greater power. Such was the proficiency of the drill of the cannoneers, that there was nothing in the schools of the soldier, the piece, and the battery, which could not be promptly, accurately, and handsomely executed. Strict and constant attention was bestowed upon both park and field drills. Upon a small field adjacent to the encampment the parade was formed each Sabbath morning for inspection and review, while the regular battery drills were conducted in an open field, well suited to the purpose, just opposite the White Bluff church on the Vernon shell road.

On the 14th of October, First Lieut. C. C. Jones, Jr. was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of artillery and ordered to report for duty to Brig. Gen. Mercer, by whom he was announced as chief of artillery, and ordered to the command of the light batteries in the military district of Georgia.

On the 12th of December, Captain Joseph S. Claghorn resigned the command of the company, and subsequently accepted the appointment of lieutenant colonel, and ordnance officer upon the staff of Major Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, commanding the Georgia militia, and the state forces.

Too much credit cannot be awarded to Captain Claghorn for the industry, care, and ability which he had evinced in placing this light battery in the field, and in bringing it up to its present standard of drill, discipline, and general excellence. His patriotic labors in behalf of his company -the interest which he ever manifested in its welfare — the intelligence with which he discharged every duty devolving upon him the happy influence which he exerted over his men the pride which he at all times cherished in his battery and the zeal he exhibited in promoting

its every advantage will be always remembered with peculiar pleasure in the history of the Chatham Artillery.

The vacancies thus caused were filled by the promotion of Junior First Lieutenant John F. Wheaton to the captaincy, of Senior Second Lieutenant Thomas A. Askew to the senior first lieutenancy, of Junior Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Palmer to the junior first lieutenancy, and by the election of Sergeant Major George A. Whitehead to the senior second lieutenancy, and of Sergeant George N. Hendry to the junior second lieutenancy.

These officers retained their respective positions in the battery to the close of the war.

During the most of his subsequent term of service, Lieut. Whitehead was on detached duty as adjutant of the light batteries in the military district of Georgia.

On the 24th of October the Battery marched to Coffee bluff to resist a threatened landing by the enemy. After firing a few shots, however, the Federal gun-boats retired. The Battalion of the Savannah Volunteer Guards, the 4th Louisiana Battalion, and Captain Read's Battery of Light Artillery were also concentrated at this point.

Nothing of peculiar interest marks the history of the company during the remainder of the year. The morning report for the 31st of December, 1862, shows an aggregate present and absent of one hundred and forty-six men.

On the 8th of January, 1863, the light batteries stationed in the vicinity of Savannah were assembled upon the city commons in rear of the jail by Lieut. Colonel Jones commanding, for parade, inspection, and review by Brig. Gen. Mercer commanding the

military district of Georgia. This was the first time in the history of Georgia that a battalion of light artillery was ever concentrated and manoeuvred within her borders. About four hundred men, three hundred battery animals, and twenty-six field pieces were present upon this parade; and the fact is worthy of commemoration, that during the entire inspection, review and subsequent parade there was not the slightest derangement in the movements of the respective batteries. To the Chatham Artillery, by common consent, was awarded the highest commendation for its military appearance, accuracy of drill and general proficiency. The companies assembled on this occasion were the Chatham Artillery, Capt. Wheaton; the Terrel Artillery, Capt. Dawson (Lieut. Brooks commanding); the Regular Light Battery, Capt. Read (Lieut. Guerard commanding); the Columbus Artillery, Capt. Croft, and the Chestatee Artillery, Capt. Bomar (Lieut. Hendricks commanding).

During this year, and until the Battery was ordered to James island, it was, in conjunction with the other light batteries in the district, regularly drilled by the lieutenant colonel commanding in the battalion drill for light artillery prepared by Major Robert Anderson of the United States army. These drills were peculiarly interesting, and were conducted with great spirit. The effect was most salutary, and the generous rivalry thus engendered was productive of good among the respective batteries concentrated for the defense of Savannah. The fact should be here noted, that during the continuance of the entire war the light artillery companies of the military district of Georgia were marked by a proficiency in drill, and a general excellence of equipment which distinguished them above others in the department.

CHAPTER V.

Two sections of the Battery on the Great Ogeechee River. History of the naval attacks upon Fort McAllister, and of its final capture by assault.

On the 30th of January, 1863, Lieut. Whitehead with two detachments from the Battery in charge of a three and a half-inch Blakely gun, and a twelvepounder rifled gun, was ordered to take post on the Great Ogeechee river within supporting distance of Fort McAllister. On the same day Lieut. Askew with a section of twelve-pounder howitzers, and two detachments, numbering in the aggregate twenty-seven men, marched to Kings Bridge on the Great Ogeechee river, and there remained for the protection of that important communication, with instructions to dispute vigorously the advance of the enemy in case they forced the passage of the river in front of Fort McAllister.

Three days before the fort had been severely bombarded by the enemy, and there was every indication that the attack would be renewed at an early moment and with greater determination. Light field works had been thrown up at the most advantageous points along the banks of the river between the fort and the rail road crossing of the Great Ogeechee swamp and river, with a view to impeding, and if possible, successfully resisting their ascent of the river in case the Federal gun-boats should pass the battery at Genesis point. Behind these, ramps and platforms had been

arranged for light artillery. To the specific duty of occupying these positions in case the emergency arose, the section of the battery under the command of Lieut. Whitehead was assigned, with general orders, in the event of a renewal of the naval attack upon the fort, to keep in its vicinity, and be prepared to advance rapidly to repulse any attempted landing from the vessels.

Sergeants Garden and Mitchel accompanied this section as chiefs of pieces, and Corporals Walker and Baker as gunners. One hundred and twenty-five rounds of ammunition were carried to the piece, and the entire equipment of the section was complete. The first position selected and occupied during the memorable bombardment of the 1st of February, was some three-quarters of a mile above the fort in full view of the operations of that historic engagement.

The name of Fort McAllister will ever remain famous in the martial annals of Georgia, and history will delight to dwell with peculiar pride and satisfaction upon the valor which defended and the patriotism which glowed within its walls. Although the changing seasons have already spread the mantle of decay above its desolated magazines, and wild flowers are blooming in its vacant chambers, the memories which it has so nobly given to the great cause of right and liberty will survive, and be ardently cherished so long as truth has an advocate or heroism an admirer.

This fort constituted the right of the exterior line of defenses designed and held for the protection of Savannah. Situated on the lowest high ground on the right bank of the Great Ogeechee river, at Genesis point, it effectually commanded the channel of that river, and afforded ample security against any ordinary naval force intended for the destruction of the