Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24
BY SAMUEL J. ROW
CLEARFIELD. PA. deer "a. 1862.
THE WAR NEWS.

THE WAR NEWS.
On Monday night, the 18th, General Burn
side recrossed thu Rappahannock with his
whole force. Much regret has been expressed
on account of this movement, and many sur
misses have been made as to the cause. The
following despach from Gen. Burnside to the
War Department will set the matter at rest.
s:The army was with drawn to this side of
the river, because felt the position in front
could not be carried, and it was military ne
cessity either to attack OF retire. repulse
would have been disastrous to u.s. The army
was withdrawn at night without the knowledge
of the enemy, and withou. loss either of prop
erty or men,
The withdrawal of Gen. Burnsides army, is
spoken Of as ssone of the most brillant'achieve-
nents of the war" ssHe endeavored to force
the rebels from their fastneses, but their po-
sition was too strong. With fortified ridge
in front, and deep impetuous, and rising
river in his rear-his communications depend
ing upon pontoon bridge which served
temporary purpose-he could only remain in
Fredericksburg at great risk, with the dan
ger of being beleaguered or driven into the
river" Knowing this, Gen. Burnside acted
with the promp ptness and energy and ability
which characterizes the true soldier and COM
petant commander. His plan was bold one,
bat was accomplished successfully, without
the loss of a man or of property. and he is
now again ready to move egainst the enemy,
and upon the rebel capital.
Our losses in the engagement of Saturday,
we're greatly exaggerated. According to the
official reports, our loss in killed was ], ,152,
and wounded about 9,00O-making our loss in
killed and wounded 10, ,152. Many of the lat
ter are but slightly injured, and will be in the
ranks again in few days. We also lost 900
In prisoners, aud captured about the same
number, all of whom have been paroled. The
rebel loss is not near so heavy as ours, as they
fought mostly under cover OF their entrench-
ments and rifle pits. Our men fought bravely,
and nobly lid they sustain the cause of the
Union against concealed and desperate foe.
The Official report of the battle at Prairie
Grove, Arkansas, puts down the loss in killed
aud wounded in Gen. Herron's command at
s43 Gen. Blunt's l50; total, 993. The rebels
admit loss OF 200, and nearly 600 by de-
sertion. Gen. Heron had only $500 men in
battle. The rebel force consisted % regiments
of infantry, 10 regiments OF cavalry, and 90
pieces of artillery.
Gen. Dodge, with $500 cavalry, and five
pieces Of artillery, =has had an engagement
with rebel force near CGrintb but the result
is not given. JEFF Davis has been reviewing
bis troops In the west, with the view of more
vigorous campaign. The rebel force at Muir
feresboro' Tennessee. is said TO be % 600, and
it is supposed that JEFF contemplates an attack
on Nashville.
The news from North Carolina is quite
cheering. Gen Foster advanced upon and
took Kinston, and captured 500 prisoners and
IL pieces of cannon. Kinston is an impor
tant point on the Neuse river. half way be-
tween Newbern and Goldsboro'-the latter
place being railroad nucleus on the road:
running South from Richmond.
Union force OF two regiments OF infantry
and a company OF cavalry, surprised rebe
force of two thousand at Tuscumbia, Alabama
on the 14th, completely routing them
Seventy prisoners were taken, and their camp
aquipage destroy yed-loss in killed and woun
ded not known. Our loss was four killed and
fourteen wounded.
The surrender OF brigade at Hartsvile
Tenn, is pronounced ssdisgracefuI affair." II
appears the brigade posted in strong
position, with section of artillery command.
ing the whole field, aud river in front ye'
no resistance made except by the I'd Indians
cavalry, who were surprised and tough, or
foot Infantry
Gen. Hovey who had gone to Helena, Ar
kansas, has returned-having succeeded in dis
persing the rebels. with loss of one hundred
and sixty killed, wounded and captured. Ho
vey's loss vas thirty four K illed, wounded and
missing.
The gunbost Cairo was so much damaged by
the explosion of torpedo, on the Yazoo riv
er, that she sunk in q short time. This is the
first instance in which the rebels have done
any harm by their ssinfernal'' machines.
BUCHANAN xAGAIS.-Ex-Presiden Buchan
an is out in stIi another letter in the Nationa
Gen. Scott. He attempts to show that extra
supplies of arms were not distributed to ths
Southern States by Floyd, and cites as evi
dsLce report of Lieut.. Gov. Stanton. o
Ohio, when member of the House Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
CABINET CHAsGEs.-The Washington Sta,
OF Friday last announces the resignation o
the Hon. Wm. II. Seward, the Secretary o.
State, and Mr.. Frederick W. Seward, the As
sistant Secretary of State. Later advices, how