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Capture of Savannah.

NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO

November and December 1864

From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, December 26, 1864.

THE VERY LATEST.

GLORIOUS NEWS

CAPTURE OF

SAVANNAH

800 PRISONERS!

150 GUNS CAPTURED!

25,000 Bales of Cotton!

The Federal Fleet off Wilmington,

NASHVILLE, December 24.—River 20 feet, and standing.

It is reported that would cannot cross the Tennessee on account of the stage of the river, which in many places overflowed its bounds. Hood’s pontoons are said to be swept away.

Thomas’ headquarters still remain at Columbia, although our advance is still pushing after the rebel army. A battle this side of the Tennessee river is confidently predicted.

Cars will run to Duck river to-day.

It is rumored that Hood’s rebels have abandoned their wagon train.

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
December 25th, 1864.

TO MAJ. GEN. DIX:

A dispatch has been received this evening by President Lincoln from Major General W. T. Sherman. It is dated Savannah Tuesday the 22d, and announces his occupation of the city of Savannah, and capture of 150 guns, plenty of ammunition, and about 25,000 bales of cotton. No further particulars are given.

An official dispatch from Gen. Foster to Gen. Grant, dated the 22d at 2 P. M., states that the city of Savannah was occupied by Sherman on the morning of the 21st, and that on the preceding afternoon and night Hardee & Co. escaped with the main body of infantry and light artillery, blowing up the iron clads and navy yard.

He enumerates captured 800 prisoners, 150 guns in good order, 190 cars, 13 locomotives and a large lot of ammunition and materials of war, three steamers and 33,000 bales cotton. No mention is made of the present position of Hardee’s, which had been estimated at 15,000.

The dispatches of Gen. Sherman and Gen. Foster are as follows:

SAVANNAH, GA., December 22.—To His Excellency President Lincoln, I beg to present you a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.

[Signed]        W. T. Sherman.

Steamer Golden Rule, Savannah river, 7 a. m. December 22d. To Lieutenant General Grant and Major General Halleck:

I have the honor to report that I have just returned from General Sherman’s headquarters at Savannah. I send Major Grog 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 21st. General Hoxler [sic] anticipated the contemplated assault and escaped with his main body of infantry and light artillery on the morning of the 20th, by crossing the river to Union Causeway opposite the city. The rebel iron-clads were blown up, and the navy yard was burned. All the rest of the city is intact, and 20,000 citizens, quiet and well disposed. The capture includes 800 prisoners. All these valuable fruits of an almost bloodless victory have been Atlanta fairly one. I opened communication with the city with my steamers to-day taking up what torpedoes could be found and passing safely over others. Arrangements are being made to clear the channel of obstructions.

(signed)      J. G. Foster.

The Richmond paper of yesterday state that on the 23d twenty-six vessels were off Wilmington. The expedition had arrived.

The expedition of General Bragg is published in the Richmond papers. It is as follows:

WILMINGTON, December 23.—Twenty-six vessels of the Federal fleet reappeared this morning.

There has been no change since my last dispatch. This is the latest intelligence received from that expedition.

(Signed,)       E. M. Stanton.