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PORT ROYAL. THURSDAY, DEC. S3, l?k
Homes to ova patrohs.
The proprietors of The Palmetto Herald
bare been granted permission to
publish a daily paper from the office of
the Savannah News. It i? designed to
remove the establish moot there, ana to
issue a live dailj paper, devoted to such
news as is not contraband Subscribers
to Thb Palmetto Hbkald can have the
money refunded them for the unexpired
term of their subscription, or recetifllke
d lily instead, for a proportionateIKe.
Confident that we have fully met the expectations
of our many kind patrons, in
tin publication of a weekly newspaper,
we invite a continuance of their custom,
and promise oar best endeavors to make
a daily one interesting.
"SAVANNAH.
XDIfOUlL CORRJCSPONDKHCK.
Pulaski House. savasnun, Ga.,
Dec. 29, 1864.
The last Palmetto Hekald briefly anDooDced
the glorious news of the capture
of Savannah, by Gen Sherman's brave
army, reserving particulars for this week's
issue
cap Teas or rn crrr.
On Monday afternoon and night the
ene my shelled our lines with great spirit
but srith what object could not be divined
by oar officers. The fire was so hot
and uninterrupted, and so absurd, viewing
its results, that the suspicions of our
forces were excited, and the opinion
gained ground that it was a mere demonstration
to cover a sortie, or an evacuation
of the town. .The latter hypothesis
was soon generally adopted, because
the known weakness of the rebels would
prevent tbem from assaulting oar lines,
unless Hardee desired to destroy his a#
my at one swoop, so a careful watch was
maintained on the enemy's lines, and everything
kept in readiness for instant defensive
or offensive movements. Early
in the morning of Sunday, Gen. Geary
pushed forward a column to feel the enemy's
lines, and found them evacuated.?
He immediately took possession of the
first line of works, and* with another portion
of his. command poshed on towards
the city, and entered it close on the heeis
of the retreating rear guard of Hardee's
# army. On the march, and before the
city proper was reached, Mayor Arnold
and some of the Aldermen met and
surrendered the city, without conditions,
bat expressed the confident
hope that their trust in the magnanimity
of an honorable foe would not pfove on-'
founded. Gen. Geary received the surrender
unconditionally, and assured
the Mayor that the lives and property
of the citizens would be respected.
He then entered and took possession
of the city, sending a detachment to
occupy Fort Jackson. This was found
- to be in flames at different points, but the
fire was quickl/ extinguished, and eveiy
HiiVlfhlni I
When oar colors were raised above
the parapets of Fort Jackson, the rebel
ram Savannah hoisted the stars and bars
and opened a desultory fire upon the fort
and our troops outside. As all the guns
were found spiked, no return from the
heavy artillery could be given, but a light
battery was subsequently brought to bear
and the ram peppered. Her aides were
thick and invulnerable to all such attacks
and she received no damage. She alter-:
wards fired a few shells at the city, but
occasioned no injury. On Tuesday night
she closed her brief career by blowing up
after the officers and crew had escaped.
At ten o'clock troops from all the corps
were in the city, and the parks were soon
occupied by them, and every one was
comfortably situated before dark. The
headquarter officers toolr^leasant residences,
and were soon at home in the
town.
The capture of the city gare us thirteen
locomotives, about one hundred and
ninety cars, thirty-two thousand bales of
cotton, worth fifteen millions of dollars,
and a large quautity of munitions of war,
stored in the various magazines attached
to the numerous works about the city ?
One hundred and fifty pieces of ordnance
mostly of a heavy calibre, also fell into
our bands, as trophies of the glorious victory.
The commissary supplies found will be
distributed amoug the poor of the city,
who have been left in an exceedingly destitute
condition. The gas and waterworks
were found to be in good working
order, and are to be kept in operation.
Brig.-Gen. John W. Geary, commanding
the 2d Division, 20th Army Corps,
has assumed cammand of the city, aided
by an efficient staff. His experience as
Mayor of San Francisco, and his ability
and energy fit him for his office, which
requires force of character and tact to fill.
and proves bim to be uie rigm man in
the right place.
All the rebel navy was destroyed rather
than to fall into oft* hands, except one
or two small vessels. These with a conpie
of merchant steamers were captured,
and are now in running order. ?
Gen. Sherman's army is in splendid
spirits after their long and successful
march, and are ready for another triumphant
campaign, as soon a9 thei r brilliant
leader shall give the word. Their behaviour
since their occupation of the city
has been most commendable, and has
extorted from our bitterest foes acknowledgments
of surprise and praise.
The Navy, under Commander Batch,
of the Pawnee, are busily engaged in remaving
the obstructions in the Savannah
river, below Fort Jackson, and in a few
days communication with the city will
be easy and unembarassed. Already one
nf the monitors has oassed the obstruc
tions and now lies a short distance below
the city. We hope soon to learn tliat
Savannah has been declared a "free port,"
and open to the commerce ot the world.
masonic. 1
On Monday evening an extra meeting
of Clinton Lodge, No. 54, was held at
Masonic Hall, corner of Bull and Broughton
streets, Bro. Simon ?. Byck, W.
M. Last evening it was my privilege to
attend a meeting of Ancient Landmark
'Lodge, No. 231, at the same hall. There
were present representatives of Massachusetts,
South Carolina, Georgia, AlaHotvki
Mioeircinni Tcnnp?w> ITenturkv.
Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado,
Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, New York,
Ohio, and perhaps other states, all meeting
in perfect amity. To-night a regular
meeting of Georgia Chapter, No. 3, is to
be held, ond in one or two nights Solomon's
Lodge, the oldest in the country
orr*>nt St John's of Boston, will hold a
v"?r- ? 1 - regular
communication. Com. R T.
Turner, one of the oldest Masons of the
city, is H. P. of the Georgia Chapter, and
W. M. of Solomon's Lodge. All the officers
of Ancient Landmark Lodge were
present last evening, and the occasion
was a most interesting or.s.
meeting of citizens of savannah.
The following memorial has been addressed
to the Mayor of Savannah :
To Hon. R. D. Arnold : Mayor of ths
City ot Savannah: We, - the citizens ot
Savannah, believing that the interest of
the city demands that immediate action
be taken to get the voice of the people
upon matters relating to her preseut and
future welfare, respectfully request that
ameeting of the citizens be called on
Wednesday, 28ui mst., ai iz ociock, in
the Exchange Long Rooms, to give them
that opportunity to express themselves in
."eference to the City's welfare: H. Brigham,
John M. Cooper, -J. G. Mills, A.
Wilbur, James M. Prentiss. C. H. Bulkley,
James F. Cann, H. A. Richmond,
J. T. Thomas, F. Grosclaud, T. J. Walsh,
S. W. Wight, John Treanor, P. McCahey,
W. F. Sereeaut, J. 8. Rogers J. V. Connerat,
J. H. Peck, M. Turner,, James E.
Cope, E. J. G<>wdy, A. 8. Hartridge,
Thomas Pepper, Martin Duggau, Michael
Murry, John C. Durgan, J as. Haagny,
P. Gkeson, Jas. Sulliyan, A. Sullivan, H.
J. Dickersou, Rubers Erwin, Thomas
1 ? ** " ?* ? a! n a
Lyon, J no. r namnmu, oiuiuu vrrnaman,
H. D. Jordan, Michael Larvin, R.
i Morgan, H. W. Lathrop, H. J. Bogardus,
J. A. Douglas, S. H. Eckman, A Emstein,
Win. Lattimore, D. H. Baldwin, H.
Meinhard, Q. Brown, Q. B. Lamar, Jno.
H. Deppish, John Daly, John G. Cook,
S. M. Laffiteau, John R. Mclntire, W.
W. Wasli, Walter O'Meara, Charles Farrell,
W. L. Yrooin, Capt. J. McMahon,
Jno. Gammell, J. W. Gleoson, M. A.
Cohen, WiA. H. Starke, J. A. Gaudey,
Alfred flay wood, W m. S. Rockwell, J.
George, Addison S, Clark, S. O. Potte,
J. D. Rowland, E- J. Purse, Isaac D. LeRoche,
Augustus Boullineau, C. C. Casey
Geo. . VVylly, J. W. Coats, J. R.
Thompson, Alex. Whjte, E. Sheftall, W.
H. McLeod, A. Freeman, T. R. Mills,
and many others.
To this the Mayor hat replied by publishing
the following call:
To tub Cjtizeks ok Savannah : id
conformity with the request of the Aldermen
ot the city, and ef the citizens at
large. I hereby call a meeting of the citizens
to take place at the Masonic Hall,
on Wednesday the 28th December, 18G4,
at 12 o'clock, M. R D. Arnold, Mayor
of Savannah.
personal.
Major-General Foster and lady, Major
Strong of his staff; Brij^adier-General
Hatch, Col. W. T. Bennett and Lieut.
Van Winkle of his staff, and Brig.-Gan.
Saxton arrived here yesterday, Capt.
Thorndike, of the latter's staff had previously
come up.
Capt Jno. L. Kelly, A. Q. M., so loDg
in charge of marine transportation at
Hilton Head, has been appointed to the
8ame position here, and has his office in
A1 desman Soullard's cotton-commission
store. Capt. Silas Spicer, also from Hilton
Head, is Harbor Master.
OEN. 81IERMAN
Has his quarters in the house of Mr. Chas.
Green. He is daily visited by hundreds
of people, but refers the business, except
in important cases, to subordinate officers.
He is in good health, and is adored
by his army, who believe they can do
anything under his lead.
BRIO-GKN. JOHN W. GEART,
Commandant of Post, has his office
in the Railroad Bank building, and is
gradually getting an acceptable system
of thorough military government in operation.
BRIO.-OEN. EASTON,
Chief Quartermaster, has his quarters, in a
fine hmiap on the corner of West Broad
and Sooth Broad Streets. He has charge
of every building and all quartermaster's
property in the city, but the assignment
ot buildings is in charge of Capt. Cad|
wallader, A. Q. M.
Gen. Howard is at the house of Mr.
i Molyneux, late British Consul here^and
| Gen. Slocum is at the residence of Hon.
I John E. Ward.
Other officers are quartered throughout
. the city.
t
f
| tiie savannah daily loyal georgian
Is the nainc of an able daily paper just
started from the office of the News, by
Capt. MjSuinmers, A. Q. M. It is probable
that another daily paper will be
started in a day or two.
December 30, 19G4.
If The Palmetto Herald comes out a
day or so later this week, the excuse to
the .public must be the importance of
chronicling Savannah news correctly.
The Rqjuitlican has already been re
vived by Mr. J. E. Hayes, ot the Tribune,
who came through with Gen. Sherman's
grand army, aud the Loyal Georgian
has been merged in it. Another
daily paper is to be started in a day or
two, by the proprietors of The Palmetto
Herald, who have received permission
to occupy the Daily News office for that
purpose.
Yesterday a review of the 17th Army
Corps occurred, and I take from the Republican
the tallowing notice oi it:
The Seventeenth Army Corps, Major
General Frank P. Blair, coinmaudiug,
whose review by Major General Sherman
was postponed tor the 27th on ac4
- L* 41 "I TVaQtlior .
couih oi me incteuicuujr ui ?uc nt..un..,
was reviewed yesterday forenoon by Gen.
Sherman on Bay street. The Corp9 presented
a brilliant appearance as their solid
phalanxes of veterans marched by our office,
and although we were unable to
witness the whole review, yet if the entire
Corps marched as well and preserved
as true soldierly bearing a s the Division
in th? nrtvann* h<?th (Jen. 'Sherman and
Gen. Blair may weil foci proud of such a
stalwart military organization. Two
things were noticeable, tidiness and military
precision, and as we fondly lingered
at the window to witness the end of the
long imposing line moving on steadily up
Bay street, the bayonets glistening in
the sun, we rect lied the image of the lamented,
the illustrious, the b rave and unble
hearted McPherson, who prior to assuming
command of the " Army of Tennessee,"
had commanded the 17th Corps.
On Tuesday last the public meeting
was held, alluded to in my previous letter.
The Mayor made the following address:?
Fellow Citiaens of Savannah .?At the request
of the Aldermen of the city of Savannah and or a
large number of the citixeuA I have convened
you together, this day, for to give expression
to yonr views and sentiments in the trying state
of affairs in which you are now placed. It is for
us no longer a crisis. The crisis is past and it is
for you to decide upon the particular line of action
each and all of you may determine to pursue.
Our action is to be determined solely by our
situation, as we have no authority or power to
speak for others outside of our limits. But wo
are the judges of our own situation, can speak
for ourselves, and ought so to do, by all the considerations
of prudence, and I will say. common
sense and hnmanitv, to mitigate, if we can, the
effects of the heavy blow which has fallen npon us.
^ *t*~ ~~"4-***" ????* ? thmtaanil iriKaKitanto
VJUr CllJ' CUIIUIIUI tV?C,ll.J 1UUU7BIIU iuumxiwuiu,
, without food, witboutfud, without any reinuner'
ative industrial pursuits, without any place of re- *
fuge, cut off from all connection with the country.
The heart ah kens at the sigbi thus presented. *
It is our duty to mitigate, as we cannot avert,
the terrible suffering by all the means which reason
and common sense may dictate, regardless
of all abstractive views I nave weighed the matter
anxiously, and have arrived at a positive conclusion
that there is but one course to pursue.?
But it is not my province as calling the meeting.
.to say more at present When the city was taken,
through me, as Chief Magistrate, you asked
protection. Ton all know that it warranted to
you, and we all feel deeply indebted to Brig.-Gen.
Geary for his conduct as Commandant of this
ci ty. Having convened you and expressed in part
my views, it remains for you to appoint a Chairman
of this meeting.
The following Resolutions, reported
by a L'ouiauttee, were unanimously
adopted.
Whereas, by the fortune* of war, and the surrender
of the city by the civil authorities, Savannah
passes once mure under the authority of the
United States: and, whereas, we believe that the
interests of the city will be best subserved and N
promoted by a free and full expression of our
views in relation to our present condition, we,
therefore, the reopie 01 savonnan, 111 mil meeting
assembled, do hereby resolve,
1st. That we accept the position, and in the
lauguage ot the President of the United States
seek to have ** peace by laying down our arms
and submitting to the national authority under
the Constitution," "leaving all questions which
remain, to be adjusted by ttte peaceful means of
legislation, comtrence and votes."
Hevolceri, id, That laying aside all difference*
and burying by-gones in the grave of the past,
; we will nse oar best endeavors once more to
bring back the prosperity and commerce we once
enjoyed. /