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On the 10th of December
Sherman, with sixty thousand men, had announced the investment of
Savannah garrisoned by
Hardee with a force supposed to be fifteen thousand.
On the 17th he had demanded its surrender, and been refused on the ground that he had not invested the city, and that his guns could not even reach it.
On the 14th
Thomas had successfully attacked
Hood, and on the 15th had utterly defeated and routed him, and the War Department had telegraphed
Thomas:
I rejoice in tendering to you and the gallant officers and soldiers of your command the thanks of this department for the brilliant achievements of this day, and hope that it is the harbinger of a decisive victory that will crown you and your army with honor, and do much toward closing the war. We shall give you a hundred guns to-morrow.
On the 24th
Mr. Stanton had notified
Thomas of his nomination as a
Major-General in the regular army for the ‘recent brilliant military operations’ under his command, and expressed the opinion that ‘no one has more justly earned promotion by devoted, disinterested, and valuable services to his country.’
On the 18th of December, in a letter to
Sherman of warm congratulation over the success of the march to
Savannah,
General Grant added:
‘my dear General: * * * * If you capture the garrison of Savannah it certainly will compel Lee to detach from Richmond, or give us nearly the whole South. * * * * Congratulating you and the army again upon the splendid results of your campaign, the like of which is not read of in past history, I subscribe myself more than ever, if possible, your friend.’
Eight days after, when the news arrived of the capture of
Savannah and the escape of
Hardee, it was guardedly acknowledged by
Grant as follows, under date of December 26th:
‘General: Your very interesting letter of the 22d inst., brought by Major Gray, of General Foster's staff, is just at hand.
As the Major starts back at ’
