The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-08 00:00:00

LNKIIUPTS,

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Course of Exchange,—Yesterdv.

Amsterdam
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B rz- • — 25 771 25 81i
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F. i • Short. 25 30 25 40
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Lizood.
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Fur&g.n Gold in Bats (Slandind)...t .. per oz., £3 17 9
Si'.vt ria Bars (it•tachaci).•

THE PEDESTRIA N FEAT OF A WOMAN.—Mrs.
Sbc, tusk of war:ing !,000 miciin 1,000 hours is still in
progress at the City Grouude, Bradford. She finished 400
miles on Tuesd ;y met g.,
five o'clock, and the first half
—5OO miles—wig be c,,‘:!ipleted at it quarter past nice o'clock
to-mot:ow mo. Slie yet appears to walk it very etkily,
loot zA we!l !a be: costume, End quite confident as to the
acconv:l.'sbme:.t of het task.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT DEVON PORT DOCKYARD.-
An (J. May) was killed at the Nerth
Smithery, on Friday morning, by being struck by a part 01
the machinery.

AMERICA.

SOU THAMPTO N, Friday.

The North German Lloyd screw Ste amship Ame.
rica, Captain H. Wessels, from New 'York on the
24th ult., arrived off Cowes at half-past :10 last night
and went on to Bremen after transhi Erping mails,
&c., for this port. She brings 25 pe,ssengers for
Southampton and Havre, and 125 for Bremen ;
150,000 dols. in specie for England, 2,000 dole. for
Bremen, and 1,100 tons of cargo, including 140 tons
of butter and cheese for England. His Excellency
the Marquis de Corio, Ambassador to Belgium of his
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Mexico, was a
passenger by the America.
During the first part of the voyage strong westerly
winds were experienced, and the latter part strong
easterly winds. On the 29th ult., in lat. 47 4 N.,
long. 43 45 W., the America spoke the English ship
Conway Castle ; and on the 3d inst., in lat. 49 31
N., long.lB 19 W., the English ship Prudhoe—both
bound east.

The Royal Mail steamer Persia, from Liverpool,
arrived out at New York on the 21st ult.

The following official despatches report General
Sheridan's continued pursuit of General Early in
the Shenandoah Valley, and a defeat of the Confe-
derate forces on the 22d ult. at Fisher's-hill :
" War Department, Washington,
Sept. 21, 10.15 a.m.

"This department has just received the following
telegraph announcing the continued pursuit of the
rebels by General Sheridan. Cedar Creek, which
General Sheridan was crossing yesterday at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon, is a short distance this side of
Strasburg, He had pursued the rebels over 30 miles
from the point where he attacked them at daylight
on Monday : _

" Harper's Ferry, Sept. 21.
4' ' Reliable news from the front states that our
army was crossing Cedar Creek yesterday at 3 p.m.
There was no fighting. The following list of rebel
generals killed and wounded is correct—Generals
Rhodes, Ramseur, Gordon, Perry, Goodwin, Bradley
T. Johnson, and Fitzhugh Lee. From all I can
learn the number of prisoners will approximate to
5,000. The indications are that the rebels will not
make a stand short of Staunton. They are evis
dently too much demoralized to make a fight.
" JNO. D. STEVENSON, Brigadier. General.

" Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.'

"General Grant transmits the following extract
from the Richmond Sentinel of yesterday (the
20th);—

slight ripple of excitement was produced
here yesterday by the report that a raiding party
was advancing on Gordonsville and was within a
few miles of that place. The result of all our in-
quiries on this head is that this report originated in
the fact that early yesterday a party of Yankee
raiders, whose numbers are not known, visited
Rapidan-bridge, and after destroying it proceeded
to Liberty Mills, five or six miles above, which
they also destroyed. From this latter place they
are believed to have gone back to Culpepper.'
" The operation alluded to by the Richmond
Lentinel was by a force sent out previous to the
- battle of Monday.
" EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
,‘ Major-General John A. Dix."

"War Department, Washington, Sept. 22, 9,30 p.m.
" Despatches down to 9 o'clock last night have
been received from General Sheridan. A portion of
the rebel cavalry; having turned off to Front Royal,
were pursued, attacked, and driven by our cavalry,
which were still pursuing the enemy. The rebel
infantry made a stand at Flint-hill, a strongly in-
trenched position beyond Strasburg, which was
attacked by our forces last evening and the crest
carried and held by our troops. There is reason to
believe that later despatches were captured last
night by Mosby, near Winchester. General
Stevenson reports that Sheridan's supply trains
arrived safely at Winchester last night.
"EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
" To Major-General Dix, New York."

" War Department, Weshington, Sept. 23, 3 p.m.
"The following telegram, announcing another
victory of General Sheridan over Early, has just
been received :

" Harper's Ferry, Sept. 23.
Sheridan has again beaten the enemy al
Figber's Hill, capturing 16 guns and many prisoners.
This is, in all probability, the fincile of Gen. Early.
" U. STEVENSON, Brigadier. General.
" Hon. E. M. Stanton.'
"The Surgeon-Gnertal this morning reported
that our wounded were ell cared for at Winchester,

with adequate arrangements and supplies. The
number of oar wounded prior to the battle of yes-
terday was estimated not to exceed 2,000.
"E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
"Major-General Dix."
" War Department, Washington,
Sept. 23, 3 30 p.m.
"Sheridan's victory proves to be signal end come
plete. Nothing but the coming night saved even a
remnant of Early's army. The following despatch
of General Stevenson and :Major-Generai Sheridan's
official report to General Grant give all the particu-
lars thus far received :
" ' Harper's Ferry, Sept. 23.
"' The military telegraph line is down. The
affair is complete and overwhelming.—Respectfully,
" J. D. STEVENSON, Brigadier-General.
" To Hon. E. M. Stanton.'
" GENERAL SHERIDAN'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

" Headquarters, Middle-Military Division,
six miles from Woodstock, September
22, 11 30 p.m.

" ' I have the honour to announce that I achieved
a most signal victory over the army of Gen. Early
at Fisher's Hill to-day. I found the rebel army
posted with its right resting on the north fork of
the Shenandoah, and extending across the Strasburg
valley westward to North Mountain, occupying a
position which appeared almost impregnable. After
a great deal of mance avring during the day, Gen.
Crook's command was transferred to the extreme
right of the line on North Mountain, and he furi-
ously attacked the left of the enemy's line, carrying
everything before him. While Crook was driving
the enemy in the greatest confusion and sweeping
down behind their breastworks the 6th and 19th
Corps attacked the rebel works in front, and the
whole army appeared to be broken up. They fled
i❑ the utmost confusion. Sixteen pieces of artillery
were captured ; also a great many caissons, artil-
lery horses, &c. lam to-night pushing on up the
valley. I cannot say how many ifrisoners I have
captured, nor do I know either my own or' the
enemy's casualties. Only darkness has saved the
whole of Early's army from total destruction. My
attack could not be made till four o'clock in the
evening, which left but little daylight to operate in.
The Ist and 31 cavalry divisions went down the
Luray Valley to day, and if they push on vigorously
to the main valley the result of this day's engage-
ment will be stiii more signal. The victory was
very complete. A more detailed report will be
made as soon as I can obtain the necessary data.
" P. H. SHERIDAN,
"' Major-General Commanding.
"Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding armies
of the United States, City Point.'
"It will be remembered that Early'a command
embraced the ' Stonewall Brigade,' and the troops
constituting Stonewall' Jackson corps, and was
the elate of the rebel army.
" E M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
"Major-General John A. Dix."

The news of the Federal victory at Opeqnan
Creek on the 19th ult. was read to the troops of the
Army of the Potomac on the afternoon of the 20th,
and was received with unbounded enthusiasm and
repeated cheering. A salute of 100 guns was fired
on the morning of the 21st, at daylight, in honour
of the event. Deserters reported that the Con-
federate troops were receiving rations of fresh beef
from the drovo el/attired from the Federals the
previous week. They state that it was Hampton's
cavalrywh•.ch accomplished the feat; that they took
250 prisoners and captured 2,500 head of cattle,
besides trains, horses, guns, &c.
General Fremont had fortnally withdrawn his
name as a candidate for the Presidency in the fol•
lowing letter:—

"Boston, Sept. 21.
Gentiemen,—.l fa! it my duty to make one step

more in the direction indicated by my letter of the
25th of August, and withdraw my name from the
list of candidates. The Presidential question has in
effect been entered upon in such a way that the union
of the Republican party has become a paramount
necessity. The policy of the DemoJra.ic party sig•
nifies either separation or re-establishment with
slavery. The Chicago platform is simply separation.
General M'Clellan's letter of acceptance is re•estab.
lishment with slavery. The Republican candidate,
on the contrary, is pledged to the re-establishment
of the Union without slavery; and however hesitat-
ing his policy may be, the pressure of his party will,
we may hope, force him to it: Between these issues,
I think no man of the Liberal party can remain in
doubt ; and I believe I am consistent with my ante-
cedents in withdrawing, not to aid in the triumph
of Mr Lincoln, but to do my part towards prevent-
ing the election of the Democratic candidate. In
respect to Mr Lincoln, I continue to hold exactly the
sentiments contained in my letter of acceptance. I
consider that his Administration has been politically,
militarily, and financially, a failure, and that its
necessary continuance is a cause of regret for the
country. There never was a greater unanimity in a
country than was exhibited hereat the fall of Sumter,
and the South was powerless in the face of it. But Mr
Lincoln completely paralysed this generous feeling.
He destroyed the strength of the position and divided
the North when he declared to the South that
slavery should be protected. He has built up for the
South a strength which otherwise they would have
never attained ; and this has given them an advo-
cate on the Chicago platform. The Cleveland Con-
vention was to have been the open avowal of that
condemnation which men had been freely express.
ing to each other for the past two years, and which
had been made fully known to the President. Bat
in the uncertain condition of affairs leading men
were not found willing to make public a dissatis-
faction and condemnation which could have ran.
dared Mr Lincoln's nomination impossible; and their
continued silence and support established for him a
character among the people which leaves now no
choice. United, the Republican party is reasonably
sure of success; divided, the result of the Presiden-
tial election is, at the least doubtful.

"I am, gentlemen, very truly yours,

"d. C. FREMONT.
~ To Mesars George L. Stearns and others, a com.
mit tee, Sze."

The following is another letter from General Fre.
mont, in which he gives his reasons for withdrawing
more fully :

" Nahant, Sept. 17.
" Gentlemen,—l enclose you my letter of reply
to an invitation from some of my Republican
friends to meet them at Fanenil-hall. In declining
their invitation I have informed them of my inten-
tion to stand aside from the Presidential canvass,
and assigned my reasons for doing so. To avoid
repetition I enclose you the letter in communicating
to you now officially my desire to withdraw my
name from the list of Presidential candidates. In
this decision I have the approval of such of our
friends as I have been able to consult. Urged by
the near approach of the election, I have thought
it not prudent to incur the longer delay of
consulting others. But I have reason to believe

that they will unite with me fully upon
the propriety of the step I have taken.
But in withdrawing from the post of candi.
date I do not in any way intend to withdraw from
my share in the labour which we jointly undertook
to secure the triumph of the ideas represented by
the Radical democracy. Whatever the next Ad-
ministration may be, we owe it to ourselves to form
a phalanx, compact and capable by its thorough
unity of exercising a pressure strong enough to ins
sure the eventful success of the principles for which
we have been contending—the re-establishment of
the Union, the abolition of slavery, and practical
respect for liberty. In the present composition of
parties it is indispensable that earnest men should
devote themselves to watching the progress and in•
suring the success of these issues, regardless of men
and parties. Mr. Lincoln says he does not lead, but
follows the will of the people. It remains, then,
for the people, in the event of his re-election, vigi-
lantly to require this following at his hands ; and,
further, to require that in the execution of his
duties he keep scrupulously within the constitution
and the laws ; to make him recognise that he holds
his place and his power, not as belonging to him-
self, to be used at his pleasure, but as a really faith,
ful servant of the people. This is the important
duty which we have now to perform. Although, I

as representatives of the Cleveland movement, we
surrender our functions, the duty of watching party
politics in the interests of liberty and the Constitu-
tion remains. What steps are necessary in the per
formanco of that duty must be the subject for future
consultation.--I am, gentlemen, respectfully and
truly yours, "J. C. FREMONT.
" To Messrs. Worthington G. Snethen and
others, a committee, &c."
General Cochrane had also issued the following
address, withdrawing from his nomination by the
Cleveland Convention for the Vice-Presidency :
" To the War Democrats of the United States :
A convention of men of various political tenets
assembled at Cleveland on the 31st day of May last,
for the purpose of discharging from the suppres-
sion of the rebellion the infraction of the rights of
both individuals and States which attended it.
The presence of a large number of War Democrats
unexpectedly contributed to my nomination by the
convention for the Vice-Presidency, preceded by
that of John C. Fremont for President. The prin-
ciples which dictated my acceptance of the nominee
tion approved themselves at the time to very gene-
ral regard, and have since, in my opinion, lost none
of their oziginal virtue or vigour, Their practical
assertion was required, it was thought, by the suc-
cess with which personal liberty had been assailed,
and the extremities to which constitutional freedom
had been reduced. Not the least inducement, how-
ever, was the consideration that the redress of
grievances in the manner proposed could not inter-
rupt, but would entirely consort with, a vigorous
prosecution of the war. It certainly was not con-
templated that the success of the candidates should
in any degree impair or endanger that most impor-
tant part of the platform which resolved that the
rebellion must be suppressed by force of arms and
without compromise. Instead of the Democratic
party, as was then hoped and expected, co-operate
ing at this point, they flouted the war at Chicago,
and pronounced for unconditional peace. 'When, to
exhaust the resources of statesmanship,' and to
allow the 'spirit of conciliation and compromise to
prevail,' Gen. M'Clellan virtually asserts that there
should be a cessation of hostilities,' he is in agree-
ment with the convention which nominated him.
When, however, he proposes, in the alternative of
war, that the rebellious States shall be restored to
precisely their former condition in the Union, with
precisely the same political representation as when
they departed from it, he rejects a convention of
States, on which, as the peaceable means, the Chi-
cago Convention evidently relied for reconstructing
the:union out of States physically debilitated and
politically shorn. While, therefore, General
M'Clellan resolves upon an impossible union as it
it was, through war, the convention resolves upon
an impossible union as it should be, through peace.
That the candidate does not stand erect on his plat-
form, though admitting a question whether, if
elected, he would negotiate a peace, permits none
that, if elected, he could not effectively prosecute
the war, The success of the Chicago nominees
would therefore, at the best, but place in power a
party of divided counsels, of uncertain policy and
of indecisive action. Clearly, such an event would
be at the furthest from a suppression of the rebel-
lion by force of arms and without compromise.' The
Baltimore platform, however objectionable at other
points, is unimpeachable at this, and, while it fails
to vindicate personal rights, and the rights of free
speech and the press, it does not fail to refer to the
reestablishment of constitutional liberty and the
restoration of the union to the arbitrament of arms,
in which, and in which alone, the national safety is
to be found. We stand within view of a rebellion
suppressed—within hail of a country reunited and
saved. War lifts the curtain and discloses the pro-
spect. War has given us Atlanta, and war offers to
us Richmond. Shall we exchange the proffered
victory for a cessation of hostilities ? No.
As vte fought at the beginning we should fight to

the end; and when rebellion shall have laid down
its arms may we peacefully reconstruct whatever
the war for the Union shall be found to have spared.
Lay down your arms,' then, as it was at the com-
mencement, so it is now, all that is demanded by
loyal Americans of their rebellious brothers. I
would certainly prefer that the American people
could be brought to a vote on the several proposia
tions peculiar to the Cleveland platform. The right
of asylum, the one term policy, the direct vote of
the people for their national chief magistrate, the
Monroe doctrine, the confining exclusively to the
representatives of the people in Congress the re-
construction of States, and the amendment of the
Federal Constitution to prohibit slavery, are princi-
ples of primary magnitude and importance. But
before all these is our country. It is menaced by rebel-
lion. Loyal armies alone protect it. Should those
armies retreat, and our protection be withdrawn ;
or should they advance, and our safety be esta-
blished, shall there be peace through the concessions
of politicians, or peace through the action of war ?
That is the question. Peace and division, or war
and the Union. Other alternative there is none.
And, as I am still of the mind that once led me to
the field with the soldiers of the republic, I cannot
now hold a position which, by dividing, hazards the
success of all those who, whatever their differences
at other points, agree, as upon the question of first
consequence, that the restoration of the Union can-
not be effected without the uninterrupted continua-
tion of the war. I therefore withdraw my name
from the Cleveland ticket.—Very truly, yours,

_ .
" JOHN COCHRANE.

" New York, Sept. 21."
Lincoln and M'Clellan are thus the only end_
dates left in the field for the Presidency. An im.
mense ratification meeting for the nomination o
Abraham Lincoln as President and Andrew Jack.
son as Vice-President was held at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music in New York, on the night of
the 22d ult. While the Hon. Henry Wilson, of
Massaciusetts, was speaking, General Hooker,
" fighting Joe," as he is called, made his appearance
on the platform, and was received with boisterous
applause. In obedience to loud cries of " Hooker,
Hooker," " Speech, speech," General Hooker came
forward and said :
Ladies and Gentlemen,—l need not tell you that lam
totally unprepared for this. I cannot and I do not take this
demonstration, or any part of it, to myself. I am not
worthy of this reception. (Yes you are, and loud cheers.)
lam not more worthy than you. We are all in the same
boat. You have been working in the cause in one place,
and I have been working in another. Your victories hero
are as dear to us in the front as those in the front are dear
to you here. (That's so.) The victories of last fall—l
speak from a full knowledge of the facts—were healed with
as much joy and enthusiasm in the army as though those
victories had been achieved by another army than the
army that I belonged to. The victory of Ohio was also hailed
with joy, and I felt glad at the result. I hope I may feel
many more, and I do not doubt that before next November
we will taste of one like which this rebellion has furnished
no parallel. (Cheers.) I need not tell you that lam re-
joiced to find such an assemblage. It shows that it is all
right with our cause and our country. (Applause.) Nothing
—no reverses, no misfortune, can befal us when our people
are animated by the feeling evinced here to-night. If the
war has been prolonged, it has not been from weakness but
rather from conscious strength. We have never put forth
our resources nor our strength. although we have put forth
such resources as have amazed the world. (Applause.) But
it is true that the North has never yet made one great effort
to crush the rebellion. It can and will do it when it moves
for that purpose. (Cheers.) The people in these loyal
States, and I am proud to say it, have been in advance of
the authorities during the whole of this rebellion. They
will be so until we reach the end, and that end is not remote.
I am rejoiced to meet you to-night, and to meet you under
such auspices. Tidings, glorious tidings, reach us from all
the armies. The work goes bravely on there. There are no
copperheads (cheers) in the army. (Loud applause.) They
will fight well, and will vote well also. (Loud applause.)
More loyalty, more devotion never animated the heart and
the hands of men more brave. I thank you most earnestly
for the kindness with which you have received me this
evening. lam unworthy of it. (" No, you are not—no,
sirree.") I have in a humble capacity served my country,
and have never failed to do my duty—(" That's so")—and I
trust never will. I bid you good night.

General Hooker then retired amid renewed ap-
plause, and Senator Wilson proceeded with his
speech which had been interrupted by this episode.
While the meeting was in progress a large and en-
thusiastic meeting was held outside in Montague.
street, at which addresses were delivered from two
platforms simultaneously, and the feeling indoors
and out is described as very enthusiastic for Lincoln
and the Union.

The following del-patch from Washington an-
nounces the resignation of Postmaster-General Blair
at the request of the President ;

Washington, Sept. 23.
When the resolution of the late Baltimore Convention,
declaring that they" deemed it essential to the general wel-
fare that harmony shall prevail in the national councils, and
regarding as worthy of public confidence and official trust
those only who cordially endorse the principles proposed in
the series of resolut one, and which should characterize the
administration of the Government," was shortly after its
passage read by Postmaster-General Blair, he at once ver-
bally tendered his resignation, which was not formally made
and accepted until to-day, as will be seen from the following
correspondence. It is understood that ex-Governor Denni-
son, of Ohio, will be his successor :
THE PRESIDENT TO THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.
_ _ _

Executive Mansion, Washington, Sept. 23.
My dear Sir,—You have generously said to me more than
once that whenever your resignation could bo a relief to me
it was at my disposal. The time has come. You very well
know that this proceeds from no dissatisfaction of mine with
you personally or officially. Your uniform kindness has
been unsurpassed by that of any friend, and while it is true
that the war does not so greatly add to the difficulties of
your department as to those of some others, it is yet much
to say, as I most truly can, that in the three years and a
half during which you have administered the General Post-
office, I remember no single complaint against you in con-
nexion :,herewith. Yours, as ever,
Hon. Montgomery Blair. A. LINCOLN.
TIE POSTINIASTER-GENERAL TO THE PRESIDENT.

Post-office Department, Sept, 23.
My dear Sir,—l have received your note of this date
referring to my offers to resign whenever you should deem
it advisable for the public interests that I should do so,and
stating that, in your judgment,"that time has now come.
I now, therefore, formally tender ray resignation of the
office of Postmaster-General. I cannot take leave of you
without renewing the expressions of my gratitude for the
uniform kindness which has marked your course towards
yours, very truly, M. BLAIR,
The President.

Ex- Governor Dennison, of Ohio, is to be appointed Post-
master-General in the place of Mr Blair. It is said that Mr
Blair has taken this step to be at liberty to stump the border
States in favour of Lincoln and Johnson ; but it is believed
that there are other reasons impelling him to resign.
The 10 days' truce between Generals Sherman
and Hood expired on the 22d ult., but, in order to
complete the removal of families from Atlanta, it
was renewed, to continue for some days. Sherman
had effected the exchange with Hood of 2,000 pri.
sonars. The reply of General Sherman to General
Hood's protest against the depopulation of Atlanta
was received in Washington on th© 21st :
hindquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi,
in the Field, Atlanta, Ga., Sept, 10.
General J. B. Hood, commanding army of the Tennessee
Confederate army :

General,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of this date at the hands of Messrs Ball and
crew, consenting to the arrangements I had proposed to fa-
cilitate the removal south of the people of Atlanta who pre-
fer to go in that direction. I enclose you a copy of my orders
which will, I am satisfied, acelmplish my purpose perfectly.
You style the measures proposed " unprecedented," and ap-
peal to the dark history of war for a parallel as an act of
" studied anU ungenerous cruelty." It is not unprecedented,
for General Johnston himself very wisely and properly re-
moved the families all the way from Dalton down, and I see
no reason why Atlanta should be excepted. Nor is it neces-
sary to appeal to the dark history of war when recent and
modern examples are so handy. You yourself burned dwel-
ling houses along your parapet, and I have seen to-day 50
houses that you have rendered uninhabitable because they
stood in the way of your forts and men. You defended Atlanta
on a line so close to the town that every cannonshot and many
musket-shots from our line of investments that overshot
their mark went into the habitations of women and children.
General Hardee did the same at Jonesborough, and General
Johnston did tke same last summer at Jackson, Mirs. I
have not accused you of heartless cruelty, but merely in-
stance those cases of very recent occurrence, and could go
on and enumerate hundreds of others, and challenge any fair
man to judge which of us has the heart of pity for the fami-
lies of a " brave people." I say it is a kindness to these
families of Atlanta to remove them now at once from scenes
that women and children should not be exposed to, and the
brave people should scorn to commit their wives and chil-
dren to the rude barbarians who thus, as you say, violate
the laws of war, as illustrated in the pages of its dark his.
tory. In the name of common sense, I ask you not to ap-
peal to a just God in such a sacrilegious manner—you, who
in the midst of peace and prosperity, have plunged a nation
into civil war, " dark and cruel war," who dared and
badgered us to battle, insulted our 11,g, seized our arsenals
and forts that were left in the honourable custody of a

peaceful ordnance sergeant, seized and made prisoners of
war the very garrison sent to protect your people against
negroes and Indians long before any overt act was com-
mitted by the " to you" hateful Lincoln Government, tried
to force Kentucky and Missouri into the rebellion spite of
themselves, falsified the vote of Louisiana, turned loose your
privateers to plunder unarmed ships, expelled Union fami-
lies by the thousand, burned their houses, and declared by
act of your Congress the confiscation of all debts due to
Northern men for goods had and received. Talk thus to the
marines, but not to me, who have seen these things, and
who will this day make as much sacrifice for the peace and
honour of the South as the best born Southerner among
you. if we must be enemies let us bo men, and fight it out
as we propose to-day,and not deal with such hypocritical ap-
peals to God and humanity. God will judge us in due time
and He will pronounce whether it be more humane to fight
with a town full of women and the families of a "brave
people" at our back, or to remove them in time to places of
safety among their own friends and people.—l am, very re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,

"W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General Commanding,
Official copy,—L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.
The _Richmond Sentinel of the 7th ult. says :

" Official information has been received that the army of
Tennessee is in splendid condition and spirits. In a de-
spatch to General Bragg, dated September 15, 1864, General
Hood says he is very much gratified at the feeling now ex-
isting among the officers and men of his army, ar d that they
are in better condition for battle than at any time before
they crossed Chattahoochee. Official information has also
been received that the extra duty list (consisting of detailed
men) is being materially decreased,"

The following is from tht Richmond Examiner
of the 21st :

"The Macon Confederate says it is currently rumoured
on the streets that General Beauregard is to take command
of the army of Tennessee. The Macon Telegraph remarks,
' If the reader will consult the map he will come to a realis-
ing sense of the ease with which Sherman can repeat from
Atlanta the combined movement by which he backed John-
ston down from Dalton to the heights of Albona. It shows
how Sheridan can move by different roads, flank Barnes-
ville, and thence southwest, they would flank Macon with
the same ease. Hence there is an overwhelming necessity
for such reinforcements as shall prevent a repetition of the
Sherman strategy from Dalton to the Etowah.' The
Savannah Republican says :—' If Sherman is to be allowed
to hold peaceable possession of Atlanta until he has time to
fortify the place, and make it, impregnable, then the citizens
of Georgia may look out for large and formidable raiding
parties from that place making extensive excursions through
the State.' "