The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-17

FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. l6.
The flag Of truce boat New York arrived
here Tonight, bringing southern news up 10
= to-day. Richmond papers have the following
Charleston, Dec. l5.-Therc was no firing
last night. All quiet this forenoon.
Second Dispaich-The enemy fired four
teen shot at the city this forenoon. Seven
buildings were struck. No person was in
iured. Our batteries replied. No new move
on the part of the enemy.
Charleston, Dec. 14.--1he fire at Sumter
was purely accidental and unavoidable. 1t
has been extingushcd, and the strength of the
fort is as good as before. The list of casual
ties has not been received. No firing on Sum
ter yesterday or to-day, and very little firing
between the batteries. Four shells were
thrown into the city this afternoon.
Thirteen Yankee prisoners, iacludng the
commissioned officers of the United States
brig Perry, captured at Merrill Inlet, have ar
rived here.
Charleston, Dec. Every little firing; the
casualties at sumter, yesterday, were ten
killed ami thirty wounded. The boiler and
pattern shops of Eagans Foundry were de-
stroyed by fire last night.
Eleven shells were thrown into the city,
several of which contained Greek fire, which
burned fifteen minutes after the explosion.
Charleston. Dec. ll.-Twelve shells were
thiONu iiilo tilc city itSt Hput, III luteTNdiS Oh
three hours. Damage trifing. The city has
been shelled at intervals during the day.
About 2 A. NJ. Sumter took fire from some
cause unknown. The fire communicated TO
the timber work OF the southwest angle, and
the woodwork was burned and some anilnunl-
ton destroyed. There were some casualties,
but the particulars are not received. The
enemy's land batteries opened heavily on the
fort, during the fire, and were replied to by
Moultrie and other batteries.
Bristol. Dec. 12.-The news FROM the front
is decidedly encouraging. Our cavalry are
at Morrstown and the enemy is retiring, since
Longstreet placed Cumberland Gap in his
front, instead Of his rear. Longstreet. Vance
and Ransom's commands had consolidated,
and perfect confidence is felt that he will hold
the county. Vaughan's command bud also
succeeded In joining the main body.
Bristol, Dec. 14.--Thc main body of our
army remains at Rodgersyllle. Longstreet's
headquarters are there.
The Richmond Wing OF to-day, In an edilo-
rial, says the Atlanta Confederacy asserts that
our cavalry advanced on the 10Th above Ring
gold Finding the country clear of the enc
my they proceeded TO Lookout Mountain and
Missionary Ridge and found Dotbing but tho
debris of the enemy's camp. The position
seemed to have been deserted on Saturday
last. In the town of Chattanooga and below
the enemy had visibly decreased his force.
The presumption is that heavy column has
gone after Longstreet and an expedition has
started into West Tennessee to look after For
est.
The Wing says, although there appears to
be no doubt OF the movement of Ayerill from
the kanawha In the direction of East Tennes-
see, the War Department has received no adj
ditional intelligence from that quarter. Il
would seem he intended a raid on the railroad.
Bristol Dee. -. Lieut.. Magee, OF Nor
gan's Stat, who escaped with the General. has
arrived in Russell county, en route for Rich
mond. He has 10 doubt but the General Is
within our lines.