CHAPTER XX.
With Sherman to the Sea—Colonel Schoonover's Journal—Siege of Savannah.
Tuesday, the 8th instant, the Twenty-ninth was very
busy holding election. Detachments from other organizations
were permitted to vote at the Twenty-ninth headquarters.
The Twenty-ninth regiment cast three hundred
and eighty-four votes. Of these Lincoln received
three hundred and fifty and McClellan thirty-four.
During the day the regiment was wide awake and
enthusiastic, and gave every soldier a chance to vote.
At 6:30 A. M. on the following day, while the regiment
was in tents eating breakfast, the rebels opened a lively
fire with artillery, at short range. The enemy approached
our picket, which was posted west of camp, covering the
Sandtown road, who were surprised and fell back without
firing a shot; hence the first intimation that we had that
the enemy was near was the report of their artillery and
the bursting of shells in our midst. The Twenty-ninth
fell in and took position behind the fortification which
the regiment had constructed. In the meantime a line
of skirmishers was sent out and soon the enemy were
driven back. A portion of the brigade was sent out on
the Sandtown road, marched a few miles, but the Confederates
had flown, and late in the afternoon the scouting
party returned to camp.
November 10th. Remained in camp occupied in the usual camp and picket duties, and the inspection of amunition, arms, and accoutrements, and all was quiet,
