The Portland daily press., 1864-12-05
FROM GEN. SHERMAN'S ARMY.
His Army Triumphantly Nearing
81 the Sea Coast.
ATTACK ON EAST MACON.
Rebel, Destroying Forage &C., in front of
Gen. Sherman. 81
FERTILIZATION FOR An ATTACK ON
CHARLESTON.

NEW YORK, Dec. 4.
The Herald's special Washington dispatch
saws: "Government officials are unusally
jubilant over the news from Sherman. The
government possesses means independent of
the Richmond papers, and more reliable of OBJ
tanning intelligence OF Sherman's progress.
It is confidently believed that Sherman has
not only baffiad the rebel generals, but has so
far advanced beyond serious interruption, as
to leave no doubt of his triumphant success.
Savannah and other Georgia papers Of the
9th, and Richmond papers of Dec. LIST, are
received, from which the following summary
is digested:
1t appears that an attack was made on East
Macon on Sunday goth ult., the rebels losing a
battery, which they subsequently captured,
with small loss on both sides.
The attack was expected to be renewed on
the 21st, but it was not, and the rebels came
to the conclusion that the movement on Sun
day was feint. 1t was probably made by a
small force from Slocum's corps, as the
Augusta Constituencies of the oath, says
Slocum's entire corps went down the west
side of the Oconee river, previous to the night
of the 22d, indicating an intention to pass by
Augusta between that place and Macon, and
make for the sea between Savannah and Bruins
wick. ~
Gov. Brown was In Macon, where he had
removed all the State records &C., from Mil
ledgeville.
The Constitutionallst states that the rebel
cavalry are burning barns, corn cribs, and
everything that may be of use to Sherman, in
front of his main army on the Ocmulgee river.
The Savannah Republican of the oath and
25th, contains dispatches, stating that on the
oath, there was fighting all day at Oconee
bridge, which was held by the rebels. In the
evening the federas had turned their guns in
an opposite direction, on the other side of the
river, indicating an attack in the rear.
Wheeler was crossing 18 miles below the
bridge to aid in its defence.
Another dispatch states that the federals
had fianked Gen. Wayne at Oconee bridge on
the Central railroad, compelling him to retreat
also that the tederals crossed at Bulls Ferry
four miles below the bridge.
A dispatch from Augusta, dated on the
eve of the 23d, to Gen. Hardee at Savannah.
states that the federals had been driven back
across the river, and that Gen. Wayne had re-
turned to the bridge,
The Augusta Constitutionalist Of the 28th.
says apprehension prevailed there on the 23d,
in consequence ofrumors that dispatches had
been received there, announcing the passage
of the Ocoaee near Milledgeville by the feder-
ais who were reported to be advancing in
the direction of Augusta. SO
Savannah and Augusta papers of the 25th,
state that the force which captured Milledge-
vile, remained there to the evening of the
oath, having burned the State house, Browns
Hotel and the PenitentiaFy, and captured q
small quantity of fixed ammunition.
The main body of Sherman's army was re-
ported to be l3 miles west of Saundersyille on
the oath, coming forward towards Savannah
rapidly, and spreading devastation.