The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-12-24
EASTERN DATES
To November 3jth.


By the arrival of the clipper ship Princess on the
18th, We are in receipt of mails and San Francisco
daily papers to the 96th of November, with eastern
kilograms to the 25th. The clipper had a long pas
sage Of % days. She is en- route for Bakers Island,
to load guano for an English port.
Active fighting with the rebels on the 23d Of Nov
ember had begun, in Meade's lines, at Chattanooga
and at Knoxville. But very little intelligence had
been allowed to be telegraphed from either point
respecting the movements of the combatants, and we
shall have to await another arrival to learn the
result of the engagements. A telegram reports that
the President had said that the coming two weeks
following the 23d) would be the most important
of the war. This would Indicate that the forward
movements of Meade at the Rapidan, and Grant at
Chattanooga, were planned to be simultaneous, that
neither rebel army could move to the relief of the
other.
From Virginia.
WASHINGTON, November 23-The Republicans
extra says This morning at early dawn the Grand
Army of the Potomac broke camp near the north
bank of the Rapidan. with 10 days cooked rations,
wagons, etc, and commenced an advance movement
upon the enemy, upon the order of Gen. Meade. 1t
is supposed that by noon to. day the whole of our
army will be beyond the Rapidan. Lee must fight or
run, and if he resisted the crossing of the Rapidan,
there has been n battle before this. If our crossing
Is not resisted, II Is good evidence that he Is not
strong enough to fight outside of his Notifications.
In the latter event he will fall back on Gordonsville
or Richmond. The reports that Lees army is at
Hanover Junction are only speculations
ARMY OF THE Potomac, November 24-The army
did not move this morning, as reported. Everything
looks favorable this morning, which is dark and wet.
Rains fell, though gently. all night. not sufficient to
disturb the roads. Up to the present writing nothing
Of interest had occurred. Particular details are
contraband.
The Herald has the following from the Army of
the Potomac. November "a: Ere this can reach you
we shall probably have fought a severe battle, or
crossed the Rapidan-perhaps both. AS military
movements are always subject to delays and contin-
gencies, it would not be proper to enter into any
details of the plan of the campaign. Everybody is
hopeful and confident of success. Meade's plans are
well matured. Though they do not coincide fully
with the views 1 have heard expressed, they are per-
haps the best that could be adopted, keeping in view
the necessity, so urgently enjoined by the authorities
in the War Office, of covering Washington.
From Chattanooga.
A Washington special to the World says: Rumors
here are to the effect that Gen. Grants forces had
advanced upon Bragg, and are now in Atlanta,
Georgia, with Bragg in full retreat. They have no
shadow of q foundation.
The retrea. of Bragg to Atlanta is not believed in
military circles here. He may, however, have fallen
back a few miles from his late position to draw Grant
out of his Notifications. A battle between Bragg and
Grant is imminent and may take place at any hour.
The enemy is strongly reinforced. A desperate
struggle will be made to regain East Tennessee and
Kentucky.
New YORK, November 25.-The Herald has the
following:
WASHINGTON, November "a -Midnight-The War
Department received this evening a dispatch from
Grant at Chattanooga which is of a most important
character. The engagement in the immediate front.
an account of the commencement of which was yes
terday received, to-day has continued steadily
throughout the entire day. The rebels, although
steadily resisting our advance, have been gradually
giving way. There is nothing further from Burnside,
bnf rho sucep of this movement IL ey Decte6 SDee0lly
to relieve him from the pressure of the rebel columns
Grants advance compelling them to retreat to
prevent their capture or destruction.
Union Prisoners shot by the Rebels.
WASHINGTON, November pa Washington cor
respondent of the Post says in an article said to be
in conformity with the views of the War Department,
that in determining on the employment of colored
troops government became bound by the highest
moral obligations to give our soldiers of that descrip-
ton every guarantee that they should be protected,
cared for and treated in all respects like other troops
in the service. The rebel authorities so soon as col
ored regiments were placed in the field proclaimed
their purpose of handing over their officers when
captured TO their several State authorities to be pun
ished under their State laws, as criminals engaged IN
starting slave Instructions, and selling into slavery
our colored troops as they might perchance fall into
their hands. The rebels have rigidly carried out
this threat, formally promulgated in a message. by
JEFF. Davis. 1t will be recollected that thus far
nothing whatever has been ascertained of the fate of
such of our officers commanding colored troops as
were captured at Miliken's Bend, Charleston and
Sabine Pass. If alive, the rebels have them in secret
dungeons, not having pretended to bring them to a
public trial under State laws. But the impression is
irresistible that they have been murdered. 1t is
also clear that our colored soldiers captured by them
shared the same fate or have been reduced to slavery
the latter most probably. The War Department
seem to be firm on this point, that they will not con-
sent to a further exchange of prisoners until it is
made general. including all Union soldiers who have
been captured. The President agrees with the War
Department.