The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-12-17
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER l..
The Foreign News

and the courtesy OF Capt. SeWall. we received
a file Of San Francisco daily papers, which, in
the absence of a mail. is very acceptable. Al
though no startling events are recorded as
having occurred, vet, so far as the American
civil war is concerned, the prospect has never
been brighter for the suppression of the slave
mongers' rebellion since it broke out than ut the
date Of the last news. We should remember
that victories on the battlefield are not the only
means Of weakening Il rebellious section and
bringing it again into allegiance. There is n
moral support from outside parties, which
encourages antagonists, and gives them as much,
if not more, aid than the weapons they may
have 10 fight with. Arms are of little use un-
less accompanied with that nerve and bravery
which are inspired only by a feeling Of right
and the appreciation of all disinterested parties.
In the early part of the struggle-during the
entire two first years of the rebellion-the slave
holders of the South were cheered and encour-
aged by their sympathizers in Europe and else
where, which aided greatly to inspire them with
the hope of ultimate victory. That moral sup
port from Europe is now crushed, and probably
forever destroyed. No body of men in Europe,
much less any nation, will now presume to step
forward as the champion of slavery in America,
nor as an ally to aid the slavemongers in this
unrighteous war. Let the causes be what they
may that have led to this, a great change has
taken place, and SO far as Europe is concerned,
the rebel cause is forever lost.
We will take a glance at the position of affairs
as reported in the papers at hand, promising
our sketch with the statement that the events
occurring between the 9TH and 18th OF Novem-
Der have not been received, and will come IN the
mail, which is now due.
In yirginia.
There seems to have been an engagement about
Nov. 10th. not reported in the papers received,
in which two brigades of Lees army, were cap
tured by Gen. Meade, somewhere near the Rap
pahannock. From the comments of the Rich
mond papers, we infer that Gen. Hill, in whose
division this occurred, has been removed from
command. Gen. Meade has moved his army
southwark, having his advance at Madison Court
House, which is about u miles n. w. of
Orange Court House, and only 20 miles from
Gordonsville, where it is supposed Lees army
was. From the kilograms received, we infer
that the plan is to press Lee us closely rs posi-
bic, and there may be an engagement between
the two forces soon, or, what is not unlikely, a
part of Lees army may again attempt to flank
Meade, as was done during October.
The restitution at the South appears to be
very rapidly increasing. So far Us beef, flour
and corn are concerned, there is probably an
abundance. But . man can not live by bread
alone - there are other as important necessaries,
without which life must be a hardship and bur-
den. This seems to be the condition in Virgi-
MIA, and especially ut Richmond. Heretofore
great dependence has been placed on the sup
plies brought by the blockade runners from
foreign ports. When Charleston was closed,
but two principal entrances remained-Mobile
and Wilmington. But both these are now so
closely invested tbat scarcely a vessel gets into
either port. During November four swift Eng
steamers We're captured in one day off Will
with valuable cargoes. This has pro-
duced great CONSERVATION, and will put a quietus
10 further attempts, for the government is now
prepared with its new and swift steamers, re-
Gently built, to take every vessel that attempts
tn run in or out. There has never in the worlds
history ever been an attempt by any nation
before this to blockade 3 900 miles of coast line,
and when the American Government proclaimed
it, all Europe laughed at her, for trying to do
no other nation has ever done. But she
has carried out her intention, and accomplished
the greatest naval undertaking history has re-
corded. 1t exhibits, more than any other one
thing, her power and determination to conquer
in this struggle.
Another convincing proof of the great desti-
at the South, is the fact that comes to us
by this arrival-that the rebel government is
unable to prOride for the Union prisoners at Rich
nOHd-actually unable to provide for them and
the American Government has authorized Gen.
it for all necessary supplies for the prisoners.
And more than this, cargoes of supplies are now
being sent to Richmond for the Union prisoners
there. Was ever such a thing heard of in any
war before? If this occurs before winter has
set in, what will be the condition there in the
spring? To show that there is no mistake about
this destitution, we quote Il telegram or two
from Washington and Richmond papers
An Intelligent deserter has arrived in our lines,
left his regiment. the Second Louisiana Tigers,
seventy Of them being then stationed between Brandy
Station and Culpepper Court House. The whole OF
Lees army now in our front he estimates at from
TO fifty thousand. consisting of 4. 2. Hills,
Ewell's and part of d. II. Hills corps. No other
roops have been sent west from Lees army, since the
of Longstreet's corps and part Of d. II.
Hills. The talk in the rebel army was, that the
roops belonging to Hills corps would be brought
TO Lees army now that Hill was suspended
command. He thinks that Lee does not mean
o give battle this side Of his Entertainments upon the
which he describes as rather formidable.
,ut capable of being turned. He describes things
amongst the Confederate soldiers as decidedly blue,
view Of their scant supplies Of food and clothing.
/ considerable portion of the Tiger regiment was
are footed. When he left. the soldiers had been re-
Iuced to quarter rations. Threats 10 desert are s