The Portland daily press., 1864-12-19
/ BY TELEGRAPH
ToTHH n,aAn
Portland Daily Press.
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OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM GEN..
latAle4 3 sass SHERMAN. safe ~
CAPTURE OF FORT MEAL
LISTER.
Com aOith Gen. Foster
Opened.
CAPTURE OF BOLTS IN THE
SAYANN4H RIVER.
ssb1sg5e5rtsl5 as $500 toq afn.sssq3s&
Capture of Negroes, Mules. Horses, &c.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GEN
a THOMAS. .6eoi aei tazia 3
nou%,,~a ~ -. - II no4%Ia WTTIo r.c
Capture of Prisoners and Battle Flags
GEN. FORREST REPORTED KILLED.
WAR DRpARrMEsr.

W 0oAAh6 sOhS 1OSs 4Ot " 4 4As
To MGj. Gen. DIG AN official dispatch
from Gen. Sherman was received to- day, dated
near midnight Dec. 10, on the gunboat Dande
lon- 1t was written before Gen. Foster had
reached him. He reports besides some mill
tary details of future operations, which are
omitted in the following interesting particulars
Of his operations:
On board Dandelon, Ossab0ac Sound, 11.5O
p. NJ, Deo.-To-day at s p. M. Gen. Hazent
division OF the 18th corps, carried Fort Nc
Allister by assault, capturing its entire garri
son and stores. This opened to us the Ossa
baW Sound, and pulled down to this gunboai
70 communicate with the feet. Before open
ing communication we had completely de.
stroyed all the railroads leading into Savannah
and invested the city. The left is on the Sa
vannah River, three miles above the city, ano
the right ON the 0geechee at King Bridge
The army is in splendid order and equal t,
anything. The weather has been fine ano
supplies abundant. - At-- -
Our march was most agreeable, and we were
not at all molested by guerrillas. We reached
Savannah three days ago, but owing to Fori
McAllister we could not communicate, bu
now we have McAllister we can go ahead
We have already captured two boats in thu
Savannah River, and prevented their gunboats
from coming down. / estimate the population
OF Savannah at 25,550, and the garrison al
1900, Gen. Hardee's command. 5 esyd saa1i +
We have not lost wagon on the trip, but
have gathered large supply oinegroes, mules,
horses, &C., and our teams are In far better
condition than when we started. My first du
" will be to clear the army of the surplus
negroes, mules and horses. We have certain
ly destroyed over 200 miles Of rails and con
sumed stores and provisions that were essen
tial to Lees and Hoods armies. The quici
work made with McAllister and the openin,
of communication with our feet and conse
quent independence for supplies dissipate al
their boosted threats to head off and starv
the army. regard Savannah as already
gained. ours truly, 24 Aes0
(Signedl @s94 WaT.SHERMAN,
S III, Major General.
The following official reports were received
this evening from Gen. Thomas, dated at his
headquarters near Franklin:
"HeadqaGrters Of the Cumberland, near
Franklin, Tenn, Dec. ia report Just re
ceived from Maj. Gen. Wilson, states that a.
9 P. nj. to-day he attacked and dispersee
Stevensons division of rebel infantry and I
brigade OF cavalry, capturing three guns. Tn,
4th U. s. cavalry, handsomely supported by
Knipe's division of cavalry did the work, max
ing several beautiful charges, breaking the
rebel infantry in all directions. Had il onl,
been light the rebel rear guard would hav,
been entirely destroyed as it has been severely
punished The whole army viii continue
vigorous pursuit in the morning. This ATTACK
was made six miles beyond Franklin.
(Signed) G. 81. THOMAS,
VS. Major General.
Headquarters of the Cumberland, near
Franklin, Tenn, Dec. Tive had pushed the
enemy to-day beyond Franklin, capturing his
hospitals containing over 1900 wounded anc
about $50 of our wounded. In addition to the
above Gen. Knipe, commanding division
cavalry, drove the enemy's rear guard through
Franklin to-day, capturing about 250prisoners
aud five battle flags with very little loss on
our side. A .eiii 4aDt t.Hnp.' e aA
Citizens of Eraaklin represent Hoods army
as completely demoralized. In addition t.
the captures yesterday, reported in my des
patches of last night, 1 have the honor TO re
port the capture of Gen. Fucker and abou
$50 prisoners of the enemy's cavalry, In
fight that occurred about o'clock last nigh
between Gen. Ruckef and Gen. Hatch of our
cavalry Aaih4A@
The enemy has been pressed to-day both il
front and on both tanks. Brig. Gen. John
SON succeed in striking him in the flank Jus
beyond Franklin, capturing quite number OF
prisoners, number not yet reported.
My cavalry is pressing him closely, and ]
am in hopes Of getting many more prisoners
tomorrow. .sg -..le5ss
(Signed) Gro. 81. THOMAS,
md sQ4 t4a Major General.
Other dispatches unofficial from Nashville,
state that 1000 prisoners were captured BY
Wilson; and that Gen. Rosseau commanding
at Murfreesboro', reports Forrest killed and
1900 of his men captured. ~
The superintendent at Nashville reports
that the railroad from Nashville will open to
Franklin tonight, and will rapidly follow
Thomas, thus furnishing him supplies, and
enabling him to push on after Hood. ven
(Signed) EDWIN M. STANTON,
ssaf Secretary Of War.