The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-18

At Last the Southern papers have
been able to ascertain what Sherman is
doing. A few days ago they were full
OF surprise and hope, because he was
moving 50 slowag. They complained Of
him because he did not make haste 70
the coast, and We are not surprised that
they did SO, for his presence in Georgia
was certainly not comfortable to the
inhabitants. Some of them said that
ne had not passed Millen; others said
that he had; Others frankly admitted
that they did not know where he was
AS they had lost positive knowledge of
bis movements, they inferred that he
Dad lost himself, and few ventured 10
express compassion for him, wander
ing, as they inferred he must be, in the
gloomy swamps of Georgia.
And then, before be smelt salt water
shey we're going to whip him The mi
tia of South Carolina and Georgia
we're just ahead, to meet him in some
out of the way place and punish him
All this while IL was impossible for tbs
rebels TO say what point Sherman was
making for He might he going to
Brunswick, D4rieD, Savannah or Beau
fort; and, in fact, had not advised his
nemies of what he proposed 10 do
fhey did not seem TO appreciate the
trategy OF General Sherman, but as
ney were mystIfi1d, concluded that he
hesiratiDg and touched with tim
idity.
appears that after leaving Middle
Georgia, sherman occupied some days
in gathering up his forces, and the Au
zusta papers say be had some mills EN-
2oyed Ia grinding corn. He was in
be neighborhood of the 0geechee Riv
r, occupying both its banks, and the
nemy did not know where TO look ior
lis advance 1t seems that he massed
his array on the east side OF the q &c
nee; that is, between that river and
ne Savannah, and then having
unmarked his designs, eompensa-
u i"r any delay on the route, BY
moving with the utmost celebrity. o.
ne 9th inst Gust a week ago) his Grmy
marched eighteen miles, direct upon Savan
nah That means business, ana il the
ebels have any fight to make in that
quarter, it is high time they were at it
Ne are not prepared to believe they
sill risk an army in Savannah. lts
communications are easily cut of, and
when that is done, the more defenders
1 has, he better for the assailants
The experience at VIcksburg will prob
ibly be of value to the rebels in this
connection, and we shall see whether
Bragg, Smith, Besuregsrd, Hardee, OF
whoever commands generals are much
more abundant in Georgia, just now,
than soldiers,) is prepared to play III
avannah the part Of Pemberton in
Vlcksburg. 1T is possible, however,
that Sherman's march upon Savannah
may be feint He may turn to the
,eft cross the Savannah river, task
.asily accomplished, as be is provided
with pontoons, and 20 to Beaufort, lind
ing Foster waiting for him on the
Charleston and Savannah Railroad, !,
which has been effectuslly broken; OF
ne may turn to the right, cross the
Ogeechee and reach the at Darier.
And wherever Sherman pleases TO
20, we have no doubt he can 90, for
mere is every evidence needed to con-
vince the most skepticsl, that he is
master of the situation The general
conjecture is that Sherman Will hasten
with his victorious legions of the West
to assist Grantin crushing Lee, and cap
turing Richmond To be sure this can
be done, but will the Army of the Po-
tomac permit it2 VIII not that army
nov improve its last chance to do the
work that has been before it through
the war or, will it wait for the boys
tIom the West, who have fought their
way from the Ohio TO the ocean, oreap
the long waiting harvest of glory on
the banks OF the royal James-Cia
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