Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-12-23
1slsgraph Asws;
rEu,f fnE BALES


rEu1 flIE pAiLMs
D;srschts Direct from .Sh>rmam Adriee,
10 tie 14,h ins,aaf-.Ssranhdh Closely
Hesicced- For. Nc AHsfer Taken bg
Assault riia the Entire Garrison Lat
ef from 7eaaessee-5003 Prisoners ana
~ piece, Of Artiliary secured.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington. Dec. l7-l0 p. m.
To Major General Dix
Dispatches have been received to-day
from General Foster who had personal
interview on the morning OF "Wednesday,
] 18th inst. with General Sherman. Mt Fort
McAllister. which had been taken by as
sanls on the preceding day.
Savannah was closely hesicged. and lite
capture, with the rebel force there, was
confidently expected. 1t was to he sum
mopes in two DAYS, and if not surrender
ed Sherman would open his batteries upon
il.
General Foster reports that Shcrman's
army is in splendid condition. having
lived ON its march ON the turkeys. chickens.
sweet patatoes and other good things OF
the richest part of Georgia
An unofficial despatch states the Pre-
yost Marshal at Louisville reports 500
prisoners and 70 pieces OF artillery, as be-
ing already secured.
II il asccrtained thet on transmitting
Gen. .Theusas report last night tele-
graphic mistake was made at Louisville or
az Nashville in the estimated number Of
eus ca .uaities. The despatch as written
IN Gen Thomas, SAYS ut their whole
los. would not exceed 3001 and that very
few were killed.
4 despatch from Lexington this even
iur states that on the 18th. at kingsport.
Tenn. Gen. Burbridgc had fight with
Basil Dake,s brigade, formerly John Nor
CAMS, and routed it, with a loss to the
enemy of $50 killed and wounded and
mi oners. and their train. Dick Morgan,
BROTHER of johns WAS captured.
fSigned) Z. VI. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Dec. ls.-9 p. N.
To Maj. Gen. Dix.
An Official despatch from Gen Sherman
was received to-day, dated near midnight,
Dec. l3, on the gunboat Dandelion.
Ossabraw Sound. 1t was written before
General Foster had reached him.
He reports besides some military details
of future operations which are omitted.
in the following interesting particulars OF
his operations
On board Dandelion.
Ossabraw Sound
December I3-l1:50 7. NJ. !
To-day at 3 p NJ, Gen. Hazen's divi-
sion of the 18th corps carried Fort Me
Alister by assault, capturing IT'S entire
garrison and stores.
This opened to us ting Ossabraw Sound,
and pulled down to this gunboat to com.
municate with the fleet. Before opening
communication we had completely de-
stroyel all the railroads leading into Sa
vannah., and invested the city. The left
is on the Savannah river, three mile;
above the city. and the right on the
Ochecchee at Kings bridge.
The army is in splendid order and equal
to anything.
The weather has been fine and supple.
abundant.
Our march was most agreeable, and We
were not troubled By guerillas.
We reached the Savannah three day:
ago, bst owing to Fort NcAllister. we
could not communicate. but now we have
AcAllister we can go ahead. We have
already captured two boats on the Savau.
nah river, and prevented their gunboat,
from coming down. | estimate the popu-
lation of Savannah at 1850. and the
garrison at 1900. Gen. Hardee com.
mands.
We have not lost wagon on the trip
but have gathered in large supply Of
negroes, mules. horres. &c, and our team,
are in better condition than when we start
ed. NV first duty will be to clear the
army of surplus negroes, mules. and
horses.
We have utterly destroyed over 20(
miles of rails, and consumed stores ant
provisions that were essential to Lees ant
Hoods armies. The quick work mad,
with McAllister the opening of communi
cation with our feet, and consequent in
dependence for supplies, dissipates al
their boosted threats to head he off am
starve the army. regard Savannah a
already gained.
Yours truly.
lSigncd) w. T. SHERMAN.
Major General.