The Shasta courier., 1864-12-24
SHASTA COURIER.
: WAR NEWS.

gTH1 war NEWS. 4
Washington, Dec. lSth.-Dispatches wer
received to-day from Gen. Foster, who ha,
q personal interview on A. n of Wednesday
18th, with Sherman at Fort McAllister
which had been taken by assault on the pre-
tiols day. Savannah was closely besieged
and its capture, with the rebel force there
was confidently expected. It was to be sum
moned in two days, and if not surrendered
Sherman would open his batteries upon 1t
Foster reports that Sherman's army is IN
splendid condition, having lived during the
march on turkeys, chickens. sweet potatoes,
and other good things, in the richest part OF
Georgia
Nothing further has been heard from
Thomas to .dav. Unofficial dispatches state
that the Provost Marshal at Louisville re-
ports 5000 prisoners and SO pieces Of arui-
lery as having been already secured: 1t is
ascertained that in transmitting Thomas
report last night a telegraphic mistake was
made at Louisville or Nashville, in estimat.
inc the number of our casualties. The dis.
match written by Thomas stated his whole
loss would not exceed 5000, very few being
killed
A dispatch from Lexington, KY, this
evening. states that on the 18th, at Kings.
port. East Tennessee, Burbridge had fight
with Basil DAke's brigade, formerly Nor
gan's, and routed it with loss to the enemy
Of $50 killed, wsu6ed and prisonSss, and
their trains.
New York. l9th-The Herald's CORES
pondence from Buffers headquarters, dated
Dec. 18th, says: Last evening, about O.
clock, the lines of Bre-et Major General Fer
zero, commanding at Bermuda Hundred,
were attacked by the rebels. The firing,
which was both heavy and incessant for an
hour, was mostly confined to pickets, though
there was sufficient artillery used on our side
to repel The attack Five rebel gunboats and
two rams, the Virginia and Richmond, were
distinctly observed lying under the guns of
Fort Darling yesterday, towards evening"
They are doubtless there for purpose.
The Richmond Enquirer of December 18th
has a semi i-oficial editorial in favor of arming
the slaves. 1t says Gen. Lee is in favor Of
the proposition. The Enquirer says: When
we supplicate European nations for help, we
must he prepared to receive it on their con-
ditons, which will be the abolition of slave
ry. 1t also asks: "Shall we prolong the
war. sacrifice our children and destroy our
country for the sake of slavery" 1t con-
cludes: I've hate, detest and despise the
enemy far more than we love slavery"
A telegram to the Richmond Whig from
Lynchburg, dated December l4th, says a
body of Yankees, returning towards Ream's q
Station, East Tennessee, encountered our
forces at East Zollicoffer Station, on Tennes-
see road, nine miles west of Bristol, where a
fight was said to be progressing at last ac-
counts.
The Richmond Sentinel of the 10th says
Foster is quiet under his failure on the Sa-
vannah Railroad. Sherman has seemingly
despaired of opening communication with the
sea at Beaufort. The capture of Fort Meal
lister is announced. Its liability to capture
has been well understood. Sherman will
now be able to get supplies by way of Ossa-
baw Sound. Should he capture Savannah
he will have exchanged a city in the interior
for city on the coast which has been CON-
pletely closed to commerce since the loss of
Fort Pulaski in 1862.
New York, l8th.-Earl Russell sent the
following reply to the dispatch of the Con-
federate Commissioners and the manifesto Of
the Southern Congress.
To j. Slidell and Dudley Marn:-I have
had the honor to receive copy which you
have sent me of manifesto issued BY the
Congress of the so called Confederate States
of Americas. Her Majesty's Government
deeply deplores the nature of the struggle
between the Northern and Southern States
of the formerly united Republic of North
America. Great Britain has since 1888 re-
manned, with the exception of a short period,
connected by friendly relations with the
Northern and Southern States. Since the COM
mencement of the civil war which broke out
in 1861, Her Majesty's Government has
continued to entertain sentiments of friend
ship equally for the North and South. Of
the cause of the rupture, Her Maiesty's Gov
ernment has not pretended to judge. They
deplored the commencement of the sanguain.
airy struggle, and anxiously look forward to
the period of its termination. Meantime they
ore convinced they must consult the interests
ofpeace and the rights of all parties by OBJ
serving strict and impartial neutrality. Such
neutrality Her Majesty has faithfully man.
tanned and will continue to maintain.
tSigned,) RUSSELL.
The London Times, speaking of Russell's
letter, finds no favor in it to either north or
South. First he snubbed the Confederates-
They are only the So called Confederate States
and have yet to establish their right to the
appellation. This. too, is a compliment to
e"o Shiou vi tue ctdteS, Dut tnere follows q
counter snub to the United States. They are
the formerly United Republic. But to saw
they were formerly united is to imply that
they are now disunited, and to acknowledge
thereby the existence of the Confederate
States. Russell seems to be apparently afraid
that neuter does not mean both, and therefore
IT he would maintain even in words strict
neutrality, to avoid any demonstration of
friendship to either belligerent.
Washington. th.-The..following report
of his operations has been received from
Thomas, dated Headquarters Army of the
Cumberland, near Spring Hill, Dec. 18th:
The enemy has been vigorously pursued
to day, but has studiously avoided any at
tack. | have succeeded in taking a few pris
oners, some two or three hundred, but oul
captures were light in comparison with the
success of the past three days. Pursuit will
be continued in the morning at as early ar
hour as the troops can march. have found
the railroad thus far but little disturbed
My trains will be coming by railroad in 8
day or two at farthest. On the 10th Maio,
General Johnson's entire division, with al
his brigade commanders. was captured in
the works which were taken by assault. ant
Brigadier General Kicker DESTROYED a brigade
OF enemy's cavalry. capturing its command
er. Among the captures made to-day arr
the rebel Brigadier General Quarles, wound
ed, and a number of rebels. also wounded
lying by the road side, unable to 90 away.
Signed THOMAS.