The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-02-16
FROM SHERMAN.
Flanking of Branohville.
Communication Interrupted.
The Rebels Concede the FlankinR of
Branchville Communication be.
sween Virginia and the South Cut
press Dispatch.

tween Virginia and the South Cut
of.
press Dispatchl
New YORK, Feb. l5.-The Herald's
Washington special says Richmond pa,
pers of Monday cOncede that General
Sherman has flanked Branchville, both
above and below, and Hardee's forces
have evacuated that place. They also
state that a Union column had reached
Orangeburg, on the Columbia road, and
all railroad communication with Charles
ton is cut off, except by the road via
Wilmington, n. c., which will soon be
cut at Wilmington. By these operations
the railroad communication between Viz
ginia and the South is entirely cut OH,
and rebel authority over the Southern
States can no longer be enforced.
Private adyieesr from Richmond repre-
sent matters there as in a bad way tor
the rebels, and the difficulty OF supply
ing the people and the army even with
half rations is daily becoming almost IN.
snrmountable, and the evacuation OF
Richmond is daily becoming more imml-
nent and probable.
A later dispatch dated midnight l4th
says: The Richmond papeIs OF to-day
have dispatches saying that portion OF
Sherman's forces are busily engaged III
the destruction of the railroads IN Sout
Carolina, and that another column Is
threatening Charleston. They DO not
confirm the reported evacuation OF that
place, but it is evident from the tenor OF
| their advfces and editorials that they do
not anticipate any resistance being made
to Sherman's advance. They also state
| that large Yankee force has landed at
Smithland, on the North Carolina coast,
and have brought locomotives with
them, evidently intending to use the
railroad to facilitate their military oper-
ations after they shall have captured
Wilmington.
Sherman TO be Opposed by two Grand
Armies under Lee and Beauregard
Gen. sherman Rapidly Marching
Branchville, Augusta and Charles
TO he Deprived Of Reinforcemcnts.
Press Dispatch
New YORK, Feb 15.-The World 3
Washington correspondent reitel ates a
former statement that the rebels would
soon eyacuate Richmond and the Allan
tic coast, and fall back to the mountain
GUS interior. He now says Lee and Beau
regard will command two grand armies,
and that preparations are max ing for an
overwhelming attack on Sherman.
The Worlds Hilton Head correspond
ent, writing on the 9Th, says: Reliable
| information has been received here that
Shermans army is rapidly marching on
| the line of the Edisto river, and that a
portion of his troops are beyond the
Georgia and South Carolina railroad,
where they have erected defences, pre-
paratory to future march. The enemy
have disappeared rapidly before the ad-
vance of our troops and they have nam,
tested purpose to evacuate nearly all
their strongholds and retreat turther
South This purpose has been the re-
sult of Sherman's tactics. Ihat theii
retreat will be slowly but surely followed
up admits of no question.
Our troops are known to extend over a
distance Of forty miles and for several
days past they have been occupied IN
destroying all the railroads which con-
meet with the Gulf and the Northern
States. The object would seem to be tc
isolate Branchville, Augusta and Charles
ton from all possible aid OF reinforce
ments in order to capture the garrison OF
each city. The important work will
doubtless be completed when this letter
reaches you.
Some of Our troops are north OF
Charleston, which is cut Oft from reln-
forcements: The corps are moving sim
ultaneously on the line OF the Edlsto
and the towns they have passed through
have been deserted by numbers of thell
inhabitants, who have forced the able
bodied negroes to leave with them IN OF
der that they may not aid our aImy.
Hamburg, Aiken and Orangeburg,. in
the rear of Branchville, are reported to
have been captured.
Late Rebel Accounts OF Sherman''