Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-02-24

saws Sherman entered Columbia yesterday
morning, and its fall necessitates, it presumes,
| the fali of Charleston, which it thinks is al
ready being evacuated.
(Signed) T. 5. GRANT
Lieutenant General.
/ CRY POINT, Va, Feb. IS.
! Hon E. IL Stanton, Var Department:
The following is taken from to-day's Rich
mond Dispateh:
| FALL OF CoLUMBIA.-Columbia has fallen.
Sherman marched into aud took possession Of
the city yesterday morning. The Intelligence
was communicated yesterday by Gen Beaure-
! gard in an official dispatch Columbia is sit
uated on the north bank OF the COngaree riv-
er, just below the confluence of the Saluda
and Broad River. From General Beaure-
CARDS dispatch it appears that on Thursday
evening the enemy approached the south bank
of the Congaree and threw number Of shells
into the city. During the night they moved
up the river, and yesterday morning forded
Saluda and Broad rivers Whilst they were
crossing these rivers, our troops, under Gener-
al Beauregard, evacuated Columbia. The en-
emy sooo after took possession.
Through private sources we learn that two
days ago, when it was decided not to attempt
the defence of Columbia, a large quantity of
medical stores, which it was thought impossi-
bic to remove, where destroyed.
The female employees of the Treasurey De-
partment had been previously sent of to Char
lotteville, loo miles south OF Columbia. We
presume the Treasury photographic establish
ment was also removed, although as ;n this
we have no information.
The fall Of Columbia, we presume, neces-
states the evacuation of Charleston, which we
think likely is already in process Of evacus
ton.
1t is impossible to say where Sherman will
next direct his steps. The general opinion is
that he will go to Charleston and establish
base there, but we confess we do not see what
need he has for base. It is presumed be is
subssting upon the country, and he has had
no battle to exhaust his ammunition. Before
leaving Savannah he declared his intention to
march to Columbia, thence to Augusta, and
thence TO Charleston. This was uttered as
boast and to hide his designs. We are rath- |
er disposed TO belive that he will next strike |
at Charleston or Charlotte, which is one hum
dred miles north Of Columbia on the Char |
lotte and Columbia Railroad, or at Florence, |
S. c., the junction of the Columbia and |
Wilmington and Charleston and Wilmington |
Railroads, ninety miles east of Columbia
There was report yesterday that Augusta |
had also been taken by the enemy. This we /
do not believe. We have reason to feel assured /
that nearly the whole of Sherman's army is at
Columbia, and that the report that Schofeld |
was advancing on Augusta was untrue.
The Charleston Mercury of Saturday an-
nounces brief suspension of that paper with
a view to its Temporary remavaI to another
point. This is rendered necessary by the !
progress of military events cutting it off from
The mail facilities for distributing papers TO
arge portion of its subscribers, while the lack |
IF transportation renders its supply Of paper
Drecarious.
Semmes has been made Rear Admiral, /
md will take command OF the James river
squadron.
TSignedl U. S. GRANT, t
Lieutenat General.