Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-20
SHRRMAN.

Reported Movement on Gsld.hsr.u.b-
sherman and Schsfield within Cemmu-
dreds Of miles Of Railroad and Thousands
Of Bales Of Cetten Burned-s5 Cannon.
1000 Prisoners and %, 600 Animals Cap.
tnred-Over Is, 600 w hite and Black Ref
ugees Set Free.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 1s-The steamer
Nevada arrived here this afternoon, from
Morehead city, North Carolina, bringing still
later adyices from General Sherman's army,
which is marching on Goldsborough, having
crossed the Cape Fear river at Fayetteville.
Communication between General Schof1eld's
army and that under General Sherman had
been opened, but no junction OF the two forces
had as yet taken place. each army for the pres.
ent acting independently OF each other.
The Great March through the Carolinas-
Scenes and Incidents by the Way.
correspondents accompanying General Sher-
mans army, under date of the 1lth, furnish the
following interesting details
No general order had been issued by General
Sherman relative to the campaign, as the
special order on the opening of the Savannah
campaign was still in force. All baggage and
transportation were reduced to the lowest Pos
sible standard. Wall tents were prohibited,
except as offices and one for headquarters.
We started with about thirty days rations
and eight days forage.
According to the plan, the Army OF the Ten.
nessee was to take the right wing-the 17th
corps moving on the extreme right, and the
18th corps on the right center-takipg up their
line of march from their temporary encamp.
ments around Beaufort and PocotaIico, along
the roads between the Coosawhatchie and the
Combahee river.
The Army of the Cumberland, under Major
General Slocum, occupied the left; the 20th
corps the left center, and the 14th corps the
extreme lef-both marching from Savannah,
on the right Of the Georgia Central railroad,
crossing at Lester's Ferry and Union causeway,
then keeping to the right until they formed a
junction with the Army Of the Tennessee. Kill
patrick's cavalry operated partly in front and
partly in flank of the left wing, and extending
well ia on the ri ver
General Sherman travelled for the most part
with the left wing.
AS to Sherman's intentions and destination,
they appear mystery to all. Ibelleve he had
no definite course laid down, for his move
ments were controlled by those Of the enemy.
Had he struck right for Charleston the enemy
could concentrate and mass in his front, thus
retarding his march and forcing him to a gen.
eral engagement, which he did not wish to
bring on; for he was too far from his base, and
not in position to care for his wounded. The
same would hold good had he moved for Au-
gusta or any special place. He moved his
army in two columns, each strong enough to
resist any force the enemy could bring against
it; yet moving near enough TO concentrate
should large force threaten either. Their
separate movement fooled the enemy. They
had to detach their forces to try and keep us
in check. By.Sherman's mastery movements
they soon found themselves isolated and help
less Sherman's object was first to destroy the
network Of railroads running through South
Carolina, connecting Charleston with Rich
mond, Augusta, Columbia and other impor.
pellIng them to evacuate Charleston, and rem.
dering Augusta and other points Of no military
value to the enemy.
Never before has an army accomplished 80
much with such little sacrifice Of either life or
We had been but about forty five days shut
out from the outer world
Our march has been one continued success.
Shermans capital manoeuvres completely
split up the rebel army, breaking them into
isolated bodies, thus destroying their power.
Our march has been somewhat retarded by
the heavy falls Of rain, which flooded the
creeks and swamps and cut up the road SO
ofroad, and build several miles Of trestle work
and bridges.
Besides compelling them to evacuate
Charleston, we destroyed Columbia, Orange
burg and several other places. Also over fifty
miles OF their chief lines OF railroad, and thou.
sands of bales of cotton,
men, two hundred thousand cartridges, ten
tons Of powder nine thousand rounds OF fixed
ANN unition, about ten thousand muskets, over
one hundred government presses, besides an
immense amount Of public stores, locomotives,
rolling stock, and other kinds Of government
stores TOO numerous to mention.
At Cheraw we took twenty five cannon, eight
caissons and two travelling forges, besides
large quantity OF government stores Of various
kinds in the arsenal and elsewhere.
49,. AT Fayettesilie @ we TOOK seventeen cannon,
OF various kinds in the arsenal and elsewhere.
This makes eignty-fiye cannon-one-thi of
which were nelQ pleceS-Wltn carriages, CalS.
sons and all complete. We captured about
twenty five thousand ANIMALS on our line OF
march. We gave food and transportation to
about fifteen thousand colored refugees, thus
depriying the colored soldiers and slaves. We
also had about four thousand white refugees,
all Of whom were well cared for, and will be
sent North to whatever destination they choose.
Weoperated over the following districts or
counties-In south Carolina-Beaufort, Barn.
veil, OIangeburg, Lexington, Richland, Ker.
shaw, Fairfield, Chester, Lancaster, Sumter,
Darling ton, Chesterfield, Malbourg. In North
Carolina-Mecklenburg Anson, Richland,
Union, Robson, Cumberland and Moore.
We marched on an average 450 miles, our
wings extending some 35 or 40 miles. This
would give an area OF only l., 600 square miles
which we operated over, all the time support.
ing men and animals on the country. Indeed,
the loss we have inflicted on the enemy is in
calculable, and all at a trifiing sacrifice Of
life.
I think 1000 killed. wounded and missing
will cover our casualties. Several OF these
were owing to accidental explosions at Colum.
bia and Cheraw.
The enemy's loss Must be in killed. wounded
and missing, about 200, while we have cap.
tured and on hand over 1900 prisoners. The
army is just resting few days st Fayetteville,
and will then march TO Goldsboro or Kinston,
to join Schofield's gallant army. The army is
in the best OF spirits, flushed with victory,
self reliant and defiant. With such an army
and such generals it needs no prophet to see
the result OF the next campaign.
THE LATE FRESHETS.
in Nau VopL D.~x;>,