Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-10


and Gordon and Milledgeville branch rail-
road. Sherman is everywhere laying waste
the country with Ere and sword, showing
clearly that it is his determination TO take no
step backward" e
The Enquirer Of the 23d says of Sherman:
+" This only he has gained-snd it is no small
gain when viewed in connection with bis
plans for the winter.--that Hood is far of TO
the west, only feebly threatening his rear
flank, and with hostile army under Thomas
between him and Atlanta. 1t may that this
was the position which Sherman had in view
when be bqasted that he would soon have
Hood where he wanted him. 1t is certain
that his pursuit has been but series OF
feints, and that the door to west Tennessee
was purposely left open to allow the eager
looks of our gallant men in that direction
Sherman will try TO possess himself nrst OF
Macon. He could thus obtain command OF
the road which leads from Macon eastward to
Augusta and the seat of Government, west
ward to Mississippi, thus efectually destroy
ing our communications with trans MISSISSIPPI
pi. He would, moreover, cut on Hood ana
his army from their base of operations, sup
plies, and means of comforting with the seat
of government. In these respects the move
is formidable, and it is of no use to shut our
eyes willfully to the danger. Far better to
look it in the face and prepare for resistance
with vigor."
The Dispatch says +" Georgia viii have to
taste the bitter cup that so long has been at
our lips, but her revenge is at hand, and an
opportunity to show her loyalty, gallantry,
and all the highest virtues is at hand, for
Sherman will place himself in the most per-
ilous situation that can be conceived. He
has cut himself off from his communication.
A very few weeks of warfare must exhaust
his resources
The Richmond Ezamaner thinks that the
ruthless conduct of the great national army
will tend to cement Georgians in support of
the rebel government, and cause the luke
warm and hating to Immediately take up
arms and become its most Incorporating
defenders, and that the State, after passing
through this ordeal of fire, will come forth
purified and purged of its love for the old
Union. The Richmond Wing, though, is not
so hopeful as its contemporary, and says: ."We
cannot say that we feel an absolute cOnyic-
ton, although, indeed, our hopes are strong,
that Sherman viii fail in achieving his final
object" 1t says that fisherman is a man of
undoubted ability and astuteness, and he
would never have commenced his march from
Atlanta had he not believed he could finally
reach the coast in safety"
The panic created, both in Georgia and
South Carolina, by the march of the irresisti-
BILE conqueror is something which has had no
parallel during the war. A levy en- naasse of
Georgia and South Carolina militia has been
ordered, and desperate efforts were being
made to concentrate at Augusta an army suf-
fcient to present some opposition to Sher-
mans advancing columns.
The Augusta ConstitatiOnatiSt of the 22d
says: " a raiding party of the enemy tapped
the road 10 miles east of Macon and destroy
ed a lumber train. Freight trains were turn
ed back in haste Heavy cannonading and
musketry fire were heard east Of Gordon. 1t
was supposed Gen. Wayne at Gordon had
been attacked. Milledgeville had been en-
tirely evacuated by our forces before the
enemy entered. Everything of value was
brought away"
The Augusta Dispatch of the 2lst says
1.-THE movement of Sherman on Milledge-
vile was feint for the purpose of concen-
trating our forces there, and the raid on the
Central was for the purpose of keeping them
there, whilst the whole force of the enemy
moves upon and captures Augusta or Sa-
vannah."
The Augusta Constitutiondlist gives the pro.
gress of column under Slocum. About
10, 900 cavalry visited Madison, on the Geor-
eia state road, and burned it on the goth. An
engine was sent up the road, and found the
enemy at Bucks Head, IL miles nearer Au-
gusta On the 10th some of these men we're
within Is miles of Augusta, probably
raiding party.
The Augusta CAroriols of the goth says, ga
large cavalry force left Greenyille, S. c.,
bound across the country in the direction of
Atlanta, with a view of cutting off Yankee
column moving down the Georgia road in
this direction. 1t is said Breckenridge was
to leave upper East Tennessee with his troops
the 18th, for the Georgia line. With Hosd
in his rear Breckenridge on his tanks, and
so, 900 veteran troops on his front, Sherman
cannot escape"
The Augusta ConStituLiondlast says: CAS-
we write, the glad and familiar shout of vet
eran troops, just arriving from the South
Carolina depot, comes up from the streets.
If Sherman's men retreat this way they will
hear the whistle of bullets from the trusty
guns which have often been pointed at fanat-
les on the banks of the Potomac and James.
Before our readers see this, other glad shouts
will be heard in our streets"
A Georgia paper abuses, in strong language,
JEFF. Davis and the Richmond authorities for
not sending troops into the State to impede
Sherman's movements, crying in despair, C Is
Georgia to be left to take care of herselfw
The rebel papers show the division of SEN
timent, distraction and the panic which Sher-
mans operations have created in the South,
and authorize us in anticipating the most de-
- IL lee 4hnrr