, 1864-12-16

Highly Important KuEnorz-.A Report
that Savannah il In Our IIandg-
Latest AdyIces by Rebel Sources.

Highly Important Rumors-A Report
that Savannah is in Our Hands
Latest Advtccs by Rebel Sources.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribunc.]
WAsmSGroN, Thursday, Dec. Is
That Sherman is now In possession Of the
city Of Savannah is confidently believed here,
but at this writing, late in the evening, there
are no specific official adyices 10 thai effect.
in addition to Admiral Dahlgrcn's and Gen.
Fosters dispatches, containing all that is
absolutely known on the subject. The fol-
lowing dispatch from Gen. Sherman himself
may be given. It was among the last things
he Forwarded to the North before starting On
his expedition, and has been used BY the Navy
Department as the guide for their co-opera-
tire operations ever since:
KINGSTON, Ga, Nor. 3, 1ss4-ap. II.
To Capt Pennock, o. S. n, Mound City:
In few days will be OF for salt water,
and I hope to meet my old friend D. D. Por-
ter again. VIII you he kind enough to write
him and tell him to look out for me about
Christmas from Hilton Head to Savannah.
" 7. SHERMAN, Maj. Gen.
WAsnIEGToN, Thursday, Dec Is. The
C0mn.erciars Washington special says: "It is
confidently believed here that Sherman has
occupied Savannah. It is reported TINT an-
other scout has arrived from sherman's army,
reporting that the capture was effected on
the 10TH"
BALTIMORE, Thursday, Dec. 15.-Thc Au-
gusta, Ga, papers of the 7th, received ct the
-A,nertean Office, lave the following:
"Bcauregard arrived ut Augusta on the
morning Of the 9Th.
The CosSfQmionalia Of the It'll says s3Yankee
prisoners report that Fitzpatrick WAS shot
through he head and mortally wounded in
fight on Sunday ut Walkers bridge"
The Chronicle Of the 9Th says passengers b5
the Savannah train On Monday afternoon re-
port all quiet in the vicinity of Pocotalieo."
Another report states the enemy we're I'D.
vancing their columns to Coosawatchie. It
is reported the enemy captured two euas on
Flcctspur creek On Sunday. Nothing dcRnitc
obtained.
tBy the Cnitcd Statcs Telegram Lnc.1
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec. 15.-Thc Re.
publican Of this morning says: "That Sher-
ulan had captured Savannah before the steam
CT which brought the news had iairly rot out
Of the larbor Of Port Royal, is probable, from
the fact that the messenger who reached here
this morning says that when coming out Of
the ha.bor, aud when too late to communI-
cate BY signals, the whole fleet began to fire
q salute, and upon looking toward the ycs-
eels, they were being decorated with dags in
honor Of some great victory. The opinion
that prevailed On board the steamer was TINT
since ehc left the wharf news had reached the
Admiral Of the fall Of fsarannah."
Anar 41,o sol uIfo1, h,r< 41,o
had got started, but before it was out Of sight,
the whole squadron was observed to begin
hofstiuE their flngs and firing salute, as if
for great victory, from which 1t Is inferred
that news had been received Of the fill Of
Savannah. In this case another vessel must
arrive in very few hours with the announce
ment.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, December 15.-
The following WAS received last night from
Port ROYAL harbor, ria Fortress Mo1loc:
To 9. Wellee, Secretary Of the Navy:
hare just received communication from
Shcrman's army. He Is few miles from sa~
vannah: md in fine spirits. shall bring all
army. 4 dispatch is forwarded with this.
Very respectfully,
ID. a. DAHGREN, Rear Admiral"
4 bearer Of dispatches from Dahlgren ar
rived here this morning With the following
important dispatch for the Secretary Of the
Gayys
FLAG STEANEn PHILADELPHIA
PORT RorAL, Dec. t.
Gideon Wel]es, Secretary OF the Navy:
SIR: 1t is my happiness to apprise the De-
partment that Gen. Sherman, with his army,
Is near Savannah, and am In communication
With him. In giew Of his probable arrival, I
had stationed several steamers at different
points, and had come from the Teiupcnny
yesterday, in order to be at hand This
morning, at abclt s o'clock, the Daudelion
arrived, with Capt. Duncan and two scouts.
Sergeant sty1on j. A1nIck bearing the follow
ing lines from Gen. Howard
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
AleNF OF TIE TESKEssEE, NEAR SAVANNAH
To the Commander of the United States Naval
forces near Savannah:
61H:-We have met with perfect success thus
fnr: The troops are in fine spirits and near by.
Respectfully, o. o. HowARD,
Major General.
Captaiu Duncan states that our forces were in
contact With the rebels few miles outside Of Sd
yannah: He says, Shezman'e army Is not IN want
Of anything.
Perhaps no event could give greater satlsfaetion
ia the country than that which announce, and l
beg to congratulate the Government On Its occur