Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1865-01-04

mond papers have been received by
the department:
"The latest official dispatches from
Georgia indicate thut Sherman has
already followed up the occupation OF
| Savannah by sending force of cavalry,
artillery and infantry upon an expedi-
| ton, whose destinations can only be
guessed at from the direction in which
| it has moved These troops are re-
ported to have gone toward the Ala
bama river, and we shall no doubt
next hear that they have crossed that
stream, aad are m0Uing to southeastern
Georgia in quest If the prisoners Of rcar
scho uere supposed to be at AndersonUUe
"Shernan's programme for his grand
campaign northward seems to be no
secret. He will start from Port Royal,
and move straight for Branchville, the
point of junction between the Georgian
and Carolinlan railroads. He then
proposes to follow the main lines of
railroad towards Virginia, stealing and
numbering as much as he can by the
way. All very fine; but if Sherman
proposes, Lee disposes."
Other extracts fully confirm the cap
ture Of the Virginia State Salt works
by Gen. Burbridge's forces. The place
was occupied by our forces on the Goth,
and held for three days The rebel
garrison was dispersed or captured,
and their artillery taken. A large
quantity Of salt already prepared was
destroyed. The rebel account says
the works were but little damaged,
but this is scarcely probable, as our
troops had abundant time to do their
work thoroughly. All the buildings
at the place were burned. All the
bridges on the East Tennessee Rail
road between Bristol and Glade Spring
were burned by our forces. Breckin-
ridge was at Saltville at last accounts,
Gen. Thomas was still driving Hood
at last accounts, and much activity is
manifested in other quarters.
The troops from the Wilmington ex-
pedition have returned. There was
apparently want of concert between
the navy and army.
The following official account of the
capture of Savannah appeared in our
extra last week:
Savannah Captured-Despatch from Cen
Sherman-I50 Heavy Guns, 13 LOcomO-
tives, 100 Cars and $4,000 Bales of Cot
SAVANNAH, GA, Dec. %, 1864.
To His EcceILency President Lincoln:
[ beg to present as Christmas gift the
city of Savannah, with $50 heavy guns
and plenty of ammunition, and also about
$4,000 bales of cotton
w. L. SHERMAN, Mai. Gen.
STEAMER GOLDEN GATE,
SAVANNAH RIVER, Dec. 22-7p. IN.
To Lieut.. Gen. T. s. Grant and Mojor
General H. W. Hallech:
L have the honor to report that | have
just returned from General Sherman's |
headquarters 10 Savannah | send Major !
General Gray, of my staff, as bearer of |
dispatches from General Sherman to you,
and also a message to the President. The !
city of Savannah was occupied on the
morning of the 2lst. General Hardee, an-
tIcpatlng the contemplated assault, escaped |
with the main body of his infantry and
light artillery on the afternoon and night
Of the 10th, by crossing the river to the
Union causeway opposite the city The
rebel iron-clads were blown up and the ma
Wy yard burned. All the rest of the city
is intact, and contains 10000 citizens, who
are quiet and well disposed.
The captures include 800 prisoners, $50
guns, l3 locomotives in good order, 100
cars, large supply of ammunition and
materials Of war, B steamers, and $4,000
bales of cotton, safely stored in warehouses.
All these valuable fruits of an almost blood
less victory have been, like Atlanta, fairly
won.
| opened communication with the city.
with my steamers, to day, taking up what
'orPedoes we could see, and passing safely
over others. Arrangements are being
made to clear the channel of all obstruc
tions' Yours, etc,
j. G.. FOSTER.