The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-12-17

The Richmond Enquirer endorses an article from
the Despatch, in reference TO the treatment OF those
of our men held prisoners. The Despateh's article
Is significant, and is as follows If we are starving
ourselves, how can we prevent them from starving
but the truth is, though We are straitened for our
main life, We are caring as well for prisoners as our
selves. Some of our own people, We know Of our
own personal knowledge, denied meal to their own
families, because it was necessary for the Yankees
Unionist- in the Sonrh.
We have from time to time referred 10 the
smothered Union sentiments still existing at the
South. 1t is no idle tale. Throughout the
South, there are hundreds of thousands, who if
they were permitted, would instantly declare
themselves for the Union and the old flag. But
the reign cf terror prevents most of them from
doing so. y telegram received shows that in
North Carolina the Unionists are rising up and
arming themselves, and their example Will be
followed by others. In truth, We shall not be
at all surprised if the Union people, of that
State, (and perhaps other Southern S:ates) be-
fore spring, rise up and put down the rebel
authorities in their States and the rebellion
may thus receive its heaviest blow from its own
people. Humanity can endure a great deal
of suffering, but hunger and poverty, when
caused by rulers, make tigers of men Thus it
may be there-driven from their homes, desti-
tute, hungry and tenantless, they may be driven
to overturn the rebel slavemongers. The follow
ing is the dispatch referred to:
\ correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer,
writing yesterday, says that information has just
been received here from the South, which indicates
that a large body of North Carolina AMI Georgia
Unionists. who have had habitations only in the
mountains in Western North Carolina, have made
their escape with their arE-s and much valuable in
formation, into East Tennessee. where hey will
swell the ranks of Gen. Fosters army. They come
TO US as original Union men and will %guideaud fight
with our volunteers TO the end. These men formed
themselves into an army aud numbered abozt 3, 200,
poorly armed and equipped, but with red courage
and patriotism. They have dared to give battle to
the rebel regulars, AT a place called Warm Springs,
north OF Ashville and BuncOmb counties, y G., and
near the Tennessee line. These brave men were ma
king their way towards Knoxville when they were
attacked, on the 18th of October, by n part OF the
18th North Carolina regiment, under Lieut.-COl.
Brisoh, who was badly whipped, and forced to beat
q hasty retreat to Ashville. The rebel les was 6
killed and 3 wounded. After the fight the Union
lists advanced and took Ashville as a feint, md came
near taking Gen. Vance, son of the Governor, and
his staff, prisoners. After this the patrbtic band
fell back to the mountains.
The appointment of Gen. Foster to Command
at Knoxville, Tenn, in place of Burnside, which
is among the latest kilograms, has doubtless been
made with the object Of aiding these North
Carolina Union men. Gen. F. has long been
in command on the sea-board in that State, and
probably has been in constant communication
with them. His transfer to Knoxville will en-
able him to enter North Carolina from Tennessee
and with the aid of these patriot mountaineers
as guides, form a junction with the sea-board
Union army, and thus cut off Virginia from the
Gulf States, which, if accomplished, will be as
great Il triumph as was the opening of the Mis-
River. We may add here that Gen.
was relieved at his own request, repeat
ed!y made.
A similar Outburst of Unionism is taking
place in Arkansas, as appears by this:
a large Union meeting was held in the theatre at
Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 7th november, and
several spirited addresses were delivered; after which
Committee on Constitution and bylaws for the
organization of "A permanent State Central Union
Club, reported upon the Constitution and Bylaws,
which were adopted.
From CharIcsfon.
We do not learn of any great progress made.
1t would seem that all the requisite preparations
have been completed for the attack on this
city, but that the fleet is still unable to
pass the Instructions in the main channel be-
tween Forts Sumter and Moultrie. How they
are to be removed, or whether they are remOv-
able at all, does not appear clear. 1t is stated
that no formal demand of surrender of the city
can be made until the fleet enters the harbor of
Charleston. At least usage demands as much.
A telegram says, however, that the generals on
he spot declare that Charleston will be taken
: before Christmas"
From Tennessee.
At Chattanooga, the position of affairs re-
noina6 ohout tho Sana-tbn rabals in poSSaSSinn
IF Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
nd the Union army occupying Chattanooga
md Lookout valley and village, near the river.
There has been no engagement there. Long
treet's corps had been sent from Bragg's army
owards Knoxville to attack Burnside. Long
treet was at Loudon. Il village on the Tennessee
River. where the railroad crosses the river, about
70 miles from Knoxville. About the same dis
ance north of Knoxville is another rebel army,
o that his position between the two rebel armies
a critical one. He may have forces sufficient
o enable him to hold his post, against them all.
leads us to the question of the strength of
he rebel forces. The following from the Gin
Gazette is the latest statement, and prob
bly, very nearly correct:
''The latest estimate of the available forces of the
ebels is as follows:
10000
ill, AT Richmond. 5000
'eauregard, at CharlestOR. -......-....... $4,000
$4,000
'orth Carolina. lO,OOO
t Mobile. 10000
stal. 1853 900
By dragging in the lame, the halt. very bid men
nd very young boys, under the operations of the
consumption law, this number may be ncreas-