Today in the Civil War

December 26, 1864: New York Tribune

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Upper Half

War Department, Washington, Dec. 25, 1864 – 8 p.m.

To Maj. Gen. Dix, New York: A dispatch has been received this evening by the President from Gen. Sherman. It is dated at Savannah on Thursday, the 22d inst., and announces his occupation of the City of Savannah, and the capture of 150 guns, plenty of ammunition, and about 25,000 bales of cotton. No other particulars are given.

An official dispatch from Gen. Foster to Gen. Grant, dated on the 22d inst., at 7 p.m., states that the City of Savannah was occupied by Gen. Sherman on the morning of the 21^st, and that on the preceding afternoon and night, Hardee escaped with the main body of his infantry and light artillery, blowing up the iron-clads and the Navy Yard.

He enumerates as captured 800 prisoners, 150 guns, 13 locomotives in good order, 190 cars, a large lot of ammunition and materials of war, three steamers and 33.000 bales of cotton. No mention is made of the present position of Hardee’s force, which had been estimated at about 15,000/

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

“Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Dec. 22, 1864.

“His Excellency, President Lincoln:

“I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah with one hundred and fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.

“W.T. Sherman, Maj. Gen.”

Citation: New York Daily Tribune. 26 December 1864. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab.

December 24, 1864: U. S. Grant to Gustavus Vasa Fox

Transcript:

United States Military Telegraph

By Telegraph from City Pt

Dated 24 1864

To Asst Sce Fox

If the Rebel Rams do not get down to-night I think everything will be safe before to-morrow night. I expect but little assistance however in case of an attack from the Navy under Capt. Parker. I have been compelled to take the matter in my own hands to get vessels to the front ordering by direction of the Sec. of the Navy

I know no reason why the Torpedo boat did not attack. As I understand the rebel rams run our batteries to the obstructions and there leisurely rumored and blow them up only opposed by a little Infantry from the shore. Where I sent up before day light Capt. Parker had removed the Monitor to below the obstruction Pontoon bridge. To-night I understand he has hauled down the river leaving what obstructions still remains to be removed without opposition from him. I have sent an urgent appeal for him to get back. I have been busy all day getting up material to review the obstructions and Army officers are now at it.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph telegram signed to Gustavus Vasa Fox. City Point, Va.; 24 December 1864. AMs 391/9

December 23, 1864: Dabney Maury telegram to George W. Brent

Transcript:

Dec 23 1864

By telegraph from Mobile 23 to Col Brent

I need at once three thousand blankets three thousand Jackets three thousand socks two thousand pants twenty five hundred shoes four thousand shirts. Please answer when I can receive any or all.

D. H. Maury

Maj. Genl Cmdg

Citation: Dabney Herndon Maury, telegram to George W. Brent. Mobile, 23 December 1864. AMs 434/16

December 22, 1864: Dabney Maury telegram to George W. Brent

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was a Louisiana-born general of the Confederate States Army. He had graduated second in his class from West Point in 1838 and was an admirer of Napoleon. He achieved fame early in the Civil War for commanding the Fort Sumter bombardment and as the victor of the first battle of Manassas. He later served in the Western Theater (including Shiloh and Corinth), Charleston, and the defense of Richmond, but his career was hampered by friction with Jefferson Davis and other generals.

This telegram is from The Telegraphic History of the Civil War; a compiled album of telegrams to Beauregard from Davis, Lee, Johnston and others.

Transcript:

Dec 22 1864

By telegraph from mobile 22 to Col Geo Wm Brent AAG

A considerable force of infantry has been landed near Pascagoula under command of Genl Gordon Granger. please try & get some clothing from Capt Gillespie Blankets are very much needed if they cannot be procured try & send [osnaburgs?] to make comforts out of.

D. H. Maury

Maj. Genl Cmdg

Citation: Dabney Herndon Maury, telegram to George W. Brent. Mobile, 22 December 1864. AMs 434/16

December 21, 1864: P. G. T. Beauregard to Jefferson Davis

Transcript:

Decbr 21/64

G. T. B. to Presdt.

Pocotaglio, S. C. Dec. 21, 1864

3h. P. M.

General Hardee reports today from Hanceville that Evacuation of Savannah as instructed by me was successfully accomplished last night. All the light artillery & most of the stored & munitions were brought off the heavy guns were specked & otherwise disabled. Line of defence behind Combahee River will be taken soon as practicable

G. T. Beauregard

President Jeff. Davis

Richmond Va.

Citation: G. T. Beauregard (1818-1893), autograph telegram signed to Jefferson Davis. Pocotaglio, S.C.; 21 December 1864. AMs 358/21

December 20, 1864: Map of the Roads to Pocotaligo

This map is one of twenty-four military maps and drawings in a collection of papers from Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard. It is undated.

Citation: Unknown artist, map of the roads to Pocotaligo.[s.d.]. AMs 1168/11

December 19, 1864: James T. Hale letter to Abraham Lincoln

Washington Dec 19. 1864

To President Lincoln

Sir

I respectfully call attention to the case of George N. heard now a prisoner of war in Fort Delaware where he has been for more than a year. He emigrated from my district in Penna some ten years ago to Tennessee where he was at the commencement of the rebellion + was forced as he alleges into the Rebel army + taken prisoner. He has no family in the south all his relatives are good loyal men residing in my district + he is extremely anxious to take the oath of allegiance 7 return & live with his friends in Penna c. I am not personally acquainted with the prisoner but am with many of his relatives + from their good character in all respects have no hesitation in saying that I believe Geo. N. Heard may safely be allowed to take the oath & go north.

Your &c James T. Hale

Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8. 1863 and be discharged. A. Lincoln Dec. 20. 1864

Citation: James T. Hale, autograph letter signed to Abraham Lincoln. Washington, D.C., 19 Dec. 1864. AMs 777/3

December 18, 1864: J. A. Brenner telegram to John M. Oley

This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.

Transcript:

By telegraph from Augusta 18 to J M Oley A A G

The line is open to Montgomery & Selma the enemy made a raid on Pollard on Friday destroying about a mile of the railroad & six miles of the line communication will be opened to Mobile in a few days.

J A Brenner

Citation: J. A. Brenner, telegram to John M. Oley. 18 December 1864. AMs 1168/11

December 17, 1864: Dabney Maury telegram to George William Brent

Transcript:

Received at Montgomery 17 1864

By telegraph from Mobile 16 via Mosy To Col G.W. Brent

Column has been at Big Escambia all day with the dismounted Regiments of Clantons Brigade McCollugh reports Enemy at East Pascagoula three thousand of infantry landed yesterday the Cavalry that came from Baton Rouge Embarked at West Pensacola and have come into Mobile

Citation: Dabney Herndon Maury (1822-1900), telegram to George William Brent. Mobile, Ala.; 17 December 1864. In The telegraphic history of the Civil War, 1861-1865. AMs 434/16

December 16, 1864: Dabney Maury telegram to George William Brent

Transcript:

Received at Dec 16 1864

By telegraph from Mobile 16 To Col George Brent

Please have negroes furnished by Genl Withers from Montgomery to repair Railroad near Pollard when called for give me all information you can about affairs near Pollard

D H Maury

Maj Genl

27 w 1180 pay 540

Citation: Dabney Herndon Maury (1822-1900), telegram to George William Brent. Mobile, Ala.; 15 December 1864. In The telegraphic history of the Civil War, 1861-1865. AMs 434/16