River, dismantling all the forts made by the enemy to bear upon the salt-water channels, transferring the heavy ordnance, etc., to Fort Pulaski and Hilton Head, and in remodeling the enemy's interior lines to suit our future plans and purposes. I have also laid down the programme for a campaign which I can make this winter, and which will put me in the spring on the Roanoke, in direct communication with General Grant on James River. In general terms, my plan is to turn over to General Foster the city of Savannah, to sally forth with my army resupplied, cross the Savannah, feign on Charleston and Augusta, but strike between, breaking en route the Charleston & Augusta Railroad, also a large part of that from Branchville and Camden toward North Carolina, and then rapidly to move for some point of the railroad from Charleston to Wilmington, between the Santee and Cape Fear Rivers; then, communicating with the fleet in the neighborhood of Georgetown, I would turn upon Wilmington or Charleston, according to the importance of either. I rather prefer Wilmington, as a live place, over Charleston, which is dead and unimportant when its railroad communications are broken. I take it for granted that the present movement on Wilmington will fail. If I should determine to take Charleston, I would turn across the country (which I have hunted over many a time) from Santee to Mount Pleasant, throwing one wing on the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper. After accomplishing one or other of these ends, I would make a bee-line for Raleigh or Weldon, when Lee world be forced to come out of Richmond, or acknowledge himself beaten. He would, I think, by the use of the Danville Railroad, throw himself rapidly between me and Grant, leaving Richmond in the hands of the latter. This would not alarm me, for I have an army which I think can maneuver, and I world force him to attack me at a disadvantage, always under the supposition that Grant would be on his heels; and, if the worst come to the worst, I can fight my way down to Albermarle Sound, or Newbern.

I think the time has come now when we should attempt the boldest moves, and my experience is, that they are easier of execution than more timid ones, because the enemy is disconcerted by them--as, for instance, my recent campaign.

I also doubt the wisdom of concentration beyond a certain extent, for the roads of this country limit the amount of men that can be brought to bear in any one battle, and I do not believe that any one general can handle more than sixty thousand men in battle.

I think our campaign of the last month, as well as every step I take from this point northward, is as much a direct attack upon Lee's army as though we were operating within the sound of his artillery.

I am very anxious that Thomas should follow up his success to the very utmost point. My orders to him before I left Kingston were, after beating Hood, to follow him as far as Columbus, Mississippi, or Selma, Alabama, both of which lie in districts of country which are rich in corn and meat.

I attach more importance to these deep incisions into the enemy's country, because this war differs from European wars in this particular: we are not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized armies. I know that this recent movement of mine through Georgia has had a wonderful effect in this respect. Thousands who had been deceived by their lying newspapers to believe that we were being whipped all the time now realize the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience. To be sure, Jeff. Davis has his people under pretty good discipline, but I think faith in him is much shaken in Georgia, and before we have done with her South Carolina will not be quite so tempestuous.

I will bear in mind your hint as to Charleston, and do not think "salt" will be necessary. When I move, the Fifteenth Corps will be on the right of the right wing, and their position will naturally bring them into Charleston first; and, if you have watched the history of that corps, you will have remarked that they generally do their work pretty well. The truth is, the whole army is burning with an insatiable desire to wreak vengeance upon South Carolina. I almost tremble at her fate, but feel that she deserves all that seems in store for her.

Many and many a person in Georgia asked me why we did not go to South Carolina; and, when I answered that we were enroute for that State, the invariable reply was, "Well, if you will make those people feel the utmost severities of war, we will pardon you for your desolation of Georgia."

I look upon Colombia as quite as bad as Charleston, and I doubt if we shall spare the public buildings there as we did at Milledgeville.

I have been so busy lately that I have not yet made my official report, and I think I had better wait until I get my subordinate reports before attempting it, as I am anxious to explain clearly not only the reasons for every step, but the amount of execution done, and this I cannot do until I get the subordinate reports; for we marched the whole distance in four or more columns, and, of course, I could only be present with one, and generally that one engaged in destroying railroads. This work of destruction was performed better than usual, because I had an engineer-regiment, provided with claws to twist the bars after being heated. Such bars can never be used again, and the only way in which a railroad line can be reconstructed across Georgia is, to make a new road from Fairburn Station (twenty-four miles southwest of Atlanta) to Madison, a distance of one hundred miles; and, before that can be done, I propose to be on the road from Augusta to Charleston, which is a continuation of the same. I felt somewhat disappointed at Hardee's escape, but really am not to blame. I moved as quickly as possible to close up the "Union Causeway," but intervening obstacles were such that, before I could get troops on the road, Hardee had slipped out. Still, I know that the men that were in Savannah will be lost in a measure to Jeff. Davis, for the Georgia troops, under G. W. Smith, declared they would not fight in South Carolina, and they have gone north, en route for Augusta, and I have reason to believe the North Carolina troops have gone to Wilmington; in other words, they are scattered. I have reason to believe that Beauregard was present in Savannah at the time of its evacuation, and think that he and Hardee are now in Charleston, making preparations for what they suppose will be my next step.

Please say to the President that I have received his kind message (through Colonel Markland), and feel thankful for his high favor. If I disappoint him in the future, it shall not be from want of zeal or love to the cause.

From you I expect a full and frank criticism of my plans for the future, which may enable me to correct errors before it is too late. I do not wish to be rash, but want to give my rebel friends no chance to accuse us of want of enterprise or courage.

Assuring you of my high personal respect, I remain, as ever, your friend,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

[General Order No. 3.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE

WASHINGTON, January 14, 1865.

The following resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives is published to the army:

[PUBLIC RESOLUTION--No. 4.]

Joint resolution tendering the thanks of the people and of Congress to Major-General William T. Sherman, and the officers and soldiers of his command, for their gallant conduct in their late brilliant movement through Georgia.

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of the people and of the Congress of the United States are due and are hereby tendered to Major-General William T. Sherman, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in their late campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and the triumphal march thence through Georgia to Savannah, terminating in the capture and occupation of that city; and that the President cause a copy of this joint resolution to be engrossed and forwarded to Major-General Sherman.

Approved, January 10, 1865.

By order of the Secretary of War,

W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

ГЛАВА XXII.

САВАННА И ПОКОТАЛИГО.

DECEMBER, 1884, AND JANUARY, 1885.

Город Саванна был старым населенным пунктом и обычно считался красивым. Его дома были кирпичными или каркасными, с большими дворами, украшенными кустарником и цветами; его улицы отличались идеальной регулярностью, пересекаясь под прямыми углами, а на многих перекрестках располагались небольшие обнесенные участки наподобие парков. Эти улицы и парки были обсажены самыми красивыми тенистыми деревьями, какие мне доводилось видеть, а именно — иволистными дубами, вечнозелеными растениями изысканной красоты; и они, безусловно, придавали Саванне репутацию красивого города в большей степени, чем дома, которые, хотя и были удобными, вряд ли произвели бы впечатление на Пятой авеню или бульваре Осман в Париже. Город был построен на песчаном плато высотой около сорока футов над уровнем моря, примыкавшем к реке, оставляя вдоль ее кромки место для улицы с магазинами и складами. Таможня, здание суда, почтамт и т. д. находились на плато выше. Позади Саванны располагался большой парк с фонтаном, а между ним и зданием суда возвышался красивый памятник, воздвигнутый в память о графе Пуласки, который пал в 1779 году при штурме города в то время, когда он удерживался англичанами во время Войны за независимость. За пределами Саванны было очень мало интересного для путешественника, за исключением кладбища Бонавентура и поездки вдоль Уилмингтонского пролива через Тандерболт, где можно было увидеть рощи величественных дубов, покрытых серым и похожим на погребальные венки мохом, которые поистине поражали своим великолепием, но казались мрачными после нескольких дней лагерной жизни под ними:

Меньше чем через час после того, как я обосновался в доме мистера Грина, мистер А. Г. Браун из Салема, штат Массачусетс, агент Казначейства Соединенных Штатов по Департаменту Юга, явился, чтобы заявить права на владение от имени министерства финансов всем захваченным хлопком, рисом, зданиями и т. д. Поскольку эти предметы были нужны нам самим и мы честно их заслужили, у меня не было желания уступать права на них, и я объяснил ему, что квартирмейстер и интендант сумеют распорядиться ими лучше, чем он; но я согласился после составления надлежащих описей передать ему всё, на что у нас не найдется особой нужды. К тому времени было известно, что на складах хранится по меньшей мере двадцать пять тысяч тюков хлопка, а в фортах — сто пятьдесят крупных тяжелых орудий береговой обороны; хотя впоследствии, при более тщательном подсчете, оказалось, что орудий береговой обороны или осадных было более двух с половиной сотен, а тюков хлопка — тридцать одна тысяча. Во время этой беседы мистер Браун, проницательный и толковый янки, сказал мне, что к отплытию готовится судно на Олд-Пойнт-Комфорт, и если у него будет хорошая погода у мыса Хаттерас, оно достигнет Фортресс-Монро к рождеству, и он предложил мне воспользоваться этим случаем, чтобы отправить желанный рождественский подарок президенту мистеру Линкольну, который исключительно ценил подобные шутки. Соответственно, я сел и написал на клочке бумаги послание для передачи, которое следовало оставить на телеграфной станции в Фортресс-Монро:

SAVANNAH GEORGIA, December 22, 1884. To His Excellency President Lincoln, Washington, D. C.:

I beg to present you as a Christmas-gift the city of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty five thousand bales of cotton.

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

Это сообщение действительно дошло до него в рождественский сочельник, широко публиковалось в газетах и сделало многие семьи необыкновенно счастливыми в этот праздничный день; именно в ответ на эту депешу мистер Линкольн написал мне уже упомянутое письмо от 28 декабря, начинающееся со слов «тысячу и тысячу раз спасибо» и т. д., которое он передал с генералом Джоном А. Логаном, оказавшимся в Вашингтоне и направлявшимся в Саванну для воссоединения со своим соединением.

23 декабря были отданы следующие общие приказы о дислокации войск в Саванне и ее окрестностях:

[Special Field Order No. 139.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

IN THE FIELD, NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, December 23, 1864.

Savannah, being now in our possession, the river partially cleared out, and measures having been taken to remove all obstructions, will at once be made a grand depot for future operations:

1. The chief-quartermaster, General Euston, will, after giving the necessary orders touching the transports in Ogeechee River and Oasabaw Sound, come in person to Savannah, and take possession of all public buildings, vacant storerooms, warehouses, etc., that may be now or hereafter needed for any department of the army. No rents will be paid by the Government of the United States during the war, and all buildings must be distributed according to the accustomed rates of the Quartermaster's Department, as though they were public property.

2. The chief commissary of subsistence, Colonel A. Beckwith, will transfer the grand depot of the army to the city of Savannah, secure possession of the needful buildings and offices, and give the necessary orders, to the end that the army may be supplied abundantly and well.

3. The chief-engineer, Captain Poe, will at once direct which of the enemy's forts are to be retained for our use, and which dismantled and destroyed. The chief ordnance-officer, Captain Baylor, will in like manner take possession of all property pertaining to his department captured from the enemy, and cause the same to be collected and conveyed to points of security; all the heavy coast-guns will be dismounted and carried to Fort Pulaski.

4. The troops, for the present, will be grouped about the city of Savannah, looking to convenience of camps; General Slocum taking from the Savannah River around to the seven-mile post on the Canal, and General Howard thence to the sea; General Kilpatrick will hold King's Bridge until Fort McAllister is dismantled, and the troops withdrawn from the south side of the Ogeechee, when he will take post about Anderson's plantation, on the plank-road, and picket all the roads leading from the north and west.

5. General Howard will keep a small guard at Forts Rosedale, Beaulieu, Wimberley, Thunderbolt, and Bonaventura, and he will cause that shore and Skidaway Island to be examined very closely, with a view to finding many and convenient points for the embarkation of troops and wagons on seagoing vessels.

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman,

L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.

[Special Field Order No. 143.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

IN THE FIELD, NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, December 26, 1864.

The city of Savannah and surrounding country will be held as a military post, and adapted to future military uses, but, as it contains a population of some twenty thousand people, who must be provided for, and as other citizens may come, it is proper to lay down certain general principles, that all within its military jurisdiction may understand their relative duties and obligations.

1. During war, the military is superior to civil authority, and, where interests clash, the civil must give way; yet, where there is no conflict, every encouragement should be given to well-disposed and peaceful inhabitants to resume their usual pursuits. Families should be disturbed as little as possible in their residences, and tradesmen allowed the free use of their shops, tools, etc.; churches, schools, and all places of amusement and recreation, should be encouraged, and streets and roads made perfectly safe to persons in their pursuits. Passes should not be exacted within the line of outer pickets, but if any person shall abuse these privileges by communicating with the enemy, or doing any act of hostility to the Government of the United States, he or she will be punished with the utmost rigor of the law. Commerce with the outer world will be resumed to an extent commensurate with the wants of the citizens, governed by the restrictions and rules of the Treasury Department.

2. The chief quartermaster and commissary of the army may give suitable employment to the people, white and black, or transport them to such points as they may choose where employment can be had; and may extend temporary relief in the way of provisions and vacant houses to the worthy and needy, until such time as they can help themselves. They will select first the buildings for the necessary uses of the army; next, a sufficient number of stores, to be turned over to the Treasury agent for trade-stores. All vacant store-houses or dwellings, and all buildings belonging to absent rebels, will be construed and used as belonging to the United States, until such time as their titles can be settled by the courts of the United States.

3. The Mayor and City Council of Savannah will continue to exercise their functions, and will, in concert with the commanding officer of the post and the chief-quartermaster, see that the fire-companies are kept in organization, the streets cleaned and lighted, and keep up a good understanding between the citizens and soldiers. They will ascertain and report to the chief commissary of subsistence, as soon as possible, the names and number of worthy families that need assistance and support. The mayor will forth with give public notice that the time has come when all must choose their course, viz., remain within our lines, and conduct themselves as good citizens, or depart in peace. He will ascertain the names of all who choose to leave Savannah, and report their names and residence to the chief-quartermaster, that measures may be taken to transport them beyond our lines.

4. Not more than two newspapers will be published in Savannah; their editors and proprietors will be held to the strictest accountability, and will be punished severely, in person and property, for any libelous publication, mischievous matter, premature news, exaggerated statements, or any comments whatever upon the acts of the constituted authorities; they will be held accountable for such articles, even though copied from other papers.

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman,

L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.

По оценкам, в Саваннах проживало около двадцати тысяч жителей, и все они в той или иной степени участвовали в войне и не имели особых оснований рассчитывать на наше расположение, однако я считал, что война стремительно подходит к концу, и перед нами вставал политический вопрос о том, что делать с жителями Юга, как белыми, так и черными, когда война действительно завершится. Я решил предоставить им выбор: остаться или присоединиться к своим друзьям в Чарлстоне или Огасте, о чем и объявил в общих приказах. Мэр, доктор Арнольд, был полностью «покорен», и, проконсультировавшись с ним, я уполномочил его созвать городской совет для общего руководства интересами жителей; но предупредил всех остающихся, что они должны строго подчиняться военному закону и интересам центрального правительства. Около двухсот человек, главным образом семьи военнослужащих армий Конфедерации, изъявили готовность разделить судьбу своих мужей и отцов, и они были отправлены на пароходе под парламентерским флагом в сопровождении моего адъютанта капитана Оденрида в Чарлстонскую бухту и там переданы офицеру конфедеративной армии. Однако подавляющее большинство жителей предпочло оставаться в Саванне, в целом вело себя прилично, и между ними и армией сразу же установились хорошие общественные отношения. Вскоре после нашего занятия Саванны дежурный или часовой у парадного входа доложил о прибытии дамы, которую провели в гостиную; ею оказалась жена генерала Г. В. Смита, с которым я был знаком примерно с 1850 года, когда Смит нес службу в Вест-Пойнте. Она была уроженкой Нью-Лондона, штат Коннектикут, и очень красивой женщиной. Она начала беседу с вручения мне письма от своего мужа, командовавшего тогда дивизией джорджийского ополчения в армии мятежников, которая только что покинула Саванну; письмо начиналось словами: «ДОРОГОЙ ШЕРМАН: Перипетии войны и т. д. вынуждают меня оставить жену в Саванне, и я прошу для нее вашей любезной защиты» и т. д. Я поинтересовался, где она живет и беспокоит ли ее кто-нибудь. Она ответила, что снимает комнату у дамы, чей муж точно так же ушел с армией Харди; что часть дома была занята для нужд генерал-майора Уорда из Кентукки; что ее хозяйка находится на сносях и нервничает из-за шума, который по ночам производят младшие штабные офицеры, и т. д. Я объяснил ей, что не могу уделять много личного внимания подобным вопросам, и направил ее к генералу Слокаму, чьи войска занимали город. Позже я навестил ее дом и лично убедился, что у нее нет поводов для жалоб. Вскоре после этого ко мне пришел мистер Харди, купец из Саванны, и передал письмо от своего брата-генерала примерно с тем же содержанием: в нем утверждалось, что его брат — гражданское лицо, никогда не брал в руки оружия, и содержалась просьба о защите его семьи, хлопка и т. д. Ему я дал общее заверение, что никакое зло не умышляется против кого-либо из жителей Саванны, кто будет вести себя тихо и мирно, однако я не могу дать ему никаких гарантий относительно его хлопка, поскольку не располагаю над ним абсолютной властью; а еще позже я получил записку от жены генерала А. П. Стюарта (командовавшего корпусом в армии Худа) с просьбой навестить ее. Я исполнил это и обнаружил, что она — уроженка Цинциннати, штат Огайо, нуждается в защите и естественным образом тревожится о судьбе своего мужа, который, как известно, находился с генералом Худом в Теннесси, отступая перед генералом Томасом. Я помню, что смог заверить ее в том, что по сей день он не был убит или взят в плен, и, кажется, посоветовал ей вместо того, чтобы пытаться преследовать мужа, отправиться в Цинциннати к своему дяде судье Стореру и переждать там исход событий.

Еще до моего прибытия в Саванну и во время нашего пребывания там офицеры мятежников и газеты изображали поведение людей нашей армии как нечто совершенно гнусное: будто мы не уважаем ни возраст, ни пол, сжигаем всё, что попадается на пути, — амбары, конюшни, хлопкоочистительные машины и даже жилые дома, — бесчестим женщин, убиваем мужчин и совершаем всевозможные бесчинства против жителей. Поэтому мне казалось странным, что генералы Харди и Смит вверяли свои семьи под нашу опеку и даже испрашивали нашей личной заботы и внимания. Эти офицеры прекрасно знали, что эти сообщения преувеличены в крайности, и тем не менее молчаливо одобряли подобные публикации, чтобы пробудить увядающую энергию жителей Юга.

Поскольку дивизия генерал-майора Джона В. Гери из Двадцатого корпуса первой вошла в Саванну, этот офицер был назначен командовать городом или выполнять обязанности своего рода губернатора. Он очень быстро навел хорошую полицию, поддержал потрясающий порядок, и я сомневаюсь, что Саванна как до, так и после имела лучшую администрацию, чем в период нашего пребывания. Смена караулов и парады, а также крупные смотры стали ежедневным местом паломничества дам, приходивших послушать музыку наших великолепных оркестров; открылись школы, а церкви по воскресеньям были битком набиты самыми благочестивыми и почтительными прихожанами; вновь открылись магазины, были устроены рынки продовольствия, мяса, дров и т. д., так что каждая семья вне зависимости от расы, цвета кожи или убеждений могла приобрести все предметы первой необходимости и даже роскоши, если у них были деньги. Разумеется, многие семьи были абсолютно лишены средств, и им выдавались припасы из наших собственных резервов. Я помню, как выдал доктору Арнольду, мэру города, ордер на содержимое большого складского помещения с рисом, который он доверил комитету джентльменов; они отправились на Север (в Бостон) и вскоре вернулись с одним или несколькими грузами муки, ветчины, сахара, кофе и т. д. для бесплатной раздачи, что покрыло самые насущные потребности до тех пор, пока возрождение торговли и бизнеса не позволило людям обеспечивать себя самостоятельно.

Одна дама, которую я знал в прежние годы как мисс Джозефину Гудвин, рассказала мне, что из бочки муки и некоторого количества сахара, полученных ею бесплатно от интендантской службы, она напекла пирожных и пирогов, от продажи которых выручила пятьдесят шесть долларов чистой прибыли.

Между тем полковник По провел рекогносцировку и разметил новые линии брустверов, которые позволили бы сравнительно небольшому гарнизону удерживать город, и к этой работе были привлечены крупные силы солдат; генералы Истоне и Беквит организовали полноценную базу снабжения; и хотя почти ежедневно прибывали суда с почтой и продовольствием, мы были еще не готовы к началу новой и рискованной кампании. Я еще не получал от генерала Гранта или генерала Халлека никаких изменений к приказам от 6 декабря 1864 года о моем отправлении с войсками морем в Виргинию; но 2 января 1865 года непосредственно из штаба генерала Гранта прибыл генерал Дж. Г. Барнард из Инженерного корпуса Соединенных Штатов, доставивший следующее письмо, написанное рукой самого генерала, которое вместе с моим ответом приводится здесь:

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, December 27, 1864.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi.

GENERAL: Before writing you definite instructions for the next campaign, I wanted to receive your answer to my letter written from Washington. Your confidence in being able to march up and join this army pleases me, and I believe it can be done. The effect of such a campaign will be to disorganize the South, and prevent the organization of new armies from their broken fragments. Hood is now retreating, with his army broken and demoralized. His loss in men has probably not been far from twenty thousand, besides deserters. If time is given, the fragments may be collected together and many of the deserters reassembled. If we can, we should act to prevent this. Your spare army, as it were, moving as proposed, will do it.

In addition to holding Savannah, it looks to me that an intrenched camp ought to be held on the railroad between Savannah and Charleston. Your movement toward Branchville will probably enable Foster to reach this with his own force. This will give us a position in the South from which we can threaten the interior without marching over long, narrow causeways, easily defended, as we have heretofore been compelled to do. Could not such a camp be established about Pocotaligo or Coosawhatchie?

I have thought that, Hood being so completely wiped out for present harm, I might bring A. J. Smith here, with fourteen to fifteen thousand men. With this increase I could hold my lines, and move out with a greater force than Lee has. It would compel Lee to retain all his present force in the defenses of Richmond or abandon them entirely. This latter contingency is probably the only danger to the easy success of your expedition. In the event you should meet Lee's army, you would be compelled to beat it or find the sea-coast. Of course, I shall not let Lee's army escape if I can help it, and will not let it go without following to the best of my ability.

Without waiting further directions, than, you may make your preparations to start on your northern expedition without delay. Break up the railroads in South and North Carolina, and join the armies operating against Richmond as soon as you can. I will leave out all suggestions about the route you should take, knowing that your information, gained daily in the course of events, will be better than any that can be obtained now.

It may not be possible for you to march to the rear of Petersburg; but, failing in this, you could strike either of the sea-coast ports in North Carolina held by us. From there you could take shipping. It would be decidedly preferable, however, if you could march the whole distance.

From the best information I have, you will find no difficulty in supplying your army until you cross the Roanoke. From there here is but a few days' march, and supplies could be collected south of the river to bring you through. I shall establish communication with you there, by steamboat and gunboat. By this means your wants can be partially supplied. I shall hope to hear from you soon, and to hear your plan, and about the time of starting.

Please instruct Foster to hold on to all the property in Savannah, and especially the cotton. Do not turn it over to citizens or Treasury agents, without orders of the War Department.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

IN THE FIELD, NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, January 2, 1865.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, City Point.

GENERAL: I have received, by the hands of General Barnard, your note of 26th and letter of 27th December.

I herewith inclose to you a copy of a projet which I have this morning, in strict confidence, discussed with my immediate commanders.

I shall need, however, larger supplies of stores, especially grain. I will inclose to you, with this, letters from General Easton, quartermaster, and Colonel Beckwith, commissary of subsistence, setting forth what will be required, and trust you will forward them to Washington with your sanction, so that the necessary steps may be taken at once to enable me to carry out this plan on time.

I wrote you very fully on the 24th, and have nothing to add. Every thing here is quiet, and if I can get the necessary supplies in our wagons, shall be ready to start at the time indicated in my projet (January 15th). But, until those supplies are in hand, I can do nothing; after they are, I shall be ready to move with great rapidity.

I have heard of the affair at Cape Fear. It has turned out as you will remember I expected.

I have furnished General Easton a copy of the dispatch from the Secretary of War. He will retain possession of all cotton here, and ship it as fast as vessels can be had to New York.

I shall immediately send the Seventeenth Corps over to Port Royal, by boats, to be furnished by Admiral Dahlgren and General Foster (without interfering with General Easton's vessels), to make a lodgment on the railroad at Pocotaligo.

General Barnard will remain with me a few days, and I send this by a staff-officer, who can return on one of the vessels of the supply-fleet. I suppose that, now that General Butler has got through with them, you can spare them to us.

My report of recent operations is nearly ready, and will be sent you in a day or two, as soon as some farther subordinate reports come in.

I am, with great respect, very truly, your friend,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

[Entirely confidential]

PROJET FOR JANUARY.

1. Right wing to move men and artillery by transports to head of Broad River and Beaufort; reestablish Port Royal Ferry, and mass the wing at or in the neighborhood of Pocotaligo.

Left wing and cavalry to work slowly across the causeway toward Hardeeville, to open a road by which wagons can reach their corps about Broad River; also, by a rapid movement of the left, to secure Sister's Ferry, and Augusta road out to Robertsville.

In the mean time, all guns, shot, shell, cotton, etc., to be moved to a safe place, easy to guard, and provisions and wagons got ready for another swath, aiming to have our army in hand about the head of Broad River, say Pocotaligo, Robertsville, and Coosawhatchie, by the 15th January.

2. The whole army to move with loaded wagons by the roads leading in the direction of Columbia, which afford the best chance of forage and provisions. Howard to be at Pocotaligo by the 15th January, and Slocum to be at Robertsville, and Kilpatrick at or near Coosawhatchie about the same date. General Fosters troops to occupy Savannah, and gunboats to protect the rivers as soon as Howard gets Pocotaligo.

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

Таким образом, 2 января я получил полномочия двинуться со всей своей армией на север сушей и сразу же решил закрепиться или создать исходный пункт на стороне Южной Каролины, выбрав Покоталиго и Хардиивилл в качестве пунктов сбора для двух крыльев; однако у меня оставались сомнения относительно пожеланий администрации — следует ли мне взять по пути Чарлстон или сосредоточить всё внимание на сопутствующих выгодах от разрушения железных дорог Южной и Северной Каролины и более значительной цели соединения моей армии с армией генерала Гранта под Ричмондом.

Генерал Барнард пробыл со мной несколько дней и тогда, как и сейчас, считался одним из ведущих инженеров эпохи, абсолютно компетентным давать мне советы по стратегии и задачам новой кампании. Он выражал искренний восторг по поводу высокого духа армии и уже предпринятых шагов, благодаря которым мы захватили Саванну, и лично осмотрел некоторые форты, такие как Тандерболт и Кастенс-Блафф, с помощью которых противник столь долго удерживал на привязи весь наш флот и отразил предыдущие попытки, предпринятые в апреле 1862 года армией генерала Гилмора, которая бомбардировала и захватила форт Пуласки, но не смогла дойти до города Саванна. Думаю, генерал Барнард ожидал, что я приглашу его сопровождать нас на север в его официальном качестве; однако полковник По из моего штаба справился настолько хорошо и был столь безупречно подготовлен, что я счел несправедливым заменять его старшим офицером его же корпуса. Поэтому я ничего не сказал об этом генералу Барнарду, и вскоре после этого он вернулся на свой пост к генералу Гранту в Сити-Пойнт, увезя с собой письма и исчерпывающие личные доклады о нашем положении и нуждах.

Мы крайне нуждались в мелководных пароходах для плавания по мелководьям побережья, так что у Сеемнадцатого корпуса ушла больше недели на переброску из Тандерболта в Бофорт, штат Южная Каролина. Адмирал Далгрен предоставил «Харвист Мун» и «Понтиак», а генерал Фостер выделил нам пару наемных пароходов; меня поистине забавил эффект, который это короткое морское путешествие произвело на наших людей, большинство из которых никогда прежде не видели океана. Разумеется, они стали прекрасными мишенями для морской болезни и впоследствии умоляли меня никогда больше не отправлять их на море, заявляя, что предпочли бы пройти тысячу миль по худшим дорогам Юга, чем провести хоть одну ночь на океане. К 10-му числу генерал Ховард собрал основную часть Семнадцатого корпуса (генерал Блэр) на острове Бофорт и начал марш на Покоталиго, располагавшийся в двадцати пяти милях вглубь суши. В субботу 14 января они переправились по понтонному мосту через пролив между островом и материком и двинулись к Гарденс-Корнерс, где завязалась небольшая перестрелка; на следующий день, в воскресенье, они продолжили путь на Покоталиго, обнаружив тамошний мощный форт брошенным, и закрепились на железной дороге, потеряв всего двух офицеров и восемь человек.

Примерно в то же время генерал Слокам переправил две дивизии Двадцатого корпуса через реку Саванна выше города, заняв Хардиивилл силами одной дивизии и Парисберг — другой. Таким образом, к середине января мы закрепились в Южной Каролине и были готовы возобновить поход на север; однако мы еще не успели накопить достаточно продовольствия и фуража для заполнения повозок, и возникли другие причины для задержки, о которых я упомяну в свое время.