Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-12-21
SAVANNAH CLOSELY BEsEIGED
sherman's Army in Splendid Condition.
DISPATCH FROM SHERMAN.

Some days since report of the capture
of Savannah and l, 100 prisoners was cur
rent, which it now seems was only the cap
ture of Fort McAllister near that city. An
official dispatch has been received from Gen.
Foster. who had personal interview with
Gen. Sherman, on "Wednesday the I4th,
at Fort McAllister, which had been taken
by assault en- the preceding day Savan-
nah IS closely beseiged, and It's capt ure,
with Is, 600 rebel troops under Hardee i
confidently expected. The city was 10 be
summoned in two days, and if not surren-
dered. Sherman would open his batteries
upon it. Gen. Foster reports that Sher-
mans army is in splendid condition, having
met with perfect success on its long march.
and that it lived all the while on turkeys.
chickens, sweet potatoes, and other good
things OF the richest part of Georgia.
OK BOARD THE DANDELIoN, OssABAw
Sound, December -. Il:60 PM-To-day.
at FIVE P. NJ, Brig. Gen. HAZEN's division.
Of the 18th corps, carried fort McAlIister By
assault, capturing its entire garrison and
stores This opened to US the Ossabaw
Sound, and pushed.down to this gunboat
for communications with the feet. Before
opening communications we had comuieteIv
destroyed all railroads running into Sayan-
nah, and invested the city. The left Is on
the Savannah river, four miles above the city,
and the right on the 0geechee at Kings
bridge. The army IS in splendid order.
Weather fine Supplies abundant
Our march was most agreeable, and not
moIested by guerrilla>- We reached Saya ain
nah three days ago, but owing 10 fort Meal
lister could not communicate But now We
haze MeAlliSter apd we can 60 ahead We
have already captured TWO boats on the Sa-
vannah river, and prevented their gunboats
trom coming down. estimate the popula-
ton Of Savannah at 5000, and the garrison
at l5,000 Gen. HABDEE commands
We have not lost d wagon. on the trip. but
have gathered in u large supply Of negroes,
mules and horses. Our teams are in better
condition than when We started. Ny first
duty will be to clear the army of surplus ne
groes, mules and horses We have utterly
destroyed over 2,OOJ miles of railroad, and
consumed stores and provisions that We're
essential to LEE aud Hoop armies The
quick work made with McAllister, and the
opening of communication with our feet,
and the consequent independence fer sup
plies dissipate all their buasted threats to
head me off and starye the army. regard
Savannah as already gained.
Yours. truly, ". T. SHERMAN, Maj.-Gen
Sherman's march through Georgia was a
perfect success. He met with scarcely any
resistance. There was no ightingt that would
rise even to the dignity Of skirnish.
The army was in the best Of spirits during
the entire march-living upon the richest
products of the territory through which
they passed. The only supplies issued by
Sherman commissaries was coffee and hard
tack. His entire loss in killed. wounded
and stragglers does not exceed one thousand
while he brought with him SIX thousand ne
gr,eS and two thousand prisoners, besides
large number Of horses and mules The IN
habitants of Georgia, instead of burning
their barns and obstructing the roads, as d.
rected by their leaders, fed in dismay and
terror as our soldier advanced on their tri-
umphant march to the coast 1t Is conf
IDENTIFY expected that Savannah will be ia
ken within very short time.