dwelling. The
soldier, making this discovery, would take of the treasure what he
wanted, and tell the next fellow he met, who, after satisfying his
desires would do unto another as he was done by, fulfilling the moral
rules. In this manner, the whole treasure would soon be absorbed in an
arithmetical decreasing progression.

While some soldiers were pursuing this plan for finding things, others
were pursuing other plans. Calling a negro, they would inquire where
his massa or missus had hid their mules, the reply being, "I don't
know, massa." "But you do know, you black rascal, now out with it, or
you'll hear a dead nigger fall," at the same time presenting a gun. It
works like a charm, the negro begs and agrees to tell. A Yankee can't
be foiled, for he has more ways than a centipede has legs.

No sooner had our army reached the Savannah river than many of the
foragers crossed it into South Carolina, on large flat-boats which they
captured going down the river towards Savannah laden with the choicest
treasures. There was also a small stern-wheel gun-boat plying along the
river above Savannah, watching the movements of our forces, which
General Morgan allowed his foragers would _gobble_ before his command
reached Savannah.

In going down the Savannah river, the division passed near old Ebenezer
church which was built in 1739, nearly one hundred and twenty-seven
years ago. It is the remains of the oldest church in the United States,
and bears with it much of historical interest.

On the afternoon of the 9th of December, when our column was within
fourteen miles of Savannah, our passage was disputed by a rebel battery
planted at the crossing of two roads.

Two regiments of our brigade, the Eighty-sixth and 125th Illinois, were
deployed as skirmishers, with orders to advance until they found the
enemy's works. By the time these orders were executed, night drew on,
and under its cover the rebels retreated. This battery was captured,
however, having mistaken the roads and running into other of our
forces.

The Eighty-sixth regiment, in this skirmish, lost two men wounded. One
from Company A, the other from H.

After the skirmish, our division marched to the Ten-mile House and went
into camp, giving the road to the 20th Corps.

The next day, the command moved on to within three or four miles of
Savannah, taking up position around it. The siege of this place may be
said to have begun on the 11th of December.

The fo