, 1864-02-10
FROM the SOUTH.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago T1ibune.1
WAsH1naroN, Feb.9
General Lee is reported in southern papers
10 have recently eaid in conycrsation that
with twenty thousand more men in his army
and forty thousand in Gen. Johnsons army,
all the Yankee troops possible to be brought
against them, could be whipped, and that
If tho contest could be prolonged till Sop
tcmber, the great crisis Of the war would be
passed.
The Atlanta IutdViaenoer Of Feb. 5th says
that 1t is likely from present Indications that
the main object Of the Fcderals in the spring
campaign will be to take TINT city, and thus
destroy the main junction Of railroad
communications in tho ConIederaeys It adds
that Atlanta is the last connecting link with
Alabama and Mississippi Should the enemy
gain possession Of 1t, the result must be that
The South will lose both those States, aud
eufler South Carolina and Georgia to be over
run. TO lose Atlanta would be to lose tho
sources whence food is Mt present drawn.
The Inta7i9e"osr urges the reinforcement Of
Johnston BY 10000 men. Atlanta must be
defended between there and the Etowah.
The I"t<aligencey denies the truth Of the cur
rent report TINT preparations are making at
Dalton ly Gen. Johnston to fall back from
Dalton, and asserts on authority tAat he will
fight there If nttackcd.
The Atlanta I.tea;geneer, Of Feb. I'd, saysan
attack had been expected on Mobile for wecks.
TIC day is not far Distant. The movements
Of Sherman in Mississippi arc but to distract
attention from Mobile.
The Ltteutgencer quotes Gen. Johnston as
expressing the opinion that Mobile Is more
easily defended than any city In the Conftd-
eraey.
The Riehmon Enquirer considers themoye-
ments In Mississippi more political than
the expedition to be to get possession Of
jackson Capital and State government, in
order to secure the electoral vote for Lin
coin.
Mahonc's V1rginia brigade OF Lees army
has re-enlistcd. Tho re-cn1istmcnts OF single
regiments in Alabama and Florida, Is also re-
corded.
Latest Atlanta papers say that the rebel
Vice President, Stephens, is now at his resi-
dence at Charlottesville, having 60 much re-
covcrd from his Illness as to be able to walk
about and resume correspondence with his
friends.
The Legislature OF Georgia, in response to
law Of the rebel Congress inviting several
Of the States to specify what State officers
shall be exempt from conscription, haye re-
Of Georgia be so exempt
A special dispatch to the Atlanta A14,:a',
dated jackson, Jan. soth, says, Baton Rouge,
/ Vscksburg, and other points on the Missis.
| sippi hare been heavily reinforced by the en-
e1ny, indicating clearly offensive operations
| against Mobile and Jackson Banks, with
| IL, coo men is operating from 3fadisonyil1e
Gunhoats are reliably reported In the fazoo'
The following dispatches appear in tbs
/ Richmond Enquirer Of same date:
| E1ssrps, Feb. 4.-7b Ion. S. r. Mallory: Ths
| force under my command boarded and captured
Iaet right the guntoat Underwater with guns, q
:pcn and officers. Her position Is within muskci
| rsnge Of several strong works, one Of which Tat
1sking the vessel during the time We had posses
sion Of her. Not having steam up caused me Il
| lurn her. Our loes is 20 killed and wounded, l
| m1aslng; cnemy's unknown.
]. TAYLOR Wood.
| WuSISaroS, Feb. ito Gen. s. Cooper: Or
the a0th inst, Gen. Martin, with the 17th and IA
End Col. J:cksoa's command, from Kenansvtl1e
broke the railroad at ShepherGsvi1le, driving tn
| enemy from their works at Newport Barracks, ani
scross the Newport River.
n. G. Wm1xo. Maj. Gen.
Imade reconn noiss1nce within two miles and
half OF ycwbcrn with Hooks brigade and par
OF Hane's and Cllngnau's, and some artillery, an
met the enemy in force at Bachelors Cfeek. vi
| killed and wounded about 100 In all and capturc'
Is otacere. 80 prisoners, II negroes, two rtfet
| pieces and caIseons, 900 stand Of small arms and
| rmbulances, wagons, Is animals and quAutlt
! Of clothing, camp and garrison equipage and tT'
fagr.
Commander Wool c. s. n, captured and df
strnycd the U. S. guuboat Underwater. onr ioa
is Is Killed and wounded.
G. E. PICKETT, Ma5. Gen. Comd'g.
ORANGE c. H., Feb, 1.-THE enemy crossed /
large force On Saturday At Aorton's Ford bnt afse
short contest, were repu1sed By Gen. E.. s. Johl
eop's division, md driven back o7et the river an
| pu1eued.
II Our troops returned this morning. The encu
also attempted 10 croes at >Bennett's Ford. b'
| wc1c rc1ulsed by Gen. Scales ~No1th CaEoai1
, / h1.snGc ard Lomax's cavalry. Tie casualties c
: | CIR eide wcrc elight. The encm5 have all 7
; treated.
Rebel papers construe the last call for 500
: Geo men, as an indication oftle great diflcu
| ties and embarrassment Of our Goyerrmel
in procuring men.
The Richmond Enquirer Of the 3th contail
2 an editorial denouncing all alleged dtscussit
r in secret session OF the Virginia Legislature
: the rebel government to recall the outlaw
1 Of Gen. Butler.
A bill was introduced In the rebel Congrc
to place free persons Of color between IL al
Is wears in the military service.
Ex-senator Robert Toombs was arrest
u on February Id, at Savannah, By order
q Gen. Bcauregard, for attempting to lea
- that city without pass The officer ask
Il him for Ills pass, end Toombs informed h
:. that he Was Gen. Robert Toombs, and o"
- allegiance to Georgin md DO other goVcl
y meat; TINT his State did not require her c'
- zens to trnyel with passports. and that
r. would rot procure one Theteupon aene
h. Toombs was elected from the cur.
IN A crowd Of citizens and soldiers haVa
to gathered around him, 1c harangued them
an excited and bitter manner, and In treass
II able and 1isloyal language. ..
- An old lady eye witness exclaimed: tsWt
he h7 we'll, they have got Bob Toombs. I he:
= Kim say he would swallow the blood Of
t1c YanEees t1ht came South. Well, VI
he can swallow al he Sheds" Amidst |
~ laughter created, Gen. Toombs was carr
to prison.
Oh FROM SPRlHGflElD.
ys ,spcc1al Dispatch to the Chicago rrtbuae.]
Gr,nf4 ~ Enf, 1%S+