The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-01
COMMUNICATIONS.
SECRETARY oE THE TREASURY.
Letter from the Empire State.
ALBANY, NY, Feb. q, 1865.

SECRETARY oE THE TREASURY f1al "a
The non acceptance of the Treasury port
folio by Senator Morgan excited but little sur
prise in political circles here. 1t had long been
known that Senator Morgan would have the
nomination and for two months there has
been thorough canvassing by the aspirants
for the New York Senatorship. Gov Fenton,
Henry j. Raymond and half dozen more
were in the field, but Fenton and Raymond
were conceded to be particularly within the
ring. Considerable feeling and some animos-
ity were beginning to appear. When Senator
Harris was elected to the U. s. Senate much
bitterness was manifested among the leading
Republicans opposed to him. They have nev-
er since worked harmoniously with the ma
jority of the Republicans, causing defeat in
some instances by their detection. The pros.
poets for similar feud here among the parti-
zans of those aspiring to U. S. Senate decided ]
Morgan that 1t was not policy in, the existing
condition of political parties in this state, to
weaken the Union ranks. Seward's position
at the head of the State department is now
pretty sure, giving New York one seat in the
Cabinet, which was all she could probably
have had. If Morgan had gone in, is very
certain that Charles Francis Adams would
have taken Stewards place, and Seward would
have "gone on mission" Massachusetts will
have seat in the new Cabinet without
doubt.
1t is intimated that Gov. Andrew may have
the charge of the War or Treasury Depart
ments, if the former, Vice President Hamlin's
prospects for the Navy will be diminished,
since both the War and Navy Secretaries can |
hardly come from New England; if the latter.
1t would be only doing Justice to the shipb1ild-
ing State of Maine, that she have ,tae NAVY
Department.
The other Secretaries will be appointed
from the West, and as gxlauy as possible Of the
present Cabinet Viii be retained. So they
talk ia Albany. Your correspondent has had
toe pleasure frequently of learning the views
OF lnose "a high places supposed to be able to
oDtalp information behind the throne.
sHERMAN's ARMY. Ell
am kindly permitted to extract for your
benefit, from letter written at Beaufort S. G.
Feb 15, by an officer, of Maine who has re-
Gently returned to the army from brief fur
Tough. Without Introduction quote: 81
met Gen. Gilmore at Hilton Head, he having
relieved Foster during my absence. Gen. Fos-
ter has aleave Of absence on account of his
health. Gen. G. gave me the latest informa-
tion from Sherman. A dispatch dated week
ago left him with the Army of the Tennessee
(Gen. Howard's command) at Lowry's Sta,
tion, about 15 miles from Branchville to Au-
gusts. The left wing (Slocum's) had not then
come up. Every thing progressed favorably,
the enemy retreating before our ADVANCE
You will remember that Branchyille is on the
north east bank of the Edisto. The army had
not crossed the river at that date Its banks
are marshy and they anticipate difficulty in
forcing apassage. 1t would probably be done
higher up than Branchville.o Some of GiIa
more's troops are pressing on toward Charles
ton along the Charleston and Savannah Rail-
road.
Sherman spoke of the difficulty of supplies
and limited he might find it expedient to es-
tablish base sooner than he at first thought.
The l4th Corps marched up the south bank OF
the Savannah to Sisters Ferry. The storm de-
layed the left wing at first but the weather has
been clear for fortnight with the exceptions
of one or two days. Some of this would be
contraband new but will not when it reaches
you. viii add that there was considerable
skirmishing all the way. e,7 5nI i9a 1o,s ia
Lieut.. Taylor, ,aide-camp to Gen. Howard,
was shot in the neck while riding by the Gen
erals side. The shot was evidently that of a
sharpshooter and aimed at the General. Some
of Gen. Blair's staff were wounded. Visited
to night in the hospital here Col. Swain, 43f
Ohio, who had leg shot off when two OF
three days out. He bears it like a hero and ;
patriot :, 1900
Beaufort is pretty place. Houses all large
aud respectfully finished. Few, if any of the
original proprietors are here. The negro fam
lilies and soldiers make use Of the abandoned
habitaticns. 6r 5si5
must wait here patiently for the army tt
turn up, as I confidently expect it will within
week. or course cannot join them now a
Sherman leaves no communication OPEN
Probably Bulls Bay or Georgetown will be th
first base, though he may proceed. swing off
tn lie reaches Wilmington. This however il
surmise. tits very probable that the eneml
will abandon Charleston as soon as Shermrl
cuts the Railroads leading to the city, and il
may be the fall of the "Crade of secession
will be announced to you before this reache
you. Gilmore's troops will soon be there an
anticipate but little opposition" vr-
Let me add that much of the above lette
has become less interesting owing to the pre-
gress of events, but there are indications ths
the players on the military chess board wer
aware of the position of forces and foresaw tn
inevitable results, as the consequences {
events, then within their control. The fall {
Charleston, predicted in the above, is now
fixed fact result of military operations whic
has filled loyal hearts with gladness and ser
dismay into the ranks of traitors. The fall
gold indicates in some measure the nation,
pulse. Volunteering has received an in
pulse in the old Dutch City, and there al
hopes that the draft may be avoided. 81
HANCE