The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-11-25
THE WAR NEWS.

L conflicting nature. The two contending
rmies have occupied the banks OF the Rspidan for
one time past, bat from the latest reports at
land, which would seen to be vel authentcA-
ed, our army IS agAin or the move.
The Washington Republican Of the 2Sd, says;
This morning, at dawn, the Grand Army OF
he Potomac broke camp near the north bank OF
he .Rapidsn, and with ten days cooked rations
n their haversacks and wagons, commenced al
advance movement upon the enemy under orders
Of Gen. Meade. It is supposed that before noon
today the whole Of our army will be beyond the
Rapidan, and Gen. Lee must sight or run.
"If Lee has resisted the crossing Of Meade's
forces, there has been battle before this. II !
Lee does not resist our crossing il is evident he
is not strong enough to fight outside OF iortifea-
tons IL the latter event he will fall back on
Gordonsvile or Richmond, most likely the former.
The report that Lees army is at Hanover
Junction is only speculation. 1t will soon be
known exactly where it is, for Meade viii not
stop till be 6nds it. if be has TO go to the walls
OF Richmond
The Washington Star of the same date states
that it is not known in official circles at Wash
ington that our forces have moved.
Another Washington dispatch, under date Of
the Esd says at was published here to-day
and telegraphed North, that the Army of the
Potomac at daybreak commenced an advance on
the enemy, but gentlemen who arrived fromithe
front tonight are entirely ignorant of the alleged
movement. The announcement was premature.
Advces received from the Army of the Pc
tomae tonight, say deserters come into our lines
almost hourly. The most intelligent and prOba-
bly well informed, estimate Lees effective
strength at from so, 600 to $4,000.
"A man of high connection in the rebel States
saws Lee is n hourly expectation of az attack
by Gen. Meade, and prepared at every point to
give him a terrible reception. The permanent
and temporary rebel works on the Rapidsn are
being strengthened and enlarged to a vast
extent"
A special to the Detroit Advertiser and Tri-
5Ene states that our sick and wounded have been
ordered to the rear. This would seen to indi-
cate active work soon.
Impressions III regard to the enemy's strength
on the Rapidan are various. Some maintain that
Lees entire force does not exceed $4,000;
others place it as high as $4,000.
FROM CHARLESTON
There has been no news OF Importance re-
eeived from this point during the part week.
Sumter has been bombarded until il is but a
mass Of ruins, but at latest accounts the bonn.
bardment of the Fort was still continued. 1t
il reported that the sea wall Of the Fort has been
entirely destroyed, and that the rebels were sup
pssed to be building bomb proof on the ruins.
A Morris Island letter Of the 18th says that
! 9 shells were fired into Charleston the 18th
inst falling in the most populous part Of the city.
On Sunday night very heavy rebel fire was
continuously poured into our batteries from the
rebel works Nothing new in the feet
FROM CHATTANOOGA
Advices from Chattanooga would seem 10
indicate that part of Bragg's forces, under
Longstreet, were marching forward to make an
attack on Burnside. If this be 80, Gen. Grant
will probably take advantage Of such move,
and strike a blow in their rear. The Chatta-
nooga correspondent of the New York World,
under date of Nov. 18th, says upon this point:
viii Bragg move upon Burnside with a
portion Of his forces, leaving the remainder to
resist an advance on the part Of the Federals?
Has be sufficiently fortified his position in front
of Chattanooga, to allow him TO do this? That
be might have done this had not the situation
changed within the last a hours, is possible.
but as Hookers advance from Bridgeport set
tied the supply question, SO another movement
has settled the possibility of a flank movement
on East Tennessee. What il is am not at lib
erty TO say, but it will not be shrouded in mys-
terry long If, as is alleged by some refugees
and deserters portion of Bragg's forces have
already started on their mission against Burn
side, they must be Immediately recalled, or the
rebel communications will be severed and
their whole army threatened from the rear.
Whatever movements may occur to compel
Bragg to change his base, no general advance
viii take place till Chattanooga can be made
the base Of supplies. To advance, even with
the certainty Of driving Bragg to Atlanta be.
fore that time. will be madness That place
can only be converted into such base after
the railroad is completed between Bridgeport
aud Chattanooga. Events and manRuvering
may bring on a battle, but doubt it, unless
the rebels concentrate all their armies and
make desperate effort to regain East Tennes-
see. But certainly they cannot take the often
sive now
FROM KNOXVILLE
The news from this point has been looked for
with interest during the week past On the
18th inst the enemy commenced an attack
upon Gen Burnside's position near Knoxville.
and it seems that in the first encounter our
troops, which were wholly composed of caval>
~ and mounted infantry, were compelled TO
yield, and fell back a short distance to
stronger position. Our loss was about one
hundred, one-fourth Of whom were killed.
Fears have been entertained for the safety
Of Burnside's command, and that be might be
compelled to yield before the pressure Of an
overwhelming force Of the enemy. He still
holds out, however, and has notified the citizens
that be will certainly hold Knoxville. The
rebel citizens estimate the force opposing him