On the banks of the Savannah all seems quiet, too. The enemy, few in numbers, are still lying in our lower river, and, so far as seen, no reinforcements have reached them. They have not a force equal to an attack on the city, and its augmentation would seem inconsistent with the pressing demands from other points at the present time. McClellan will need every man he can draw into the field for his operations in the peninsula, and the Federal exigencies out west are equally pressing for all the troops at their command. Meanwhile we are not idle. The military authorities here are using all means in their power to strengthen our defenses and make them impregnable. Come in what numbers he may, the enemy will have his hands full in his march upon Savannah.The ‘Federal exigencies out west’ meant the state of affairs immediately following the battle of Shiloh which, though indecisive, had effectually checked for awhile the onward march of the Union armies, who were moving with far more caution than they had exhibited before that memorable conflict. Indeed, an indecision seized upon them in the West from which they did not recover for months.
[93]
further fighting with Lee in Virginia.
Colonel Fenton reported his loss at 10 killed and 35 wounded, and his total strength at 300.
The people in Georgia began to feel less alarm for the safety of their chief seaport.
This was evinced by an article in the Savannah Republican of April 21st, noting the quiet which prevailed in military matters:
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