The free South. (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, December 12, 1863, Image 3
T0L.1
NEWS BY THE AHAGO
the arrival of the A rarjo, we have
(QM to the Gth inst. Most of her news
is anticipated by our Charleston and
Savannah files. See another column.
The news from Chattanooga of the 5th,
reports everything quiet alqng the lines,
and puts the casualties of the Union
aimy at four thousand five hundred men
in all the recent battles. We captured
six thousand four hundred and fifty pris- i
oners and forty-six guns.
Erom Cumberland Gap we learn that
General Foster had driven the enemy
across Clinch river, and wa,s following
them yesterday. Tl^e report of the death
of John C. Breckinridge from wounds re eeived
at Ringgold is confirmed.
* The news from North Carolina is inter.
esting. Tfis .entire company of Capt.
White's rebel guerrilla's were sptnred on
the 2o?h nit. by Capt. J^raham, of the 1st
* . , .North Carolina Cavalry, and brought into
Newborn. The Raleigh Slundrthl says
" that thirteen blockade runners?all steamers?heavily
laden, Succeeded in running
safely into Wilmington on the 19th ult. #i
?
Fukloughs to Re-enlisting Vetebaxs.
?The oilier recenilv issued, that Vol- i
~ %J - '
imteers now in the service, who re-enlist
as veteran Volunteers, shall have a furlough
of at least thirty days previous to
th? expiration of their original enlistment,
secures this privilege to the Volunteers,
either by ordering all so enlisting with
their officers, to report in their respective
States, through the Governors, to the
superintendent of the recruiting <service,
for furlough and reorganization, or by
^ranting furloughs to the men inilividifal*
ly. Commanding Generals of Departments
and* Annies are authorized to
grant these furloughs within the limit of*
- time fixed, in compliance with the order,
as the demands of the service will best
^ iulmit, reporting their action to the Adjutant-General
of the Army. In going to
and from their respective States and '
homes, the veteran Volunteers furlouglied ;
will be furnished witli transportation by :
the Quartermaster's Department. When ,
three-dburths of a regiment or company ;
re-enlist, the Volunteers so enlisted may ;
be furlouahed in a body for at least 30 ,
days, to go home with their officers to
their respective States and Districts to
reorganize and recruit; and the individ- I
mils of the regiments or companies who do j
not re-enlist shall tbe assigned to duty in
<ither companies or regiments until the
expiration of their time of service.
fi@"The British Government has re?entty
sent communications? to all its colonies,
stating distinctly that the Home
Government will no longer defray the j
military charges for the internal good '
order of the several communities, nor for j
their military defence in the event of war,
unless in time of peace the colonists con- '
*nt to liquidate the expense of keeping '
up a regular force sent from that country.
It is also said that the Home Government I
is pledged to the reduction of all the es- j
tahlisliments in the colonies to the lowest
_ slate consistent with safety, and that the !
military staff, especially, will come uuder |
the pruning-knife. This will be sad news !
for the lo}*al citizens of the British North
American provinces, whose souls are dis- j
tirvlw?d with forebodings of a Yankee in
vision. It is not impossible that they
my come to a different view of the bless
uigs of British rule, when they find it
taxing them with the burdens of a sov- i
cnreign state, while hampering them with
the restrictions of colonial dependence.
'Uie Hon. Lncien And<^on, recently
captured at Muyfield by the rebels, passed
through Cairo on the *23d, en route for
home. He was released ou condition that .
> he would procure the release of Trnsten !
Eolk.
Advices from Mr. Adams, our minister !
x** England, confirm the news that a new
trial is granted by the Court of Exchequer i
im the ease of the Alexandra.
What is it that causes a cold, cures a :
and pays the doctor? A draft. 1
4
?
THE FREE SOUTH, SATUB
THE NEWS.
?
Fcom Grant's Akiiy.*?Very importa.it
; movements are in contemplation, but
mention of them is contraband. A dis,
})atcli reports that Qen. John C Brecken;
ridge died from wounds received in the
i*ight at Ringgold Station, on the 29tli.
| It is reported that Bragg has been reini
forced by Joe Johnston at Dalton, Ga.
j Another battle is anticipated by some but
| is generally thought that Bragg's army is
' too demoralized to make a stand. The
I winter campaign is probably over in that
| region, as Grant will have to complete his
lines of communication before moving j
farther.
Th? Richmond Whig in speaking of j
: the defeat of Bragg, says :
"We are frank to confess that we are !
filled with very grave apprehensions as to :
the consequences that may flow from thus j
reverse. If the army under liragq could j
not hold Missionary Ridge and lookout
Mountain, ire are forced to ask ourselves
what position is there between them and Atlanta
or the Ocean, they can hold ? What
position is Longstreet left in. and how |
can he unite himself again with the army !
of Bragg, unless by an immense circuit
through Virginia ?"
Details given of the operations at Knoxville
are up to Monday, Nov. 30th, from
which it appeal's that Longstreet at that
date was still making strong efforts for
the capture of the place. On Sunday,
Nov. 29th, the rebels made a furious
assault en Gen. Ferrero's position, Fort
Saunders, but were gallantly repulsed
with heavy loss?700 killed and wounded
and 2I>4 taken prisoners. Col lluss, commanding
the assaulting party, Col. McElroy
and Lieut. -Col. Thomas were killed.
We captured three stands of x-oloA. Our
loss was 25 killed and 40 wounded.
The supplies in Knoxville are ample
for the present. The rebels have been
reinforced by one or two of Buslirod
Johnson's divisions. Ere this Longstreet
I will have been caught between two- Union
armies or will have retreated into Virginia.
The military authorities at Washington ;
received a telegram on the 3d inst. from
Gen. Foster who was joined at Cumberland
Gap by the forces previously sent
thither by Gen. Burnside to guard that
important point. It is expected that he !
will operate against the rear of Longstreet i
who is retreating into Virginia. Gen. j
Sherman it is thought had reached Kuox- !
ville by the 5th inst.
We have New Orleans advices to the
23d ult. On the 14th Gen. Banks sailed
fiv-nn Rro7AQ tvith siv stoainshii)s and took
possession of Corpus Christi Pass. We
now hold Brazos, Santiago Island, Point
Isabel, Brownsville, Fort Brown, and
Mustang Island. On Mustang Island
the forts, troops and munitions of war,
were surrendered without the loss of a
man. We took a company of artillery
and a squadron of cavalry.
From the Army of the Potomac the
news is not so cheerfuL Gen. Meade had
advanced some mile3 toward Orange Court
House, where he came up with the enemy
strongly entrenched and in great force.
After visiting the entire line he was satistied
that the enemy had anticipated his
movements and secured a position anas- '
sailable by the force at his command. His i
army was then ordered to recross the I
Rapid Ann and occupy Fredericksburg j
and the line of the Rappahannock. One j
important advantage has been gained by
his Lite forward movement, a much shorter
linr? of communication with his base of
of supply. The line was formerly seventy-fivo
miles long; it is now but thirteen
of railroad. The old depot of Acquia
Creek will now bo used. Upon receipt of
this news gold advanced four per cent.
It is said that Meade will be displaced und
Dan. Sickles bike command of the array.
In the several lights and skirmishes of the
advance and retreat we lost about 1,000
men, inflicting an equal loss 011 Lee, with !
the addition of 2,000 prisoners.
Rebel papers say that their great ram
Missouri, built at Shreveport, La., is a
total failure. She cost $500,000.
%
LDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1833.
Aews by Flair of Truce.
Vhe Siege of Knoxville Raised.
Longstreet Retreating into Virginia.
Bristol, Dec. 7.?There is no longer a
doubt that Longstreet has raised the siege
of Knoxville and is retreating in this direction,
in consequence of heavy reinforcements
being received by Burnside.
Firing was heard this morning in the
direction of Morristown by persons from
Blouatsville.
Capt. Pate Everett, of tlie 9th Kentucky
cavalry, attacked the enemy a few days
sinie at Salliersville, Ky., and routed them
completely, capturing a number of prisoners,
horses and arms.
Charleston.?We maintained some
w<%ks ago that the Yankee Government
at Charleston had been effectually played
out, that the whole gigantic expedition
was a disgraceful failure, and that knowing
it well they only delayed the confession
in order to postpone the ignominy which
it would bring along with it.
This opinion is about to be sustained by
the Yankees themselves. They now say
that Gillmore can go no further, and cannot
seriously damage the city without a
forward movement, that he has got to the
end of his tether, and the iron-clads must
do the rest, as we are now three times as
strong as we were when they attempted it
and got battered to pieces in April.
From Richmond.
Orange C. H., December 2, 1863.
General S. Coajter?The enemy retreated
during the niglii. Pursuit was made this
morning, but he had re-crossed the Rapidan
before we reached it. A few prisoners
were captured. R. E. LEE.
The enemy left nothing in his retreat.
He brought over his whole army, which
consisted of five corps of infantry, numbering
sixty thousand men, besides his
artillery and cavalry. Five hundred pris
oners nuve cerium ly ueeu cupiureu miring
this raid of Meade's.
From East Tennessee.
Dalto\, Dec. 2, 1863.
Generttl S. Coope)-?*The enemy lias fallen
back across the Cliickamugn, destroying
everything in his route, including the
rail road and bridgej. His loss wis very
heavy in the attack on our rear guard
under Clabum.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
A special dispatch to the Atlanta Inielliyencer,
from Dalion Dec. 2il, says Bragg
has been relieved of his command by the
President. Hardee succeeds him.
General Bra^g was serenaded last
night by the band of the Fourth Florida
brigade. Gen. Bragg was called out. He
said he accepted with gratitude and heartfelt
thanks the compliment paid him.?
The association so long existed between
us has ceased. To-mcrrow he would
leave them. He alluded to the many battles
fought and won during the revolution
by the bravery of our troops. In the
most feeling and touching manner he
then took a long and sad farewell. He
assured them that the memory of his associations
with them would ever hold
.fresh in his mind.
Front Northern Virginia.
Oranoe, C. H. Deo. 7.?The previous !
reports of the enemy having retired be-1
hind the Rappahannock are confirmed by ;
later news. It is also reported that the !
enemy is tearing up the railroad between
the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers.
A large wagon train was seen moving down
between the two rivers yesterday. The
enemy has some capips around Stevensburg,
in Culpepper county. His pickets
extend to Mitchell's Station, Culpepper
county, four miles behind the Rapidan
river.
A SucceftMful Kaid on file Memphis ,
and Charleston Bailroud.
Waterfobd, Miss., Dec. 7.?General
Stephen D. Lee has just concluded a
splendfd raid on the Memphis and Charles- :
ton Railroad. He drove the enemy nto ;
Pocal ontas on the 2<1 iust., and crossed ;
the river safely to his drietrict. Ou the ;
4th iust Chalmers' commaud drove the I
enemy in a huddle on the bridge over
Wolf rivers slaughtering them terribly. I
Three hundred Yankees were driven into I
? it ~ ,u.,i !
tile river, 1111111 It imru HUH iicavi i
horses and Yankees. Forty prisoners
were taken. The road was torn up at
Saulsburg and Graham's Gap, and the
bridge over Cypress Creek, near Chenalla, i
was destroyed. Our loss was 'Jo killed
and 70 wounded, including Col. Gsiiues i
MeCtiiloch, oi the staff, and Lieutenant
Harris, of the TVs* Miw'ssiwn I'artizans.
The rebels say laev have ulinost nothing
wherewith to feed the Union prisoners at
Richmond, yet the Common Council of i
that city has just voted $GO,OOD to buy a
house for General Lee. i
NO. 49.
~2at
A Sad Philosophy.
[From the Richmond Examiner, For. IS.]
The Southern public lias long sine?
given up the traditional attitude of standing
on tip-toe in expectation of a great
battle. It rather plants itself firmlj on
its feet and sets its teeth closely, the better
to receive the shock. We have proved
our prowess on too many fields to reqoiro
the encouragement of one victory more ;
we have met with too many disasters to
have our balance disturbed by a single*
1 * 1 S 1 ?1 _ 1 _11_ J
aeieat; ana oy uns time we nave atiainea
to a sad philosophy, which embraces both
victory and defeat in one category?loss.
Our loss seems always to outweigh the
immediate positive gain ; and, to parody
the famous line of Filicaja, the South
appears to be doomed 44 always 4 to lose,"
or conquering, or conquered." Our adversaries
see this clearly, and liave based
their calculations on it. They design to
wear us away piece-meal?to reduce our
armies oy battle and by capture, and the?
to break the backbone of the rebellion^
vertebra by vertebra, and extract the
marrow at their leisure. Of course, we .
regard this Yankee plan as an utter mis:
take?as a false application of mathemat>
ical principles to the working of orgrnio
structures. It is a question of vitality.
One man loses both legs end both arms,
and lives ; another dies from the extraction
of a tooth. But mistaken as the
Yankees are in thinking that the whole
1 matter resolves itself into two diminishing
' series, of which the Southern series is to
j become infinitesimal, yet they are not
; mistaken when they gloat over the sufferings
which our losses in battle occaidhn
i us. Tflese losses have been great-Jiaae
I been sufficient to glut the appetite <5 any
! being but a New England ghoul?and
these are the losses which, whenever a
battle is imminent, the public anticipfltea
even before the skirmishers are deployed
and the pickets driven in.
As we look forward then to the renewal
of the struggle in the West we cannot inl._1
? 1^ # li.-i..* ^L. i.!
i uiuge m any ieeuug 01 exuiuiuon at tus
| prospect. Wo hope for victory ; we may
I have some reason to expect it; but wo
' know it to be possible that somebody will
be a few hoiuw too late ; that some point
of the enemy's line will not be pressed,
in spite of the explicit orders of the Oom!
manding General; tliat the ammunition,
j will be exhausted just ten minutes before
the Federals receive reinforcements ; that
; some stupid courier will lose his way ;
: that some heedless Aid-de-Camp will forget
to deliver a message ; and that the
Yankees will retire in good order, hotly
pursued at a respectful distance by our
cavalry, and fall back on a stroug*poaition,
which they will make impregnable ,
; in twenty-four hours. This has been the
I history of every victory of magnitude on
the Southern side, and it may be the history
of other victories. And then, the
tight is over, in come first as single spies
and then in full battalions?the casualties.
It is said that the war has hardened us to
the horrors of death. It is well that we
have become thus hardened, for otherwise
nature could not bear the anguish,
and we should be too much unmauued to
carry on our great work. But we venture
to say that the lirst thought?of the majority
of the people, who liave any claims to
thought at nil, turns to the lists of kilted
nn/1 n?Ann/ln<l a Kbrt iit A /til A ?
[ auu uuuuucu. i uiiiiiR-, uilc IUV;
almsgjver in "Homer," but puts the cuj?
of joy to our months and " wets the lips
but does not wet the palate the chalice
of sori'ow we sip to the dregs. Georgia
may be saved, but will East Tennessee
be regained V On one thing we may
count?a fearful catalogue of d?iath ami
suffering. No longer can the London
Times sneer at our sanguinary bar-room
difficulties and our bloodless internecine
wars. The Generals of both armies are
active enough in meeting the demands of
the familiar advertisement : Wanted by
the Government?dead animals of eve ry
sort. '
The following appears iu the Richmond
Dis/kiich :
Wanted to sell privately, by a lady who
is going out of mourning, an excellent
black French merino dress, not soiled.
Any one wishing to e.camine the dress ran
have it sent to their residence by addressing
a note to "Alpha," Dispatch
office. Price $250.
In Richmond, lately, a bonnet sold
for SHOO.
: ? ! *
ftatbiS.
Nov. iCth, Private K. U. Patterson, C. l-*4:h N. V.
Voir.
Nov. '27th, I'rivaie S. L. Coulter, A, <?th I'eau. Veto.
Nov. XSth, IMvate I'Cter Duel P. lio.h X. V. Ms.
Nov. '2.'th, 1-tivate 0. II. Smith. C, 4ti? X. H. YoK
i Use. 1st Private Lambert Pierce. it. H-'i X. V. V oir.
lAn. .'Jd. I'rivaie Isaac 1). Mil -s. If, ll.t'i X. \ . \ 'k?
!)? <. ::d, Private Stephen A. rtiwi Ik l-7:h X. \ . V Doc.
4th Private Alviu >. t! irk. ik > i N. V. Vol-.
Ik*. 7th. Private Joaifha"! tlrisi. iv n..!i P.t. \ ois.
Ik-:. >tb, Private Jos-pa i>::v;\ a l'J !i!i N. Vols.
IN-'. Jill. I'rivaie(1 ?;?v i:.(*lb:::U 117; i N. V. Vol'.
l)o<. lytb Private Ciurta A. Uuasiager, t-, Xi
Vols. *
A ^