The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-09-19
THE NEWS s.

hand, the work which he has made his specially
is progressing in a much more satisfactory man.
ner Quietly, but with steadiness that guaran-
tees the ultimate success of the enterprise, the
fifty skeleton regiments of colorcd troops are fill
ing up There are some twelve of these regi-
ments in the vicinity of Vicksburgh, which
number about 5000 strong in the aggregate.
Recruits are being continually brought in.
Major Stearns has by this reached the head
quarters of Gen. Rosecrans, on an errand similar
to that of Gen. Thomas, with whom he may be
sent to cooperate.
The 1iibm,e's dispatch says that the President
has received letter from Gen. Grant, in which
he not only pledges himself to aid Adjutant Gen.
Thomas in his labors, but also heartily endorses
the emancipation proclamation and the raising
of colored troops, and earnestly expresses the
opinion that with the latter great results can be
obtained For distance of ten or fifteen miles
on both sides of the Mississippi River, all the
slaves have been run off into the interior by the
rebel planters Gen. Grant has sent out two
expeditions for the purpose OF liberating such
slaves as can be found.
We have lot of refugee reports from Mem
phis They are in substance, that the rebel
armies under Johnston and Bragg arc in a des-
perate condition, on third rations, discouraged,
and deserting at the rate of fifty per night. The
people of Alabama and Mississippi look upon the
Union armies as deliverers rather than invaders.
A reconstruction meeting had been called by
Unionists in the vicinity of Columbus, but il was
suppressed by the military. There is strong
latent Union feeling among the inhabitants
which is becoming more open and bold in mani
festation In St. Clair County the Union feel
ing is so strong that secessionists not allowed
to stay there. In other sections men are secreted
in swamps and caves, and would come out and
join the Union army but for the danger of being
captured by the rebels while making their way
to our lines. Three hundred deserterS are rem
dezvoused in Winston County, all of whom are
armed and determined to resist the rebel author
tiles to the last.
Masses were held in the Catholic churches of
Cincinnati on Sunday, at the request of Gen.
Rosecrans, for the success of the Union Army.
1t is supposed that Gen. Rosecrans made an at
tack on Chattanooga on that day.
A special dispatch from Memphis says: The
steamer Progress, from White River, brings the
news that Gen. Davidson, with cavalry and
artillery, constituting the advance of Gen.
Steele's army Oh the 2Sth of August drove the
enemy, seven thousand strong, across Bayou
Me;aric Bridge, killing and womdins about one
hundred, and capturing two hundred. Our loss
was thirty. The rebels burned the bridge after
crossing. Gen. Steele was at Duval's Bluff on
the 3lst ult.
The Navy Department has purchased the prize
steamer Peterhotf, about whose capture there
was so much dispute some time since. The
vessel is a very valuable one, in iae condition.
Official dispatches detailing his advance and
occupation of Knoxville have been received ut
Washington from Gen. Burnside. Part of his
cavalry had arrived there, while others weresat
Morristown and Loudon, on the line of the East
Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, which towns
are northwest and southwest respectively from
Knoxville. When Gen. Burnside appeared be-
fore Kingston the enemy fell back and rctreated.
At this point cavalry force, which was sent out
from Gen. Rosecranss army at Chattanooga,
eighty miles to the south, joined Gen. Burnside's
forces. The latter pushed on his column to
Loudon, where sharp fight took place, and the
enemy was completely routed. Gen. Burnside
met with but slight resistance at Knoxville. The