The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-30
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THE WEEKLY 81 PlflNEEk#s AND DEMOCRAT;
GEN. sneRiaas REPORT.


Interesting Details Of the Georgia
Campaign. @
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Times.
WASHINGTON, June 21.-Gen. Sherman's re-
port Of his campaign in Georgia has been re-
ceived at the War Department. 1t is dated
Savannah, Jan. /. 1t Is q very elaborate argu-
ment, and opens with the occupation of At
lanta, and traces the campaign infinitely till
Savannah was occupied. Gen. Sherman says
he became aware, Ia September last, that the
enemy intended to resume offensive operations
under Hood, and he sent Major General Thomas
to Nashville to organize the new troops ex-
pected to arrive there, and to make prepare
tons to meet such an event. He then de-
scribed the movements he made with SlOcum
and Howard to intercept Hood, and made all
arrangements to give the latter battle in Snake
Creek Gap, on the 14th of October, but the
enemy gave way and escaped He was little
encountered with army trains, and moved with
great rapidity, and succeeded in getting into
the gorge formed by the Lookout Range within
the neighborhood Of Gadsdia. Hood. he says,
evidently wanted to avoid fight. Gen: Sher-
man then says: Hoods movement and STRAIT
egy had demonstrated that he had an army
VI
munications, but unable to meet me in open
fight. To follow him would simply amount to
being decoyed away from Georgia with little
prospect of Overtaking and overwhelming him.
To remain on the defensive would have been
bad policy for an army OF so great value as the
one then commanded, and was compelled
to accept course more fruitful in resources
than the naked one of following him to the
Southwest. I had previously submitted to the
commander-in.chief a general plan, which
amounted substantially to the destruction of
the Atlanta Railroad back to Chattanooga,
and sailing forth from Atlanta through the
heart of Georgia to capture one or more of
great Atlantic seapOrts." Gen. Sherman de-
tails the organization of the troops which he
furnished Thomas to protect the route from
Chattanooga to Nashville, and to look after
Hood. he then says he commenced on the
14th of November his grand march, having re-
ceived the sanction of the commander-in-chief
for carrying into effect his plans, the details OF
which were explained to all his corps CON-
manders and heads of staff
With strict Injunction of secrecy, General
Sherman then details the line of march of the
three armies of Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio,
the abandonment of Atlanta and the advance
to Eloway river. In allusion to the strength
of his command at that time: "On the 18th
of November my army stood detached and cut
from all communication with the rear and
was composed of the 4th, 18th and 18th corps,
constituting the right wing, under Major Gen.
o. o. Howard !; the 18th and Goth corps, con.
stituting the left wing, under Major Gen. Slo-
one cavalry division, Of an aggregate strength
of 81, 900 under Brigadier General Fitzpatrick;
and artillery reduced to minimum of one gun
to ], 900 men. My first object, Of course, was
to place my army in the very heart of Georgia,
interposing between Macon and Augusta and
obliging the enemy to divide his forces to de-
fend not only those points but Millen, Savan-
fully carried out" After describing the march
to that place, Sherman says: As We ap-
preached Savannah, the country became more
marshy and difficult, and more distinctions
were met, in the way of felled trees, where
roads crossed through swamps or mar
row crossways, but our companies were
web organized and removed all obstruc-
opposition from the enemy worth speaking of
was encountered until the heads of the columns
were within fifteen miles of Savannah, where
the roads leading to the city are obstructed,
more or less, by felled trees, and with earth
works and artillery; but these were easily
burned and the enemy driven away, so that by
the 10th of December, the enemy were driven
within his lines at Savannah. The only APP
breaches to the city were by five narrow cause
ways, and two railroads, and the Augusta, and
Louisville and Ogeechee direct roads, all of
which were commanded by heavy ordnance,
too strong for us to fight with our light field
guns. To assault an enemy of unknown strength
at such disadvantage, appeared to me un-
wise, especially as had so successfully Brought
my army almost unscathed so great distance,
and could surely attain the same result by the
operation of time. l therefore instructed nv
army commanders to closely invest the city
from the north and west, and to reconnoitre
around in their fronts respectively, while l
gave my personal attention to opening COM
munication with our feet. which knew was
waiting for US ia Tybee, Wasachee and ASA
bar sounds
Gen. s. then details his success in opening
with Dahlgren and Porter, and
1dds, II was very much disappointed that
Hardee had escaped with his garrison, and had
to content myself with the matured fruits of
victory, without the cost of life which would
have attended general assault. Substantial
results will be more clearly set forth in the
statements of heavy ordnance and other public
property acquired, and it will suffice here to
state that the important city of Savannah, with
its valuable harbor and river, was the chief Oh
ect OF the campaign"
Gen. Sherman then refers to his results as
follows: Our former labors in North Georgia
had demonstrated the truth that no large army
carrying with it the necessary stores and bag
gage can overtake and capture an inferior force
Of the enemy in his own country, therefore no
alternative was left me but the one adopted,
namely, to divide my forces, and with one part
lct Extensively against the enemyis reserve
With the other, shall act defensively and in
ute the enemy to attack, asking the chances
Of battle. In this conclusion have been sim
yularly sustained by the results.
estimate the damage done to the State and
Is military resources at 300, 0O0, 600, at least
$40. 600, 600 of which has been to our advan- |
age, and the remainder is simply waste and |
destruction. This may seem hard species of |
var, but it brings the sad realities Of war home
% those who have been directly or indirectly |
in involving us in its attendant |
,alamities.
The report concludes as follows: In the body |
If my army / feel o just pride. Gems. Howard |
md Slocum are gentlemen of singular capacity |
md intelligence, thorough soldiers and pa