The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-29 00:00:00

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AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.

The North German Lloyd screw steamer Hansa,
Captain H. J. Von Sauten, from New York, on the
17th inst., arrived off Cowes this morning, and went
on to Bremen after transshipplng mails, &c. for
this port. She brings 27 passengers for Southamp-
ton and Havre, and 51 for Bremen; 201,000 dols
for England, 109,500 dole for France, and 500 dole
for Bremen.

The City of Glasgow steamer arrived out at New
York on the 16th inst, and was to sail again on the
18th for England.
The Hamburg American Company's screw steamer
Bavaria, Captain H. Taube, which left New York
on the 14th, has also arrived cff Cowes today,
bringing 100,000 dole. for England and 15,488 dole
for France, and proceeded for Hamburg.
Tho intelligence by the Hansa is unusually ira.
portant, embracing a large number of official de-
spatches reporting success to the Federal. arms in
all quarters, and much of the information .con-
tained in them—as will be seen—comes through
Confederate sources. First in reference to Sher-
man's movements the following official announce-
ments were published :
Washington, Wednesday, Deo. 14.
The following telegram has been received at the War
Department :

Hilton Head, South Carolina, Monday, Dec. 12, via
Fortress Monroe, Wednesday, Dec. 11.

General,— Captain Duncan, of General Howard's Scouts,
has just come in from General Howard, having descended
theOgeehee river in a small boat. Ile left the army on the
evening of the 9th, General Sherman's whole army was
then within 10 miles of Savannah, advancing to attack it.
The etretilyza-ryottrkg; tfe 'tidies from the-eft3-, werstp
attacked yesterday, as heavy firing was heard in that diree,
tion. C.tptaia Duncan represents the army to be in the heat
spirits possible•, and the most excellent condition. Very
little opposition had been met with on the march, as the
enemy could not tel: what routes were to be taken. The
army has lived off the country, and thus accumulated a
considerable number of horses and cattle. It was also well
supplied. The following is a copy of the despatch brought
by Captain Duncan :
Head-quarters Army of the Tennessee, near Savannah
Canal, 120 c. 9.

Sir,—We have met with perfect success thus fir. The
.roops are in fine spirits, and near by.—Respectfully,
0. 0. HOWARD,

Major-General commanding right wing of the army.
To the Commander of the United States Naval force in
the vicinity of Savannah, Georgia.
Another despatch brought by Captain Duncan, directed
to the signal officer of the fleet, from G.ineral Howard's
chief signal officer, requests a good look out to be kept for
signals.—l have the honour to bc, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER, Major-General Commanding.
To Major-General Halle*, Chief of Staff.
Washington, Dec. 15,
The following telegram was received from Fortress Mon-
roe last night :

Telegram in cipher received at Washington at 10 p.m.
Dec, 14, from Port Royal harbcur via Fortress Monroe.
I have just received a communication from Sherman's
army. Ho is a few miles from Savannah and in fine spirits.
I shall bring all my available force into connexion with the
army.

A despatch is forwarded with this.—Very respectfully,

J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy.
A bearer of despatches from Admiral Dahlgren arrived
in this city this morning with the following important de-
spatch for the Secretary of the Navy :,
Flag Steamer Philadelphia, Port Royal Harbour,
South Carolina, Dec. 12.

Sir,—lt is my happiness to apprise the department that
Gen. Sherman with his army is near Savannah, and I am
in communication with him. In view of his probable arrival
I had stationed several steamers at different points, and bad
come down from the Tillafinny yesterday in order to be at
band. I had not to wait many hours. This morning, about
8 o'clock, the Dandelion arrived, with Captain Duncan and
two scouts—Sergeant Myron J. Emmick and George W.
Quimby—bearing the following lines from Gen. Howard :
Headquarters Department of the Army of the
Tennessee, near Savannah Canal, Georgia.
Sir,—We have met with perfect success thus far. Troops
in fine spirits, and near by.—Respectfully,
0. 0. HoWARD, Major General,
To the Commander of the United States Naval
Forces in Savannah, Georgia.
Capt. Duncan states that our forces were in contact with

the rebels a few miles outside of Savannah. Ho s;:ys that
Sherman's army is not in want of anything. Perhaps no
event could give a greater satisfaction to the country than
that which I announce, and I beg leave to congratulate the
United States' Government on its occurrence. It may per-
haps be exceeding my province, but I cannot refrain from
expressing the hope that the department will commend
Capt. Duncan and his companions to the Hon. Secretary of
War for some mark of approbation, for their success in esta-
blishing communication between Gen, Sherman and the
fleet. It was an enterprise that required both ekill and
courage.—l have the honour to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear Admiral,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
The following extract of a letter from General Sherman,
written before he started upon his march, shows not only
that he reached the point at which he aimed, but that he
accomplished the difficult work some 12 or 14 days earlier
than he expected :
Kingston, Gaorgia, Nov. 3, 9 p.m.
In a few days I will be off for salt water, and hope to meet
my old friend D. D. Porter again. Will you be kind enough
to write him, and tell him to look out for me about Christ-
mas, from Hilton Head to Savannah?
W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.
Captain Pennock, U.S.N., Mount City.
That General Sherman had captured Savannah before
the steamer which brought the above despatch had fairly
got out of the h arbour of Port Royal is probable, from the
fact that the messenger who reached here this morning says
that when coming out of the harbour, and when too late to

communicate by signals, the whole fleet began to fire a
salute. Upon looking towards the vessels they were being
gaily decorated with flags in honour of soma great victory,
The opinion that prevailed on board the steamer was that
since she left the wharf news had reached the Admiral of
the fall of Savannah.

War Department, Washington, Dec. 16.
Tho Richmond papers of to-day state that " Ou Weduca-

day Gen. Sherman carried Fort! M'Allister, commanding
the entrance to the Ogechee river, by storm, and that the
capture of that position-puts Sherman in communication
with the Yankee fleet, and necessitates the reinforcement Of
Savannah." The Richmond _Despatch says, "Official intel-
ligence was reeeived yesterday that the enemy on Wednes•
day cirried Furt liPAllister by storm. The garrison of the
fort consisted of 150 mon. Fort M'Allister is on the Ogechee
river, 15 milessouth- west of Savannah, at the point where
the river is crossed by the Savannah, Albany, and Gulf Rail-
road, and about six miles from Ossabaw Sound. The capture
of this position puts Sherman in communication with the
Yankee flaet. Without attempting any military criticism,
we cannot Withhold the opinion that the exposing 100 men
to the assault of Sherman's whole army was a pieoe of ex-
travagance that Sherman's pretent military resources do not
seem to warrant."'The Ea antiner has the following—" Fort
ISPAllister commando the entrance to the Ogechee river,and
has prevented the enemy heretofore ascending the river.
We believe there are other works further up the stream
which would render the navigation of the stream by the
enemy extremely uncomfortable. The fall of Fort M'Allis-
ter does not by any means involve the loss of Savannah, but
will necessitate the reinforcement of the troops defending
that city." Up to this hour (half-past 8 p.m.) nothing has
been heard from Gen. Sherman later than the Richmond
newspapers report of the capture of Fort M'Allieter, on
Wednesday.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
To Mojor-General Dix, New York.

A special despatch to the New York Times, re-
porting the capture of Fort M'Allistqp Bays :

This settles the question of the triumphant issue of Sher-
man's magnificent march, the possession of Fort M'Allister
opens up the Ogechee River in the rear of Savannah, and
gives him command of the railroa leading south from that
city. This completes the circle of investment of Savannah,
and places in the hands of Sherman every railroad leading
to or from that point, his army being already planted
on the Central Georgia railroad. And the line between
Savannah and Charleston being cut, nothing, in fact,
could be more admirable than the position in which Sher-
man's army is now placed, for while he held Savannah
in siege, he has an open line of water communications by the
Ogechee to Ossabaw Sound. This avenue of approach to
the rear of Savannah has for three years been guarded by
Fort M'Allister, a powerful sand fort, mounting eight heavy
guns en barbette. Admiral Dupont, in the spring of 1863,
made two attempts, with his formidable ironclad fleet, to
take this fort; but after a protracted bombardment failed,
several of the monitors being disabled in the attack. It
would appear that Sherman has swung round his right
wing, resting it on the Ogechee, and capturing the fort at
the same time. This insures the capture of Savannah, if it
be not already in our possession. The highest delight is
felt here at this successful termination of the Georgia cam-
paign. Fort M'Allister is a very strong earthwork situated
on the Ogechee river; about 16 miles south of the mouth of
the Savannah River, and about six miles from the mouth of
Ossabare Sound. This part of the coast of Georgia is of that
amphibious character which marks so much of the Southern
coast in general— the ravelled And unfinished ends of Na-
ture's web, where sea and land keep up a mutual warfare.
The ocean breaks in between Great Wassaw and Ossabaw
Islands, forming Ossabaw Sound, and into this estuary flow
the Great and Little Ogechee and the Vernon rivers. The
land, or rather the marsh on each side of the Ogechee, is
almost a fleur d' eau, certainly hardly rising a foot above the
level of the river, while at times it is entirely submerged.
For miles and miles on every hand there is nothing to be
seen but these low and level islands and islets, covered with
reeds and rank grasses, save where a lustier vegetation has
pushed up in occasional clumps of trees. About six miles
from the mouth of Ossabaw Sound, near where the Savan-
nah, Albany, and Gulf Railroad crosses the Ogechee, the
river juts out into a promontory named Point Genesis, co-
vered by one of these hummocks of more than ordinary size.
Behind this, hidden from the river, lies Fort M'Allister, an
earthwork of immense strength, erected by the rebels early
in the war. Its batteries completely commanded the river.
Fort M'Allister, which has just succumbed to an attack from
the land aide, had formerly bid defiance to two attacks
from our naval forces. The first of these took place nearly
two years ago. On the 27th of January, 1863, the monitor
Montauk, commanded by Captain Worden, bombarded its
earthwalls for nearly six hours, without either receiving or
doing much damage. Each appeared to be invincible against
the other. The second and more important attack was made
on the 3d of March, 1863. The vessels employed in the
engagement were the monitors Montauk, Passaic, Patapsa,
and Nahunt, and the gunboats Seneca, Wissahickon, and
Dawn, and several mortar schooners. This formidable
force rained a storm of shot and shell upon the fort for one
whole day, with no more danger to the rebels than the die -
mounting of a gun or two. Late in the afternoon the fleet
was withdrawn uninjured, and the vessels dropped down

rebels dontiretout on-the pr.rapet and cheer.
ing a &flint adieu. Near fort M'Allister the blockade
runner Nashville was destroyed ou the 28th cf February,
163, by the Muntauk.

A despatch from Baltimore reports the capture
of SAvannah

Baltimore, Dec. 16.

The correspondent of tha American at Annapolis tele-
graphs as follows : —" The oteamship Varuna left Charleston
bar on the 14th inst. at 8 o'clock in the morning. The re-
port had reached there by the rebel flag of truce boat that
Sherman was in possession of Savannah after an eight
hours' fight, capturing 11,000 prisoners."
The _Richmond Examiner of the 14th says :

The only definite information from Georgia is the ap-
pearance of Sherman's army in the vicinity of Savannah,
The Yankee papers informed us that he had accomplished
this much almost a week ago, but of course their state-
ment was based upon what they deemed the probabilities of
the situation. Up to yesterday forenoon—Do,cember 12—no
fighting had taken place between Sherman's army and the
Confederate troops in the defence of Savannah. General
Hardee commands the latter, A contemporary paper speaks
of Savannah as invested. This is not the case. Savannah
is no more invested than Richmond, and we have no
evidence that it stands in the least danger, either from as-
sault or siege. An official despatch of yesterday mentions
that Sherman had developed his army near the town; but
that does not signify that he will go into trenches, Savan-
nah has a triple lines of defences,"

-
The following is from the Richmond Whig of the
14th:-
41 We again failed to receive our exchanges from Georgia
and South Carolina this morning, and are consequently
without details of recent events in the vicinity of Savannah,
and between that city and Charleston. So far as we can
learn, Sherman's army has invested Savannah; but beyond
the usual skit mishing no fight had yet taken place. Gen.
Hardee is in command of our troops. A telegram from
Augusta says :—" In the fight at Coosawatchie, Friday,
Dec. 9, Brigadier-General Gartrell was badly wounded in
the side by a shell. Notwithstanding the severe wound he
remained on the field until the fight closed. He was brought
to Augusta on Sunday." We have no report of a fight at
Coosawatchie on Friday last, and no information of any
conflict at that point since the 31st ult. has been received at
the War Department. Gen. Gartrell commanded a brigade
of Georgia Reserves. He was a representative from that
State in the last Congress.

The Richmond Sentinel of the 12th reports a re•
eonnaissance by General Longstreet, and publishes
official despatches from General Lee :
General Longstreet, on Saturday morning, made a re-
connaissance on the Darbytown and Williamsburg roads,
for the purpose of discovering the strength and position of
the enemy. The reconnaissance was satisfactorily accom-
lished, and Gen. Longstreet now reoccupies his old position.
Our loss was one man killed and several wounded. We lost
no prisoners. A number of the enemy's pickets were cap-
tured, and some killed and wounded.
Head-quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, Dec. 10.

Gm. Hampton, after driving the enemy's cavalry upon
his infantry, on the afternoon of the Bth, recrossed the
Nottoway and reached Bellfield at daylight yesterday. In
the afternoon the enemy attacked the position, but were
successfully resisted. This morning the enemy is reported
retiring, and Hampton following. The bridge over the Me-
herrin was saved. Our loss as far as known is small, The
garrison under Garnett and the Reserves behaved well.
R. E. LEE, General,
Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War.

(Bellfield is on the northern bank of the Meherrin River,
where crossed by the railroad from Petersburgh to Weldon.
It is in Greenville county, 50 miles south of Petersburgh,
and 23 miles north of Weldon)

The following despatch tells of an attempt of the enemy
to gain ground on our right, below Petcrsburgh, and of the
repulse of that attempt, and of the re-establishment of our
lines :
.‘ Head-quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, Dec. 10.
" About noon yesterday the Ist division of the second
corps of the enemy, supporting the cavalry, forced back our
cavalry pickets on the Vaughan road, south of the Appo-
mattox, and advanced towards Dinwiddie, C. H. To-day
our cavalry, reinforced by infantry, drove them back across
Hatcher's Run, capturing a few prisoners, and re establish-
ing our lines, " R. E. LEE,
" Hon, James A. Seddon, Secretary of War."
The following official despatches announce a
great battle in front of Nashville between Thomas
and Hood :

War Department, Washington, Dec. 15, 11 30 p.m.

The War Department has just received unofficial de•
spatches from Nashville, announcing that Gan. Thomas,
with the forces under his command, attacked Hood's army
in front of Nashville at 9 o'clock this morning, and, although
the battle is not yet decided, the whole action to-day is de-
scribed as splendidly successful, Our line advanced on the

right five miles. The enemy were driven from the river,
from their entrenchments, from the range of hills on which
their left rested, and forced back upon his right and centre,
and the centre was pushed back from one to three miles,
with the loss of 17 guns and about 1,500 prisoners, and
his whole line of earthworks, except about a mile of his
extreme right, where no serious attempt was made to dis-
lodge him. Our casualties are reported to be DOA. Hood's
whole army, except the cavalry and a small force near Mur-
freesboro,' were engaged.
EnwlN•M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Major-General Dix.
War Department, Washington, Dec. 10, 9 14 a.m.
The following official report of the battle before Nash.
ville has been received from Major-General Thomas :--
"Nashville, Tennessee, Dec. 15, 9 p,m.
"Attacked enemy's left this morning and drove it from
the river below the city, very nearly to Franklin point—a
distance of about 8 miles—have captured Chalmers's head-
quarters and train, and a second train of about 29 waggons,
with between 800 and 1,000 prisoners and 16 pieces of artil-
lery. Oar troops behaved splendidly, all taking their share
in assaulting and charging the enemy's breastworks. I
shall attack the enemy again to-morrow if he stands to
fight, and if he retreats during.the night I will pursue him,
throwing a heavy cavalry force in his rear to destroy his
trains, if possible. .
"GEORGE H. THOMAS, Major-General.
" Major-General Dix, New York."

An unofficial despatch gives the following de.
;ails :

Nashville, Tennessee, Dec. 15, 10 30 p.m.
Oar line advanced and engaged the rebel line at 9 o'clock
this morning. The line was formed thus :—Steed man on
the left; T. J. Wood, with the 4th corps next; A. J.
Smith next, with Cox in reserve, and the cavalry under
Wilson, fighting dismounted, occupying the extreme right,
aided by-gunboats-oil pragiticehAte
been fine, and at times the musketry firing continuous and
heavy, and though the casualties have been light the results
are very fair. The left occupied the same ground as at
morning,but the right has advanced five miles, driving the
enemy from the river, from his intrenchmeuts, from the
range of hills on which his left rested, and forced it back
upon his right ani centre. His centre was pushed back from
one to three miles, with a loss in all of 17 guns and about
1,500 prisoners, and his whole line of earthworks, except
about a mile on his extreme right, where no serious attempt
was made to dislodge him. The whole of Hood's army is
here, except the cavalry and one division, which has been
detached to threaten or attack Murfreesboro'. The whole
action of to-day was splendidly successful. The divisions
commanded by General Kimball, of the 4th corps ; by
General Garrard, of the command under General A. J.
Smith, and the cavalry division under General Knipe, were
under my observationond I have never seen better work.
Gen. Kimball's division carried two fortified positions by
assault, capturing 400 prisoners and six guns. No doubt
the other parts of the line did as well. I only speak of what
I saw. No intelligence has been received from General
Sherman's army later than the published despatches fur-
nished by General Foster and Admiral Dahlgren.
• EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Washington, Dec. 16, 1864.
The following has been received at the Navy Depart-
ment :

"Clarksville, Tennessee, Dec. 16, 10 am.

"General Thomas's attack yesterday upon Hood's left,
supported by the 10th division of this squadron, resulted in
the capture of Chalmers's head-quarters' train, with papers,
1,000 prisoners, and 16 pieces of artillery. The probable
lose to the army will not exceed 500 killed and wounded.

f‘ The attack will be resumed this morning.
" S. P. LEE,
" Rear-Admiral Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
" To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy."
War Department, Washington, Dec. 16, 10 30 p.m.
The Western telegraph lines are working very badly on
account of the rain storms prevailing.
The following unofficial deppatahes have been received :
"Nashville, Deo. 16 (hour not stated).

"rust returned from the battlefield. Battle isevere and
;arrific. Our forces victorious.

" Nashville, DA. IG, 2 15 p.m.

" Hood has fallen back, and is apparently doing his best
to get away, while Thomas is pressing him with great
vigour, frequently capturing guns and men. Everything
so far is perfectly successful, and the prospect is fair to
crush Hood's army. There is nothingsince my last despatch
from any quarter.
"EDWIN 11. STANTON, Secretary of War.

" Major-General Dix, New York."
The subjoined despatch gives General Hooa's
official report of the battle of Franklin :
War Department, Washington, Dec. 10.

The Richmond papers of to-day contain General Hood's
4,fficial.repicrt-of the battle of Frankling, in which 12e.aa-
knowledges the loss of many gallant officers an brave men,
among whom he enumerates Major General Cle.uurne,
Brigadier Generals John S. Williams (" Cerru Gordu"
Williams, of Kentucky) ; Adams; Gist of South Carolina ;
Strahl, cf Tennessee; and Granberry, of Texas, killed ; and
Major General John C. Brown, of Tennessee; and Briga-
dier Generals S. Carter, Manigault, of South Carolina ; W.
A. Quarles, of Tennessee; Cockerell and Scott, wounded ;
and Brigadier General Gordon, captured.