Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-28
The Capture of Savannall-HHar-
dee Evacua1es.

FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 26.-The steam
er California arrived here at late hour
last evening-fitty- hours from Fort
Pulaski-bringing important dispatches
from Sherman and glorious confirmatory
intelligence of the capture of Savannah OH
the 2lst inst. On the 20th, Sherman having
nearly completed the investment of the city
and captured Fort Lee and several other
minor out works in the immediate vicinity
of the principal entrenchments surround
ing the town, planting his siege batteries in
such close proximity to the rebel lines as to
command etfectually every position held by
the forces under command of Gen. Hardee,
sent summons by flag of truce to the eff
feet that If the place was not in a certain
time surrendered bombardment and as
sault would at once commence. To this
summons the willy rebel General sent back
q reply that as his communications were
yet open and his men fully supplied
with subsistence and stores of every kind,
he was enabled to withstand a long siege,
and was determined to hold the city to the
very last moment and defend the citizens
and property which had been placed under
his protection, until his forces were over
powered and compelled to surrender.
Every preparation had been made by
Sherman to assault the rebel position the
next day, but when the morning of the 2lst
inst. dawned It was ascertained that the
enemy had evacuated their entrenchments.
Several regiments of infantry were imme-
diately advanced, who took possession of
them and shortly afterwards Sherman en-
tered the city at the head of his body guard,
and received from the hands of deputa-
tion of citizens the surrender of the place.
1t appears that Gen. Hardee, OH the night
of the 10Th, seeing the impossibility of hold
ing the city and fearing that the only means
of escape left open across the Savannah
was likely to be cut off at any moment, de-
termined to avail himself of this route for
his retreat. His troops Immediately set to
work to partially destroy the navy yard and
Government property, and at twilight un-
der protection of two iron-clad rams, sue
ceeded in crossing the Savannah river over
the causeway to the north side, intending
to push forward to- Charleston. $4,000 bales
of cotton were stored In the city, which the
rebels in their haste neglected to destroy.
The two iron-clad rams were sunk, and
all the Government property and stores
which they could not carry off with them,
they burned or threw into the river. -Four
small steamers, one a gunb0at, were cap
tured, which, together with the cotton and
a large amount of rebel munitions of war,
form part of the spoils of Sherman's VIC
torious army.
New YoRK, Dec. 27-The Worlds spe-
cial from Fortress Monroe on the 26th,
learns from Major Gray, of Gen. Sherman's
staff, particulars of the capture of Savan-
nah. The surrender was made by the May
or and Council. Sherman's and Slocum's
headquarters are in the city. The demand
for the surrender was made on the 10th,
and Sherman c.osed his dispatch with
Hoods words to the negro troops at Dalton,
to the effect that "If his demand was not
complied with hewould take no prisoners"
Hardee replied that "He could and would
hold the city," Sherman proceeded to COM
plete his investment of the city, but owing
to the swamps on the north side he could
not at once extend his lines in that direc-
tion. Gen. Hatch's division of Fosters
force held the lett of our line, occupying
the upper part of Hutchinson's Island,
completely blockading ingress and egress
over the river below, where ferry boat
was discovered plying between the city and
Union -Causeway. This was the hole
through which Hardee got out. Our pris-
oners are increased by constantly finding
them secreted. The city is so full Of citi-
zens, and refugees and Others that many
live in the streets, nearly three hundred
Union prisoners have succeeded In reaching
our lines. The Millen prisoners are sup
posed to be forty miles south of Savannah