Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-01-06
Vol 80: No. q

rased as the destruction has chiefly been away from
tae railroads As near as can learn two thirds Of
this cotton has been sent over the Georgia Central
hailroad to Augusta by way Of Millen; from therce
limited amount has been transported to Whining
/ ton for trans Atlantic shipment the balance yet
remains IN the vicinity Of Columbia, South Carroll.
! ma.
IT Is we'll ascertained that the cop-trv west ef the
Savannah river is expected to furnish supplies for
| the Rebel armies in the West, although corn and
beef are sent from this district to Lees army but
be draws the bulk Of his supplies from the States
east Of the Sayannah4 and there s no region which
Is SO prolific as that about Columbia. I have di-
gressed thus far from the history of the Georgia
campaign because wish to correct the impression
which Is SO general at the North that the Eastern
armies are fed from the Southwest One thing Il
most eeraln neither the Nestor East will draw any
spppAes from the counties in this State rayersed by
our army for long time to come our work has been
the next thing to annihilation.
The PRisoxFas PEN Ar MrIIrs.
AS mentioned above, this place Il FIVE miles above
Niilen Junction. a space of ground some three
hundred feet square, enclosed by stoekade without
any covering whatsoever, was the hole where thou-
sands Of our brave soldiers have been confined for
many months past. Exposed To heavy dews. the
biting frosts the peltiEg RAIN without 80 much AZ
board or tent even; to protect those poor naked fel
lows. who We're almost always robbed of their cloth
ing when captured Some of them had 8donted q
wretched ALTERNATIVES and dug holes in the ground
into which they crept at times. What wander that
found the evidence that seven hundred ana ffty
had died there.
From what misery did death release them
can realize 1t all now as could not even when lis
tenlngto the stories of prisoners who had He'd from
this hell escaped the devils in hot pursuit foed
the keen scent Of the track hounds put upon their
path. Here is the uselessly cruel pen where nv
brothers have been tortured with exposure and star
Yation. God certainly viii visit the authors of all
this crime with his terrible lightning. jeff Davis
knew that the Northern people would see the condi
ton of the victims of Belle Island. How fearful
must be the treatment of those who are removed far
from the hope Of exchanged You at the North may
not feel the necessity of retaliation and may eonSn-
ue to clothe warmly feed pentifaly, and comforta-
bly, honse the Rebel prisoners, who are happier far
than # free with their commands, but you must not
expect those who have and those who may endure
these agonies to feel or act with the same exraya
gance of generosity.
0GEEcHRE CHURCH, December 6-The army for
two days past has been concentrating at this point
which is the narrowest part of the peninsula Gen
eral Howard is still ON the west side of the Ogee-
ehee, but is within supporting distance, and has am
pie means of crossing the river should il be necessa
ry which is not all probable Fitzpatrick has again
done noble work. On Sunday last, while marching
towards Alexander for the purpose of more thor
oughly completing the destruction of the railroad
bridge crossing Briar Creek, he found Wheeler on
his way near WayaesborS He fought him several
times Furnishing him severely in each instance,
driving his infantry and cavalry before him through
Waynesb lro and beyond the bridge. which was com
pletely destroyed. He reioined the main body of
our army then marching southwark.
KILLING BLooDHouHDs.
A significant feature of this campaign which was
not before mentioned IN this diary, received
marked illustration yesterday. Except in few in
stances private residences have not been destroyed.
Yesterday we passed the plantation of Mr.. Stubs.
The house, eotton-gln, press -rcks, stables,
everything that could burn was in flames, and
in the dooryard Law the dead bodies ofseveral blood
negroes and our escaped prisoners. Aud wherever
our army has passed. everything in the shape
Of dog has been killed. The soldiers and officers
are determined that no more flying fugitves white
men or negroes, shah be followed by track hounds
hat come within reach of their powder and ball
DECEMBER S.-Ihe army has been advancing
slowly and surely, but cautiously as if a strong
army were IN our front. The relative position Of
he troops has not materially changed since last wri
ing, except that we are all further south. From
fifteen to twenty miles lies Savannah it is to be sup
posed, in some perturbation at the certainty of oar
approach. If the rebels intend fighting in defence
'f the city, it will be behind their Notifications, for
IS yet we have only skirmished with parties
If cavalry and they have not seen the head of our
infantry column, and can only judge of our strength
through injGdicious publications in the newspapers
North. It cannot well be conceived by those not in
he field operations the serious injury which ensues
lpen the publication of the number and contempla-
ed movements of our armies. In q way which 1t is
Unnecessary to mention such injuries have occurred
Turing this campaign.
General Howard has just returned from very sue
,essful movement. Fearing that we should detach
force for the purpose of destroying the Gulf road
which they are now using to IFS utmost capacity
ust now, they pushed force across the Ogeechee.
hile this body were covered by strong riverside
inc, General Corse, of Allatoona memory, showed
MS division between the Little and Great 0geeehee,
hirteen miles in advance of the main column to the
anal. which runs from the 0geechee to the Savan-
lah river. He bridged the canal, crossed it with
his division, and holds position out of which
Hoods army could not drive him.
This bold step has forced the rebels to evacuate
be line of works stretching from to river, and
hey have now fairly sought refuge in the fortihca
ions proper of Savannah.
All the afternoon we have heard the signal-guns
f our gunboats, supposed to be in 0ssabaw Sound
Iy heart thrills with gladness think that we are
Tithin speaking distance OF our brethren of the
rave navy and that we are hereafter to act in uni
on with, we hope, more purpose than has been the
esult with most expeditions on the Atlantic coast
he next three days promise to be full of interest,
or we shall now seek to establish base of supplies
q connection with our feet.
CLOSING IN iron SAVANNAH.
DECEMBER 9.-We are gradually closing in upon
he city, General Howard holdsthe position gained
n the other side of the canal yesterday, and has adj
anced the larger part OF his command IN ats support
PORTIONS of oar army are now within eight miles of
savannah. General Blair's column lost several
fiicers and men, some of thec1 by honorable fight
ng, as the rebels withstood the advance with pert
acty.
One officer and several men were severely wound
d by the explosion of shells and torpedoes buried
nd concealed in the road which was attempt at
owardly murder In the entrance of forts, or in q
reach made ia line of works such implements
lay be used to defeat the assault, but the laws of
,ar do not justify an attempt of the kind which has
cen so disastrous day. The prisoners were
larched over the road, and removed two of these
death dealing instruments
General Davis is tonight at Cherokee Hill hav-
x crossed the Charleston road partially destroying
le bridge spanning the Savannah. He has also
cen opposed by the rebels, but, as with the other
olumns, the opposition only accelerated the pro-
ress Of the troops who hurry forward on the doub-
squck at the sound of the guns, eager to get into
he fight Tomorrow we may expect TO have con-
entrated our army SO as to form a continuous line