, 1863-12-12

being taken prisoners, or forced to an inglO-
rious retreat.
Washington, Nov. 28.-The army of the
Potomac moved early yesterday morning to.
wards Rapidan, and the headquarters follow
ed at I o'clock The army advanced in
three columns, to cross at as many different
fords
Another dispatch dated Nov 28th says
At Manassas artillery firing was heard du-
ring the morning. which appeared in the di-
rection of one of the fords of the Rapdan.
A special Washington dispatch to the
Philadelphia Inqai,er says Our cores
pondent at the front reports telegraphic COM
munications with Meade as complete
Should Meade succeed in gaining possession
of the Virginia Central Railroad, and the
Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad he
will be able to establish a new and shorter
line of Communication for himself, at the
same time cutting off the main line of the
enemy's communications with Richmond.
Lee must either fight or attempt to reach
Richmond by circutous route.
The heights of Fredericksburg are within
Meade's grasp, and with this stronghold in
his power, and short line of railroad for his
supplies, he may move rapidly on to Rich
mond reaching there in five or six days n
The army is well supplied with pontoons to
cross the small streams on the route
The Republican has the following in an
extra: The army of the Potomac advanced
yesterday morning, and undoubtedly crossed
the Rapidan without much opposition, as
firing was heard at Baleton Station 1t COM
menced at 8 o'clock and kept up till 3 P NJ,
the sound rcceeding all the time till scarcely
heard, an evidence that Lee is retreating to-
ward Richmond
Washington Nov Ninety-six sur
geons recently released from Libby prison,
having been captured at various times and
in different departments of the army, arriv-
ed to-day. They embarked at Richmond,
but were ordered below decks until after
they had passed the rebel works at Fort Oar
| ling. They had no opportunity of learning
the number Of troops in the city. The cloth
| ing and provisions which have reached there
had been distributed, affording great relief
and cheering the suffering prisoners. The
! supplies, however, are not equal to the de-
mand One Of the surgeons says their own
conditions was alleyiated by permission to
/ purchase necessaries outside Of the prison.
New York, Nov. 27.-The Tri5une's spe-
cial dispatch says: 1t is feared that the
clothing and provisions sent by our Govern
ment to Union prisoners were never receiv-
ed by them, but sent to Lees army. One
WHO saw the prisoners-some 1000 in num-
ber-on the way to Dansville, says they had
not blanket All were filthy and ragged.
It is Gen. Meredith's opinion, also, that the
rebels have broken faith in these matters.
Richmond papers of Nov. Oath declares
that war is the sole policy Of the South, and
mentions, with considerable bitterness, that
one or two papers in Georgia, as well as in
/ North Carolina, are advocates Of peace.
The Erdminer states that plot of the
Union prisoners to burn Richmond was dis
covered. 28 Union prisoners were. sent
from Richmond to Dansville. A large pris-
on was also being erected in Georgia for their
accommodation
Charleston, Nov 23-Last night Is shells
were thrown into the city Ten buildings
were struck. No person was injured The
fire on Sumter continued heavy during the
night A spirited fight between batteries
/ Gregg and Wagner, and Bee, johnson and
Moultrie, took place this afternoon. Gregg
opened heavily on Moultrie, and Wagner on
johnson. Our fire was remarkably accurate,
compelling the enemy to leave guns. The
contest closed at dark. The firing on Sum
ter col ptinues heavy.
A Washington dispatch to the Herald
states that large amount ofCotton, amount
ing to. nearly 100000 of bales, has been
accumulated at Atlanta, Georgia, belonging
to the people and the rebel government. 1t
is expected that Grant intends makinga rap
id movement on that point. 1t will be diff
cult to remove any considerable portion of
this cotton to save it from capture.