Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-11-21

Marching on Macon, Ga-Great Concern
About Gr ant-A Tremendous Assault Ex-
pected-The Introduction CT q Peace In.
quiry.
We have Richmond papers of the 18th, con-
tanning the following interesting intelli-
gence:
Concern About Grants Expected Move.
ments.
From the Richmond Dispatch of Friday
There was nothing OF importance done on
the lines before Richmond and Petersburg yes
terday. The bonn bardment OF Dutch Gap was
kept up in fine style, and the booming Of guns
was distinctly heard In our streets. There is q
general impression, gathered chiefly from hints
dropped by the Yankee press, that Grant is
preparing for final grand movement of the
campaign in Virginia, which, it is confidently
hoped by the Yankee people, is to end the war
by taking Richmend. Constant and repeated
failure seeming to have no effect upon him, we
know of no other reason why he should not
make another attempt TO dislodge our army.
AS Buffers canal Is not finished, an attack on
our centre is hardly to be thought of, and his
next attack will probably be to some extent a
repetition OF his last, except it will, we think,
be the last re versed, with his heaviest columns
on the north side. His experience on the south
side should satisfy him there is nothing to be
hoped from an advance in that quarter. He
may argue that if he could throw two corps on
the Williamsburg and Nine-mile roads at
points essayed by the Eighteenth Corps on the
27th ultmo, he might effect q lodgment.
1t is said he Is already mastering his forces
for the Tray, and deserters report that he has
been reinforced by portion of Sheridan's COM
mand from the Valley. But this we shall not
implicitly credit until it comes to us through
some less questionable channel
Sherman ssDifficult to Understand -
The only official information received by the
press yesterday, was that Sherman had de-
road from Atlanta to Alatoona, the Cnattahoo-
che bridge included. This movement is diff
cult to understand, except as explained by un-
official reports that were in circulation during
yesterday. II they be true, the destruction Of
railroad can be understood, though it will still
appear superfiuous labor.
Reports had it that Sherman having burned
Atlanta on the 18th, last Tuesday, had set out
for Macon, with three CORDS, Amounting to
thirty. five thousand men, ana that he had on
yesterday reached Jonesboro'. twenty-five
miles south of Atlanta.
If there is truth in these accounts, as we be-.
Heve there Is, Wheeler has much to answer for.
1t devolved upon him to watch Sherman and
keep posted as to his movements. Only four
days ago he reported him smoving towards
bridgeport" Now it Is said he reports him
moving towards Macon, as above stated We
regret TO say that this latter report corrobor-
ated by other evidence.
Sherman will, we think, meet with opposi-
ton he does not calculate upon before he
reaches the Notifications of Macon. These
works, should he ever reach them, he will find
of most formidable character, and with troops
that before that time will be collected in them
they must give him vast deal more of trouble
than he evidently counts upon. If Georgians
will battle for their trenches as Petersburg
militia did at Staunton River Bridge, later in
the Summer, Macon will be saved.
In undertaking this expedition, Sherman Is
too prudent man to rely upon subsisting his
army on the country, and it becomes interest
ing and important to consider 1ohdt point he
calculates upon making his base of supplies.
His destruction of the railroad north west of
Atlanta, proves that he has cut loose from the
Chattanooga base; he must then be looking to
some point on the Atlantic or the Gulf.
We are disposed, for several reasons, to be-
% q ia fhQ tod ninf
is not because OF its greater proximity than
any other post to his present field operations,
but because 1t is ascertained that for more than
a month very large supplies have been accu-
mulated there. If he fails to take Macon at
the first dash, he will probably run for Pensa-
cola, and make it his new base OF operations.
1t is not to be presumed that he carries with
him supplies Sufficient to enable him to enter
upon siege which shall occupy any consider
able length OF time.
We have ventured the opinion that Sher-
man had Pensacola in view as new base of
supplies, but it Is proper to say there are
reasons why he might select some point on the
for instance, offers advantages did its ap-
proach not involve the certainty Of a great
deal OF heavy fighting. We look with intense
interest to full authentic news from Georgia.
Further About Sherman.
Ohicial Information was received yesterday
that Sherman had destroyed the Atlanta and
Northwestern railroad from Atlanta towards
Chattanooga for q considerable distance, and
that he had burned Atlanta, and was march
ing towards Macon with thirty-five thousand
men.
Affairs at Atlanta.
The Augusta Chronicle, giving an account
Of how affairs stand at Atlanta, says that on the
9th the Goth army corps relieved the 23d, which
gave rise to rumor that Sherman was being
reinforced. Our cavalry captured drove Of
five hundred mules near the Chattahoochie
river recently.
The Second Battle at JOnesboro.
The Chronicle says Scouts who left Jones' |
boro on Wednesday morning report that Gen. |
eral Howell Cobb, with from six to eight thou
sand militia, and three brigades of cavalry, |
attacked the enemy, and was steadily driving |
This indicates that the rebels had nothing
but a few raw militia south Of Atlanta to con.
test Sherman g march, under that great mill. |
tary ssfailure," Howell Cobb.-ED.]
Vast Movements on Foot.
The Sentinel, Of Friday, generally credited
as Jeff. Davis organ,) says: War news is eX.
citing TO. day, and tells Of activity everywhere
The campaign of 1854, instead OF passing its last
DAYS in peace, is to expire in storm. The 18th
day of November Is here, and winter has given
ample warning that he is not far behind his
time But in Virginia new movements are on |
foot, and in Georgia and Tennessee vast cam.
paigns, singularly complicated, are in process
OF development. l-r
Beauregard's Military Division.
From Tennessee we have no furthsr tidinrs
to report from Beauregard through our own |
sources, but that itself Is tidings. The United