The soldiers seemed to be getting rather demoralized by the influences of the city, and were moved over the Ashley River and encamped about four miles of the city, in a great pine forest, near the sea.  This was a great sight for many, for as much travelling as the troops had done during the last four years, this was their first close quarters to the ocean, and many had never before witnessed the great rolling waters of the sea.  Oysters were plentiful, and negroes on the plantation brought out boat loads for the soldiers, and gave them out for a little tobacco or a small amount of Confederate “shin-plasters.”  These were about the only articles they had seen in a long time that they could buy with a “shin-plaster” (fractional currency), as almost every other commodity was worth from one dollar up.  Great fires were built at night, and eight or ten bushels of the sweet, juicy bivalves were poured over the heap, to be eaten as the shells would pop by the heat.

From this place, after a week’s sojourn, we were carried by rail to the Saltkahatchie River, at the crossing of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XLI

On the Saltkahatchie.  February, 1865.

When we reached our destination on the Saltkahatchie, we were met by our old commander of Virginia and Tennessee, Major General McLaws, from whom we had been separated for more than a year.  The soldiers were glad to see him, and met him with a rousing cheer, while the old veteran was equally delighted to see us.  It was like the meeting of father and absent children, for General McLaws was kind and indulgent to his men, even if not a very successful General.  After being relieved of his command in East Tennessee and succeeded by General Kershaw, he had commanded the post at Augusta, Ga., to which place he returned after the close of hostilities and remained until his death.  He was the greater part of the time postmaster of the city of Augusta.  There being few occupations that the old West Pointers of the South could fill, they generally accepted any office in the gift of the government that would insure them an honest livelihood.

General McLaws was facing two corps of Sherman’s Army at this place with some few veterans, State troops, and reserves.  Sherman had been quiet for some time, recruiting his army with negroes from the great plantations along the coast, and resting up his army for his march through the State.  Negroes flocked to his army by the thousands, and were formed into regiments and brigades, officered by white men.  Even our own Generals and some of our statesmen at this time and before were urging Congress to enlist the negroes, but the majority were opposed to the movement.  To show how confident were our leaders even at this late day of the Confederacy, I will quote from Wm. Porcher Miles, then in the Confederate Congress,