Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-29
THE CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH.

Gen. Sherman's grand campaign in Georgia
has eliminated in the capture OF Savannah
with all its material of war, and large amount
of Confederate property in cotton. From the
brief accounts we have received Of tho occu-
patton of the city, we infer that the inhabitants
are quiet and peaccable Doubtless they them
selves are perfectly satisfied, and it is not to
be expected that the turbulent scenes enacted
ct New Oorleaas on the occasion of its occu-
patton by Gen. Butler, will be renewed at
Savannah. We presume Gen. Sherman will
not remain quiet great while in the city.
1t forms most admirable base for new and
splendid operations, and nobody knows better
than that gallant leader, how to make use of
his opportunities. Augusta, lying at the
head Of navigation on the Savannah river,
and place of almost vital Importance to the
Rebel cause, would seem to be at his mercy
and, at less than one third the distance he has
marched since he left Atlanta, lies Charles
ton-the cradle and nurse of the Rebellion.
Since the occupation of Morris Island by our
forces. and the resulting bombardment of the
city, it has not been of much service to the
blockade running feet. Now and then, per-
haps, small steamer may succeed in entering
Or escaping from the harbor, but they must
be very few. Wilmington has succeeded to
the business, and the closing of that Port
would infict much severer blow upon the
desperate fortunes Of the rebels at Richmond,
than our occupation of Charleston, Still, it
cannot be denied that tho loyal people of the
Country would rejoice with profound gratifca-
ton, over the subjugation of this internal den
For year and half it has been subjected to
the slow torture Of an almost hourly lombard
mcnt The lower part of the city was Ding
since reported to be in ruins but beyond the
range of our guns there still remains popu-
lation as malignant and venomous as that
which fred on the unarmed steamer I" Star
of the West" nearly four. years ago, and
which gloated over the starvation and capture
of the brave Maj. Anderson and his little
band. We cannot be satisfied, until these
people have been made themselves to taste The
bitter cup of desolation and misery, they were
mainly instrumental in bringing upon this
once happy nation. They mrst be made to
drain it to the very dIegs. a,t.
1t msy be that tho true military course for
Gen. Sherman to pursue is to capture Angus
ia, and thus deprive the rebels of one of the
most important of their few remaining arsen.
als-at the same time that it gives him com.
manding interior position, in the heart of the
confederaey, for other. movements. We do
not pretend to decide upon points of military
strategy, nor to find fault with the decisions
of those who have the conduct of tho war in
the field. iii, is true policy to advance upon
Augusta, We are content, but we shall deeply
rejoice if Gen. Sherman should decide that he
will afford his gallant army little longer en-
joyment of the sea air, before I've returns to
the interior, and that he will employ the in.
terval in walking over from Savannah and
taking possession of Charleston. 1.-The should
find it iDconvcnient to hold it We should not
greatly regret if he tried ON the Charlcstonians
the same style of warfare as Gen. Early es-
sayed at Chambersburg lsst summer.