Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-29

armies Ia the Wee. .e, \,
supplies from the Stspy but he draws tho bulk OF his
no region which is PIT OF the sayannaa ana tnsrs
have dgressed thus far frc 40 tnat ABOUT ColumDia.
campaign because wish to che history OF the Georgia
iaso general at the North that ut the impression which
from the southwest One thing armies are leu
the West the East will draw ant certain neither
counties 10 this State trayersed by0upt lies from tne
time to come; our work has been thSheIqy Tor long
hlatlon 'ug 10 ami
CONCENTRATION OF THE ARMY-A FRI.
Ogeehee Church., Dsc.. 6h.--Thes army for two
past has been concentrating at this point, whichis "
narroWest part OF the peninsula Gen. Howard Is stu on
the west side of the 0geohee, but within supporting dis
tance and has ample of crossing the river should it
be necessary which is not at all probable Fitzpatrick has
again done noble work On Sunday last while marching
towards Alexander for the purpose of thoroughly
completing the destruction of the railroad bridge crossing
Briar Creek found Wheeler on his way near Waynes-
boro He fought him several times Furnishing him severely
IN each instance driving his infantry and cavalry before
him through Waynesboro and beyond the bridge which
completely destroyed He rjoned the main body OF
our army then marching southwark
~, THE ARMY FURTHER SOUTH.
December ah;-lhe army has been advancing slowly
and surely, but ascauously as If strong army were IN
our 'front.' The relative poonof the troops has not ma
teay changed since last writing except that we are all fur
Their south From fifteen to twenty miles lies Savannah
it is to be supposed perturbation at the certainty
OF our approach II the rebels intend fighting in defence
of the city it will be behind their Notifications for yet
we have only skumshed with parties OF cavalry and they
have not the head our infantry column and only
judge of cur strength through rudcous publications in
the newspapers north.
A BOLD MOVEMENT.
Gen. Howard has just returned from very successful
movement Fearing that should detach force for the
purpose Of destroying the Gull road which they are using
to its utmost capacity just now they pushed force
the Ogechee While this body covered by strong
riverside line, Gen. Corse, Of Alaoona memory, showed
his division between the Little and Great Ogechee thirteen
miles in advance of tho main column to the canal which runs
from the Ogechee to the Savannah river He brdged the
canal crossed his DIVISION aud now holds
OF which Hoods army could not drive him This bold step
has forced the rebels the line of works stretch
ing from river to river and they have fairly sought
refuge in the Notifications proper of Savannah
THE SIGNAL GUNS OF THE GUNBoATs.
All the afternoon have heard the signal guns of our
gunboats, supposed to be in Ossabaw Sound My heart
thrills with gladness to thpk that within speaking
distance of brethren of the brave navy and that we
hereafter to act in unison with we hepe more purpose
than has been the result with most expeditions on the At
anc coast The next three days promise to be full OF
interest for shall seek to establish base OF sup
plies IN connection with our heet. ~ L. .Nu
CLOSING IN UPON SAVANNAH. s
December 9h-We gradually closing in upon the
city Gen Howard holds the position gained the other
of the canal yesterday and has advanced the larger
part his command in ts support Portions of army
within eight miles of Savannah. Gen Blar's
column lost several officers and men, some of them by
honorable fighting, az the rebels whsood the advance
with pertinacy One officer and several men were &c.
verely wounded by the explosion of shells and orpedoes
buried and concealed in tAe road which attempt
coWardy murder In the entrance forts breach
made in line of works such implements may be used to
defeat the assault but the laws of do Justify an at
tempt of the kind which has been disastrous to-day
The prisoners marched the road and removed
two of these treacherous, death dealing instruments
Gen Davis is tonight at Cherokee Hill, having crossed
the Charleston road partially destroying the bridge span
ming The Savannah. He has also been opposed by the
rebels but with the other columns, the opposition only
accelerated the progress of the troops who hurry forward
the at the sound OF the guns eager to get
into the fight. Tomorrow we may expect to have con-
centated our army so as 10 form continuous line about
the city.
STRONG LINES OF REBEL WORKS.
Decenuder 10M-The army has advanced some six miles
to-day and have met every where strong line of works,
which appear to be held by strong force with thirty
two pound guns n position their line although extended
lie easily defended because Of succession of mpas
sable swamps which stretch across the peninsula All
the openings between these and the roads which
lead through them strongly fortified, and the APP
proaches been contested vigorously but with little
loss to Gen Sherman seems TO AVOID the sacrifice OF
life, and doubt his making any serious attack until he
has communication with the fleet.
We have connected our lines, that the corps are
within supporting distance of each other The soldiers
meanwhile in most cheerful spirits with that insous
which is the most characteristic feature of
troops. ~.
CAPTURE OF FORT M'ALLIsTER.
Decembsr Is AT Fort McAllister To-day have been
spectator Of Of those glorious sights where the
tors passing through the most fearful ordeal of FIRE which
befas the soldier come out successful and are always al
have marched to-day fifteen miles and, without the
sistance of artillery have crossed open space of ak
hundred YARDS under fierce fire of twenty one heavy
guns, crawling through tAck abats crossed ditch of
great depth whose bottom driven thick palisades,
them away surmounted the crest and palisades shot
aud bayoneed the gunnrs who refused to surrender at
their pos and planted the stars and upon the work
in triumph 4 he assault made with single line which
approached the fort from all sides but that OF the river at
the same instant, for nstaut waverng
lurking shelter, but facing the fire manfuly The expo
on of tOrDedOpa them Per
haps in the history of this there has not been
striking example Of the evidence OF quick determined
ton Had visited, put up entertainments sheed the
place. and made the usual approaches should have lost
many lives, and time that invaluable. As it is,
our entire loss ia not than ninety killed and
wounded and have gained necessity, base of sup
Plies Our whole army eager to emulate such go-
example, and this esprit dH corps has been raised to
the grandest height.
EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERIES OF PETRO-
LEUM IN CALIFORNIA.