Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-02-12

N0eAing oennite mas Deen fec6ntly neaFu
from sberman's expedition, nor Is it yet known
at what point It viii strike. The rebels are
greatly perplexed on the subject, and are ''wait-
ing and watching" for further deveIopmeats.-
Mobile and Montgomery are the points re-
garded as most likely to be in danger. The
former place is probably destined to receive
the impending blow; at least such is the gen
eraI impression among Union men in the VI
cinity Of movements being made.
The latter part of last week Mead made a
reconnaissance in force across the Rapidan,
fordin0 the stream at three different points /;
the object being to ascertain the truth Of
prevalent reports that most of Lees army had
been Withdrawn in order to strengthen other
threatened places further south. The enemy
was encountered in strong force, and after
considerable heavy skirmishing, in which we
lost some 200 men, our forces returned to their
former position.
About the same time force composed prin-
cipally Of cavalry was sent up the Peninsula
by Gen. Butler for the purpose Of making a
raid upon Richmond, releasing our prisoners
confined there, and inaicting sush other dam
ace upon the rebels as circumstances might
warrant. The expedition advanced to within
ten miles Of the city, but the rebel authorities
having been apprised Of the movement had
mustered a strong force TO oppose them, and
they Withdrew. The demonstration caused a
terrible panic in the rebel capital, the particu-
lars Of which are given elsewhere.
Latest advices from Newbern, n. c. state
that the rebel force. which recently threatened
that place, has fallen back and abandoned the
project Of capturing it. The situation is now
regarded as safe.
From Knoxville and Chattanooga there i'
no news Of Importance. Longstreet has not
yet taken the former place, and as the veterans
are beginning to return to she feld, the diff
culties IL. the way of success viii be SO rapidly
increased that If he does not make the efTort
very soon, there is no probability Of his under.
taxing II at an s-i
The rebels are seriously exercised in regard
to Grant They know he will not lay still
long, and anticipate an early advance against
Atlanta, at present the most important strate-
gic point in rebellion, They are making
strenuous efforts to raise formidable force to
resist his advance. 5o
Reports continue to come from rebel sources
that they are about to remove their capital to
South Carolina or Georgia, and it is quite
probable they are well founded, as Virginia is
exhausted Of supplies and it requires larger
force than they have to spare to guard Rich
mond from the constantly threatened advance
of the Union army. It ia also stated by the
rebel papers that the Union prisoners now
confined at Richmond are to be Immediately
removed 10 Georgia and South Carolina.
The last Richmond papers give details Of a
recently discovered plot among residents oil
that city to release the Union prisoners, assas-
sinate JEFF. Davis, burn the public property,
and do sundry other things detrimental to the
interests Of the Confederacy. The ring-leader
of the plot, Richmond banker. had been ar
rested, and it is claimed that among his papers
was found fun list Of the conspirators with
plan of their operations, etc.
Accounts from Charleston state that the
bombardmsnt of the city still continues with
out cessation, and from the admissions Of the
rebels it is manifest that the shells are doing
immense damage TO the business portion Of
the city. A recent proclamation from the
Mayor requires the owners and occupants of
stores, banks, Insurance Offices, SC. to remove
all papers and other combustibles from their
buildings, and the limits named within which
the order operates shows that the greater and
best portion of the city is exposed to the shells
hurled against it.
Last advices from Texas show. things to be
progressing satisfactorily in that region.
There are reports that Price is preparing
to moge against Little Rock, Arkonsas but
it is hardly probable he is in a condition to do
so as his force is small and much demoralized.