FROM WASHINGTON: Strength of the Rebel Army in Front of Sherman; HIGHLY IMPORTANT STATEMENTS (2/28/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 2/28/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Special Dispatches to the New-York Times.

WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. 27.

The absence of news from Gen. SHERMAN, and the reticence of the rebel press concerning the movements of their own troops, will naturally tend to breed apprehension in the minds of many in regard to the concentration of forces which the enemy is making in the hope of checking SHERMAN's march. It is well, therefore, to consider what number of troops, aside from LEE's old army, can be brought to resist our advancing columns.

I am in possession of some information concerning this matter, which will throw some light on the subject.

In the first place, it must be recollected that when BEAUREGARD assumed command of the rebel forces immediately in front of SHERMAN, he simply superseded HARDEE, who was ordered to Charleston; he in turn superseding Gen. SAM. JONES there. The force which BEAUREGARD took command of was simply that which escaped from Savannah with HARDEE, less 4,000 Georgia militia, who were disbanded on South Carolina soil and returned home. This force thus reduced did not positively exceed, even if it reached, 8,000 effective men. BEAUREGARD did not himself bring a man to swell the forces contesting SHERMAN's march; and it has been simply impossible for any of HOOD's old army to have reached him since, as SHERMAN has been directly between the two forces.

HARDEE had at Charleston and vicinity only two brigades, including everything, or what was equal to one division of five thousand men. These moved northward, and have probably formed a junction with BEAUREGARD. At Wilmington, BRAGG had not to exceed six thousand men, principally composed of HOKE's division. These have fallen back in the direction of Goldsboro. On the line of the railroad between Wilmington and Weldon, was stationed one brigade under Gen. BAKER,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Washington: Strength of the Rebel Army in Front of Sherman – 2
Thirty-Eighth Congress: Second Session – 2-4
The War in the Southwest: The Plan of the Approaching Campaign – 4
Our Returned Prisoners: Names of Five Hundred Released Officers Sent to Annapolis – 5-6
News from Rebel Sources: The Lines Before Petersburgh – 6
Editorial: The Question of Reconstruction in the Present Congress – 6-7
Editorial: North Carolina – 7
Our Loyal Prisoners – 7
Getting Light – 7-8
Reform in Our Local Government – 8
General News – 8
Amusements this Evening – 8
News of the Day: The Rebellion – 8
The Election in Tennessee – 8