The Placer herald., 1863-11-21
THE PLACER HERALD.
AUBURN, NOVEMBER 81, 1868.
EASTERN NEWS.

EASTERN NEWS.
The telegraph was quiet for several days
in the early part of the week, caused by the
severe storms prevailing on the other side Of
the mountains. Since Wednesday we have
had liberal supply of items, but nothing Of
marked importance.
The army of the Potomac, under Meade.
has pushed forward to the Rapidan-Lee re-
treating and taking up a position South of
that river, where be is said to be strongly
posted. 1t is surmised that a great battle
will be fought in that quarter soon. A con-
ference has been held in Washington bel
tween Lincoln, Meade, Halleck and Stanton.
in which, it is stated, the two latter favored
putting the army in winter quarters, while
the President aud Meade were for an active
campaign, and fight at the earliest oppor,
tunity.
The siege al Charleston continues in mys.
terry. Accounts say that Fort Sumter is be-
inf constantly bombarded dts FLAG being
shot away every day. and replaced by the
rebels every night. So far as the public are
advised, but little progress toward the cap
ture of that city has been made since the re5
els evacuated Forts Wagner and Gregg. But
Gilmore is an officer of industry, and no
doubt is planting some big guns, to astonish
the natives at no distant day.
The news from East Tennessee is middle.
The rebels recently captured two regiments
from Burnside; and since that time have
driven all his forces into Knoxvile-which
place, they say, they are certain to take
On the other hand Burnsiles says he is inn
pregnabIe in bis position at Knoxville By
the way, Burnside has been Offering TO
resign again, and the President refuses to let
him 90. Correspondents are at loss to
sccount for Bursides periodical desire TO
resign. Some one has asserted that it was a
favorite plan Of Gen. Si4e's, when he aimed
at higher command to threaten to resign.
and 10y this means he rather coerced the Ad
ministraton into promoting him TO high
commands. Uncle Abe finally wealed with
the dodge, and the last time Sige offered his
resignation he was sheIved, like Butler,
Buell., Mcclellan, Fremont aud a host of
others.
The great point of interest seems to be
Chattanooga and its surroundings There
the greatest armies are assembltd-and there
possibly, the hardest and the decisive fight.
ING of the war may be DONE The rebels
still occupy Lookout Mountain and tie
nights around that place on the south side
of the Tennessee river. The Federals hold
the town and the strong positions around it,
as well as the mountains on the north side of
the river. General Giant keeps open COM
munication with Nashville, and his army is
now well supplied with necessalies The
opposing forces seem to be strengt thening
their positions and bidng their time. Cor
respondents do not speak Of another great
battle as imminent; but war is d game of so
much uncertainty. that an expected battle
may be delayed for months, or FASTENED in
moment 10y a careless shot
Since the capture Of Vichsburg and Port
Hudson, the Mississippi has lost greatly in
attention. The military operations in that
quarter are of minor importance compared
to the greater operations in Northern Geor-
gla, and on the Potomac.
General Banks has gone on an expedition
to the Rio Grande, and has landed troops at
the site of Brownsville, on the Texas side of
the river. The rebels first burned the
town and destroyed the Notifications.
Intelligent deserters continue to come into
the Federal lines and make reports that are
telegraphed far aud wide. This kind of in.
telgence, it has been found, is but little to
be relied upon, and does not 60 for much
now. 1t is worthy OF remark, that although
army correspondents Invariably represent
the rank and file of the Southern army as
ignorant and unlettered men, deserter from
that side is always intelgent-be he a
white man or a contraband. General read
ers wonder at this sometimes, bat it is a
story they find constantly repeated.