Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-29

A CHRISTMAS GIFT
FROM GEN. SHERMAN
i5oCuns,i 3 Locomotives
100 Cars, and 33, 900
Bales of Cotton
Taken.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 7.P. NJ.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 7.P. M.
To Major General Dir: ....
A despatch has been received this even
ing by the President from Gen. Sherman.
1t is dated Savannah, Thursday, 22a inst,
and announces his occupation Of Savannah
and the capture of $50 guns, plenty of
ammunition, and about $4,000 bales Of cot
ton. No other particulars are given.
An official dispatch from Gen. Foster to
Gen. Grant, dated the ed inst. at 7 P. NJ,
states that the city Of Savannah was occu-
pied by Sherman on the morning of the
2lst, and that on the preceding afternoon
and night, Hardee escaped with the main
body of his infantry and light artillery,
blowing up the iron clads and the navy yard.
He estimates as captured, 800 prisoners, $50
guns, 100 locomotives in good order, 100
cars, large amount of ammunition and
materiel of war, steamers and $4,000 bales
of cotton.
No mention is made of the present posi-
tion of Hardces army, which had been
estimated at about Is, 600.
The dispatches of Gems. Sherman and
Foster, are as follows:
SAVANNAH, GA, Dec. %.
To His Ercellency President Lincoln:
t beg to present you as Christmas gift,
the city of Savannah, with $50 heavy guns
, and plenty of ammunition, and also about
. 25, 900 bales of cotton.
| [Signed W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-G General.
STEAMER GOLDEN MATE,
SAVANNAH RIVER, Dec %, 7P,M.
, It,. Gen. Grant and Maj. Gen. Hdlleck:
have the honor to report that have re-
turned from Gen. Sherman's headquarters
t in Savannah. / send Msjor Gray of my
{ staff as bearer of dispatches from Genera
Q Sherman to you, and also message to the
President.
is The city Of Savannah was occupied on
q the morning of the 2ls.. Gen. Hardse an
o ticipating The contemplated assault, escapet
10 With the main body of his infantry ant
n light artillery on the morning of the Goth
S by crossing the river to an open coursewa
ge opposite the city.
ne The rebel iron clads were blown up an
a the navy yard was burned. All the rest G
n, the city is intact and contains %, 900 citizen
n. quiet and well disposed.
The captures include 800 prisoners, Is
"a. guns, l3 locomotives, in good order, l9
de cars, materiels of war, steamers aHd 33
bs 600 bales Of cotton safely stored in war
is houses All these valuable fruits of an
~ most bloodless victory have been like A
ill lanta, city won. opened communicate
al with the City with my steamer to-day, tt
he king up all the torpcdoes we could see, an
a passing safely over others. Arrangement
zee are made to clear the chaunel Of all obstru
" tions. Yours, &C.,
he j. G. FOSTER, Maj. Gen.
h IA, Richmond papers Of yesterday state tn
on the 23l inst, twenty-six vessels OF tt
Wilmington expedition had re-appeared.-
"' The despatch of Gen. Bragg, published
ne the Richmond papers, is as follows:
vas "WLMINGToN, Dec. 90.
SO "Twenty-six vessels Of the federal fe
Vas Vas re-appsared this morning. There has be,
in no change since my last despatch"
ate This is the latest intelligence receiv,
me- from that expedition.
re- [Sgned] e. M. STANTON,
9 Secretary of War.