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upon
Savannah, learned that
General Hardee had successfully eluded him, evacuated the
Georgia seaport, crossed the river, and moved into
South Carolina.
On the 25th of December,
Gov. A. G. Magrath addressed a letter to
President Davis which may be taken as presenting accurately the situation in the
State at that date.
Some extracts are therefore presented:
The fall of Savannah has, of course, very much affected the people of this State.
The question which naturally presents itself is, why the force which penetrated Georgia cannot penetrate South Carolina.
And at this moment it is not an unwillingness to oppose the enemy, but a chilling apprehension of the futility of doing so, that affects the people. . . . As rapidly as it can be done, I am reorganizing the militia. . . . If you will send us aid, although for the moment it falls short of effectual aid, if it foreshadow other aid to come, that spirit can be vitalized which . . . supplies the place of numbers.
Of any force which you may send, I am very anxious that the brigade of General Conner should be a part of it, and sent as soon as possible.
To this
President Davis replied:
I have long realized the importance of such action as you suggest, but necessities elsewhere have prevented action in accordance with our wish.
I have held several conferences with General Lee on the subject, and will have another, showing him your letter and telegram.
To the governor's petition was added that of
W. F. De Saussure,
Andrew Crawford,
W. H. Scarborough,
Daniel Ravenel and many other citizens, declaring: ‘It is absolutely necessary to have at least one well-organized corps besides
Hardee's on the coast, about which the half-trained citizens may rally.
Otherwise, however brave and determined, their efforts will amount to nothing.’
On the latter,
President Davis indorsed: ‘The question presented is one which
General Lee can best judge.’
The indorsement of
General Lee was:
I have sent all the troops from this army that can be spared.
The army of Tennessee is ordered to
South 
