Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-01-13

vembcr, after sa7ing, torn up and destroyed
the Railroad from Atlanta to Chattanooga
and started en- our trip across the State o.
Georgia to the coast. The army consisted Of
four Corps, viz: Goth, 14th, 18th and Eth
numbering in all about 5000 men. We
started from Atlanta on the 18TH ult, march
ing cut on four separate roads--the 10Th
Corps taking the right and the 14th the left,
We marched on an average Of fifteen miles
per day, finding for the most part very coed
roads, and meeting with very little opposi-
ton from The Johnnics' until we arrived
at the Little CgccEee river, where it seems
they had been preparing for US. They were
strongly fortified, and seemed determined to
dispute our further progress. We arrived
and having no way to cross the stream but
by laying pontoon bridges, and it being i'm
| possible to do this in the face Of their artil-
cry, We moved back a short distance and q
part o: tho troops went into camp, while
another portion were sen. 10 operate on the
TANKS Of the rebels. BY this time our crack
ers began to rua short, and it became fecas.
sary to open communications immediately.
1t was ascertained that there was but ono
barrier between ia and rations, and that was
in the shape Of rebel fort well armed with
artillery, bat with only small garrison of
troops. Gen. Sherman decided that this fort
(AcAlister) must fall. Accordingly be sent
Gen. Hsren, Of the Cd Division, 10Th Army
Corps, to destroy the fort, with orders to
take that place or lose every man. On the
18th of December that order was obeyed
the works were stormcd and taken together
with twcnty.three pieces Of artillery, and
quite number of prisoners. Our loss was
sixty killed, of which fifteen were killed by
torpcdoes after having gained the works.
The rebels tough. desperately, surrendcring
only at the point Of the bayonet, and even
then not til! several had been run through
by our successful soldiers. They were tax.
Ell by surprise, our men having captured
their pckets before giving them time 10
arouse the garrison. Fort McAl!ister is stu
ated on the Great Ogechee river, about two
miles from its mouth, and was so situated as
to prevent our transports from running up
the river and landing provisions. No sooner
had this fort been wreste from the rebs. and
the river cleared Of torpedocs than we began
to receive plenteous supplies Of hard tack
and such other dc'icacies as soldiers usually
get. The rebels still maintained their posi-
ton on The southern bank of the Little Oge.
chez, keeping up constant csnnonsjing
and shelhng our skirm;sh line, which our
artillery was not slow in replying to-. Thus
a constant artillery duel was carried en- up
to the evening Of the Goth inst, " hen the
. firing ceased, and in the morning il was
made known that the rebels had deserted
/ their works and gone, no one knew exactly
where. We weFe Immediately ordered to
" FIJI! in" and marched directly into the city
of Savannah, without firing shot. The
rebels evidently left in a great hurry, IS ;hey
left all their heavy artillery in the forts about
the city without even stopping to spike the
guns, or to blow up the magazines OF ammu-
milton. The citizens say that The army was
literally starved cut, as VIC had cut oil their
only means of transporting provisions into
the place. They crossed the Savannah river
into South Carolina. Gen. Sherman had an
ticipated this movement aud sent force to
intercept thvrn, which force have not been
able to hear anything from. 1t is thought
by some, however, that the rebels may yet
be bagged BY them.
Yesterday, the army, or portion OF it,
was reviewed by Gen. Sherman ia the
streets Of Savannah. The city is by far the
prctliest place have seen in the South
The streets are wide and pleasant only a
little too sandy. The large buildings are
mostly constructed Of brick, and are very
we'll built. The river has been cleared of
distractions so that our steamers are to be
seen running up and down every day. It is
beautiful sight for one who has always
lived ia the far West to see these large ocean
steamers moving majcstically through the
water with the stars and stripes floating
proudly over them, and that too iQSouthcrn
waters. We received news yesterday that
Gen, Thomas had been cleaning Hood cut
and taking ten Thousand prisoners. This,
together with our peaceful occupation of Sa.
vannah, has brought this army mp to a lively
hope that our warfare will soon be over. and
we be allowed to once more return to peace
cul homes, and Bind friends. The general
opinion here is, that the rebs cannot hold
out longer than until the first Of July next,
and large bets arc being offered by .he sport
ing community. .@'
The citizens Of this place seem moro soci.
able and intelligent than in any other town
have ever passed through in the South.
VIVA, our next move will be, it is impos.
sible for me to say. Some predict al immG,
iiate advance upon Charleston, while others
think the army will go into winter quarters.
The latter think is rather improbable as it
is not the nature Of Gen. Sherman to lay still
when he can just as well be on the move
The troops, however, are confident of victory
wherever they go, and, therefore, are not
very particular which they do--stay here, OF
push on. The army here is in very good
health. Tae Cedar Falls boys are well, and
send greeting to the GAZETTE.
/ will close by wishing you a very Merry
Christmas" n.
~ EARL NOYT.