The Richmond palladium., 1863-12-18
LATEST TELEGRAPHIC NEWS

Ga Monday afternoon last, there was a
fight at Bsar Station, in Tennessee, between
our cavalry under General Shackleford and
Longstreet, in which our loss was about IS.
Our forces were driven back half mile -
The fight was expected to be renewed on
Tuesday. Bear Station is north Of the Hol.
stem river, 25 miles south OF the Cumber-
land Gap, and As miles northwest from
Knoxville. and 25 IS. W. from Rogersville. at
which place are Lon gstreets headquarters.
The aim of the rebel general was to capture
Shackleford, and to this end he crossed q
force to the south side of the Host zen river,
which proceeded westward and attempted to
re-cross in our rear west of Bear Station La
this. however, they were defeated. Ii re
endorsements could be moved up in time, bat
tie would be given Longstreet, and from the
tenor Of dispatches we infer that this is the
intention. Longstreet has all his forces
concentrated beween Rogersviile and the
point at which Mondays t. bit took place
He may be easily re.enforced from Lees
army over the East Tennessee aud Virginia
Il. R. and probably with be as the latter
does not now tear any aggressive movement
on the part of Meade. 1t is possible. there
fore. that a battle will be tough: 10 the Hols
ten Valley. OF course our forces al Knox
vile and Cumberland Gap can speedily be
moved forward, in case an engagement be
ing considered probable or desirable. The
question of battle will be decided BY Gen
Sherman, as the rebels are not likely to
move forward.
The troops in Gen. Buffers department
are quite active. The capture Of Eliz Abs,h
City, n c., has already been mentioned
Charles City. Va, has also bsen taken by
expedition sent out under Col West
s rebel officers, 50 men aud 55 horses were
Captured and large amount of equipments.
etc., destroyed.
The Richmond Wing Of the 14th has a
severe criticism of jeff. Davis foreigp pol
icy, basing its remarks on the statements Of
his message. Itsays he proves too strongly
the unfriendliness Of the British Admnistra-
ton. thus discouraging the Southern people
and soothing the anta5onism Of the North
toward England. The Whig thinks that
interest alone governs the action OF foreign
nations. and that they have been rendered
inimical to the South by the superior diplo.
macy of the United States. 1t urges that
plenary powers be given future Southern
ambassadors, SO as to enable them to cope
with the Yankee diploma,ists. 1t also says:
at seems that the President did not an,ici-
pate war 1t is strange tha, he should no,
have done so, al least when he ordered Gen.
Beauregard to open fire on Fort Sumter
Perhaps the country at large may be charg
ed with the same want of foresight"
The rebel authorities have forwarded to
Fortress Monroe, letters signed by Lieut.
Coils. Sanderson, VanSchader and Hunter,
and Col J F. Boyd, prisoners at Richmond.
in which they certify that up TO December.
4th, the date, the instructions for the de-
livery and distribution of food from the
North to their fellow prisoners have been
faithfully complied win. and that in regard
to the clothing sent "every facility for the
inspection Of the prisoners and the distri-
button of the clothing has been afforded by
the rebel authorities"