The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30

itentiary, releasing about $50 inmates,
some of them members of the federal ar
my, confined for what were really military
offences. Very few Of the citizens re-
NAMED, and those who did were not dis.
turbed. On leaving Milledgeville our men
burned the State buildings, exploded q
quantity of ammunition, and destroyed
the depots. 5Fi. "a ".. 81. ..:
FIELD ORDER FROM SHERMAN.
While in MIledgeville, a citizen made
complaint to Sherman of having been
robbed of considerable amount in money
and a valuable gold watch, establishing
the fact with abundant evidence. Sher-
man Immediately issued an order declaring
that any Of his army found engaged in
stealing money or articles of no military
value, of ravishing, or wantorly burning
private property, would be shot. This Or
der was not violated, so far as could be as
certained. ..,.
DAMAGE TO THE RAILROADS.
Our scouts report that Sherman has
completely destroyed the great railroad
quadrilateral, of which Atlanta, Macon,
Augusta and Savannah are the four corn
ers. The railroad leading east from At
lanta to Augusta is destroyed for over
seventy miles, including bridges over the
Yellow and contiguous rivers. The rail-
road running south from Atlanta to Macon
is destroyed for eighty miles. The rail-
road running east from Macon to Savan-
nah is destroyed for distance estimated
at from ninety to one hundred miles. The
railroad running between Augusta and
Savannah is destroyed from Waynesboro
to Savannah, a distance of over eighty
miles. The Gulf Railroad has been cut,
and Shermans position, when last heard
from, insures that he holds the Charleston
and Savannah Railroad.
We learn that this wholesale work of
destruction was carried on leisurely, and
| with an eye to completeness. Every rail
was heated and bent; every tie, bridge,
water-station, tank, wood-shed, and depot
building burned, and every culvert blown
up. For miles on the Macon and Savan-
nah roads, the track is carried over
marshy territory by extensive trestle-work.
This is all burned, and will be very diff
! cult to replace. In all, Sherman has
completely destroyed nearly 400 miles of
railroad track, and as he was nearly 3
month in doing it, we may readily believe
it is well done.
HOW THE ARMY LIVED.
We have the assurance that the army
has Jared sumptuously off the country,
abundant supplies being found on every
plantation. Every day details for forag-
ing were made from each regiment, who
sailed forth, generally returning in We.
hicle or on horseback, laden with poultry,
| sweet potatoes, corn, bead, bacon, honey,
and many ct ceterds. More cattle, sheep
and hogs were driven in than could be
used. In such event, like old buffalo
hunters, they appropriated only the
tongues and tender-loins. Superhuous
horses or those that became temporarily
disabled, were shot. This is war accord
ing to Sherman.
From our train issues of coffee and hard
bread were made, but seldom anything
else.
REBEL PRISONERS.
Up to the time of reaching Savannah
our army had collected 1000 prisoners,
who were brought along.
NEGROES.
The scouts estimate the number of me-
groes coming along at 5000, principally
men. 1t is very certain that the number
is very large. Many Of them are mount
ed, the better to bring along the superflu-
Gus horses.
ONE DAYS REST IN sRvRN.
Sherman rested his army from marching
on Sundays, though in other labor it was
rather more active on that day than any
other. The average distance marched per
day was twelve miles.
SHERMAN DEsCRNDs THE OGEOHRR.
On Wednesday morning, the 18th inst,
Gen. Sherman came down the Ogechee in
a 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. Gen.
Sherman looked a little rusty, and wore
the same dropping, round-top felt hat,
which was observable for not being new
when he hanked Atlanta; but he was in
buoyant spirits, and laughed and chatted
as only one of bis sanguine traits can. He
said the resistance to his march was less
than be anticipated. The enemy had nib
bleda little at his advance guards and for
aging parties, but avoided fighting with
great perseverance. He had roamed the
heart of Georgia for month, his army
had lived luxuriantly off the necessities of
of Lees and Hoods armies, and has de-
stroyed railroads beyond repair during
the war. All this he had done, without
the loss of thousand men. The whole
story Of his march could be summed up in
few words: he had not only accomplished
everything he had deemed probable, but
many things which were simply possible.
Among the latter was the capture of Sa.
vannah now he was certain of the city,
with strong hopes of its garrison.
Gen. Sherman remained in consultation
with Gen. Foster and Admiral Dahlgren
for several hours, during which time, of
course, plans for the cooperation of Fos-
ter's army and the feet were arranged. l
have it, on the authority of one who heard
the remark, that Sherman declared that
all the navy in the world could not, I'M
aided, capture Savannah. About o'clock
on Wednesday afternoon Sherman return
ed up the Ogechee River, and rejoined his
army.