This success gave Sherman communication with the fleet which was awaiting him with supplies, and mails for the army.
General Slocum, upon establishing his flank on the Savannah River, had captured two steamboats and sent a force to Hutchinson and Argyle islands just above the city, and sought permission to transfer a corps to the left bank of the river to close Hardee's only line of es cape, General Slocum having already sent a brigade under Col. E. A. Carman to the South Carolina shore. General Sherman did not deem this prudent, and as a result Hardee later with drew his entire force intact and without moles tation.
On 17 December General Sherman sent in a flag of truce demanding Hardee's surrender on the ground that he (Sherman) had received guns that could ''cast heavy and destructive shot as far as the heart of the that he controlled all avenues by which the city could be supplied with food; that he would grant liberal terms, but if forced to assault he should "feel justified in resorting to the harshest measures,)) and should make little effort to re strain his army.
General Hardee returned a defiant reply, saying he was not shut in, but had free and constant communication with his department. To the specific call for surrender he replied: "Your demand for the surrender of Savannah and its dependent forts is refused?) General Sherman then proceeded by boat to General Foster's headquarters at Hilton Head to request that a division be sent to occupy the road north of the. Savannah River, which line of communication was still open to Hardee. On his return he received the news that during his absence Hardee had put down his bridges and withdrawn with his entire force. The next day General Sherman's forces occupied Savannah.
Gen. W. T. Sher man) (Vol. II) ;