Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-10

did ! get this Information From the rebel
sympathisers In Baltimore the American would
say. But would the rebel sympathisers II Balti-
more tell me what would be or direct Injury to
their cause ? Would they tell me. for nothing.
what the War Department ought to be willing 10
pay good round sun TO learn. and what, will
venture to say, General Sheridan does not know
DOW Be that as il may. the facts are a. have
stated. The &c, 900 troops last sent away we're
not wanted in the Valley. They were wanted at
Richmond. What General Early Is expected to
do with his 5000 or 5000 troops do not know.
| know that New Greek and Piedmont were cap.
tured by portion of them; and that expedition.
daring and successful "a il was, was probably
undertaken IN order to convey the idea that
Early's force was still $4,000 strong
EARLY WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE VALLEY.
| can tell. however, what Early will not do.
He will not leave the Valley, and Lynchburg
will not be left uncovered lie will continue to
cover Lynchburg and Gordonsvlle he will con-
tnue TO hold the Valley be win continue to
threaten at least the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road. and the line OF the upper Potomac he
may do more these things be will certainly do.
The rebel leaders seem To think that 5000 or
1000 troops are enough for these purposes, but
# more men are required, more will be sent to
him.
Your readers, of course, will not believe for
a moment the reports that are now prevalent
here, and that NAV reach New York, that The
rebels are making active preparations to evscu-
ate Petersburg and Richmond that they are
preparing TO abandon the whole of Virginia in
deed, that they have already begun to evacuste
Richmond. The foundation upon which all
these reports are based is the simple fact that a
large number of rebel troops are known 10 have
left Richmond for the west. That fact is un
doubted. But they were sent away for the same
reason that the last 10 900 troops were brought
away from the Valley They were not needed
on the lines Of Petersburg and Richmond--they
were needed in Georgia, and to Georgia they
have been sent. As regards the number 40 sent
there u less certainty My Information places IL
as lo,0OO or 2O,OO0 and among them some brig
AIDES from Eweips corps. aud some from that of
General Hill
Your readers will remember that General Lee
received very strong accession to his army dur
ING the months of September and October. in the
shape OF some twenty FIVE thousand new recruits.
and that he has been joined since the 18th ult by
10000 troops from the valley This would
make his whole force at Petersburg and Rich
mond $4,000 strong; and If he has sent 90 600
men to Georgia. he still has for the defense of
those two cities, IS, 900 troops. There is not an
intelligent man in Grants army who believes
that he has less than that
THE SALVATION or RICHMOND DEPENDS on THE pE-
FEAT OF SHERMAN.
Ny information in regard to what the Confed.
crate leaders expect of Gen. Grants army, il
this: They expect an attack on Richmond but
it will not be made till Gen Sherman is in a 20
sition 10 CO operate with Grant: and not NJ all
unless Sherman's army. in an effective condition.,
does reach some point where it can co operate
with Grant Everything, now. therefore, NC
cordiBg to their view of the subject. depends on
Gen. Sherman. 1t they can defeat him, OF
cripple his army before he reaches the sea. they
feel cure that no general assault upon their lines
at Richmond will be made by Gen. Grant To
defeat Gen sherman therefore, or TO cripple his
army. is the great work which the Coniedera "a
leaders are striving To accomplish The paper,
! this morning state that Gen Grant has made
reconnaissance To- Stony Creek Station. to ascer
tain whether Gen. Lee was sending Off troops on
| the Weldon railroad There must be some mis-
take about the object Of that reconnaissance
/ The troops were sent to Georgia from Richmond
on the Danvile railroad, by way OF Burkesvile
aud even if any were sent direct from Petersburg
they wonld go thence on the Lynchburg rail
road to Burkesville, and thence to Danville and
Columbia. DRUID.