Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-30

As has been for sops't ims conhdently anilci.
pated. both north I'D 4tIh, savao9ah has fallen
the capture IL Y(oa)ly 1essened in value by the
circumstance ttat ~ rebel garrison made Cts es-
cape ~
From Misrepresentation concerning the in.
vestment - Fannah prior to its surrender. the
public has been under the impression that all the
avenues OF escape were guarded. and hence that
the surrender Of Hsrdee with the rebel garrison
vas inevitable. IL now appears that Sherman
only held the place ON the southwest and sosth
sides aud that the north and northwest sides were
LET, open Sherman's lines extended from the
point on the Savannah river where IL crossed by
the Charleston railroad. around to the Ogechee
river North of the Savannah river there were
no federal forces nearer than Pocotaigo. where
Law portion OF Fosters iorces,--a point some
thirty miles from the Savannah. Crossing the
Savannah river, Hariee passed through the gap
between Sherman and Foster, and long ere this
10 In safety.
The most valuable part OF Savannah 10 the
rebellion vas lie garrison Of 5000 men. but.
not~ outstanding this, the victory Is not without
IL Importance. IL u not the l5O guns that will
dispirit the rebels. nor the ammunition. nor the
lcars and locomotives lost Those all help %
sw ell the aggregate value OF tho victory but yet
its real Importance IL to be found In another al.
rection. Analysed. the true valuation OF the
capture IL NJ follows.
/. The moral elect OF the capture of tho chsi
commercial cit, OF Georgia, and an important
seaport town.
III. The ability OF the Federal Government e.
hold tho place with small force, thus enabling
u 10 use large number Of vessels heretofore en-
gagged in blockadng service against some other
point,
Ill The possession by the Federal Govern.
mcnt OF point whose extensive railroad conn &C.
tons make II an efficient base Of operation,
against important interior aud scaboard rebel
positions,
The moral effect OF the capture IA very great
IL greatly insprlts the North, demoralizes tbs
the South. and weakens Ia foreign powers Oh,
belief Of the ability Of the Coniederates 60 sus
tain an independent existence.
The second point Il not without considerable,
weight. As the capture Of VIcksbnrg released q
large army and navy TO operate against some
other point, so does the surrender Of Savannah
euable the government To turn 20 other uses III,
heavy naval aud land forces that for years hav,
been employed In watching this place II Is Al
actual reinforcement of our strength by doxet
vessels and kfteen or twent- thousand men,
As base OF operations against other points
Savannah is Of great Importance. IL has rail
roads which connect IL with the gulf with th,
central aud western confcderacy, aud viii
Charleston. Wilmington, Danville, Weldon, and
Richmond lts readily accessible to the nor,l
bs water. and cat be prsvi-ioned In short tim.
TO any desired extent When at Atlanta Gen
sherman had behind him several hundred mile,
OF railroad. which required army TO guard
Now he has point whose rear is absolutely i'm
pervions to attack. while TN his front within
striking distance. are several OF the most import
anl points IN The coniederacy. Charleston Il
just before him: little further Is Wilmington
aad not much iurther are Danvile and Rich
mond