The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-29
LATE REBEL NEWS.
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REPORTS FROM WILMINGTON,
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General Palmer's Expedition.
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EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH.
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Operations in Southwestern
Virginia.
Etc, IGtc., Etc.. EtC., Etc.
General Palmer's Expedition
Etc, Etc., Etc.. Etc. Etc.
Tho Evacuation or Savannah.

The Evacuation OF Savannah.
From Ns Richmond WhiJ, Dscsmbsr2i
Reliable information has been received here Of
the evacuation of Savanuah-an event which the
military authorities had decided upon some time
since. We learn that the evacuation was effected
without loss, except OF such materials as could
not be transported.
The last troops of the line crossed the river at
three A. NJ. on Tuesday, the 2lst, proceeding in
the direction Of Charleston. The engineer troops
held the bridges until after six o'clock, when the
bridges were destroyed. At that time the enemy
occupied the city, which had been surrendered
by the Mayor about five o'clock, under flag of
truce.
General PaImer's Expedition Towards
Portsmouth.
From the Richmond W1f,, DscenBerq4.
From the Express of yesterday, we learn that
there was report current, AZ Petersburg, that
ralding column, composed OF infantry, cavalry,
and artillery, has started Off In the direction OF
Weldon, from Suffolk, no doubt TO operate as a
diversion in favor of the naval expedition against
| Wilmington.
This is probably the force we mentioned several
days since as having been collected at Bowers
Hill, eight miles this side of Portsmouth, under
the Yankee General Palmer, aud which we then
stated was destined to operate against Weldon.
We have, however. no official report that this
expedition has been actually started.
Temperance OF the Fleet or vii.
mingtOn.
From the Richmond Whg, Dccem5er2i.
An official telegram from Wilmington, dated
"The fleet, which drew Off in the rough
weather, Is again assembled. Seventy vessels are
| now in sight on the coast"
WILMINGTON. December 2i.-Seventy vessels
Of the cuemy's fleet are reported off Fort Fisher
| this morning. No demonstrations of landing
| yet. The weather mild. Wind west north west.
| Yankee gunbOat grounded last night near
| Fort Fisher, aud was blown up by the enemy.
The Raid In Southwestern Virginia.
| From the LvHchburg TrstHian, Decerabsr22.
On Monday, the 18th, the enemy-snce ascer-
| tanned to consist OF Giliems, StOnemaH's, and
| Burbridge's tOrces-cOncenrate at Beans Sta
| tOn, advanced eastward. Vaughn was at Green
| Vile, and Dukes Brigade at Rogersville The
movement was rapid, and Duke being in their
| route, was forced back to Kngsport, when, on
| the 18th, he was attacked and suffered repulse
The enemy thus got ahead of Vaughn, and on
| the morning Of the l4th entered Bristol. On the
next night he entered Abingdon, Duke falling
| back towards Abingdon. General Breckenridge,
| ut Wytheyille, apprised Of the advance at once
began to concentrate his troops for the defense of
| Satyille On the afternoon of the 18th he started
| by train for that point himself; arriving ut Glade
Springs that night late, he barely escaped capture
| and reached Satville next morning, the enemy
reaching Glade Springs shortly after daylight on
| the 10Th.
The force of the enemy after leaving Abingdon,
| divided into two columns-one threatening Salt
| vile, the other going to Glade Spring, and
towards Wytheyille. At 3 p. NJ. the enemy en-
| tered Marion, twenty six miles west of Wythe-
vile, and detached force which was sent south
east, towards the lead mines.
| Meanwhile, General Vaughn, leaving Bristol to
| his left, arrived In front Of Marion and, suppOs-
irg the main column had gone to the lead mines
| pursued the detachment with his msin force,
| leaving Colonel Gillespie, with tbs remainder OF
| his command, at Marion. On the morning Of the
| l6 h, ut daylight, Colonel Gillespie was attacked
| and repulsed, reueating towards Wytheyillc six
| miles distant There M aF ia
point the railroad superint 3ndeuJ having failed
| 10 send them from Dublin. For want of cars
also, but portion Of the stores could be removed
| from WytheYe.
The retreat of Gillespie was so rapid and the
| pursuit of the enemy so close that the former
| arrived at Wytheville at half-past IL A. NJ, and
| passed through the town in stampede all efforts
| TO rally them failing. The enemy appeared at |
Z. NJ, their videttes approaching very cautiously
| Major johnston, A. A. g., OF Breckinridge's staff
| with half dozen officers and men, remained, and
| by standing picket at the west end Of tue town
| in sight of the Yankees, detained them from com
1 ing in for two hours. The town was by this time
| cleared.
At3 P. NJ. Major Johnston having Withdrawn
| TO the east OF the town, General Gilem sent ia a
flag OF truce, which MAJOR Johnston received
| through Captain Semple and Major Mcmahon, of
General Breckinridge's staff. The unconditional
| surrender Of The Town was demanded, with
! guarantee OF security to private property and
| citizens. Major Johnston replied, agreeing to
| surrender tue tOWu on tuOse COnuuOnb, pTOflueu
| be was allowed half an hour in which to with
| draw his forces. After much deliberatiOn Gene
raj GillCm declined to give the time asked, but to
re,pect private property and citizens
Major Johnston, having thus gained more than
an hour for the retreatng cavalry and trains,
withdrew his forces, six all told, and came ia
towards Dublin. The enemy adhered to his
terms, and disturbed no priya'e property. When
| Gillem found out the rusc that had been praC-
tised upon him, he was more amused than in
| Ceused.
On Saturday morning, before daylight, the
enemy, after burning the railroad depot, ordnance
and medical buildings retired as he came, first
sending a detachment of two hundred to the lead
mines. General Vaughn was ut this important
! point, but, believing exaggerated reports Of the
| euemys strength, retreated on his approach.
The damage 10 the mines was slight, and can
soon be repaired. The enemy retired owards
Marion, doubtless to effect a Junction With the
main force and capture Saltye; but at last
accounts this important point was safe, and Gene
raj BIeckinridge had repulsed the enemy on
several occasions. The raid Is ably conducted,
the force moving rapidly, and doing but little
pillaging.