Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-24
> following telegram just received

WAsHlNNToFt req W.
To GOVERNOR ssrrs bsstnight this de-
psrtment received the gratifying intelligence
OF the occupation Of Columbia, the capital Of
South Carolina, by Gen. Sherman, and the
probable evacuation OF Charleston by the
enemy. Hasten on recruiting to fill up the
army, and the rebellion must receive the final
blow in this spring campaign.
Edwin NJ. STANTON, Sec'y Of War.
1t is hoped that with the present success
OF our arms and the prospect Of speedily
closing the war, every effort will be made to
hasten forward recruits. Let each town make
vigorous efforts to fill the quota assigned
them Vermont has not yet failed to do
her duty promptly and well. Let her not
fail now as we approach the final triumph.
,signed) J. GREGoRY SMITH,
Governor Of VI
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Feb. Is, 1865,
TO Maj. Gen. Dir
The announcement Of the occupation Of
Columbia, S. c., by Gen. Sherman, and the
probable evacuation Of Charleston, has been
communicated to the Department in the fol-
lowing kilograms just received from General
Grant:
Z. NJ. STANTON, Sec'y Of War.
CITY POINT, Va, Feb. 10, AS p. NJ.
To Hon. Il. M. Stanton, War Department
The Richmond Dispatch Of this morning
says Gen. Sherman entered Columbia, S. c.,
yesterday morning, and its fall nessitates, is
presumes, the fall OF Charleston which, it
thinks, is already being evacuated.
The following is taken from to-day's Rich
mond Dispatch
The FALL OF COLUMBIA"
Columbia has fallen. Sherman marched
into and took possession Of the city yesterday
morning. The intelligence was communicated
yesterday by Gen. Beauregard in an ofiicisl
dispatch. Columbia is situated on the north
bank Of the Congaree river, just below the
confluence of the Saluda and Broad rivers.
From Gen. Beanregard's dispatch it appears
that on Thursday evening the enemy APP
preached the south bank OF the CongareS and
threw a number of shells into the city. Du-
ring the night they moved up the river, ana
yesterday morning forded the Saluda and
Broad rivers. While they were crossing the
rivers, our troops under Beauregard evacuated
Columbia. The enemy soon afterward took
possession.
Through private sources we learn that two
days ago, when it was decided not to attempt
defense Of the city, a large quantity of med
real stores, which it was thought impossible
to remove, were destroyed. The female EN-
ployees in the Treasury Department had been
previously sent off to Charlotte, N. c. We
presume the Treasury photographic establish
ment was also removed, although as to this
we have no information.
The fall of Columbia necessitstes, we pre-
sumo, the evacuation of Charleston. which we
think likely is already in process of evacu
alton. 1t is impossible to say where next
Sherman will direct his column. The gene
raj opinion lie that he will go TO Charleston
and establish base there, but we confess we
do not see what need he has of base. 1t is
TO be presumed that he is subsisting on the
country, and he has had no battles to exhaust
his ammunition. Before leaving Savannah
be declared his intention to march to Column
bls, thence to Augusta and to Charleston.
This was uttered as boast and to hide his
designs. We are disposed to believe that he
will next strike Charlotte, which is 90 miles
north Of Columbia on the Charlotte and CO.
lumbia railroad, or at Florence, s. c., the
junction of the Columbia and Wilmington
railroad and the Charleston and Wilmington
railroad, some 80 miles east of Columbia.
There was report yesterday that Augusta
had also been taken by the enemy. This we
do not believe. We have reason to feel as
sured that nearly the whole of Sherman's
army is at Columbia aud that the report that
scVfeld was advancing on Augusta was I'M
true"
From the Wing.
The Charleston Mercury Of Saturday an
nounces short suspension Of that paper,
viii viz IN M Tn,
other point This is rendered necessary by
the progress of military events, cutting it of
from the mail facilities for distributing its
paper to large portion OF its subscribers,
while the lack of transportation renders, it,
supply Of paper precarious.
Semmes has been made Rear Admiral and
will take command Of the James river squad.
ron" U. s. GRANT. Lieut.. Gen.
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
Washington, Feb. 20, s p. M. I
To MAJ Gen Dir
The following details of military operations
and the condition Of affairs in the rebel States
taken from the Richmond papers Of to-day
have been forwarded by Gen. Grant to thi,
Department. There has been received nc
further intelligence in reference to the opera
tons of our forces against Fort Anderson ant
wilmington. dispatch from Admiral DAM
gren to the Secretary o. the Navy, dated a
Charleston Harbor, Feb. Is, says that tn,
rebels were abandoning Charleston tina
morning, and he was now on his way % tn,
city. Il. M. STANTON.
Secretary Of War.
CITY POINT, Feb 20.
To E. H. Stanton
The following paragraphs are extracted
from the Richmond papers of to-day
We now know that Charleston was evscu
ated on Tuesday las and that on Friday thu
enemy took possession Of Columbia. 1t il
reported that our forces under BeauregarC
are moving in the direction of Charlotte.
Official intelligence was received also from
al officer, last night, stating that Sherman
was yesterday morning advancing toward,
and was near Hinnsboro, point on the rail
road leading to Charlotte, and thirty mile
north Of Columbia.
Charlotte is thronged with refugees from
Columbia, who report that some of Wheeler
cavalry plundered the city before the evacaa
ton.
Up to Tuesday last II was uncertain wheth
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