I will start with my Atlanta army (sixty thousand), supplied as before, depending on the country for all food in excess of thirty days.  I will have less cattle on the hoof, but I hear of hogs, cows, and calves, in Barnwell and the Colombia districts.  Even here we have found some forage.  Of course, the enemy will carry off and destroy some forage, but I will burn the houses where the people burn their forage, and they will get tired of it.

I must risk Hood, and trust to you to hold Lee or be on his heels if he comes south.  I observe that the enemy has some respect for my name, for they gave up Pocotaligo without a fight when they heard that the attacking force belonged to my army.  I will try and keep up that feeling, which is a real power.  With respect, your friend,

W. T. Sherman, Major-general commanding.

P. S.—­I leave my chief-quartermaster and commissary behind to follow coastwise.  W. T. S.

[Dispatch No. 6.]

Flag-steamer Philadelphia
Savannah river, January 4, 1865.

Hon.  Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy.

Sir:  I have already apprised the Department that the army of
General Sherman occupied the city of Savannah on the 21st of
December.

The rebel army, hardly respectable in numbers or condition, escaped by crossing the river and taking the Union Causeway toward the railroad.

I have walked about the city several times, and can affirm that its tranquillity is undisturbed.  The Union soldiers who are stationed within its limits are as orderly as if they were in New York or Boston....  One effect of the march of General Sherman through Georgia has been to satisfy the people that their credulity has been imposed upon by the lying assertions of the rebel Government, affirming the inability of the United States Government to withstand the armies of rebeldom.  They have seen the old flag of the United States carried by its victorious legions through their State, almost unopposed, and placed in their principal city without a blow.

Since the occupation of the city General Sherman has been occupied in making arrangements for its security after he leaves it for the march that he meditates.  My attention has been directed to such measures of cooperation as the number and quality of my force permit.

On the 2d I arrived here from Charleston, whither, as I stated in my dispatch of the 29th of December, I had gone in consequence of information from the senior officer there that the rebels contemplated issuing from the harbor, and his request for my presence.  Having placed a force there of seven monitors, sufficient to meet each an emergency, and not perceiving any sign of the expected raid, I returned to Savannah, to keep in communication with General Sherman and be ready to render any assistance that might be desired.  General Sherman has fully informed me of his plans, and, so far as my means permit, they shall not lack assistance by water.