The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-12-28

OF the citizens remained, aud those VIII
did were not disturbed. On leaving Mil
ledgeville, our forces burned the Stat
buildings, exploded quantity of ammu
milton, and destroyed the depots.
| A FIELD ORDER FROM SHERMAN.
While in MilledgeyiIe, a citizen made
complaint to Sherman of having been rob
bed of considerable amount of none,
and valuable gold watch, establishipe
the fact with abundant evidence. Sher
man Immediately issued an order declar
ing that.any Of his army found engaged ID
stealing money or articles, OF no miiitar,
value, Of ravishing. or wantoniy burning
private property would be shot. This or
der was not violated. 60 far as could be
ascertained.
DAMAGE DONE TO RAILROADS.
Our scouts assert that Sherman has
completely destroyed the great railroad
quadrilateral, of which Atlanta, Macon,
Augnsta, and eavannah are the four cor.
ners. The railroad leading east from At
lansa to Augusta is destroyed for owe,
seventy miles, including bridges over the
Yellow and contiguous rivers. The railroad
running south from Atlanta 10 Macon is
destroyed for over eighty miles. The
railroad running east from Macon to Sa-
vannah, is destroyed for distance estima-
ted at from ninety to one hundred miles.
The railroad running between Augusta
and Savannah, is destroyed from Waynes-
boro to Savannah. a distance of over eight
miles. The Gulf railroad has been cut,
and Sherman's position when last heard
from, insures that he holds the Charleston
and Savannah railroad.
We learn that this wholesale work oil
destruction was carried on leisurely, and
with an eye TO completeness. Every rail
~as heated and bent; every tic, bridge,
~ater-statiop, tank, wood-shed, aud depot
building burned aud every culvert blown
up. ror miles on the Macon and Sayan-
nah, and the Augusta and Savannah
Roads, the track is carried over marshy
territory By extensive tresile work. This
is all burned, and will be very difficult to
replace. In ell Sherman Las completely
destroyed nearly 400 miles of railroad
track, and IS he was nearly month 10
,toiog it. We may readily believe that it ia
we'll done.
HOW The ARMY LIVED.
We have the assurance that the army
has Jared sumptuously off the country.
sbundhnt supplies being found on every
plantation Every day details for forag-
ing were made from each regiment, who
sail,ed forth, generally returning in We
hicle or on horseback, laden with poultry
sweet potatoes. corn, bread, bacon,
honey, and many et eeteras. More cattle,
sheep and hogs were driven in than could
be used. In such event, Ike old buffalo
hunters, they Appropriated only the
tongues and tender-loins. Superhuous
horses or those that beeame temporarily
disabled. were shot. This ~ war accord
ing to Sherman.
From our own train issues OF coffee
and hard bread were made, but seldom
anything alse.
REBEL PRIsoNERs.
Up to reaching Savannah our army bad
collected about 6, 900 rebel prisoners, vic
were brought along.
NEGROES!
The scouts estimate the number OF
negroes coming along at 5000, principal.
ly men. Il is certain that the number is
very large. Many of them are mounted,
the better to bring along the superfuous
horses.
ONE DAYS REST In SEVEN.
Sherman rested his army from march.
ing on Sundays. though in other labor il
Was rather more active on that day than
any other. The average distance marched
per day was ten miles.
SHERMAN DKsCENDs THE oGKcHKE.
On Wednesday morning, the l4th in
slant, Gen. Sherman came down the
Ogechee River in small boat, captured
on that stream. He was received on
board Of the Nimeaha, where he was
most cordially greeted by Gen. Foster
and Admiral Dahlgren. Shel man looked
little rusty, and wore the same dropping,
round-top felt hat. which was observable
for not being new whsn he fsnked Allan
ia; but he was in bnoyant spirits, and
laughed and chatted as only man of his
sanguine traits car. He faid that the
resistance 10 his march was less than he
anticipated. The enemy had nibbled a
little at his advance guards and foraging
parties. but avoided fighting with great
perseverance.
He had roamed the heart Of Georgia
for month, his army had lived luxuri-
antly of the necessities Of Lees and
Hoods armies, and he bad destroyed rail
roads beyond repair during the war. All
this he had done, without the loss of a
thousand men. The whole story of his
march could be summed up ia few
words: he had not only accom- plished ev
erything he had deemed probable, but
many things which were simply possible.
Among the latter was the capture Of Sa.
yannah; now he was certain Of tie city,
with strong hopes Of its garrison.
Gen. Sherman remained in consultation
with Gen. Foster and Admiral DahIgren
for several hours, during which time, Of
course, plans for the co-operation of Fos-
ter's army and the feet we're arranged.
| have it, on the authority of one who