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I wish you all a merry Christmas
Savannah, GA
Dec. 25, 1864
Once more under the
protecting hand of God and the waving of the American flag I am permitted to
address a few lines to my beloved parents.
Yes, the old flag with
its broad stripes and bright stars is now waving over the city of
Savannah. We first planted our flag upon the courthouse on the morning
of the 21st. The rebs made but little resistance here, they were
afraid to meet Billy Sherman and therefore evacuated. They crossed
over the river in the direction of Charleston and it is reported that
General Foster has cut off their retreat. I hope the report is
true. Savannah is a very pretty city. The streets are wide and
well paved with brick and cross each other at right angles. The
streets are also well shaded but the buildings are mostly of the old English
style which looks very odd to me. The population before the war 63,000
inhabitants. The city is 18 miles from the salt water but it is called
a seaport town. Large vessels can come up the river to Savannah and
much further.
I have not seen the
salt water yet but will before long no doubt, as I understand we are going
on another campaign to Charleston. We left Atlanta on the 15th day of
November and arrived in Savannah on the 21st of this month during which time
we have been without mail or communication from any source. We marched
over 300 miles right through the heart of Georgia and tore up the R.R. all
the way from Atlanta to this place. We put down the pontoon four
times, first across the Comulga river and then across the Oconee river and
twice across the Ozechu (?) river. The last time we put it down under
fire of the enemy but luckily there was no one killed.
I stood the march
well, walked all the way and carried my knapsack. We ran out of
rations before we got through and everyone had to look out for himself for
more than two weeks, we lived on sweet potatoes and beef. My shoes
give out and I have been barefoot for three weeks and a good many others are
in the fix but the weather is very warm and we don’t suffer with cold
any. I would to give you some of the particulars of our journey but
time and paper will not admit to it this time. Just before I left
Atlanta I sent you 10.00 (70.00? – illegible) dollars of greenbacks, did you receive it yet or
not? I saw
Eben yesterday, he is well and hearty. He had got a
letter from you. I was glad to learn of your good health and also that
Byron was home on furlough. Oh, how I would like to see the boy but
these are war times and we must put up with many inconveniences. I
am looking anxiously for a letter from you every day, perhaps one will come
today. tell Byron to write me a good long letter and tell all the
news. You must write soon, give my love to all who are not tinctured
with Copperheadism. We did not hear (how) the election went until we
got here. I tell you there was some cheering when we heard that Abe
was elected.
I must close.
Yours as ever,
C.H. Lewis
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