For some days previous to November fifteenth, 1864, active preparations were made for the campaign which commenced that day.
Tuesday, November 15th, at seven A. M., the camp of the brigade was vacated, and the command marched to near Stone Mountain, Georgia, and bivouacked for the night. The road taken was that leading through Decatur. Distance marched, thirteen (13) miles.
Early on the morning of November sixteenth, the march was resumed. The position of the brigade was the third in line, the division being in the advance, and, having the trains of the division and the supply and headquarter teams of the corps and wing in charge, was distributed among the wagons-each regiment having a certain number to guard, and assist in the passage of obstacles.
Yellow River was crossed at Rock Bridge from this place. The road leading through Sheffield was taken, near which place we encamped for the night. Distance marched, twelve (12) miles.
November 17th.--This day we marched through Sheffield and camped near Social Circle, a distance of about eighteen (18) miles.
November 18th.--Marched at five A. M., the brigade being in advance, and passed through Social Circle and Rutledge. At the last-named place, the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, Colonel John Flynn, was temporarily detached from the column, to destroy the depot and warehouses belonging to the railroad company, as well as to tear up the track and bend the rails near those buildings — all of which was effectually accomplished. This night we camped near Madison, having marched about eighteen (18) miles.
November 19th.--The command moved at five A. M. All the trains were left behind, with a sufficient guard of men, unable to make a rapid march, to proceed with the remainder of the corps. We marched to Blue Spring, near the railroad bridge over the Oconee River, at which point a considerable distance of the railroad was destroyed, by burning the ties and bending and twisting the rails. Distance marched, fifteen (15) miles.
November 20th.--From Blue Spring, we moved in a direction parallel to the Oconee River to Parks Ferry, and from thence to Philadelphia Church. November twentieth and November twenty-first, to near Dennis Station, at which point we struck the railroad leading from Milledgeville to Eatonton. From this point we marched (November twenty-second) along the railroad to Little River, and from there to Milledgeville, through which we passed, and went into camp on the east side of the river, (Oconee.)
November 23d.--The brigade remained in camp this day.
November 24th.--The command moved at seven A. M., in a south-easterly direction, on the road leading to Hebron, and went into camp near Gum Creek for the night. Distance marched, fourteen (14) miles.
November 25th.--We crossed Gum Creek at seven A. M., and passed through Hebron, taking the road to Sandersville. On reaching Buffalo Creek Swamp, the bridges were found to be destroyed. The construction of these detained the column until five P. M., when it went into camp on the east side of the creek.
November 26th.--The brigade moved at daylight, and marched to Sandersville, and from there to Tennille, a station on the Central Railroad. Near this place we commenced tearing up the track and destroying it, by burning the ties, and bending, breaking, and twisting the rails. Distance marched, fifteen (15) miles.
November 27th.--This day the brigade, in company with the balance of the division, was engaged in destroying the railroad; two trestle bridges, each about seventy-five (75) feet long, were burned, and the ties and rails for one and a half miles effectually destroyed. The camp for the night was at Davisboro.
November 28th.--This day was spent in destroying the railroad between Davisboro and Tennille. Two and one half (2 1/2) miles of track and five hundred (500) feet of trestle-work were burned.
November 29th.--Marched from Davisboro to Spiers Station, and from thence parallel with the railroad to near New-Bethel, making in all a disdance of twenty-one (21) miles.
November 30th.--Marched to near Louisville, ten (10) miles.
December 1st.--Marched at seven A. M., taking the direct road to Millen, and camped for the night at Bark Camp Creek. Distance marched, fourteen (14) miles.
December 2d.--The march was resumed at daylight, and was uninterrupted until Buckhead Creek was reached. The bridge over this place was partially destroyed, and a few of the enemy's cavalry were on the opposite side of the swamp. Major Wright, commanding the Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteers, was ordered to cross the creek with his regiment, and drive and keep away this force, which was accomplished without loss. The command camped for the night near Buckhead Church. Distance marched, eight (8) miles.
December 3d.--The troops of the brigade were to-day in rear of the wagon-trains of the division, in which were included the trains of General Kilpatrick's cavalry command, and did not march from the camp of the preceding night until one P. M. The roads were in a horrible condition, passing as they did through numerous swamps, and across many unbridged streams. The progress of the trains was exceedingly slow in consequence. The brigade reached the camp of the division three and a half (3 1/2) miles from Horse Creek, at half-past 6 A. M., December fourth. Distance marched, fourteen (14) miles.
December 4th.--Marched at nine A. M. During the day, Horse Creek and Crooked Creek were crossed. Distance marched, ten (10) miles.
December 5th.--The distance marched this day was fifteen (15) miles. The road, as had been
