Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-24
DIR NEW TERMS.
LATEST NEWS.

Tho fte of the Confederacy trembles in the bal
,,ca .Chafed by repeated defeats-goaded to fren-
- bv successive disasters, the enemy has marshall
ID all his powers for the grand assault and threat
ans every quarter. The present dearth OF war news
hrt indicates the lull that preoedes the tempest
within month from today battle will doubtless
:. ;oined and raging everywhere. Indeed, the
o.onts of the next three months must decide our
destiny They will test to the full the nerve OF our
.o,diers and the endurance of our people. II we
ouerpe triumphant from this baptism of tire and
blood our claim to distinct nationality will be
f,,,v indicated. and our liberties may then be Sc
cnrrly established We can draw from past sue
cessess but doubtful augures Of future victory for
our peril is greater now than ever. Yet dispas-
sonate review of the dangers that environ us and
our means of resistance inspires hope and strength
ems confidence The attack on Charleston cannot
he DELAYED much longer, and though the strength
Gifts defences has doubtless been exaggerated there
can be little doubt that it is more strongly fortified
than any other place on the continent Beauregard
too whose name, with our people, is tower of
strength has brought to its defence the highest re-
sources of military art. 1t is believed that an
assault whenever made will result in the enemy's
discontinue.
Wilmington, perhaps, is in greater danger than
Charleston, for should the enemy obey the dictates
of prudence, and abandon for the present his de-
signs on the latter, it is more than probable that
to cover a virtual defeat he may seek and obtain
an easy victory by assaulting the former. We sim
cerely trust, however, this conjecture may prove
faacious and that they will pursue their original
purpose to a ruinous defeat
The vicinity Of Fredericksburg will soon be the
arena of another bloody conflict Batilsd in his re-
cent attempt at flank movement Hooker must
soon deliver battle or ignominiously change his
base" The condition of our army, and the charac-
ter of its leaders preclude the fear of any serious
disaster to our arms in that quarter.
Concerning the issue of the approaching cam
paign in the West, we care not now to hazard a
prediction. Defeats drawn battles and sterile vic
tories have, with Slight exceptions, characterized
our struggle there. VickSburg, radiant with the
light of victory, stands like solitary beacOn-a
city indeed THAT is set on hill" We can only
hope that the recent repulSes sustained by the
enemy at Port Hudson and Fort PembertOn may he
the harbingers of yet other achievements as sui
stantial as brilliant The Federal army has evacu-
ated MurfreesbOro and is said to be falling back
Nashville, but this rather conflicts with the news
that Rosencanz had seLt three brgades to reinforce
Grant at Vicksburg
Banks army has fallen back to his fortified camps,
and manfeStS no disposition to advance. There is
said to be much disaffecton among his troops
The sloop-ofwar Richmond is reported to have sunk
from injuries received in the attack on Port Hud-
son. Our batteries sustained no injury from the
engagement.