The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1864-12-30

Major General Dir: So
The following extracts from Richmond
papers Of to-day, have been received by
this Department:
"The latest official advices from
Georgia, indicate that Sherman has
already followed up the occupation
of Savannah by sending a force of
cavalry, artillery and infantry, upon
an expedition whose destination can
not be guessed at, from the direction
in which it has moved. These troops
are reported to have gone toward
Altamaha river, and we shall no
doubt next hear that they have
crossed that stream, and are now moving
to southwestern Georgia i'll quest OF pris-
oners of war supposed to be at Anderson
Vile Shernan's programme for his
grand campaign nOrthward seems.t to be
no secret. He will start from Port Royal
and move straight for Branchville, the
point of Junction between the Georgia
and Carolina railroads. He then pro
poses to follow the main railroads toward
Virginia, stealing andmurdering as much
as he can by the way. All very fine; but
if Sherman proposes, Lee disposes.r
The following official dispatches were
received last night: ~.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-6 p. NJ.
To His Ercellepcy, President Of the Con-
- federdte States: - = - > ,.s,t ~
The enemy have re-embarked under
coyer of their feet. This movement is
not developed. Ihave visited Fort Fish
er, and find the damage slight, except
buildings not necessary for defense
Only two guns were disabled. The marks
indicate that the bombardment was very
heavy.
Major General Whiting, Colonel Sand,
commanding the fort, and the officers and
men composing the garrison, deserve spe-
cial commendation for the gallantry
efficiency and fortitude displayed under
very trying circumstances. -.
[Signedl B. BRAGG.
The Lynchburg Virginian has the fol-
lowing additional in relation to the cap
ture Of the salt works, announced Off
cially yesterday:
We had been led to hope that these
important works were safe; but the
source from which the report comes,
leaves US no room to doubt its correct
ness. They were occupied by the enemy
on Tuesday the goth, and held by them,
as is stated, until Tuesday, when the
Yankees retreated toward Bristol
trWe learn that the place was held by
about 200 of the reserves under Colonel
Preston, most of whom. escaped capture.
The works are reported to be but little
damaged, we understood from persons
who have visited them since the occupa-
ton by the enemy. and that they think
they can be put in working order again
by the 1st of February. A large quanti-
t. of salt already gotten out was der
stroyed, aud all buildings at this place
we're burned. Several pieces of artillery
were also captured By them. But they
got little else of.any kind 81 ss-,
General Breckinridge was, at last ac-
counts, at Saltville,. preparing to follow
the enemy on shisFetreat He continued
skirmishing with their rear guard
mo other fighting had taken place
than that 4alreaays rsported& A gentle
man who passed over the railroad to Bris-
tol as far as Glade Springs, after the
enemy had advanced, says the bridges
between these places are burned, but the
tracks are .uninjured.'' - -.
sgG fSigned - -zE.MASFcT0N, bI5 :
=. " {. Secretary of War