The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-12-27


THE SITUATION.
We publish this morning . map showing the locality
and surroundings OF General Shermaus magnificent,
Christmas gift to the and people, We also
give some extracts regarding his from the
latest Richmond papers received and the opinions OF
the English press In reference to his grand cam.
paign The Richmond editors in their last sa,ur.
days issues proessed have some doubts that savan
nah had fallen, but consoed themselves, tho event
that had, by confidence in their generals in the
belief that they knew what was best for the rebel cause
mans grand march across the State Of Georgia with
Mingled feelings Of wonder admiration, envy and fear.
Richmond papers Of last Saturday report Gordous
vio Virginia. at the Junction Of tho Virginia Central
and Alexsndria and Orange railroads, was probably
occupied on that morning BY Union force from
the Shenandoah valley, estimated At six thousand,
under the gallant cavalry leaders, Generals Torbsrs and
Powell They had considerable diminishing on the two
preceding days with the rebels under Lomax portion
Of tho Union cavalry said 10 have moved further west
iot,esvile Generals rorbert and Powell occupied Mad
son Court House. In their movement on Gerdonsve on
last Wednesday. The Richmond papers say there were
no rebel supplies OF any consequence
doosvls They claim that General Rosser on the 12d
inss defeated party q sheridsns cavalry and ars
isry. numbering fifteen hundred or two thousand in the
Shenandoah valley, between Sparta and Harrsonburg,
driving them back down valley. Tho rebel General
Lee, In Official despatch says this force was General
Clusters divisIoa.
We have nothing later from Wilmington, North Caro-.
ina than vas published 10 the HERALD yesterday morn.
Ing Dispatches from there dated Friday last, and
published in Saturdays Richmond papers. say, that
twenty six Union vessels reappeared below Fort Fisher
on that morning, the whole eet having disappeared dur
ing the preceding day, on account OF the storm.
reported that the rebel General Hoods pontoons
the nsighborhood Of Florence AAbam bsve been swept
away. and that the Tennessee rirsr high that
he viii not b able get army south OF IL Another
battle the north side Of the river is therefore OF.
pectsd. General Thomas headquarters were stil at
Columbia. Tenn., last Saturday. but She advance Of
There Is rumor that Hoods men have abandoned their
wagon trains.
On last Friday night. IL Is reported. General Lyons
rcbel forces kentucky captured and burned train on
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. About two
hundred Union soldiers who were on board
TO injurs the railroads much, being too closely
pursued. he left Elizabethtown with his main deach.
mept some Two thousand men, last Sunday morning,
moving towards Greensburg. He is apparently trying
10 70, out OF Kentucky. as according these reports
he s now marching southwark. General Lagrangs's
brigade OF national troops Is following him up.
Our dispatches from James river armies state that
additional rebel forces left Lees army before RIG
last Saturday for point The rebels
have recently erected and important ne earth.
ming from the vicinity Of the river the north side
distance eastward An expeditiopary Union force
recently went out 70 the Rappahsrnock river from In
front Of Richmond, and succeeded In destroying mum
Der OF guerilla lurking places innicng much damage
the enemy and capturing several who sudea.
SWng 70 ucsert from our army. Their only Casually
during their absence one man killed Another army
transport was bred into on the james river, near
smithasd, on the Gath inst, ~ gusrias. The Consul
Of France residing in Richmond paid another visit
within the Union lines Las, Friday the purpose Of
giving safe conduct 70 two French subjects who were
leaving tho rebel capital TO return their own country
Confirmation OF previous statements regarding the out
RACES TO which captured soldiers subjected is
furnished by Bartholomew McFardn, Of the First New
York cavalry who escaped from Libby Prison. and arrived
within the Union lines In front Of Richmond on last Friday
just before he left the Libby there brought 10
hundred prisoners from the Army OF the Potomac ali Of
whom stripped all their clothing aud vAluables
The rebels cutting the fingers OF such as rings 10
order 70 secure the ewey. one Union soldier who OBJ
jecisd 20 parting with hs watch was shot twice IN the
breast hcFsdn says tina, the greatest depression pre-
walls 10 the rebel capital
Our Newborn, N c. despatch describes the successful
expedition and return to thor starting point Of the
Union rcoopaosrpg force under Colonel Frepcke which
ier Plymouth, on the Roanoke river, on the 9th inst
7hsy psss,rsted . considerable distance into the in
f16ee. - hAd several snsasars~nss -.A Al. -snAa