The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-12-03
War New of the Week.

Beyond Gheavy connonading on Sunday
morning on Grants left" there is no news Of
any sort from the army besieging Richmond.
The rebel papers say TIE Dutch Gap canal is
about completed, and anticipate an attack
both BY the land and nava; forces on Rich
mond, as soon as the weather, which is now
wet and horrible. will admit &C movements.
The latest rumor is, that the movement by
the feet and land forces against Richmond
has actually commenced.
All eyes are still directed towards and all
interest apparently concentrated II the move
uents of Gen. Sherman. 1t seems agreed
that he has taken Miliedgevi.le, the capitol
of Georgia. and burnt the state house, Cover
nor's Mansion, and peni:entary. lie has
also safely crossed the Oconce river: ana his
scouts have appeared in the neighborhood of
Macon, while Slocums column was seen GO
miles from Augusta. The Governors Of
of Georgia and South Carolina have issued
orders conscripting all males between IS and
60 years for home defence. All the rebel
troops except small garrisons from Charles
ton and Savannah have been marched against
Sherman, and it is said two corps from, Lees
army have gone there. The rebels are doubt
less determined to spare no effort to over
whelm Sherman and destroy his army, and
considering the difficulties that surround him
it will indeed be an extraordinary achieve
ment ifhe succeeds in cutting his way through
to the seaboard.
The movements of Gen. Thomas and the
rebel Gen. Hood in Tennessee begin TO grow
interesting. For the last week Hoods move
ments have indicated a purpose 10 moue east
ward probably to join Breckenridge in cast
tern Tennessee. On Saturday lie made an
attack on Columbia, and was repulsed. He
next attacked Pulaski, and was again repul-
sed, bnt as fast as any of these places were
attacked by portions Of Hoods army, the
federal garrisoI's were withdrawn and moved
towards Nashville. Or Wednesday. Hood
made an attack on the federal position at
Franklin, Tenn, and was again -epulscd-
this time, the dispatches say, with q loss or
5000 men killed and wounded. and 1909 pris-
oners, while the federal loss was but 100.-i
Nevertheless, Thomas again fell back during
night, to within three miles Of Nashville,
where he has formed another line Of battle, in
front of which sllirmishing was going OF ct
last advices.
Breckenridge. after sonndly beating Gi,lem
at Bulls Gap, in Eastern Tennessee, appears
7 L ! q
parently to invade Een:uclyss Gen, Blrlridge,
however, had placed a comPcten: force in
the Gap before Breckenridge got there, SO
that that gate is closed in time.
There has nothing Of note occurred in the
Shenandoah valley during the week.
The rebels, on Monday, made a raid upon
the line Of tie Baltimore and Ohio railroad
capturing and burning New Creek and suffer
ing repulse At Piedmont. They destroyed
a number ofraiIroad buildings, but DID little
or no damage to the track.
y rebel force, wi.h five pieces Of artiilery,
passed within twelve miles Of Caro- on Mon
day last, moving towards ceat-.., Kentucky.
On Tuesday Il party Of rebels tore up the
railroad track between MayliclI and Paducah
to point within four miles Of tie latter place
upon which an attack IS anticipated.
On the 24th uIt the federal prisoners at
Salisbury, y. C.,-some 1900 in number,--
made an attempt 10 escape. They over
powered the interior guard bat, while attack
Ing the outer guard, two pieces Of artillery
were brought to bear upon them, and few
discharges Of grape and canister compelled
them to submission. Forty Of the prisoners
were killed and 4 large number wounded. Of
the guards four were killed.
The negroes in the armies Of Meade and
Butler have been concentrated into a corps
under Gen. Wetizsl. The steam drcdee in
the Dutch Cab canal has been destroyed ~
p rebel shell.