New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-16
On BOARD STEAMSHIP ARAGo AT SrA.
IL lc6J. \

Facts md Eumors.
s. From Our Special Correspondent.
On BOARD STEAMSHIP ARAco AT SrA
Ieb. IL. lc61.
I left Savannah ON the 9th instant on the
steamer S,ephe1 Cloud to connect with the Araso o.
Hilton Head. give yen here such army in'eNseHoe
o. could gather and believe Trustworthy
Thursday morning. Jan &C. Gen Williams and staff
returned to Purysbrrg by boat and the two divisions
First and Third of the Twentieth Corps were started
for Sisters Ferry or rather point in South Carolina
oppo,ie Sisters Ferry The Tioreers bad been busy
on the roads and bridges and the troops were enabled
20 get on with much less difficulty than on their pre-
yious march to Purysbure and 1Iardeeyille.
The Fourteenth Corps-Gen. JEFF. c. Davis continued
its movement on the Georgia side portion taking TIE
river road and the balance the Springfield Road The
Second Division. Tweatieth Army Corps, Gen. 1oary
left Savannah Friday morning, January 81 march
ing by way az Monteith Station This division had
nearly all the Twentietk Corps trains to guard. And
Gle transportation generally of the army was under Che
enIe Of tie left wiBg.
The cavalry left their camp. miles from SavaR
mar. moving on TIE funk Of the infantry column.
Reaching Sisters Ferry the advance of She Fourteenth
Corps found the road leading Gown the river thorough
~ DISTRACTED by feled Trees among which placed
torpcdoes with their locks tied different branches
shat ans attempt the trees wCud result in
the explosion Of the torpedoos cost tie Eyes CT two
OF our soldiers and the woanding Of two Others TO learn
Of this atrOcily.
Another bat sleeper iOnd enlarged, and from It's
foot the Iontoons were laid. On reaching the lower
ground on the South Carolina side. the country was
found overlooked a. below Five miles Of corduroy had
to be constructed through this swamp. Trees feet
IN diameter used. tie ntCIya ttiDg filed with
smaller logs. The men were obliged work in the
swami and the cor stIucton Of such road occupied
much valuable time.
Meanwhile Tie two Divisions Of the 9th Corps
pushed or and On the 3,st of Jauary Gen. Wlilms's
headquarters at Roberisyille. The cavalry had
crossed tie river by swimming their horses and had
cor menccd demonstration upon Augusta The cross
ing Of the I'd Division Goth Army Corps, commenced
On Saturday, the 4th inst and they followed by
Che 18th cor. Then commenced the march iato South
Carolina BarDwCI being the immediate destination Of
The left wing. under Gen. Socpm
Tie crossing was completed by the eth inst. when
boatl OF sick reached sherman from Sisters Feny
md communication was then cut of. at tie time
left Savannah there a that Hoods army lad
yeacted Augusta. This needs good deal Of ccntirma
fiOn. Georgia papers Of tie 9th place D. ii. Hin in
commani and print his orders buln all cotton which
he proposes to do ct the risk Of the city Itself
The movement Of the cavalry has this afforded him
the opportunity.
There were also rumors in Savannah that Gen. Sher-
mon he'd bad fight at PIerclyile, which Place was
captured after severe loss OH part. 1t is known
that Brancivle hos been strongly fortified. and 1t Is
not now contraband that Gen sherman did 10
intend to attack that place. lie could pish his
Cbtc,-the destruction Of tie railroads-by going
st. TheIcf &c tits story is dsbelieved, although certain
contingencies may have arisen, causing change Of
programme.
From Capt Taylcr Of Mel Gen Towards stafT. who
was shot through the windpipe at the crossing Of Whip
pcy Swamp ard is returning home the Arago,
eleen the following particulars Of the movements Of the
right wing under Ger. Howard. Leaving their I'D
yanced position bey ond Pocoalio tie LIST Of Feru.
ary tie Seventeenth Corps accompanied hy Gen.
Howard. advanced 10 WlUppey Swamp, on Whippey
Spring branch Of tie River Salkahatclie ana The
Fifteenth Corps Maj Gen. Logan. TO Hickory Hill
T. o.. near TIC Coosawatclie River. Tie SovelieeDth
were skiTmish.ng tie whole Gay. They found oil tie
bridges destroyed, and 10 many places the roads o5
structed. The opposing force cavalry connected
with McLaT's command.
On reaching Whppey Swamr, they found the road Of
causeway otsti uced by trees. Ieng fearful of torpc
does the advance accompanied by Capt. Taylor Of
Gen. Towards staff took 10 the swamp on either side
md dashing ecIoss speedily put tde eneuy's skirmsh
body Of troops Forces Division succeeded in crossing
and eamped on the other side.
The next day. the ID inst the Seventeenth Corps
moved to Rivers Bridge the Big Salkahache River
Here they met the enemy in force under Hardee and
NeLaws and had quite fight with loss Of 100 killed
ard wounded.
Col swain OF Judge Swain CT Ohio lost his leg.
Iieut Col Kirby of Gen. BlaiT's staff, had his horse
killed under him and wounded in the leg. The
wounded wore sent back and tho column moved
on to take adv ntage Of what they had gained The
immediate objective point Of tie Seventeenth Corps
was Midway on e. South Carolina Railroad. about ten
miles west of Drcnchyillc and the Smith fork Of
the Edsto River Tie Fifteenth Corr would probably
strike tie railroad at Iowrys Grahams stations and
the left Wing at Eackyic and beyond thus rendering
the destruction of lie road complete. Capt Taylor
savs they found the roads in good condition.
On reaching Hilton Head On The 9th inst, there was
arumor prevalent that Sherman had attacked Branch
vile and been reyused. THIS gave place later to one
that Branclyille had been capt Ied and Charleston
evacuated Neither is tue Gen. Gilmore. who has
relieved Gen. Foster Of the command Of the Depart
rent of the South left on Tbursdty evening for Nor
ris Island. Adyices received on board the "Arago"
OIL Saturday afternoon. whe unier way. state that
Gen Schimmepfenig had icroSsed TO Jomes Island
driven IN the Rebel Ickes, and captured Two lines Of
rife pits Saturday night: when OF Charleston. heavy
and continuous firing heard sad the flashes OF the
gins seen.
The "AIago" was detained o. Hilton Head until
Saturday, for the accommodated OF Gen. Foster and