Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-12-28
TIE MARCH TO a SEA,
From Atlanta to the Atlantic.
herman Route and Exploits.
HOW BE LIVED AND MOVED.

SA6rmalsS ROUTE anu EXPl0lCS,
HOW BE LIVED AND MOVED.
ICerrepondence Of the Cincinnati commercisl.1
HILTON HEAD, S. c., Dec. IA
Grants theorem, THE Confederacy IL
bot a shell, has been fully and elaborate
" demonstrated by Sherman, the news
of whose safety has just ~gladdened the
country. Sherman has been taking his
time, and as long as he is safe We may
the mere heartily rejoice that he has
spent q whole month in the heart OF
Georgia, destroying her military strength,
disseminating her peculiar pesce docu-
ments, and, above ali, destroying the
last great lines of communication be-
tween the Eastern and Western sections,
of the Confederacy. Rsilrosding in Geor-
gia is at an end. or, at best, 3 thing OF
shreds and patches. The line from At
lanta to Macon is almost entirely de
stroyed; that from Macon to Savannah Is
burned for over a hundred miles; the
line from Augusta TO Savannah is in ru-
ms for nearly the same distance; the
Gulf Road running southwest from Ss
vannah, has been rendered useless by
burning the bridge over the Ogechee
river; and our forces now hold the road
leading from Savannah TO Chsrlestown--
asvannsh and the rebel forces there are.
therefore, completely cut off from rail
road communication with the rest OF the
South. and Sherman, With not less than
fifty five thousand Of the best troops 0fhe Re
pupEe, IS 6~eseiging that city.
throughout the march, Sherman has
met with so little opposition, that ea:h
DAYS history of his 'lost arms" is about
the same. He has had nothing worthy the
name of battle. and we are assured that
in sick, killed, wounded and struggling,
his loss will not exceed n thousand.
Now that cur a-pprehensions are over,
it Is easy to conceive that we should have
been perfectly satisfied with the rebel re
ports of Sherman's progress. 1t IS un
likely that they would have conceaied a
disaster to nur army.@They are altogeto-
er too hungry for a little victory some
where, TO do that. The truth Is, they
could not, with railroads and telegraph
wires cut, know anything 0 the
whereabouts of Shermsn's main army
Their scouts might catch glimpses OF ior-
aging parties. but how could they con
clude that the whole army was not ioi
lowingf
Many square miles in the heart o.
Georgia, have been desolated, stripped OF
horses cattle. negroes and subsistence
Negroes in numbers estimated at 6,VoV
the column. Many thousand
horses have been seized, and many tens
of thousand of hogs, sheep and cattle,
have been deYoured or brought along
But l viii give what details of his grand
march have been achieved, more N the
style OF newspaper narration.
TEE DIVERSION PROM PoRr ROYAL.
For the last fortnight, some word from
Sherman, through scouts or c~ouriers,
has been looked for in this department.
The blockading feet have been watchful
to pick up boats issuing from the streams
south of Hilton Head, being advised that
intelligence from Sherman might
arrive in that manner. But day after
day passed and nothing came.
About 9 fortnight ago, Cen. Foster col
Iected what force he could in his depart
uent, stripping many points almost en-
Iireiy Of troops and leaving guard tours
70 the citizens, who were all impressed
for garrison duty. With about SIX thou
sand nen, on transports, he assembled
Broad River, and landed at a point with
IN fve miles of Pocotaligo Bridge. on the
1harieston-snd Savannah Railroad, ad-
vsnced Immediately. Intending TO cut the
road, and SO prevent reinforcements from
the north reaching Savannah. The na-
lure of the country over which he passed
Tss favorable, until he arrived within 3
nile of the railroad, when it became
sYanpy and impenetrable, save. along q
narrow road, commanded by
|, strong rebel fort, which. being
easy reach Of Savannah.
be readily reinforced from that
A determined assault on tbs fort
vas repulsed, and on oar troops attempt
10 withdraw to another position. the
attacked in turn, but were driven
back with heavy loss. General Foster
his plans and advanced by
another road making steady progress
the railroad, and finally, partially
1t by heavy guns. to work
which il was necessary % cut an opening
through the dense sHampy forests. From
Ibis position Dur troops could see the
'moke of passing engines, and hear the
rumble of trains which were passing to
md from Savannah, with unusual indus
Try. On Sunday, the 1Ith instant, the
rains ceased running; some say from an
anlucky shot through alocomotive, but
probably because Gen. Sherman occupied
The railroad just outside Savannah. Gen.
loss in the attempt TO seize the
will reach 1000. The move
was an effective diversion in SheT-
favor, keeping 5000 or 1000 rebels
IN his front, to defend the railroad and
relieving Sherman ofthat number, who
would otherwise have participated in the
direct defense OF Savannah. Had it not
been for the ~impenetra5le marshes. in
the country in which he operated, Gen.
would have had little difficulty in
the railroad.
isI THE FIRST NEW FROM SHERMAN.
On Sunday morning. the llth instant,
from plantations came down
'eporting heavy cannonading in the
of Savannah, and al Fort Pulas-
Ii during the preceding night shells
,ould be seen bursting over or near the
Town. Early Monday morning the gun
boat Flag came steaming up from the
south, having on board Captain Duncan,
4yron Amick, and George ". Quinby,
of Sherman's scouts, and the fist
Of his couriers reaching our lines since he
,et- out from Atlanta
Cap. Duncan broughta dispatch from
Zen. Howsrd, dated the 9th instant, on
he Savannah Canal, Saying: I'VE have
,sd perfect success, and the army is in
inc spirits" The canal referred to is
Ibout I'VE miles cas-. of Savannah, run
ing from the Savannah River e ths OIL