Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-01
sHEnnxAs,s FORCES AID moyEnEsrs.

WHERE He WILL sTRIKE-CAN HE SUBS 1sT ?-No MORE
COMMUNICATION WITH BIM-THE WEATHER, &c.
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, writes
from Nashville, Nov. 18th, as follows
ave, heretofore, been reticent with regard'to the
movements OF Sherman had | not been so, I might
have been ordered out of the department. But the
Louisville Journal has disclosed pretty much ALL and
shall now take the liberty of saying something about
the matter.
The plan of moving through Georgia orgisated with
Gen. Sherman and no one else, and having matured it,
he submitted to the Secretary of War, who approved
it by giving the General Unlimited powers in the pre-
misses He takes with him the following forces four
teenth corps fifteenth corps seventeenth corps, twen
eth corps eight thousand cavalry and hundred and
twenty FIVE pieces of artillery making total of $4,000
10 60 600 men.
His force is amply sufficient for any purpose. The
Rebels have about 5000 men at Savannah, and about
the same number at Charleston, besides militia, who
OF little value and there others to meet him,
without weakening Lee, Hood could not overtake
him if he were 10 try to do aDd besides, that ndi-
vdual has enough to do to take care Of himself with
Thomas watching him.
Sherman will move to the eastward in two columns
will go by way of Macon and the other direct to
Augusta; and concentration will be effected at the
latter place, and then future movements will be deter
mIned upon as exigences may demand.
There are three points, at one of which be will strike
Savannah, Charleston or Beaufort; but my impress
sor is the last named will be the point. My reasons
for this conclusion are these:
J.. Savannah ,.cut off from all communications would
be valueless to the rebels; and the which
render Mobile unnportant now, will render it more So,
with all its railroads cut of.
2. Charleston be cut eff by moving down the
railroad to Branchvile twenty thirty miles to the
west and it is highly probable that will be Shermans
line of march.
3. Beaufort is already in our possession. We have
abundance of shipping and supplies there, and our
will need the latter, after their long march, and
therefore, it is highly probable that Beaufort will be the
new base of Gen. Sherman.
Nevertheless circumstances may intervene to change
the policy indicated above but believe that the Cen
eral now intends to reach Beaufort, but not until he
has completely isolated both Savannah and Charleston.
The present movement will be productive of the
most important results. Both Macon and Augusta are
manufacturing towns. 10 OF his speeches during
his late tour, JEFF Davis declared that the latter place
alone supplied powder enough for the whole Oonfedera
cy. But 1t Is in respect to communications that the
greatest advantages are to be derived The army OF
Hood will be completely lisolated bis army will be as
thoroughly separated from that OF Lee the forces
west of the Mississippi river. Savannah will be no
longer valuable as misunderstanding port.
Charleston will br cut of and Sherman's army, OF
SIS 600 men, will be free to oct circumstances de-
maud and will be the coast, ready for embarka
ton at moments notice. that they be used with
Grant or Sheridan as may be most advantageous; or,
after recruiting they may be moved through central
South nd North Carolina, utterly annihilating every
railroad by the way and thus making Virginia the
grave of the rebellion.
Can Sherman subsst Undoubtedly he can. There
sweet potatoes and be takes with him any amount OF
hard tack and several thousand cattle. His will
live better than when in camp
We shall hear pretty soon of Sherman. There is no
longer any communication with him and hence inteli
gence must be received through rebel sources.