The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-12
BNYANNAU.

20 DcicnsCs-sfrCngth of Rebel Works.
The Cincinnati Commercial has received from
u. M. Davidson, who was made prisoner ct the
battle Of Cbicbamauga, and released in the late
exchange at Savannah, the following description
of the forildcHtions Of Savannah -
"Our trip down the Savannah on truce-boats to
our fleet showed US the Rebel forti6ua'ions az
Fort Jackson. The river at that point is lined
with huge siege guns; from the boat counted
thirty-slX. They command the channel. The
river is h'OCkadgd with heavy timbers laid up in
the shape Of log-house, the interior of which Is
filed with stone and brick, and these distractions
are all fastened to one another with heavy cable
chain, leaving only one passage, wide enough fer
q boat. Just above this entrance lie two IRON
Clads, pretty well manned. Above these, az inter-
walls, are tOrpedoeB their situation is known by
the shaIp-pointed projection of log about six
inches from the surface At one place, in parti-
Cuar, there are four Of these logs side by side !;
these all point down the river.
"Ihere was not man t. be seen at or near the
fOrtiHCatiOns. The guns seem to be mounted on
the bank, and then earthworks thrown up Tor the
protection of the men. The magazines are built
on the surface, and then dirt enough thrown up
to cover them. At first sight, they would seem
to be he spot to look for the guns; but the guns
are ten feet below these earthworks.
"Of from the river, half mile or moro before
you reach Fort Jackson, is an extensive fort.
Whether this Is considered as part of Fort Jack
son, l could not ascertain. IL has been Ouilt Tor
time, Tor tlG WeGl5 anu stit StAs5 nave grown
so high that unless one was looking for a fOrtiH
cation he would net notice It. 1 should judge
that this fort covers several acyes but where the
black war-dogs look over its earthwOrss, the gcass
and weeds are cut down.
"BeauTegard has spent many an hour in laying
the foundation and getting the range Of this point
of the river
"Iheso guns, together with the distractions in
the river are well intended to crush anything that
attempts 10 come up. But for its protection from
a land force from the direction OF Savannah, 1t
offers but little resistance.
SHERMAN, no doubt, will meet with but little
difficulty, if this point be his aim. The swdmp5
will impede his progress moro than anything else.
"Hhe force at Savannah is very small, consist
ing OF old men, little boys, and crippled officers.
Business of ali kinds in the city is stopped, and
It looks like Sunday ali the time. On the last Of
September there was an immense quantity OF
cotton Is ing at Savannah, but when NC were sent
through there the last time it had been removed
from the railroad.
"The citizens treated the men who were sent
through first well, bringing eatebles Of all sorts.
| There was no guard but those that came after.
| Upon arriving at Savannah they were guarded,
| so that the citizens could not find the prisoners
! thus showing that Union sentiment prevails,
| and all they want is an opportunity. l see in
eome OF the papers that 1t is expected that Gene
! Ial Sherman will release large number OF prl-
! sOnCrs, but that is q sad mistake. Long before
| Shcrman's force gets TO them they will be showed
of, and for the last three months that has been
| their chief business"