BA000227

Balls Ferry, GA

Nov. 23-26, 1864

The 4th division commanded by Gen. Giles A. Smith, with Col. Spencer's battalion of the 1st Alabama cavalry, was sent to the railroad bridge between stations 14 and 15. The cavalry in advance crossed the river and drove the Confederate skirmishers from a stockade about 2 miles from the bridge. The ground near the bridge was so swampy that the latter could be approached only by railroad. McLaws' troops in strong force, commanded by Maj. Hartridge of the 27th Ga. battahon and the Cobb Guards, infantry and artillery, were posted behind a second stockade.

Col. Potts, commanding the 1st brigade, was ordered to detach 2 regiments and drive the Confederates across the river. A piece of artillery from the 1st Minn, battery was taken down the track by hand to assist. Two miles of trestle and three miles of track were destroyed, but the Confederates could not be dislodged from the opposite side on account of the swamp. The Federal loss was 21 killed and wounded. On the morning of the 24th Gen. Blair moved his entire command and found the Confederates entrenched at Ball's Ferry. Effecting a crossing above the road, he sent over during the night about 200 men. This force reached the road about daylight on the 25th to find the Confederates retiring.

Report of Gen Charles Colcock Jones

 I knew that the enemy could flank us by crossing at Milledgeville, so I had all the bridges on Buffalo creek destroyed, and placed guards at each. The nearest crossing below was Ball's ferry, 8 miles off. At this point I placed as strong a force as I could spare, using the cavalry to picket the river above and below, and Buffalo creek. I had rifle pits dug on both sides of the bridge, and my two Napoleons were placed in position at the nearest point of high ground. Scouts were thrown across the river to watch the movements of the enemy.

On Tuesday, the 22d November, the enemy appeared in our front in large force. Gen. Wayne, in consultation with his principal officer, determined to abandon the bridge, deeming the force under his command inadequate for its defense; he having telegraphed to Gen. McLaws for reënforcements and receiving an answer that there were none to send. As my orders from Gen. McLaws were positive to hold the bridge to the last extremity, I refused to move my troops with those of Gen. Wayne, stating to him that I was determined to hold the position as long as possible. I at the same time telegraphed Gen. McLaws the state of affairs; he replying that I must obey his instructions to hold the bridge and not to consider myself under Gen. Wayne's orders. Upon submitting this reply to Gen. Wayne, he decided not to evacuate, but to stay and share my fate.

On the 23d the enemy appeared at Ball's ferry, and driving back my guard, took possession of the flat and boats, and commenced crossing. Taking Heyward's and Talbott's companies of cavalry, Huger's section of artillery, and about 80 men of the 27th Battalion of Georgia Volunteers, I proceeded immediately to the ferry with the intention of driving the enemy back if possible. Hastening ahead of my command with Heyward's cavalry, I arrived at the high land (the swamp extending for about one mile from the river at this point) nearest the ferry, at about 3 o'clock P. M., and learned from a countryman living near that the enemy were still crossing, and that from 4 to 500 were already on our side and were bringing their horses over. I ordered Capt. Heyward to advance dismounted, and feel their strength. At the same time I sent back orders to my command to hasten up. After a sharp skirmish Capt. Heyward was driven back, and reported the enemy advancing.

The balance of my force having arrived, I placed my artillery so as to command the road leading out of the swamp, and dismounting the cavalry, I made the best breastwork I could with fence rails, and awaited the approach of the enemy.

But they not making their appearance, and feeling satisfied that if I remained inactive in my present position they would cross a large force, I determined to make the attack. So, throwing out Heyward's company (dismounted) as skirmishers, and forming the infantry and Talbott's cavalry into line of battle (leaving the artillery in my fortified position as a reserve) I advanced on the ferry and, after a fight of about one hour and a half, I forced the enemy to recross the river (except a few on horseback who escaped into the swamp or were captured). Their loss was 36 killed, and an unknown number wounded. My loss was 2 killed and 7 wounded.

Leaving Capt. Talbott to hold the ferry, I hastened back to the bridge and arrived there late that night. During that day there had been some active skirmishing between our forces and a brigade of Kilpatrick's mounted infantry. During the night a courier arrived from Genl. Wheeler and stated that he (Wheeler) was crossing at Blackshear's ferry a few miles below Ball's. Later in the night we were joined by a regiment of Wheeler's cavalry.

We learned from our prisoners that the troops I encountered at Ball's ferry were an advance of the 15th Army Corps, and that those in front of us were portions of Kilpatrick's command, the main body of Sherman's army being at Milledgeville.

All of the 24th was occupied in defending the rail road bridge against vigorous attacks. With Hayward's company dismounted and acting as riflemen, the 27th Battalion Ga. Volunteers, and the hearty coöperation of Maj. Capers with the State Cadets, and Capt. Pruden with a piece of artillery mounted on a platform car, we managed to keep them at bay. That night Col. Gaines, with 4 or 500 men, joined us from Wheeler.

On the morning of the 25th Lt. Genl. Hardee arrived and visited me at my position in front of the bridge. At that time the enemy had succeeded in setting fire to the trestle very near the bridge, but they dared not approach it as my sharp shooters commanded it. They had also brought a piece of artillery into play and were doing all they could to drive us from our position, but without effect. After ordering me to hold my position, Genl. Hardee returned to No. 13, the enemy having crossed at Milledgeville and moved in that direction. During the afternoon the enemy withdrew from our front and, during the night, we received orders from Genl. Hardee to fall back to No. 13.

We were then ordered to fall back to the Ogeechee rail road bridge; Huger with his two Napoleons, and Heyward with his company, being ordered to report to Genl. Wheeler. We arrived at No. 10 about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 26th, and the next day received orders to fall back to Millen and fortify.

Source: Jones, Charles Colcock. The Siege of Savannah