The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-01-04

AAOAN4N 14NNl, A4N ~
THE EVACUATION or Sd VAN
! NAH- THE LATEST STATE
ME.NTS FROM SOUTHERN
| SOURCES.
The Charleston Courier contains a
letter giving very interesting statement
of the evacuation Of Savannah. The
writer says: &c.
| Our fortifications extended from the
Savannah river, some four miles above
the city, on our right, to the Little Ogce-
chez river, near the Gulf railroad, some
eight miles from the city, on our left
We held Fort McAllister, on the west
bank Of the Ogcechcc, few miles below
tho Gulf railroad. We also had strong
batteries at Rose Dew, between the two
Ogecchccs, at Beaulicu, Thundcrbolt,
Causlin's Bluff, etc, and troops stationed
on Isle Of Hope and Whitmarsh islands.
Our newly-crcctcd fortifcations on the
land side of the city were very strong and
capable of turning back almost any kind
of assault, though they were not COM
menccd till after Sherman had nearly
| reached Milledgevillc. Shcrman's army
appeared before these works about the
Sth or 9th instant, and on Saturday, the
10th, considerable fighting occurred
Several severe assaults were made, in
which the enemy were signally repulsed.
Early on Sunday morning, the llth,
tremendous cannonaaing began and was
kept up for half the day. 1t was supposed
in the city that heavy engagement was
going on, but il proved to be only a
general shclling from the heavy guns on
our lines. Sherman was in no condition
to attack our works. He was scarce of
ammunition and had no heavy guns, as
we'll as other difficulties in the way of
his giving battle. During the siege, Sc
we're assaults were several times made on
particular points, with view of storming
our works and breaking through our
lines, but all these were handsomely re-
pulsed.
On Saturday, the 18th instant, flag
of truce was sent in by Sherman, de-
manding the surrender Of the city; and
on Sunday, the 18th, a reply was given
by General Bcaurcgard, refusing to COM
ply with the demand. On Monday, the
evacuation commenced-th first squad
coming out about midday; another
came out at 4 2. NJ, and two others at
night. How rapidly the evacuation was
thereafter conducted, | know not, except
from reports. 1t is said the evacuation
took place on Tuesday night. l fear all
our soldiers did not get out. Some of
them were twelve or fourteen miles from
the city, while many were eight miles Off
The heaviest fighting Of the siege took
place on Monday evening and night, the
10th. The enemy were rcpulsed jim all
their attempts on our lines; so the SOL
diers must have been there, and not ON
the retreat. If SO, | cannot perceive
how it is possible for all to have come off
by Tuesday night, though they may have
done so. We had several boats, capa-
bic of carrying from five hundred to one
thousand each across the river at trip,
and a pontoon bridge besides.
| Very few of the citizens left the city.
Many would have done so if they could,
but the realization of their condition came
too late. It found them all unprepared,
and escape impossible. There was no
alternative but to submit to their terrible
fate. 1t does seem to me that our mill
tary authorities should, by some means
have given some notice or hint to the
people, Or time allowed those who de-
sired to do so either to get away or set
their houses in order if they intended to
stay. Perhaps | am wrong in this con-
clusion-I will not say positively. AS
before stated, the people were in the
dark as to what was going on. They
hoped we would be able to force Sherman
to the coast, either to the right or to
the left, and save the city, and, in this
belief, very little private property of any
description was sent oil. Neither Of the
newspaper offices were removed, and all
the material of both, including con-
siderable supply Of paper, fell into the
hands of the enemy. If they remain
there long, VIC may expect soon to have
them issuing Yankee newspapers from
the Offices of those hitherto substantial
Southern journals.
e. The last issue Of the Ne,os was on
Saturday morning, the 10th instant =
The enemy had cut all tho railroads and
telcgraphic wires, thus cutting off any
outside information by mail or other
wise, and the military authorities de-
sired nothing concerning the situation, or
what was there taking place, to be made
public. Under these circumstances the
paper was stopped, and the editor and
printers went into service.
The Republican continued to issue a
quarter sheet, but it contained no news,
either local or from abroad, and was,