Daily national Republican., 1864-12-12
Sherman Whereabouts on
the Sth inst.
Ri n mon d Reports,

received the day previous, the sth inst, that
his army was moving towards Savannah, and
was then within about forty miles Of the city.
| The papers referred to do not state on what
day Gen. Sherman was that distance from 3d.
vannsh. But calculating that he had only
reached there on the sth inst, he has since had
four days time, which is enough to have marched
moves II not opposed.
The Richmond papers believe that Sherman
will attack Savannah at once. We do not bo-
lieve so. II he does not cross the Savannah
river and proceed to Grahamville, upon the
Charleston and Savannah railroad, near the
Port Royal, he will strike the coast at Ossabaw
Sound, point fifteen miles South OF savan.
nah, and commanding the city.
The theory Of the Augusta Chronicle, In its
article Of the 4th instant, published below, II Is
safe to say at this time, Is correct In regard to
sherman's movement, providing certain rebel
iron-clads believed to exist on the Savannah
river do not prevent his crossing 1t.
At this time OF writing General Sherman has
settled that question himself.
| Below we give extracts from Richmond pa
pers of the 9th inst, and Augusta, Ca, papers
of the 4th instant;
sherman Half Way Between Miilen and
ssvannsh.
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec sl
Sherman is repored TO have reached point
ha!fDay oefpssn Alien and Savannah, and is be-
lieved to be marching on the latter place. We
tope II is true. We hope he will attack sa-
vannah, but the hope is faint. When he reaches
the neighborhood and gets some clear Informs
tion as to what Savannah is, he will turn his
steps In another direction.
sherman out OF Central Georgia.
[From the Richmond Dispatch, Dee. Of
We can hear nothing from Sherman. Whether
he is crossing the Savannah on poutoons, or
sailing down the Oconee In RATS or t-boats,
Is equally unknown to us. We only know, and
we rejoice In the fact, that Central Georgia Is
relieved of his presence, and that our railroads
and lines of communication are being rapidly
reconstructed In his wake. As regards the
railroads, Georgians are, to q man, "recon.
structlonists."
| Gen. Fostsr's Movements.
The only news from the far South, on yes
terday, was that Foster is renewing his demon
stration against the Savannah and Charleston
railroad, thereby seeking to divert the attention
OF part OF our troops from Sherman.
sherman 20 Make Port Royal his Base.
The Augusta Chronicle OF the 4th contains
the following;
The ascertained fact that the advance of
| Shermau's army has reached Millen settles the
question as TO the general direction Of his
| movements. II is towards Savannah or its
| lyta haAa hv l..
tions. The route or routes to be pursued, and
the disposition of his forces, are matters yet TO
| be cleared up.
He may move with his whole army direct to
Savannah by the old road from Augusta, which
runs with the Central railroad. Or he may
move across scriven county and Beaufort dis
trict, In South Carolina, crossing the Savannah
river, so as TO form junction with Fosters re-
Inducements from the coast, at Grahamville,
on the Charleston and Savannah railroad. Or
again, he may divide his army and march q
section by each route.
Fosters advance on Grahamvllle, and the
fact OF bis throwing up signal rockets, aud bal.
looms with calcium lights attached for somt
days past, seem to indicate that he expected
Sherman to Join him there; that this was th,
original programme, but that Sherman hai
failed to come to time.
The point TO be gained by reaching Graham
Vile would be to cut of the reinforcementi
} which might be sent from this and other point
for the relief Of Savannah, and to secure bast
OF supplies. Commanding the railroad before
the arrival Of those reinforcements, Savannah
might be at Sherman's mercy. He would then
have Port Royal for q base, from which ht
could obtain ammunition, with all other sup
piles, and also reinforcements, before proceed
Ing TO the accomplishment Of the ultimate OBJ
ject of his campaign-the capture of Savannah
or perhaps Charleston.
The obvious advantages to be gained rendei
1t highly probable that Port Royal is the poin
at which Sherman is now aiming, and has beer
since he left Atlanta. The abortiye attempt o.
Foster TO reach the Charleston and Savannah
road at Grahamville strongly confirms thiI
view. Placing the map before him, the reade
will see that Sherman has been pursuing almos
a straight line from Atlanta to Grahamville.
Sherman would hardly be willing to risk
battle before Savannah, with only the SUPPLE
he might have left at the end OF his march :,
rely upon. He knows that the casualties o
battle might deprive him Of these, and leav
him without resources. His known cautloi
and skill as a general would, therefore, lead u
7 TO expect that ne would provide against such
risk, by first securing base OF supplies within
his reach, which would be GrahamyIlle AM
Port Royal.
In view, then, of these considerations, tn,
most probable conjecture Is that Sherman
whatever felnts he may make, will aim 10 reacl
the point where Foster is now waiting for him
This too, is his shortest and most PRACTICABLE
route to the coast, and the country througl
which he would pass W would afford an abundan
supply Of forage and provisions.