True Democrat., 1862-12-24

TnE NEws.-In Virginia the aboltionists oecu- pied Winchester on the 3d with 4,000 men, but took fright and evacuated the place. There were heavy rains in Eastern Virginia during tue first part of the month, and there was tall or snow on the 6th On the 6th, there was ice two inches thick on the Potomac at the mouth of Ac- o,ia Creek. Burnsides had made advance up to the 10th inst. Heavy firing was heard m the vicinity of Port Royal on the morning Of that day. There have been several skirmishes anda Contede rate regiment crossed the Rappahannoek, captur-
 ro fifty r,isoners and as many stores as they could carry of.
 Tn Tennessee matters arc more lively. On the 9th Gen. Preston Smith met Wheeer's cavalry, had fight near Nashville, and captured 80 priso ners and ten wagons. On the next day, John Nor gan attacked outpost of the abolitionists, at HItsville, on the Cumberland river. He killed and wounded over 900 of the enemy, took 300 prisoners, two pieces of artillery, 2000 stands of arms and lot of stores. Confederate loss did not exceed 120. Gen. Jo. Johnston arrived at Mur- freesboro on the 8th. On the day Morgan whip ped them at Huntsville, the enemy were driven out of Lebanon in such haste that they left their tents standing. The northern papers were braggng that Rosencrans was about to do some big things and On the 6th he had commenced moving towards Murireesbogo.
 Banks naval expedition is said to be destined for Brunswick, Georgia A large number of yes sels of the fleet had passed Charleston.
 Grenada, in Mississippi, has been taken posses sion of by the abolitionists. Another disgraceful burning of stores took place there which might have been saved. The Appeal office was moved, and ac will be deprived for some time Qf the plea sure of receiving that welcome ysitant
 In North Carolina two abolition grnboats were captured; one in New river aud the other ill Bay river 4 cavalry company with q riled gun cap tured the one in New riyer though the crew sue ceeded in setting fire to her and escaping Her cannon, magaznc, chests, water tanks, boiler and mass of iron were saved. h Bay river, Capt Whtford, and lis rangers captured crew. vessel and a The account of these atflirs show that gunboats cannot ascend narrow streams ifresstance is made. Even without artillery the pilots are either driven from the wheel or get confused and the boat gets aground.
 We have yet later news. Gen. Hovey and his division were cut 10 pieces at or near Grenada We get our account from persons who heard it ad- mittod by the ledcrals, and have not yet received the southern account. Hoyey'5 loss must have been terrible; So cannon, all his ammunition, wa gons, baggage and large number of prsoners.-- The Memphis papers of the 14th say, the fight was near Oxford, and thas uorey :" was driven to the wall.'' Grant could not reinforce him, and Horey went under. It is also reported that Sherman and his digison had fallen back 10 Memphis.
 Curtis claims a decisive victory over Hindman near Fayctteyile, and states his loss at 600, and Hindmans at ,500. The particulars are given in the Memphis papers of the Hartsyille affair. Nor gan with three regiments attacked two Ohio, one Illinois and one Indiana regiment and battery of artillery, and bagged all who did not The Dutch troops broke at the first fire. Dumont is in disgrace thereby. Morgan was at Lebanon on the 9th.
 bill has passed the Lincoln House of Repre- sentatives, indemnIfying Lincoln for suspending the writ of habeas corpus, and his understrappers from making illegal arrests. This saves them from suits for false imprisonment. fit passes the Senate it may lead to revolution at the North. h Minnesota, the people made all attack on the iail in which the Indians were confined to murder them, but were driven off Since then, Lincoln has ordered that g of them shall be hung, to grat fly the thirst for blood. Forrest, with 5000 cavalry, is reported ready 10 make another dash into Kentucky Among the Indian prisoners in Minnesota, is negro, who is said to have murdered thirty-one persons, including women and children. Elections are to be held ii some districts in Ten ncasee for members to Lincoln's Congress. Ma gruder was in command at Galyeston--had five heavily armed river steamers, whose sides were covered with cotton bales, and was preparing to attack the abolition gunboats.
 The brute Butler has extended his confiscation order to all of Louisiana, except the parishes of Orleans, St.. Bernard and Plaquemine. Rear Ad- miral Reynaud and Butler had an interview, the upshot of which was quarrel and from which the Frenchman retired very mooch disgoost.''
 Capt. Maury has gone to St. Petersburg to talk ta the Emperor of Russia Col John McHenry, of the l7th Kentucky abolition volunteers, has been dismissed by Lincoln; for restoring fugitive slave to his owner.
 Since the above was written, sie telegraph brings Us news of the defeat of Burn8ides at Fredericks- burg, and the successful resistance in North Caro- ina. Read the dispatches, and rejolce. We have not time 10 comment on these glorious results