, 1864-12-17

FED OH NEsA ROkI1.
Our mIdnigMt Dlspatch-Lateat and
Exciting MILITARY Ramors-G:eneral
News 1teEss-
Especial Dispatch to the Western Press.l
NEW YoR1, Friday, Dec. is Midnight.
TIE MILITARY SITUATION.
The american has just received dis.
atch from Annapolis stating that. the
steamer Havana had, Just arrived from
Charleston with news that General
Sherman had captured Savannah, with
500 prisoners, after eight hours fighting.
NEW YoRK, Dec. 16.-The Commercially
| Washington special says that Savannah is
known to have been fortified In Its rear BY a
| triple line Of fentrenchments, aud may, there
fore, demand brief siege ere its fall.
The Augusta Constitutioaalist Of the 9th saws
that sherman's columns are very much scat
| tered at last accounts. Hardee WAS skirm-
ishipg with the enemy's advance in Ettius-
ham county, while Wheeler was hacking away
ut the rear guar1, forty miles this side
4 corps Of the enemy Is foraging on the
| west side Of the Ogechee. The hostile corps
arc spraWling over large space and not q
little demornlized. We take 1t that now Is q
golden opportunity for Hardec to strike. IT
he should daily much longer Sherman will
have ample time to combine his fragmentary
divisions and deal us solid blow. The I'M
preston prevails that m attempt to CROSS the
Savannah River, or below Sisters ferry.
will be made. Precautions of novel and
| formidable character have been taken to pre-
vent this. The end IS rapidly eliminating.
| BY The first Of next week. Sherman will havc
| terminated his sytnt:u1 march, whether sue
ccssful or not the future alone can deter
mine.
The Charleston Mercury, Of the 10th, says
We are without further intelligence from
Charleston und Savannah. The railroad train
due last evening from Savannah did not ar
rive. It Ia believed the train did not even
leave Savannah.
New YouK, Dec. l6.-The New Orleans
Era Of the 10Th contains full details of Col.
Osband's raid, bat Gen. Canby's report con-
talns all essential particulars.
LATER.
The correspondent of the Americon at An
napolis telegraphs as follows: The steam
ship Yarina left Charleston Bar on the 14th
inst, at O'Clock in the morning. a report
had reacled there, by rebel fag-of:truce
hoat, that Sherman Was in possession Of So
vannah, after eight hours fighting, md had
captured II GOO prisoners.
: FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 15.-The steamer
Crescent arrived here at late hour last night,
fiom Port Royal, with $50 released Union
prisoners, and proceeded Immediately to An
napolis, Md.
Lieut.. T. II. Montgomery, 5th U. s. CAV:
airy, escaped from Cumberland, and was
within five miles. of sherman's army when he
was captured In d most furnished condition.
'tSiege Of Charleston 520th day. The stormy
weather Of Friday, and the heavy sea in the
harbor, prevented any communication by flag
Of truce and delivery Of Yankee prisoners,
who arrived in the city on Friday morning.
The latter arc comfortably quartered in Roper
Hospital. Another thousand are expected to
arrive this morning. There has been no arins
from the batteries In the hnrbor.''
The HfrdlTs Hilton Head special says, from
what is deemed good authority, 1t is asccr-
tanned that the enemy's force ii and abont
Savannah is Is, GOO to e, 900 men, consisting
Of Georgia militia, and the larger portion of
the Charleston garrison. Gen. Bragg com
mands the entire coast line, including the
foi ces confronting Sherman but he has been
cut OF from the main body Of his army, aud
left in the rear at Augusta.
are in front OF us, from either tue Shenandoah
Valley or Lees army. It is rumored Bragg
has sent u division from Early's forces, but Il
snot believed, and It Is notin Charleston
The enemy landed In large force at Alackey's
Point and was repulsed advancing toward Old
U u
force which landed at Boyd's Landing, Las
disappeared. That which fought on Tuesday
Was about mile from the rallroad, and is re-
ported cnt1enching. Our condition in that
locality will be more satisfactory at next ac-
count.
Tic Savannah 1yt,rs of the sth, says: "Day
bcftre yesterday the enemy aguIn madc an at
tempt 10 take the Charleston and Savannah
1allrs I'D, but were repulsed. Fighting con-
tinu,d nearl? all day, and had not ceased at
dark. The force had driven back every u.s.
The Sf. !Albnns fantders.
NEW York, Friday, Dec. IA Montreal letter
Of the 1a,h says thu rebels In Canada were await
Ing the result of the trial Of the ST. Adams raiders
d ring towns and tarE houses on the frontier, and
wtre unly awaiting the rclcase Of the raidcrs rs
siEnal to commence operations.
The Exchange Of Prisoners,
A letter from Col Mqlford's headquarters, gives
tecentf1y 1elea,ea says the rebels have offered
efs ase euseaf S 81! TO % hs SOL
hostages for negro soldiers now In rebel hands,
New York Items.
admiral Farragut and Commodore Wiuslow
we're received laet ight at the Union League Club
Room. NospcCches wcrt made.
Ihere Is much n. excitement a. among The Feni3n Or
priest Iii denonncing meeting Of Fenians held
last Sunday in Hudson City. Ameeting Of ali the
Fcnans Of ts three cities Is called For Sunday in
The steamer Patapsco, from Stono Inlet, 18th,
reports light snip located there went ashore on
the 9Th, and was totally wrecked The light ship
OF Light House Inlet WIS also wrecked tic same
day, and all hands except ono lost. The Putapsco
passed, on the 14:h, on natteras, q large heet
bound sonth, including four naaitors.
From the south.
Information has been received which Is regard
ed as trustworthy, that the rebels in the interior
Of North Caroina are making preparations for the
expected transfer Of Lees army from Virginia to
North Carolina. hey have In courso Of construc-
ton up the Roanoke River two large vessels. In
tended transports. Since the destruction Of the
ram 1eS they have fsmodsea strength
another ram. At Weldon and Goldshorough there |
arr quit large hodies Of troops, actively engaged
H. ne Il hs na Sesf Rs1' mo2 aep
are In co,lrse Of construction.
In the rcf.el House OF Representatives, the Mill |
bill. The clause in regard to tho exemption Of |
tho press Is materially changed; also that In rela
latdon to teachers. excWpting only teachers Of |
enits; on newspapers, one editor for each paper,
and ench printer. and pressmen as the editor may
certify on oath are indispensable.
bill for the Imprisonment OF NEGROES. a. passed |
by the rebel Congress, It holds all free negroes
liable to perform the military duty required Of
them. 1t authorizes the employing OF 40,010 |
slaves Mt any necessary Ial'or, uni provides for
muneraung the owners OF negroes In casc OF death |
or the escape Of s1ayes. Not more than one In !
FIVE shall be taken from any owner, and all tha |
States shall he nude to contribute their fair quota
The New Rebel Pirate.
\ London letter to the 7fibune says the Laurel, |
yhich left Liverpool carly IN October with |
Alabama, joined tile Soaking at Madeira on tue |
18th OF the same month. Eoth vessels then sailed |
for Porto Rico, where the Larrel Transferred to |
the Soaking four isP'ountes., two a2.pounlers:.
ammunition and provisions. -Four non Of the
Laurel volunteered to join the pirate. The name
Of the Scakln: wes CHANGED to Shenandoah, and the
transfer Of The Laurcl's four men vas mnde under
English eolors. The two ships then sailed for
Tenerifc, where tho crew Of the Seaking wus put
aehore, nfter giving promise to report wreck
of their vessel in gale OF wind OF the coast
The Shenandoah is d thousand tons register, and
very fast
i Canadian View of mr.. Ll11coln,s
Message.
fFrom the Toronto Globe. Dec. 81
Upon the question Of slavery Mr.. Lincoln
ndhcrcs to bis previous position with fidelity
which does credit to his honesty. He says.