Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-29
special Report.

WAR DEPARTMENT, I
WAsHIEGTON, Dec. $50 P. NJ. (


WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Dec. $50 PM.
Major General Dir
The following extracts from Richmond
papers of to-day, have been received by
the Department;
The latest official advices from Georgia
indicate that Sherman has already fol-
lowed up the occupation of Savannah by
sending force of infantry, artillery and
cavalry on an expedition, whose destina-
tion cannot be guessed from the direction
from which it moved. These troops have
been reported as having gone towards AL
lamaha river, and we shall no doubt next
hear that they have crossed that stream,
ard are moving to Southwestern Georgia
in quest of prisoners of war supposed to be
at Andersonville.
Sherman's programme for his grand
campaign northward seems to be o.secret.
IL win sto-t f-o-r- Pn-t ,Po--ol. ord, nnoye
straight for Branchville, the point oi juno
ton between the Georgia and Carolina
railroads. He then proposes to follow the
main railroad, stealing and numbering as
much as he can by tho way. All very
fire. but if "Sherman proposes, Lee dis
poses"
The following official dispatch was re-
ceived last night:
WILMINGTON, Dec. 2T-6 P. NJ.
To HIS Erccllency, the President of the
Confederate States:
The enemy have re-embarked under the
cover of the feet. His movement is not
developed. 1 have visited Fort Fisher
ard find the damage slight, except to the
buildings not necessary for defense. Only
two guns were disabled The marks on
the works indicate that the bombardment
was very heavy. Colonel Lamb, COM
manding the fort, and the men composing
the garrison, deserve special commends-
ton for the gallantry, efficiency, and forti-
tudo displayed under very trying circum-
stances.
TSigned,1 BRAxToN BRAGG.
A dispatch from Lynchburg, Virginia,
has the following additional in relation to
the capture of the salt works, announced
officially yesterday. We had been led tc
hope that these important works were
safe, but the source from which the report
of their capture comes leaves us no room
to doubt its correctness. They were occu.
pied by the enemy on Tuesday, 2Osh, ant
held by them, as was stated, until Thursday
when the Yankees retreatedt toward Bristol
We learn that place was held by abou
200 reserves under Colonel Preston, mos
of whom escaped capture. The works arr
reported to be but little damaged, and w
understand from persons who visited then
since the occupation Of them by the enemy
that they can be put in working orde
again, by the first of February.
A large quantity of salt already gottel
out was destroyed and all buildings at tn
place were burned. Several pieces o
artillery were also captured by them, bu
they got little else of any kind
General Breckenridge was at last ac
counts at Ssltyille, preparing 10 follo7
the enemy on his retreat
The brigade continued to skirmish wit
their rear guards. No other fighting ha
, taken place than that already reported.
A gentleman who passed over the raj
road from Bristol to Salt Springs after th
, enemy advanced, says the bridges betwee
, these places are sll burned, but the trscE
are uninjured.
ISignedl E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
? THE RAIDERS.
r The capture of three Of the st. Alba1
{. raiders, who enlisted in our army, plac
], the case in a novel position. If those
: Montreal claim to be rebel soldiers, thes
:, three arc spies. If they plead as Burs
It lars, they are certain TO go to the pen
= tentisry, without any benefit from the
ss rebel commissions.
e. There is much rejoicing hefe over Il
q dilemma in which the rebel sympathize
IS in Canada are placed.
n BRAGG TO BE REINFORCED.
General Hoke's division, of Longstree
in corps, left the front of the army of 4
ye James last Thursday. He is supposed
to have gone to reinforce Bragg at W
il mington, or to assist in the defence