New-York tribune., 1911-12-03

( the very division which he himself mad
commanded at Shiloh and Vlcksburg, and
/ i'm which he had special pride and contl-
dence Hazen crossed the bridge and
started down the right bank of the river
/ on the morning of December 13 General
Sherman having impressed upon him how
important it was to the safety of the army
and success of the campaign that this fort
be taken. Then Sherman rode down the
opposite bank ten miles to a rice mill, ON
the ridge of which General Howard had
built platform for use as a signal sta
ton From this point he conld readily
see McAlister. three miles away across
the salt marshes. The Confederate flag
was still flying and occasionally a shot
from the fort crossed the marshes IN MS
direction. About o'clock commoton
was observed at the fortification. one or
two guns were fired inland. Soon sig
nal from Hazen was observed. lie was
three miles from McAlister Sherman
signalled that he expected the fort to be
taken before nightfall, and received as
surance that 1t would be; preparations
were being made for the assault. The sun
was rapidly sinking toward the horizon
and sherman became more and more
anxious.
faint cloud of smoke was observed
trailing along above the sedge toward the
sea. II grew until a smokestack was seen
coming up the river. 1T must be one OF our
SQUADRON I" some one exclaimed. 1he
United States flag was soon deserted. Cen
cral Hazen signalled that he was ready
and was directed to go ahead. friendly
| steamer was approaching. The sun was
now only an hour high. A group of officers
was noted on the deck of the steamer. They
signalled with a flag who are you?" The
( reply was: General Sherman" Then fol-
lowed "Is Fort McAllister taken% Not
vet, but it will be in d minute - replied
sherman Even as the flags conveyed this
message Hazens troops were seen leaving
the dark fringe of woods that surrounded
the fort, the lines dressed as on parade,
colors flying Steadily and quickly 1t moved
| into the cloud of smoke belching from the
/ big guns A color went down. II was up
again in moment. In breathless anxiety
| sherman watched. There was a pause In
the firing. II ceased altogether. As the
/ smoke drifted away the parapets were seen
10 be blue with Hazen's men. They fired
their muskets in the all and shouted so that
Sherman and his companions could near
them, or thought they could. The anxiety
relieved, Sherman exclaimed in the words
of Cobb's negro "This niger will have no
sleep this night" The news was signalled
TO the incoming steamer and Sherman I'M
mediately set out for the fleet He learned
/ from Hazen while on the way that the poor
craftsmanship of the Confederate gunners,
who had been prevented from handling their
pieces accurately by the fire OF the Union
soldiers lying behind large tree trunks, had
paved the way for the successful assault
upon the works. The troops had suffered
more from the torpedoes planted in the
ground around the fort than from the artil-
! lery fire. After visiting General Foster and
| Admiral Dahlgren ne returned ashore.
Seven tons OF mail for the army was soon
put ashore, and special messages were re-
ceived from General Grant. The latter
disturbed Sherman greatly. for Grant sug-
gested that he establish base on the sea
coast and then take his infantry north 10
assist in the capture Of Richmond. Sher-
man was anxious TO take Savannah. Ex-
| pecting a feet momentarily to bear him
away. he did not give up hope OF bagging
|
his troops az work establishing the base
J suggested by Grant. Unfortunately, ne did
not Immediately take steps 10 cut off Har-
1 dee's way Of escape by the Union causewsy.
/ On December II d note was sent 10 Hardee
demanding his surrender. The Confederate
general declined. Still no fleet Of transports
appeared. He now determined 10 make an
assault for he believed his time was lin
| tied Owing 10 the difficulty Of accomplish
| ing this. because the only avenues Of APP
! proach 10 the city were narrow causeways
crossing submerged rice fields, he set about
closing up all the avenues OF escape. He
desired TO take Hardee's army OF about ten
| thousand men intact, and visited the fleet
10 obtain assistance. asking General Foster
10 take Hatch's division down TO Bluffton
in order to fortify the Charleston Road.
His errand accomplished, he reached his