The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-17
THE WAR NEWS.
A DAILY ArrERNsoN NEWSPAPER.

Savannah with large nutnOcE OI prlSOheI5,
gums, and possibly some distinguished Rebel
leaders, yet we have no positive news OF the
Act The only authority for such a state
ment Is found in a rumor transmitted by a
Rebel flag Of truce to an officer Of exchange
in Charleston Harbor. We have, however,
lndubitable evidence that General SHERMAN
has captured Fort McAlllster on the Ogechee,
in Georgia, the main defense Of that river, and
one of the principal defanses to the city Of
Savannah.
This fort is situated at point fifteen miles
southwest Of Savannah, and where the Savan.
nah and Mobile Railroad crosses the river 1t
is six miles from Ossabaw sound, and its
reduction enables General SHERMAN to OBJ
tain all the supplies for his army of which he
may soon be in need. The Rebels say that the
garrison of the fort consisted of about one
hundred and fifty men. This is evidently
false, as upon the occasion Of a previous bonn
bardment by our iron-clads its full compile
ment was one thousand. The fall of this fort
renders our success at Savannah certain.
Whether that city has fallen yet, or not, the
result in that region will be none the less
glorious to our cause.
THoMAs.-Further details Of General
THOMAS victory before Nashville greatly
increase its importance. Our army seems to
have been successful at all points, although the
battle was severe and terrible. The navy, too
played successful part on the right, in the
Cumberland. During the night Of the 18th,
General HoOD, finding himself terribly defeat
ed, fell back as rapidly as possible; and on the
morning of the 10th General THOMAS ordered
an advance Of his whole line, pressing the
enemy closely, and capturing many guns and
prisoners in the pursuit. A distinguished
general officer telegraphs that our success has
been most complete and satisfactory, and the
probabilities of the total destruction of Gene
raj HooD's army are greatly strengthened.
We may now hope that most decisive VIC
tory will soon bless our arms in Middle Ten
nessee.
SToNESIAN.--Whilst we have had numerous
reports of the advance Of the Rebel General
BBEcKIEBDGE west, as if to join General
HOOP, nothing has been said ofcounter-move-
ments on the part Of Union troops. The Rebels,
this morning, give US evidence ofa most import
ant movement ofa portion of General STONE
MANS Cavalry, which, crossing the Holston
struck the Virginia and East Tennessee
Railroad, captured locomotive auda train of
cars, destroyed bridge, and Moved towards
Saltvills.
This is very important town in Southwest
ern Virginia. The Rebels can see that it ha'
been captured, and that small body o
cavalry has succeeded in destroying the vas
salt works Of that region and in performing
great work-one which General BURBBIDG
failed to do last summer, with considerabl
army.
CANBY.-FrOm the Department Of the We
Mississippi we have details of a successful el
pedftion sent out from Vlcksburg to jackson
Z Mississippi, to destroy General HooD's raj
road communications throughout that regio
The work was admirably executed, and Gen
raj HooD was cut off from immense amour
Of stores collected for his army at Jdckso
The railroad was torn up, and the captur
made were very extensive.
LATER BINTELLIGENoE.-Since writing Il
above, we have received an official W
gazette, which covers dispatches from Gencr
THOMAS, giving full details Of his glorious Vi
tory. The defeat the Rebels under Gencr
HooD has been turned into rout, and ,
are glad 10 announce that General THoHA
proyerbil modesty has caused him in previo
dispatches to underrate his success. The L
in Rebel officers has been heavy, and {
battlefield was strewn with the arms aba
dOned by the retreating foe.
At the battle OF Franklin the lolloWi
Rebel officers were killed and wounded:
Masor General PATRICK r. CLEBURN
Brigader-General JoHN WILLIAMS, Of Y
ginia; ADAMS, Of Mississippi GIsr, STRAT
and CRANBERRY, Of Alabama--Eilled. Mai
General Brown, of Florida; and Brigadi,
Generals S. CARTER, MAGGAULr, QUARLI
CooKERELL, and SCoTT-wounded. Bris
diar Canaral GOEDON OF Nirvinia ID,