Foster returned immediately to his own headquarters at Hilton Head, for the purpose of sending Sherman siege guns, and also if he should find he had them to spare, supplies of clothing, hard bread, etc., thinking that these articles might not be found outside.

The mail on the steamer which I sent down, had been collected by Colonel A.H.Markland of the Post Office Department, who went in charge of it.

On this same vessel I sent an officer of my staff (Lieutenant Dunn) with the following letter to General Sherman: CITY POINT, VA., Dec.

3, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL W.T.SHERMAN, Commanding Armies near Savannah, Ga.
The little information gleaned from the Southern press, indicating no great obstacle to your progress, I have directed your mails (which had been previously collected at Baltimore by Colonel Markland, Special Agent of the Post Office Department) to be sent as far as the blockading squadron off Savannah, to be forwarded to you as soon as heard from on the coast.
Not liking to rejoice before the victory is assured, I abstain from congratulating you and those under your command, until bottom has been struck.

I have never had a fear, however, for the result.
Since you left Atlanta, no very great progress has been made here.