The Placer herald., 1863-12-19
The PLACER HERALD
AUBURN, DECEMBER 10, 1868.
EASTERN NEWS.


The grand armies are comparatively at
rest after the active fall campaigns, and have
either gone into winter quarters for season
of repose, or else are kept close to camp by
bad roads and unfavorable weather.
The daily reports that Gen. Meade was TO
be removed for bis late failure to bring Lee
to fight, have not been realized, although
it is considered certain that he will give place
to a new commander before active hostiities
are resumed in that quarter. His army still
continues on the north side Of the Rapidau,
while Lee is intrenched south Of that stream
The pickets of the two armies are stationed
on each side Of the river, and exchange
newspapers with each other instead Of
bullets.
Grant occupies Chattanooga, Lookout Noun
toin, Missionary Ridge, and other strong
points in the immediate vicinity; while
Bragg's army, now said to be under the
command Of Gen. IIardee, is stationed at
Pigeon Mountain, the same position it oc.
cuped before the battle of Chickamauga.
Burnside's and Sherman's forces have com.
PEELED Longstreet to relinqush the siege Of
Knoxville, and retire toward Virginia. He
is reported to have lost heavily in guns and
munitions of war generally, and by deserion.
Reports from that quarter are disconnected
and blind.
Gen. Banks, who lately landed a force at
the mouth of the Rio Grande, and occupied
Brownsville, opposite Matamoras, has return
ed with bis staff to New Orleans. His army
remains on the RIO Grande, where they may
be efficient to check the trading that has
been extensively carried on between Texas
and the Mexican towns along the river
The portion of Texas that Gen. Banks has
occupied is bu. sparsely settled-there being
but few settlements between the Rio Grande
and the Nueces-a strip of country one
hundred and fifty miles in width.
Gilmores batteries, At Charleston, are still
pounding away at the remains of Fort Sum-
ter The telegraph intimates that Admiral
Dahlgren is preparing to do a big thing,
that will eventuate in the capture or COM
plete destruction of Charleston. Cores,
pondents make no conceament Of the dis,
satisfaction felt by the army toward the
navy, at Chareston-the former thinking
the latter do not bear their full share in the
conduct of the siege.
The Chesapeake, a steamer plying between
New York and Portland, Maine, was seized
l. nh RI
at the latter place as passengers. They
were Confederates in disguise. 1t is suppos-
ed they will attempt to run her into Viii,
mngton, North Carolina.
The ronicad Weehaacken, was sunk at
Charleston, few days since, in a furious
gale. Four engineers and twenty five sailors
were lost. Considerable damage was sus-
tanned by the shipping.
A new Confederate steamer, called the
Rappahannock, has made its appearance at
Calais, in France
In Congress the radical Abolitionists are
coming forward with strong measures
Loveioy has introduced a bill declaring
negroes free in all the States, ard making
them citizens. Another member has offered
amendments to the Constitution forbidding
the admission of any more slave States into
the Union. Fernando Wood, of New York,
introduced resolution providing for the
appointment of Commissioners to adjust
terms Of Peace. Fifty-nine members vot-
ed in favor of the resolution, bu. it was
tabled by a large majority.
Senators Bayard and Salisbury, of Dela'
ware, have refused to take the anti-rebellion
oath, required by Senators and Represent
atives, by an act Of Congress passed last
winter.
The Secretary Of War and the Secretary
of the Interior, in their annual reports, have
recommended the taxing Of the mines Of the
Pacific coast
A PROBABLE FAILURE.-The Constitu