Return of casualties and prisoners captured by the army in the field in campaign of Georgia. This report is not sufficiently accurate to be official, but my command is so scattered that it cannot now be remedied, but will be in due time. ADDENDA. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. Abstract from returns showing the effective strength of the army in the field under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, November and December, 1864. Abstract from returns showing the effective strength of the army, &c.—Continued. The general commanding announces to the troops composing the Military Division of the Mississippi that he has received from the President of the United States, and from Lieutenant-General Grant, letters conveying their high sense and appreciation of the campaign just closed, resulting in the capture of Savannah and the defeat of Hood's army in Tennessee. In order that all may understand the importance of events it is proper to revert to the situation of affairs in September last. We held Atlanta, a city of little value to us, but so important to the enemy that Mr. Davis, the head of the rebellious faction in the South, visited his army near Palmetto and commanded it to regain it, as well as to ruin and destroy us by a series of measures which he thought would be effectual. That army, by a rapid march, gained our railroad near Big Shanty, and afterward about Dalton. We pursued it, but it moved so rapidly that we could not overtake it, and General Hood led his army successfully far over toward Mississippi, in hopes to decoy us out of Georgia; but we were not then to be led away by him, and preferred to lead and control events ourselves. Generals Thomas and Schofield, commanding the departments to our rear, returned to their posts and prepared to decoy General Hood into their meshes, whilst we came on to complete the original journey. We quietly and deliberately destroyed Atlanta and all the railroads which the enemy had used to carry on war against us, occupied his State capital, and then captured his commercial capital, which had been so strongly fortified from the sea as to defy approach from that quarter. Almost at the moment of our victorious entry into Savannah came the welcome and expected news that our comrades in Tennessee had also fulfilled nobly and well their part; had decoyed General Hood to Nashville and then turned on him, defeating his army thoroughly, capturing all his artillery, great numbers of prisoners, and were still pursuing the fragments down into Alabama. So complete a success in military operations, extending over half a continent, is an achievement that entitles it to a place in the military history of the world. The armies serving in Georgia and Tennessee, as well as the local garrisons of Decatur, Bridgeport, Chattanooga, and Murfreesborough, are alike entitled to the common honors, and each regiment may inscribe on its colors at pleasure the words "Savannah" or "Nashville." The general commanding embraces in the same general success the operations of the cavalry column, under Generals Stoneman, Burbridge, and Gillem, that penetrated into Southwest Virginia and paralyzed the efforts of the enemy to disturb the peace and safety of East Tennessee. Instead of being put on the defensive, we have at all points assumed the bold offensive, and completely thwarted the designs of the enemies of our country. By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman: L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Savannah : Sacramento, January 2, 1865. The series of victories which have attended your army during the past year-the capture of Atlanta, the triumphant march from Atlanta to the sea-coast, and the subsequent capture of Savannah-have filled the hearts of all who love their country with joy, and justly entitles you to the profound gratitude of the nation. For and on behalf of the people of this State I beg to tender to you, and through you to the officers and soldiers under your command, my heartfelt thanks for the signal serv2 R R-VOL XLIV ices your army has rendered to the cause of civilization, liberty, humanity, and good government. To you as their great leader I tender my cordial congratulations, with the prayer that God may preserve and protect you to lead the victorious hosts of the Republic on to still greater victories, even to the conquering of an honorable and permanent peace. I remain, general, gratefully, your obedient servant, Governor. STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Maj. Gen. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN: GENERAL: In compliance with the request made in joint resolutions passed by the senate and assembly of the State of New York commendatory of the conduct and services of certain officers in the Army and Navy of the United States, I take great pleasure in forwarding to you the inclosed resolution referring to yourself and the brave officers and men in your command. I most sincerely join in the expression of thanks for these distinguished services, and, with the loyal people of the nation, acknowledge my deep and heartfelt gratitude. I am, general, most respectfully, your obedient servant, [Inclosure.] CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS complimentary to Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and Thomas, and to Vice-Admiral Farragut and Commodore Winslow. * Resolved, That the thanks of the Legislature representing the people of the State of New York are hereby tendered to Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, and the officers and men of his command, for the series of superb victories culminating in the capture of Atlanta; and for the skillfully executed march from the mountains to the sea, which challenged the admiration of the world, resulted in the capture of Savannah, with many millions of public property, and demonstrated that the so-called Confederacy is indeed but a "shell." Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor is hereby respectfully requested to transmit a copy of each of the foregoing resolutions to the officers specially named therein. IN SENATE, JAS. TERWILLIGER, Clerk. The foregoing resolutions were duly passed. STATE OF NEW YORK, Resolved, That the assembly concur in the passage of the foregoing resolutions. By order: J. B. CUSHMAN, Clerk, No. 2. Organization of the Union Forces, commanded by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. HEADQUARTERS GUARD. 7th Company Ohio Sharpshooters, Lieut. James Cox. ENGINEERS. 1st Missouri (five companies), Lieut. Col. William Tweeddale. Maj. Gen. OLIVER O. HOWARD. -ESCORT. 15th Illinois Cavalry, Company K, Lieut. John A. McQueen FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. PETER J. OSTERHAUS. |