True Democrat., 1862-12-31


 THE NEws. We have papers from Rch> mond, and other cities east of the Mississippi, onl, a late as the l6th inst. The telegraph gives dates few days later, but has nothing definite. There is rumor in town to day, that Bragg or Johnston, had had a battle with Rosencrans and that the latter was deteated.- This is the more readily believed, because 1t was reported, a week ago, that Rosencrans had made d forward movement.
 In Mississippi, the Confederate forces re- treated from Abbeville, but turned on their pur suers at Cotftevile. and drove them in turn. This was on the 1th. About ihe l4th, the abolitionists. in heavy force, occupied Grenada, and had driven in the pickets of the Conieder> ate army There may have been heavy bat tie in Mississippi ere this, CT the policy may be to draw the enemy further down ln the State before giving a decisive battle.
 B1rnsides is on the other side of the Rappa> hammock IT, says he had to recross the river from military necessity. Gen. Lee gives the loss in lis army at l79j. and estimates that of the enemy al 1000. The x. I. Tribune adds 1t up to amount to 3000o. The eaemy were very active bel w Richmond. The attack on the Weldon and Wilmington railroad was be- low Goldsboro in N. C., and may presage the fall of Wilmington, but not of Weldon.
 In Arkansas, the news is not favorable.- The telegraph from Clarhsvillie says that the Ben Coursin passed Spatdra Monday night, and |: ba1 rAl and captured four steamboats-the Notrebe, Little Rock, Arkansaw and Niolett. It is said that the enemy were within few hours march of Van Buren, before the fact of their coming was known The captain of one boat suc ceeded in setting fire to it. Wehope this is ex- apgerated though there seems to be no doubt, but that the enemy have Van Buren.
 To. morrow begins the new year. During the summer, the northern presses admitted that if they did not crush the rebellion" before the first of January, the rebellion would crush them. The rebellion is not crushed but is more vigor> ous than ever. Burnside is repulsed the RAppahannock, Foster is succ-s, ,fully resisted in N C., R6sencrans has had divls )n5 cut to II vle The expedition into Mississippi advances apd recedes and evidently dreads the encounter. The enemy are discouraged, their troops are de moraliz d, and their generals are between two fires Let us be of good cheer, and in good time, God will give us the victory.
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 DARING EXPLOITS OF CAPT. JoHNsoN's SPY CoM- PANY.-By the following 'eport. it will be seen that this gallant company are still annoying the enemy and decreasing his numbers:
 CAMP NEAR Sr CHARLES, Dec. Is, 1862. Lieut.. Generat-
 Lieut.. James returned to camp last night with squad of thirty men. He brought in twenty-four prisoners whom he captured on the l4th inst at sun rise two and half miles from Helena, on the st Francis road and mile from the enemy's camp. They wer' picket guard, and were all taken without firing gun. He brought in their twenty four horses and saddl S, and number of breach loading carhnes, sabres and holster pistols One of the prisoners is a lieutenant
 On the I2th inst, N.B Dowell, lst sergeant, and Henr, George private. whose names are, con- sider entitled t. be placed with honor before the country, on account of their skill and daring, har rassed foraging farty of 45O men with l60 va gons, which came out on the Hickory Ridge road, 10 miles from Helena They killed two dead and wounded three others severely. The enemy re- turned Helena in great haste with only 8 of his wagons loaded with forage.
 Capt. ALE. JOHNSON,
 Com'dg Texas Spy Comp. To Lieut.. Gen. HOLMES,
 Com'dg Trans Miss. Department.