The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1864-12-26
MILITARY NEWS,
Fort Fisher Reported allen.
Late Richmond Newspapers
Burbridge and Breckinridge.

A Telegraph Operator Escapes from
Richmond, and Gives Intelligence Of
the Capture Of savannah, with she
Forces Under Hardee-Fort Fisher
Said to be Captured.
press DispatebI &
BALTIMORE. Dec. 25-The Associated
Press letter from Fortress Monroe, 9pted
on the afternoon of the 24th@saS the
mail steamer Thomas Collier has just ar
rived. A telegraph operator named ba-
ker, belonging to one of the chief offices
in Richmond, escaped night before last,
and having succeeded in eluding the vigr
lance of the rebel pickets, made his es-
cape successfully into our lines yesterday
evening. He was subjected to severe
examination by Gen. Grant, and stated
that intelligence of the fall of Savannah
and the capture of the entire forces, 49,
900 in number, commanded by Gen. Har-
dee, had reached Richmond few hours
before he made his escape.
There was report prevailing at the
same time that Fort Fisher, commanding
the entrance to Wilmington, had also
fallen, through combined attack by
Gen. Buffers and Admiral POrter'sforces;
but this could not be traced to any rella-
able source.
The spirits of the citizens ofRichmond
he describes in very much depressed
state, and it was with difficulty that the
authorities could exercise any influence
whatever over the press apd citizens,
such were their manifestations OF con-
tempt for the action of the rebel govern
ment.
General Griffin is passenger i'll the
Thomas Collins, and places the utmost
confidence in the statement df this opera
tor. and is of the opinion that the report
of the capture of Fort Fisher is true; the
extensive preparations made by Butler
on the sailing of the expedition, warrants
it's early surrender
Gen. Hoke's rebel division left its posi-
ton in front Of the Army of the James,
and is supposed to have gone to assist in
the defences of Wilmington.
The Richmond Dispatch Of the 22d says
| a division of Union infantry, under Gen.
Palmer has occupied Bower Hill, eight
miles east of Portsmouth, Virginia, for
the purpose, it is supposed, to operate
against Weldon, North Carolina.
General Custar of Sheridan's cavalry,
OH Thursday made an attack on the rebel
cavalry under Rosser, nine miles north
of Harrissonburg, in the Shenandoah
Valley.
The Richmond Examiner of 23d says
Sheridan's infantry has come up the val
lev to point between Harrisonburg, and
New Market This advance it is sup
posed, is intended as diversion in the
favor of a cavalry movement on this side
of the mountains. Early has marched
out to meet him The mounted force
which crossed the mountains is as, 900 in
number, they were yesterday at Madison
The Commercials Washington special
of the oath says: Richmond papers of
the oath contain official dispatches OF
Friday afternoon, from Wilmington. AT
that time 26 Union vessels appeared off
that place. No attempt had been made
to land troops or attack the forts, in con-
sequence of storms.
Rebel papers also contain news that Sa.
vannah and probably Charleston had
been evacuated.
A rebel dispatch from Wilmington on
the Goth says: The enemy's fleet, mum
bering thirty odd steamers, appeared OF
the inlet this morning,
| Dt VI tuc <Ou says. lOiO-
graph communication is intercepted by
the storm at all points. We had very
little to fear from the land forces. Bragg
is in command.
The Richmond Examiner of the 22d
says: Our iron clads cannot be moved
up the river so as to prevent the shelline
of Savannah.
The Richmond Examiner of the 22d
says there has been no confirmation O
the report that Breckenridge had beateI
Stoneman OF Burbridge's raiders, neal
Glade Springs An unofficial dispatch
says the damage done was slight and viii
be speedily repaired.
The Richmond Examiner of the 22t
has official information that a column
of the enemy numbering 5000, were OF
the Ohio and Mobile railroad north of it
crossing of the Mississippi railroad
The Examiner also says it has no ad
vices from Hood but fears he is in a bat
fix.
The Wing of the 22d has an article ol
the dark days of the COnfederacy. L
says Hood has been badly defeated, bn
he can learn lesson of endurance from
Early. Ifhis defeat proves worse thar
it is represented, it will be the first in
stance of the kind during this war.
Late rebel papers give additional ac
counts of General DavidsOn's work from
Baton Rouge across the southern portion
of the Southern States. Among othe
works, portions of the Mobile and Obi
and Mobile and Great Northern railroad
were destroyed.
The rebel City Marshal of Atlanta re
Gently returned to that town, and is oc
cupied in lamentation over the disaster
fallen upon the arms of the Confede
racy.
The Rebel Army in Tennessee-Jo ohm
son to be its Redeemer.
New YORK, Dec. 24-The Richmond
Examiner of the 2lst says its army il
Tennessee has been terribly misused, ant
has suffered awful injury, but it may b.
returned to full efficiency by the hant
II.