The Georgia papers do not bring us much about affairs there, but what they say shows that the people are cheerful and that
Sherman's great raid is not regarded, by any means, as fatal to the
State of Georgia.
The Georgia Legislature, in session at
Milledgeville, on the 17th passed a resolution authorizing the
Governor to call out every able-bodied man in the
State, and the
State Treasurer to remove the public funds and archives from the capital.
The Augusta
Chronicle of Saturday says:
‘
A gentleman who arrived on Thursday evening from
Stone mountain reports that the
Yankee column moving down the Georgia railroad divided at Decature, one-half going down the
Covington road and the other the
Rockbridge road.
At
Stone mountain they burned all the unoccupied houses.
comprising some two thirds of the town, and were laying waste the country as they progressed.
They march in hollow squares, their trains in centre.
They united at
Baker's mill, near
Covington, and it was not known whether they would strike for
Eatonton or
Athens.
’
This gentleman says that ‘the view from the summit of
Stone mountain of the conflagration of
Atlanta was awful beyond description.
The Gate City was "an ocean of flame" as the fiery waves rose and fell throughout its whole extent’
Passengers on the Georgia railroad last night reported that about one hundred Federal cavalry made their appearance at
Social Circle on Thursday and burned the railroad platform.
It is not believed that they have come down any farther than the Circle.
Their infantry encamped at or near Old Sheffield's on Wednesday night, and from their movements it is thought they are
en route for
Eatonton.
It is also reported that they have burned
Monticello and
Hillsboro', which, if true, indicates clearly that they design tapping the Central railroad at
Gordon, or some other point.
The passenger train on the
Georgia road yesterday only came from
Union Point.
The Augusta
Constitutionalist, taking the
Georgia view of the situation and
Sherman's position, says:
‘
His position in
Atlanta becoming perilous; his ability to hold it long by force extremely doubtful; he resolves, in a moment of desperation, upon one of the boldest and most daring movements of the war, that of marching his army through the heart of our country to a point of security —
Pensacola or
Brunswick, most probably.
’
He does not anticipate retracing his steps; hence he proclaims the devastation and desolation of the country over which he passes.
The destruction of
Atlanta,
Rome and
Marietta have been announced, and he has now taken up his line of march for the coast, more with the view of saving the remnants of his shattered army than of capturing any fortified cities.
The duty that lies before us is plain, and may be perceived at a single glance.
Let the forces which we can concentrate in front of
Sherman's army, in a few days at farthest, destroy everything (upon which he can subsist) they cannot carry out of his way; and as he has no other means of subsistence, an army of ten thousand men can, in less than fifteen days, force them to surrender.
If they cannot do this, they can hold them in check until sufficient forces arrive from accessible points, thereby rendering hopeless, in any event, the possibility of their escape.
We can see nothing for which the people need become alarmed, but much to hope for. A firm, unfaltering heart and determined resolution is all we want at present, and a few weeks will, perhaps, suffice to drive the last vandal from the soil of
Georgia.
It is true, many may return to the place where their homes once stood but to find them marked alone with smouldering ashes; yet better that, as freemen, than under the hated rule of the invading foe.
The
Milledgeville Recorder contains the following cheering announcement — that is, if
Sherman will keep his troops in the town for awhile:
‘
Some excitement has prevailed in the city for two weeks past on account of the existence of small-pox amongst us. We believe the cases are decreasing in number, and no fears are entertained of a further spread of the disease.
’
