The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-12-22
}. II. THOMAS,
Maj. Gen. Cong.
WAR DEPARTMENT., }

day. Savannah was closely beseiged and
its capture with the rebel forces there
was confidently expected. 1t was to be
summoned in two days, aud if not sur
rendered Siberian would open bis batter
les upon it. Gen. Foster reports that
Sherman's army is in splendid condition,
having lived on its march on turkeys,
chickens, sweet potatoes and ether good
things in the richest part of Georgia.
Nothing has been heard from General
Thomas to day. Unofficial dispatches
state that the Provost Marshal at Louis
vile reports 5000 prisoners and 80 pic
ces of artillery as being already secured
1t is ascertaiued that in transmitting
Gen. Thomas report las. nigh. a tele.
graphic mistake was made at Louisville
or Nashville in the estimated number of
our casualties. The dispatch written by
General Thomas stated that Lis whole
lost would not exceed 5000, aud that
very few were killed
dispatch from Lexington this eve
mig states that on the 18th inst, at
! Kinrsport, Tenn, Gen Burbridge had
fight with Basil Dukes brigade, for.
merly Gen. John Morgan's, and routed
it with loss to the enemy of $50 killed,
wounded and prisoners, and their train
Dick Morgan, brother of John, was cap
turcd, L NJ. STANTON
Sec'y of War.
NEW YoRK, Dec. 1.-THE Her.
ads correspondent gives the following
account of the expedition up the Rea
oke River: -
"A eunboat expedition sent up the
river, when opposite jamestown, eighty
miles above Plymouth suddenly came in
coutac, with some torpedoes placed in the
channel by the rebels, and three boats
were blown up. The flag ship Wyalus-
ing, Commander Macomb, senior officer,
took the lead, and passed safely through:
Commander Arnold followed; the bow
came in contact with an obstruction, but
which was successfully passed, until being
struck by the stern, proved to be large
torpedo, which, exploding, blew up the
Otsego, siukiug her in few minutes -
After the blowing up Of the Otsego, the
remainder of the feet remained by her
until morning, when those vessels that
were uninjured By the explosion passed
up the river Soon after Commodore Ma
comb dispatched, on special duty, his aid,
Paymaster Lewis Sands, on the steamer
Baeley with two gus. On arriving in
the vicinity of the spot where the Otsego
was sunk, a torpedo exploded under the
Bagiey, blowing hole through her, and
causing her to sink Immediately. One
man and boy were killed-th officers
and the rest of the crew escaped by swim
ming. Paymaster Sands and Capt.
Ames, commanding the tug, swan to the
wreck of the Otseso, and were picked up.
Soon after the sinking of the Basley, the
steam packet launch No 5 was also de-.
stroyed
Roanoke river is perfec. net work
of torpedoes. A large number have al.
ready been taken up, and still larger
number are supposed to remain"
New YORK, Dec. 1S.-The following
is additional by the steamer Hiberuian
from Great Britain: Earl Russell has
made the following reply to the dispatch
Of the Confederate Commissioners and
manifesto of the Southern Congress:
EARL RussEL's LETTER.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. 25. 1864.
81 have had the honor to receive the
copy which you have sent me Of the man.
ifcsto issued by the Congress of the SO
called Confcd rate States of America
Her Majesty's Government deeply lament
the protracted nature Of the struggle be.
tween the Northern and Southern States
of tho formerly United Republic of North
America. Great Britain has, since 1888.
remained with the exception of short
period, connected by friendly relations
with both the Northern and Southern
States. Since the CONNIE n cement Of the
civil war, which broke out in 1861, her
msjesty's government has continued to
entertain sentiments Of friendship equally
for the North and for the South OF the
causes of the rupture her majesty's gov.
eminent has never pretended to judge.
They deplored the commencement of the
sangoinary struggle, and anxiously look
forward to the period of its termination.
In the meantime they are convinced that
they must consult the interests Of peace,
and especially the rights of all parties by
! observing strict and impartial neutrali-
ty. Such neutrality her majesty has
faithfully maintained, and will continue
to maintain.
Il request you gentlemen to accept, &c.
RUSSELL"
''Fo J. slidell and Dudley Mann"
The London Times fears that Earl
Russefs letter will find no favor either
with the North or with the South. First
he snubs the Confederates--theya are only
$50 called" Confederate States, aud have
yet to establish their right to the appel
lation, This, too, is compliment to
the United States; but. there follows
counter snub to the United States. They
aEa Tho lafornn.luO IYaiAnd Rnn,ahlia