The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-12-28
TIE CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH.
Mr.. e. ID. westsail's Dispatches.

Mr.. z. ID. Wostfnlls Dispatches.
SAVANNAH, Ga Dec. 81, 1854
Bardee evacuated this city last night; and Goary's
division OF the Twentieth army corps entered this
ing. The enemy abandoned all his heavy artillery, am
untion Stores but escaped with the loss Of eight
hundred men, who were portions Of the line
from the river.
Although the capture OF Fort McAlster on the 18th
nomnay opened communication with the feet OF supply
ships waiting for sherman Ossabaw Sound supplies
were landed At Kiogsbridge before the 10th. This
owing 70 the unknown and difficult channel Of the
crooked ogeechce rather than to rebel distractions
Ill OF which removed after the fort
captured. The establishing Of . base at Kings
bridge, twenty.eght miles from the sound the 10th
q December may therefore, be considered the opening
Of the siege Of From this TO the LETT
General slocum's headquarters, tho distance was
Eighteen miles; but, by the construction OF double
corduroy road through the and over the panta
lion dykes refroshment after labor was secured TO the
men who expected 10 DO the bloody labor.
rus SITUATION on 10TH
Ths limo ~ established around Savannah extended
from point tho Savannah river three and a half
miles from the city 70 Dr. Cheevsrs plantation on the
Ogeeches fifteen miles from town. Tho distance from
Sst 70 right around the lines by only practicable
roats was nearly thirty miles. The Twentieth corps
held the extreme left, with one brigade Of Gsarys
division on Hutchnsons Island-of which
shall speak hereafter. Next 10 line came
shs Fourteenth corps then gap Of Eve six mics
cred only by piokets because living thing except
amphbious things could 60 either way 10 that neghoor
hood. the len OF the Seventeenth rested this dark
swamp Before them, and before the Fifteenth corps
flooded rico fields only interviewed to protect the
enemy. These were absolutely impossible. milo
these artificial lakes, In some places twenty feet
Deep you might the rebel line, and watch the fash
q their guns. Here the artillery practice nvecst
one division OF tho Fifteenth corps Hazens victors
q McAlister) lay around that sarthwork, and the
south side OF the Ogechce.
THE ONLY APPROACHES
20 the rebel line which confronted By the
river road tho Charleston Railroad tho Central Railroad
and the wagon road which bosideit All these
elevated and straight drought tho swamps
On the roads the enemy had old thirty pound
srs-psvy guns rnsd--bowing sixty pound round shot
down the straight causeways at overy body who shove
himself. single norseman would draw their Ore. On
the railroads they employed platform to transport
guns close TO our lines let drive aud got back Ex
cept the left muskery did little HARM ana for that
matter canponading did not do much. The bayonet un
thought Of, grew rusty in the salty mist.
HurouSsoSs ISLAND.
This Is low rico island, perhaps four miles long and
mile broad In the Savannah river opposite our ot
possesses tho additional advantage OF being opposite
ere enemy too for its lower point opposite tho city,
sust above the causeway ferry Our troops occupied the
northern portion OF the island after got In posi-.
tion here; but wide canal which divides IL about q
mile and half from It's lower point prevented our flank.
Ing the rcbes out OF their mainland Notifications al tho
outset They discovered the importance OF Hutch
isson's Island, aud swung troops over there
W hold IL. Tho South Carolina shore opposite
the island IL low and swampy an alligator
wilderness, except where the Union csuscway ran
shrough ~ TO tho Charleston Raroad thirty miles above
CsyAry dsm0unted fought on bs South CarciAa shore