Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-09
SEVERE FIGHT IN WEST TEN
NESSEE.
Depredations of Chalmers Rebels
at Salisbury.
The Fight at W lf-River Bridge,
Colonel Hatch Shot Through the
Lungs.
The Rebels Retreat.
Gallantry cf a Golored Regiment,
News From Washington
[To The Cincinnati Gazette.l

GAIhO, OeO. &
Corporal William wilkins, Of the Engi-
neer Corps, late from the front, furnishes
the following particulars Of the late fight
near lagrange;
He reports that Chalmers entered Ssuls-
bury on Wednesday last, having under him
from three Thousand to four Thousand men.
they tore up the railroad track for about
a mile on the Memphis s. Charleston Road,
burned a qusntity Of cotton and two or
three cars; fred upon a train coming west
from COrinth, having on board thirty five
rebel prisoners. The latter called out to
the Confederstes to come on, thinking they
would escape by their aid, but the train
PASSED on its course, and, backing out,
got clear Of their range and avoided in
jury.
On Thursday the rebels under Chalmers
and Forrest made three desperate charges
on Wolf River Bridge, defended by Colonel
Hstch's cavalry division. The rebels
we're finally repulsei. The Sixth Illinois
Cavalry suffered severely. One company
rs reported ss having but ten men remain
I zig ft for duty. They lost most Of their
horses Colonel Hatch was in the thiokest
Of the fight and was shot through the right
lung. 0ne rebel Colonel is said TO have
been killed The rebels afterwards burned
a small place furthe- West, and then retreat
ed to Brownsville, with Colonel Nisener
sad his brigade Of cavalry after them
The Second Tennessee, colored infantry
regiment, is reported TO have acted admir-
ably in the fight The rebels, while on the
retreat, burned the depot and wster-rank
at Lafayette. The Eighth Illinois cavalry
nad crossed the bridge a. Moscow, and we're
unable to return, which accounts for the
severe loss in captured, killed and wound
ed. No estimate OF our entire loss in
killed and wounded has reached US, as yet.
che rebels lost severely. They threatened
TO return and finish the work they had be-
guu, but it is more than probable that they
have had enough Of the business before
this time.
ITO the Cincinnati Gazette.1
WAsHEaToN, Dec. z.
The Presidents Messag- Will probably be
sent in to morrow, provided the Admins
tration caucus now in session, nOminRtes
for minor offices, so that an organisation
can be promptly completed. 1T discusses
mainly the questions of Slavery, recon
structiOn, military and naval movements,
and the progress Of the war. BE holds
| that by virtue Of his proclamation, slavery
is dead in all but the excepted States. He
recounts our victories, and dwslls upon
The present hopeful aspect of the war.
Secretary Chase's report is not yet
ready. It will be printed tomorrow, but
is not likely to go into Congress before
Thursday or Friday. The other reports
are required by law to accompany the
message.
IL Is doubtful whether Chase will call
for any more authority TO issue green
backs. The probability is that he will
not.
The President has issued 8 general or
der cODgratulatiDg the country on vic
tories in Tennessee, assured now BY Long
streets retreat and complete destruction
of the rebel plans.
On the heels Of this comes the news that
the Army Of the Potomac is falling tack
toward the entrenchments. The President
is understood to be considerably depressed
over il.
AT the Republican Senatorial caucus,
/ Foster, Sherman, Fessenden, Harlan and
Harris we're appointed Committee to re
wise the Committees, and it Is probable
that the principle changes will be in eject
ing McDOugsll, of California, from the FL
nance Committee, and putting Couness,
the new Senator from California, in his
place In the House, it is pretty certain
hat Thsd. Stevens Willremain Chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee and
leader, and it is probable that Sohenck
will be Chairman and Garfield q member
of the Committee on Military affairs
Sprsgue, CONFESS and other new Sens-
tors have been sworn in. No business
amounting to anything was transacted.
A motion is TO be made soon TO inquire
what right the spostste Carlile has to his
seat as Senator from Virginia, while a
resident Of West Virginia.