Evening star., 1864-12-12

Billy Smith.
We have received full files Of Richmond
papers of Friday last, 9th instant, from which
we extract the following:
Georgia.
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec 81
Sherman is reported to have reached point
half way between Milen and Savannah, and is
believed TO be marching on the latter place.
We hope it is true. We hope he will attack
Savannah, but the hspe is faint. When he
reaches the neighborhood and gets some clear
Information as to what Savannah is, he will
turn his steps in another direction.
From the South.
From the Richmond Dis patch, Dec. o.
We hear nothing from Sherman. Whether
ne is crossing the Savannah on pontoons, or
sailing down the Oconee in RATS and fiat boats,
is equally unknown to us. We only know,
and we rejoice in the fact, that Central Georgia
is relieved OF his presence, and that our rail-
roads ard lines OF communication are being
rapidly reco- .structed IN his wake. As regards
their railroads, Georgians are, to man, {" re-
copstrucuonists."
Foster again Active.
The only news from the far South on yester-
day was that Foster is renewing his demon
ST. alton against the Savannah and Charleston
railroad, thereby seeking TO vert the attention
OF a part OF our troops from Sherman.
From the Richmond Whg OF Friday
The Charleston Mercury of Monday says
that Sherman Is evidently marching on Sa-
vannah or some point in Its neighborhood. On
Friday morning the I'd instant, his main army
marched down the Central Railroad, the 18th
and 2Gth army corps, which form his left wing,
being in the advance. Before nlghtfali the
greater portion of the Yankee column had
passed through Millen in the direction of Sa-
vannah. We have no later news Of Us where
ahouts. The Mercury had not heard Of the Sc
we're drubbing administered to the 1ltn corps
and Knpatrick's cavalry by Gen. Wheeler. at
Thomas, on Sunday last. Details OF this affair
will show that the ankees were badly used
up In that fight.
Gen. Buffers Advance.
From the Richmond DIspach, Dec.
We hear nothing more OF the crossing OF the
enemy to the south bank OF the James river,
near Battery Hewlett, and, therefore, believe
II certain that if any force arrived at that point
it was an insignificant one, and not designed
to effect any important result. From all we
have been able to gather, we think II likely
that a small party in barges, engaged in the in
teresting but perilous bus mess OF torpedo hunt
ing, took advantage Of the fog of wednesday
morning, and came over from Cox's Landing
to the south bank, and, being seen when the
fog had partially cleared away, their number,
were very considerably magnified, until the
story assumed the sound OF proportions with
whlch it reached the city, namely, that heavy
force Of the enemy had succeeded in making
landing between Howletts and Drewry's
Bluffs.
Yesterday passed off quietly on the lines
south OF the city, the report circulated yester-
day morning that general battle was going
sensational class that were very general and
comm on some months ago. but which have OF
late been, we are glad to say, not so often
heard.
Another Raid on the W eldon Railroad.
Information reached the city yesterday
morning that a force from Grants army had
struck the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad at
Jarratt's, thirty-two miles south of Petersburg,
and were proceeding towards Weldon
Up to the time OF writing, no official advices
have been received in relation to this expedi-
tion. We learn from unofficial sources that
heavy column OF the enemy, consisting OF in
fantry, artillery and cavalry, left our front at
Petersburg on Tuesday night, moving down
the Jerusalem Plank Road, and were reported
on Wednesday morning to be at Proctor's Mill,
twenty miles south Of Petersburg. Since that
time they were not heard from till yesterday
toned was received here. This column OF the
enemy is said to consist mostly OF infantry,
from which it Is inferred to be simply raid
ing party, similar to the one which visited
Stony Creek last week, and that it is not pre-
pared for proiracted and extensive expedi.
ton.
mobilized column, destined to operate first
against Weldon, and then, perhaps, to contin-
ue its march and take Wilmington on the way.
to 20 express * 5s an opinion. We repeat accounts
which reach Us, and await future develop
ments.
The latest In formation from the enemy on the
Weldon Railroad, is, that they were still NOV
ing towards Weldon, and were provided with
such an amount Of stores as to induce the be-
lief mat they were prepared for long march,
or, at all events, long absence. 1t is useless
to speculate upon their plans, which will be
that the primary object OF the movement
was to occupy the road, or 80 lnJure 1t as to
prevent our sending any reinforcements 70 eur
forces operating against Sherman's army.
Grants Advance.
From Richmond Enquirer Of the 9th.
On Tuesday night heavy force OF the en-.
emy's infantry, attended BY aSn some artillery
the Peters burg front on a raid down the Jeru-
salem plank road. They doubtless aim TO
strike the Weldon road, by way OF the SUSSEX
stroying the bridge over the Meherrin River,
at that place, do other damage to the road and
commit other outrages generally. 1t Is to be
hoped that they will be brought to grief.
Grants New Movement.
The Petersburg Express OF Thursday last,
ays:-They were reported yesterday morning
at Proctor's, some twenty miles distant and
still in motion. Elated by the success of the
raid on Stony Greek, Grant has probably start
ed out a larger and better equipped body OF
troops, on q similar expedition, further down
party, we have little doubt, but its destination
is unknown, save probably at headquarters.
This column is said to embrace large forces OF
infantry, with qudntum sutteit OF artillery,
and but a small force OF cavalry. II such is
the case, we cannot think the expedition is
de stined for any distant point, as to venture
far in the interior with infantry, almost alone,
would render it exceedingly dangerous and
hazardous.
The March on Weldon.
From the Sentinel-Jef. Davis organ.]
Heavy columns Of the enemy, composed OF
infantry, cavalry and artillery, left the front
at Petersburg on Tuesday night, and moved
out on the Jerusalem plank ROAD, and on wed
nesday morning they were reported at Proc
tors, twenty miles from Petersburg, and yes
terday at Jarretts, thirty-two miles from Pc
tersburg, on the Weldon road. This move ls
probably intended as a diversion to draw at
tention from more important demonstrations
against Richmond, which it is believed Grant
conemplaies making. The indications are
that the enemy, ii they can use the canal at
Dutch Gap, will make combined land naval
attack on the Notifications protecting the water
approaches TO Richmond.
There is no part OF our lines where we are
better prepared TO meet them, and we feel very
confident that the result will be favorable to
the Confederate cause. We have heard notn.
ing further from Pickett's front. 1t is sup.
posed the enemy took advantage OF the fog to