EDITOR'S SPECIAL DEPARTMENT.

THE ADVANCE OF SHERMAN.-This invincible soldier has not let the grass grow under his feet. With wonderful energy he has arranged for the government and comfort of captured Savannah, asked for and received proper re-enforcements, gained the intelligent co-operation of the navy, and while the rebels are wondering what he will do next, he moves, nothing daunted by freshets and mud, in two grand columns, upon Charleston and Branchville. Howard advances along the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, while Slocum ascending the Savannah River to Sister's Ferry and Robertville, about thirty miles above Savannah, branches off northward to the great railroad which connects Charleston and Augusta, on which the principal strategic point is Branchville. We have no space for the details, which will hereafter be given in a separate article, and which are at present somewhat confused, coming as they chiefly do from unwilling rebel sources, but the general philosophy of the movement may be presented in few words. Leaving MajorGeneral Grover as military governor of Savannah, his advance of Howard's wing, the Seventeenth Corps leading, first swept the rebels under McLaws away from Pocotaligo Bridge, having crossed the Coosawatchie, and thus secured a strong temporary base and dépôt at the head of Broad River, into which the Pocotaligo empties. The next point on the railroad contested by the rebels was Salkehatchie on the Combahee, which was flanked and taken. Still onward, he took Ashepoo Bridge, where the railroad crosses the Ashepoo River, and found himself, as he expected, confronted by the principal forces covering Charleston, at Jacksonboro, on the Edisto. While these movements were going on, a considerable Union force, we learn from rebel sources, landed at Grimball's, on Stono River, two miles southwest of Charleston, across the Ashley River.

Meanwhile Slocum, commanding the left wing, after encountering serious obstacles in moving up the Savannah, principally in the matter of transportation, moved his supplies by the right bank, pontooned the river at or near Sister's Ferry, and set out for the railroad between Augusta and Branchville. He crossed the Coosawatchie, the left branch of the Combahee, Whippy Swamp, the Big Salkehatchie; then was heard from on the Upper Edisto; and at length, amid the confusion of reports, we find Branchville and Orangeburg taken, the railroad communications destroyed, and Columbia threatened. To complement the grand movement, Kilpatrick moved with speed towards Augusta with his famous cavalry, keeping the flank of the great army free from danger.

The rebel papers allowed that if Branchville was taken, Charleston must fall, and they were right. Branchville is a very strong point, flanked on the south and west by the Edisto, and on the north and west by the head-waters of the Santee; it is the terminus of the Columbia Railroad, and has been the chief source of supplies to Charleston. From it the Charleston and Wilmington Railroad is within easy striking distance, and that struck, all supplies are cut off from the doomed city. The day for which Charleston has been long laying up wrath is at hand. Will the Charlestonians burn their city? Let that be as they please; it will injure no one. To aid the advance of Howard, which in itself gives Slocum the best chance to

effect his purpose, our gunboats line the coast, and can run up all the streams mentioned, making Howard's right flank a double tower of strength.

The movement is yet incomplete, but the promise is most brilliant, and we argue confidently from what Sherman has done to what he will do. His actions exceed even the eager hopes and expectations of our people.

In fine, to appreciate General Sherman's magnificent new march, and to gain some idea of the colossal plan now instituted for a final onset from all quarters upon the contracted and quaking rebellion, let us look at the strategic points, particularly marked as such, by railroad junctions and termini. Southward from Richmond, the only thoroughfare open to the rebels is that known as the Danville Road, which passes through Greensboro and Salisbury to Columbia, South Carolina. This cut, anywhere, straitens the supplies of Lee, and renders Richmond, sooner or later, untenable. Now, to look at the other extremity, Sherman is, while we write, in and beyond Columbia, and as he moves northward on that road, he effects more and more completely this very purpose.

Then the column which moves on Florence (the junction of the Wilmington and Columbia and the Raleigh and Charleston Roads) completely isolates both Charleston and Wilmington, making their fall only a question of time, and of no distant time. We are not therefore surprised to hear that Charleston is being evacuated.

Further, an advance from Florence upon Raleigh, the most important strategic point in North Carolina, is aided by an expedition now moving from Newbern, with twenty thousand men and forty or fifty miles of railroad iron for putting the road in running order as they go. Add to this that Stoneman and Burbridge are said also to be moving from East Tennessee towards Raleigh, and the new and final bisection of the Confederacy seems certain. The plan is really stupendous; the execution, thus far even, a marvel in military history. Sherman and Grant are now, for the first time, fairly on the interior line; the coast cities are doomed beyond a peradventure; and Lee, now entirely entangled in this consummate network, must fight, fly, starve, or surrender. If he fights, he must come out and fight at a great disadvantage in position and numbers. Whither can he fly? All avenues are cut off. Starvation is destruction, and surrender is the end. We do not say that there will be no checks or delays in this plan; but such are the Federal designs, such the fair, immediate probabilities. The final result seems now certain.

As soon as the season opens we shall hear, too, of a movement in the Valley of Virginia. Sheridan's force is anxiously awaiting the laisses allez of the great herald, and Richmond will have an additional menace from the north.

General Gillmore, an excellent officer, with the prestige of captured Pulaski and battered Sumter, has again been appointed to the command of the Department of the South, and will be of aid to Sherman. Foster, a good general, retires for a while, incapacitated by his old wound.

Since writing the above, the news has been received of the evacuation of Charleston and Wilmington, to which special reference will be made in the next issue.

RICHMOND.-The Gordian strategic knot of the rebellion, which so many have striven in vain to untie by strategic processes, is at Richmond, and must be cut by Grant's sword. The exact manner in which this is to be done, does not yet transpire; but, judging from the past, it seems evident that the most feasible way is to force Lee to evacuate and fight in the field. To do this, his communications must be cut, and these are at present the Southside and the Danville Railroads; the

cutting of the first would indeed only occasion the evacuation of Petersburg, but it would be a long step towards cutting the other.

During the winter, and pending the movements of Sherman and Thomas, we cannot think that General Grant has designed to make a serious attempt to do this. We believe he has limited the movements of the forces immediately around Richmond to keeping up a good circulation, and threatening the rebel right, thus causing them to feel that they were in such danger that they could make no large detachments, unless they should incline to detach their whole army, and move southwestward. Whether the recent movement upon and around the works on Hatcher's Run was meant for any thing more, remains to be seen, for, while we write, it is still incomplete. That Lee will evacuate Richmond we do not believe, because with that evacuation the rebel cause is lost not only in our eyes, but on foreign exchanges, and, still worse, in the eyes of their own people. So far they have successfully defied the "On to Richmond" boast of many "consular armies," and with each success they have more completely identified the fate of Richmond with that of the rebellion.

As far as we are informed of the latest movement it was thus: On Tuesday, January 31, the orders were issued and preparations begun, all the corps were ready to move, the sick and baggage were sent to City Point, and the batteries all along the line cracked their throats, apparently to confuse the enemy, but to our mind as the stratagem has been so often tried-really to put him on the look-out. Once more Gregg puts his three brigades of cavalry in motion before daylight on Sunday, the 4th, upon the Jerusalem Plank-Road, drives away the enemy from Rowanty Creek, which he crosses on bridges of his own construction, and then sends his scouts out towards Dinwiddie Court-House, while he moves upon the Boydton Plank-Road. The country is extremely difficult to handle troops in, being intersected by many confusing cross-roads, and thickly interspersed with forests, swamps, and thickets.

At 5 A. M. of the same day, Warren moved by the Halifax Road with the Fifth Corps, and, a little after, Humphreys moved with two divisions of the Second Corps. The plan was, in its general points, similar to the former one. Humphreys was to attack the works in front, while Warren, himself flanked by Gregg, was to pounce upon their right flank.

If the movement should succeed, the rebel right was to be rolled back, we were to gain their rear, and then strike the Southside Railroad. The crossing, after continued skirmishing, was fully effected. Humphreys' line was formed and slightly intrenched; and there was then a delay, not accounted for, but supposed to be to let the Fifth Corps come up on Humphreys' left.

While affairs were in this condition, our line was vigorously attacked three times, and three times rolled back the enemy's force, under the energetic command of General Humphreys and the valor of his divisions.

During the night of Monday, the line was re-formed, Humphreys on the right, Warren on the left, flanked by Gregg, and the Sixth and Ninth Corps in easy support. Warren sent out Crawford about mid-day to seize Dabney's Mill, a strong position in front, and he was successful at first, but the rebels massed Pegram and Gordon's Divisions of Early's Corps, and Mahone's of Hill's, and succeeded in driving back Crawford and the supports sent him, and in throwing a portion of our left and centre into confusion. The retreat was not very far, and we hold the new line from the Squirrel Level Road, across the run, with our advance towards Dabney's Mill; something gained, a new point of departure for the next move.

The peace diplomacy has culminated, but it will rise again. Jacques and Gillmore, Blair and Singleton, were forerunners, not, however, prophetically appointed. And at length a conference took place for four hours, on a vessel in Hampton Roads, between Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on the part of the Richmond authorities, and President Lincoln and Secretary Seward, for the Government; a conference conducted with consummate skill on the part of our authorities.

That both parties desire peace, this meeting is a direct additional proof; but there was also much indirection about it. On the rebel part it had three indirect purposes. First, in order at least, they wanted that informal recognition which the reception of their commissioners at Washington would give. Secondly, they wish to temporize, to have a cessation of hostilities, in which, released for a time from their terrible straits, they might look about them for new expedients, by which to save their lives and salve their pride. Thirdly, and failing in the other two, they wish to raise a new blast, by which to "re-fire the rebel heart," and give a new start to the war. We have stood firm; not an iota have they gained, and "firing the rebel heart" will be like blowing embers where there is no fuel; they burn brightly for a moment, and then vanish into cinders.

But we feel fully satisfied that this is not the end of peace negotiations. A step has been taken. Even a year ago they scorned a conference. Now they have had one; and at some early day in the future, when they are in greater straits, this peace conference will be the new point of departure, and different terms will be readily discussed.

In spite of Lee's appointment as generalissimo (which gives him really no new powers), in spite of mass meetings in the African church, those greater straits will soon come; and if to avert them they arm the slaves, let the reader judge what would be the effect of pitting against each other a corps of colored soldiers armed for freedom, and a corps armed to perpetuate their own slavery. There would not be much fighting; verbum sat.

We need not spend many words in recording the abortive effort of the rebel ironclads to pass down the James River, remove the obstructions, run the batteries, and play havoc with our transports at City Point. It came near succeeding, but did not.

On the 24th of January, the iron-clads Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, and the wooden war-vessels Drewry, Nansemond, and Hampton, with a flotilla of torpedo-boats, left their anchorage at Howlett's, ran past Fort Brady, removed some of the obstructions, encountered no opposition from the north bank, but were fortunately checked by shoals and the batteries on the south bank. The Richmond, Virginia, and Drewry, got aground, and a lucky shell from Fort Parsons blew up the Drewry, whereupon the scheme was abandoned. Our floating defences were inadequate, as Admiral Porter had taken away most of the gunboats; and the doubleender Onondaga, for reasons unexplained, retired at once down the river, without attempting to check the rebel fleet.

MAJOR-GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE.

In the January number, an article on the Quartermaster's Department contains an implied charge upon General Burnside, for the delay in the pontoons at Fredericksburg, and for the want of success at the explosion of the mine at Petersburg. The article is a valuable one, contains many important facts, and is written by a responsible officer; but we wish, editorially, to withdraw these asser

tions with regard to General Burnside. Such judgments should only be based upon substantial evidence; and the recent investigation of the mine disaster certainly does not charge upon, but rather exonerates, the distinguished officer referred to. His former valuable service, and his constant readiness to do all in his power for his country and her great cause, entitle him to our respect and to this explanation.

MAJOR-GENERAL O. B. WILLCOX.

As we have seen numerous errors of statement, with regard to the career of this distinguished officer, we desire to place him correctly upon the record. As a colonel, he was the real captor of Alexandria, at the time that Ellsworth fell. This he accomplished with his own regiment (1st Michigan), a section of Sherman's Battery, and Stoneman's Company of Cavalry. Ball's Company of Virginia Cavalry (probably the first capture of rebels in the war) there fell into his hands. Three days before the battle of Bull Run he took (it is believed) the first colors captured in the war, from an Alabama regiment at Fairfax Station. At Bull Run he commanded a brigade of Heintzelman's Division, recaptured Rickett's guns, and fell wounded into the hands of the rebels, three hundred yards in advance of that battery. After thirteen months' imprisonment, he succeeded Stevens in the command of the First Division, Ninth Corps, which he handled skilfully at South Mountain and Antietam. When Burnside succeeded McClellan, Willcox commanded the Ninth Corps in the battle of Fredericksburg. At Knoxville he commanded the left wing, and made a masterly retreat from Bull's Gap to Cumberland Gap, in presence of a superior force, without losing a man or a wagon.

In the organization for the campaign of 1864, General Willcox was assigned to the Third Division of the Ninth Corps. The number of this division was changed to the First, in September last. For " 'distinguished and gallant services in the several actions since crossing the Rapidan," he has been brevetted a major-general.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Editor "U. S. Service Magazine :"

BEFORE PETERSBURG, February 16, 1865.

SIR: I take occasion to inform you, as a correction to the newspaper reports of our last movement, that there are the following errors in the newspaper correspondents' statements that I know of:

1st. The Sixth Corps did not, nor any part of it, fire into the Fifth.

2d. There were no ammunition-wagons destroyed or abandoned.

3d. The movement did not at all contemplate, as far as I know, a lodgment west of Hatcher's Run, or on the Southside Railroad, but merely to capture any wagontrains the cavalry could reach.

4th. There was no panic; the troops engaged were pressed back by superior numbers, but held the enemy before reaching the intrenchments.

MILITARY NOTES AND QUERIES.

FIFTH CORPS.

S. L. H., Vicksburg.-"Through what interval does the rear-rank man aim in firing to the left oblique ?" Answer.—Over the left shoulder of the man in front of him.

E. R. H., Sacramento, Cal.—“In loading a piece of artillery, when does No. 3 leave the vent, after sponging the piece, or after the cartridge is rammed home?" Answer. After sponging.