, 1864-12-30
Eastern News.


to favor the Confederate cause. We condense
from the dispatches all there is of interest con-
cerning Shermans movements. The Richmond
Wing of Dec 9Th, says Sherman is marching to
the coast of Georgia, and that battle is antici-
pated at some point north or northwest of Sa-
vanah. The Richmond Dispatch, of same date,
says Sherman's army seems to be becoming
hausted. For five days he had marched butfve
miles. He was expected at Savannah on the
9th, and all that night the shipping off the point
threw up signal rockets for his guidance. Rich
mond papers of the 7th say Sherman sapproach-
ing the coast by way of Darien or Savannah,
and that he will have formidable confederate
force to confront before he reaches either point.
The papers predict that Sherman is done with
strategy and will attempt to break through the
confederate forces in order to reach the coast.
They also think his condition criticalo one. The
Augusta Constitutionalist believes that since
leaving Atlanta, Sherman has not hestated
moment as to the point to be attacked, or as to
the road to take. 1t says that on leaving Millen
he would arrange his army so that he could
move on Savannah without fear of an attack on
either flank. The Charleston Mercury learns
that Foster has fortified the position which he
took after the battle of Honey Hill, S. c., where
it is supposed he will remain until Sherman
reaches within striking distance of the coast. 1t
states that Foster has for some days and nights
signals to Sherman's approaching hosts. The
Richmond Examiner of the Sth, says: Last &C
counts from Sherman represent him still at Mil
len From there it is about an equal distance
to three points, Beaufort, Savannah and Darien.
It is believed by some that he will endeavor to
meet Foster at Grahamsville, S. c., butif failing
in that, to capture Savannah. The Richmond
Dispatch of the 18th, says that Sherman is near
Savannah, probably not Eve miles distant. He
has not made an attack, and it is doubtful
whether or not he viii do SO or make for the
coast southeast of the city. 1t is very certain
that he has not opened communications with
the coast, though he may do so very soon. The
telegraph from below Charleston states that
Sherman was on the eve of battle, does not say
where and that he was confronted by a strong
Confederate force. Another paper states that
there has been no direct communication with
Savannah for several days, and apprehends that
the wires have been cut between that place and
Charleston.
Wheeler confesses that in his engagements
with Fitzpatrick, he did not take many priso-
ners, because the Yankees would not surrender
Fitzpatrick is reported wounded.
Of the movements about Richmond, the fol-
lowing is a summary Richmond papers of the
9th Dec, say that Grant has been reinforced by
from 5000 to 10000 men from the Shenandoah
valley, and that battle is imminent. Dutch
Gap canal, they say, can be made available in
few hours. Reports are current that the evacu-
alton of Petersburg may be looked for at an
early day. Skirmishing parties are usually ac-
tive in the vicinity of Richmond.
Advices from Tennessee make it appear that
the Union loss in the battle of Franklin was
greater than at first supposed. By official re-
ports the loss amounted to 2,OOO large por-
tion being slightly wounded. A Louisville de-
spatch says that Breckinridges position seems
to be in doubt. 1t is reported that he is at
Sparta, Tenn, with ten thousand men, and that
he intends to reinforce Hood. 1t is thought that
the troops under Stoneman and Burhridge will
prevent the junction. Special dispatches from
Nashville, Dec. 18th, say all our forces have
done more or less fighting to-day, and appar-
emily with damage to the enemy. The Demo-
crat says the rebels under Lyon burned the de-
pot, and destroyed lot of tobacco at Harden
vile, KY, on the Memphis branch railroad
The rebels are conscripting everybody they can
find. A Louisville despatch of the 9th, states
that rebel brigade had started from Hoods ar
my in the direction of Murfreesboro. It is not
known whether for foraging or to attack that
place.
The rebel Senate on the 9Th Dec, defeated a
resolution introduced in pursuance of jeff Da-
Wis recommendation that various officers ex-
empted by State laws should be forced into the
rebel army. Another resolution has been intro
duced which fercely condemns the proposition
to make soldiers of the slaves and giving them
freedom as a reward for services
In the South Carolina Legislature, bill has
passed the House for the conscription of all
men between the ages of 16 and 10.
Cole, of California has introduced a bill in
Ceagross for tho establshnnent of mining
department.
Among the foreign items of news is the fol- |
lowing The Times (London) sees no cause for
alarm in the reelection of Lincoln. England is |
probably safer in his than any other hands. Re-
garding foreign States, and England particular
ly, we may reasonably believe that Lincoln has |
sown his wild oats and has gone through with |
his course Of defying and insulting England, |
and we hope he will not repeat the experiment
1t was reported at Southampton, Nov 22d |
that Semmes new ship ''Sea King" was wrecked
off the Isle of Madeira.
-
CoID BELow-From Mr., Geo. Thomas, who
returned from the Dalles this week, we learn
that it has been much colder at the Dalles and
between there and the Cascades than it has here
This is usual-the climate of this valley being
acknowledged to be the mildest east
Of the Cascades. The river between the Dalles
and Cascades and between the Cascades and
Portland had been blocked with ice, but is most