Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-20
official War ssulletiu.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ApJr. GINS OrFIcE,i
WASHINGTON, February II, 1865
To Major Gen E. Dix
The announcement of the occupation OF Col
umbis, South Carolina by General Sherman and
the probable evacuation Of Charleston has been
coin municated to the department ia the follow
ing telegram, ju.t received from Lieutenant Gen.
Grant.
ISigued I N. SrANTox.
Secretary of Wa..
Cry PoIxr, Va, Feb ls-445p m.
To the Hon. NJ Stanton, Secretary of War
The Richmond Dispatch of this morning says
Sherman entered Columbia Yesterday morning,
aud saws its fall necessitates it aud presumes the
tall OF Charleston which i; thinks il already be-
ing evacuated.
fSigned L. ) GRANT, Lieut. Gen.
Cry PoISr. Va, Feb 18th 1865.
To Hon. F. NJ. Stanton
The following is taken from the Richmond
Dispatch of to day:
Columbia has fallen Sherman marched into
aud took possession OF the city yesterday morn
ing. The intelligence was conveyed Yesterday
by General Besuregard in an official dispatch.
Columbis is situsted on the north bank OF Con-
garee river Just below the confluence of Salad
and Bsosdr iyers
From Gen. Beauregards dispatch il appears
thar on Thursday evening the ensmy approached
the south bank OF tie Congaree and threw a
number of shells into the city.
During the night they moved up the river and
yesterday morning forded Whilst they were
crossing our troops under Beauregard evacuated
Colum5is, and the enemy soon after took pos
session.
Through private sources We learn that two
days ago, when il was decided not to attempt the
defense of Columbia, large quantity OF medical
stores, which il Was thought impossible 10 re-
move, were destroyed.
The female employees of the .treasury depart
meni had been previously sent to Charlottesville,
10 miles sonth of Columbia. and We presume the
treasury lithographic establishment was also re
moved, although ss TO this We have no positive
information.
the evacuation of Charleston, which we think
likely is already in process of evacuation.
IL il impossible 10 say where Sherman will
next direct MS steps. The general opinion is ne
will go 10 Charleston and establish base there;
but We confess that We co not see what need he
has of a base az il Is 10 be presumed be is
subss,iug CD the eOuntry and has had 10 bat
tie 20 exhaust his ammunition
Before leaving Savannah be declared his in
teatiOn 10 march TO Columbia. thence 10 Angus.
- and thence 10 Charleston
signs se are disposed 20 believe hat be will next
strike AZ Charlotte. which i 100 miles north Of
Columbia on the Charlotte and COlnmbis rail-
road. or st Florence, South Carolina
There wss . report Yesterday that Augusis
bad also been taken by The easmT The We 10
not believe
We nave reason 10 ieei assured thai nearly
the whole Of SheImsns army IA Ct Columbia
and the report that Schohed ~se advancing or
AGzus:s y untrue.
The Charleston MercuTy of Monday an
nouuces ,te brief suspension al that paper with
= view 10 lis removal 10 another point This il
rendered necessary by the progress oi military
events. cutting il of from mail communication
l0r- distributing its papers 10 ? large number OF
rs subscribers. while the lsck vi transportation
renders IL snppy of paper precArious.
Semmes hzs been made rear admiral
SO vii t~se conmSnd OF The james river
squadron.
Signed . GRAM.
1t Gen