Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-23
THE MOVEMENT FROM SAVANNAH.


Correspondence Of the New York Timesl
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Jan 1.-THE
Triumphant columns Of Mai. Gen. Sherman are
again in motion, with every prospect.that their
future efforts will be equally as successful as
those which have distih guishes them in the
past. Thus far the onward movement has re.
suited in the possession to us Of the famous Pc.
cotaltg0 bridge with all it's defences and the
country adjacent The movement was simple,
and, in its execution, splendid. The honors
are to be ascribed to the I7th corps Of General
Sherman's force, and the troops under Gen.
Hatch OF Gen. Fosters column. The 18th
corps and portion Of the 18th had been at
and near Beaufort for some days, the first
mentioned troops for the express purpose Of
assisting in seizing the railroad running from
Savannah to Charleston and the Pocotaligo
bridge. ...
The troops under Gen. Hatch had been in
the vicinity OF the bridge since the time the
of thai structure. On Friday night everything
was put in readiness for an advance from the
position near Beaufort BY means Of q pom
too teon bridge constructed by the engineer corps,
proceeded cautiously yet resolutely in the di-
rection Of the railroad On the march to the
railroad our troops met with little or no oppo-
sition. The enemy threw out, at three or four
different places, heavy lines OF skirmishers,
who, however, retired in haste, after discharg-
ing few rounds from their pieces.
Having gained the railroad q short distance
south OF the bridge, the 1?th pushed boldly for
ward for that work. A strong line Of Skin
mishers was sent out, who encountered the
enemy's sRirmlshers not far in advance. The
result was few yolleys of musketry, and sew
eral discharges from our own and the enemy's
light artillery, and the final retreat OF the
the northern end. Instantly two regiments of
the 18th were sent in pursuit, and in about the
same length OF time that it occupies to pen this
paragraph, those regiments were inside Of the
rebel defenses That end of the bridge was de.
Tended by two earthworks, mounting, the one
seven, and the other five heavy guns. All, or
nearly all, were spiked. The railroad for some
distance above and below the bridge was de-
stroyed. Our men Immediately fell to work to
level the earthworks
Since the time OF the original expedition to
Port Royal, Pocotaligo bridge has been con-
sidered the most important military point on
the line OF lhe Charleston and Savannah rail-
road. The rebels have never failed to have 1t
guarded by strong force, as is fully attested
by the repeated repnlses OF our troops to gain
possession of it. tbs located about midway
between the two cities, and the bridge, together
with the trestlework on either side, is over a
mile in length. portion OF it was slightly
damaged by the rebels. 1t was evidently their
purpose to destroy the entire work, but our
troops moved too quickly for them to carry out
their design.
Our loss in this affair amounted to about
forty killed and wounded. Among the former
is included Lieut. Chandler, of General Blair's
stan, who, after having gallantly and success.
fully led q detachment Of men to charge the
enemy's pickets, was shot in the forehead by q
sharpshoo.er. His funeral took place in Beau.
fort on Sunday.
At tins writing the left wing Of Sherman's
army Is moving from Savannah on line which
The most reliable information received places
the main force OF the rebels at Ashepoo, point
on the railroad, thirty miles south Of Charles.
ton. Here, 1t is suspected, they will make a
tom They will be handsomely entertained
should they prolong their stay at either place
beyond very short while.
It is thought by many that heavy engage.
ment will come of at Branchvflle. 1 am in
clined to the contrary opinion; in fact, con-
not readily comprehend how the rebels will be
able to give fight anywhere in South Carolina.
They have not the men, either in numbers or
stamina, to meet the force that Sherman is pre-.
gress is onward and forward, and ere long
look out for another happy and startling dis
patch.
Yesterday a number Of deserters and refu-
gees came in from Charleston. They report
that the rebels, i'll anticipating the evacuation of
Charleston, have removed most OF the heavy
government machinery. and have sent off
are mounted at Branchville The Inhabitants
are frightened ont OF their senses. The city is
bound to fall, and they know it; hence this
panic, both military and civil
MUCK speculation has been indulged la as to
the manner In which Charleston will be hailed
by our troops Il is idle to declare that not
house will be left standing or single stone
unturned. That will do for talk; but the real
policy observed will probably be to respect
private and other property, the same as was
done at Savannah. II person chooses TO ap.
plaud JEFF Davis in any place which Sherman
enters, that person will be treated in strict
accordance with very salutarY measure al
ready established, and in some instances acted
upon.
Information has reached here recently that
the mem bers of the Georgia Legislature pro-
pose to assemble On the 18th OF next month for
the purpose OF considering the best means by
which to bring that State back into the Union
This will be a movement in the INT direction,
and it is to be hoped that it will not be attend.
ed with frultless results.