A sadder element of Sherman's March to the Sea

In researching Sherman's March to the Sea for a program at the Kenosha Civil War Museum, I came across a number of primary source accounts dealing with Buckland Creek, a small body of water 14th and 20th corps came across on 3 December. The following accounts will explain the events of that day as well as some varied reactions to orders. Enjoy.


JAMES REEVE’S (21st Wisconsin surgeon)
"December 3rd- Buckhead Creek, a deep narrow stream on pontoons (2 boats being required) Here all the negroes not employed as servants were turned out by the guards and refused passing on the bridge, a very unwise and cruel policy it seems to me. After having allowed them to follow us this long and far away from their former houses to return which will probably be to receive cruel treatment."

JOHN RANDALL (14th Wisconsin)
"December 3rd We marched at 7am. Went to Lawton’s Station 10 miles and went into camp at dark. We crossed the Buckland Creek, a deep stream, on a pontoon bridge. The 21st Wisconsin was in rear of the 14th corps. Following us were probably 300 black refugees, men, woman and children. Some had followed our army fifty miles or more. All were joyous as they marched toward freedom. Bur for some reason Gen Jefferson C. Davis, our corps commander desired to get rid of these followers and he chose to do it at the crossing of the Buckland Creek. He ordered that as soon as the last soldier and those blacks who were employed by offices had crossed, the pontoon bridge should be immediately removed. These poor creatures were left in the swamp to their doom. I saw the bridge removed and heard the piteous pleading of these people to be allowed to cross. As they come to realize their helpless condition they presented a sad sight, I have always regarded this as an inhuman act ordered by Gen Jefferson C. Davis and without an excuse."


JOHN HENRY OTTO (21st Wisconsin)
"We passed several fields of sugarcane, the first we had ever seen. The darkies cut off a stalk, peel off the rind and chew on the marrow. The men soon followed the example and the stuff is of a pleasant taste indulged freely. In its raw state the juice acts as a physic. And the men being ignorant of that fact and besides being not used to it become more readily ifs victim. After a few hours it was amusing to observe how anxiously the men would dodge aside in the woods or swamps which was the cause of much joking and merriment.

During the afternoon we crossed Buckland Creek on pontoons. The creek might have properly been called a river for its size and depth. The darkeys had well nigh become an unbearable nuisance as there was a whole army of them. General Sherman concluded to check their crowding us and gave orders to stop the niggers at the bridge and after the troops and trains had passed to take up the pontoons and leave the darkies at the other side. It seems a cruel measure but under the circumstances can not be censured. But the darkies were not to be outwitted so easy. They were left on the wrong side of the creek…but when we broke camp the next morning they were there again."


The same recipe was applied later at Ebenezer Creek.