The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-13
New York, Monday, February I3, 1856
THE SITUATION.

THE IIUATTON.
Rebel kilograms inform of additional successes OF
General shernans army in South Carolina. Previous to
Thursday last the South Carolina Railroad had been
struck and cut by 1t at different points between Branch
vile and Augusta thus severng communication by raj
between the latter place and Charleston and Richmond
On Tuesday last portion Of Kipatrick's cavalry drove
the rebels from Blackvle station this road forty
seven miles east of Augusta, twentyeigh miles
Branchvile and forynne miles southwest of Columbia
The Richmond papers of last Friday repeat the report
that Charleston has been evacuated.
We to-day give very interesting and complete de-
scpton Of the late operations in the vicinity of Hachers
and the battle of Dabneys mill, illustrated by map
of the country in which they took place The movement
was at first supposed to be merely repetition of the
usual reconnoissances that vicinity but hns resulted
In q permanent extension Of Grants lines, making
Hatcher's the line Of defence for the
left flank The lighting was severe, and on
the second day matters closed rather unavoraby though
an offensive movement on the thr1day demonstrated
sho thab tno cnoiy no W
action and all the lost advantages of the preceding day
recovered by forces. The conduct of officers
and throughout excellent and despite the in
olcmency OF the weather during the greater portion of
days fighting General Meade present On the sth
inst the troops series OF regular and per-
fortGcations and engaged in erecting
Portable quarters Up to Friday night, the date Of our
latest dispatches from Hatchers rum there had been
lighting in that vicinity since Tuesday last
Our dispatches from the Army Of the James
ton renewed Of preparations by the rebels for
che evacuation Of Richmond Dcscrters and others who
came into the national lines last Friday night unan
mously concurred in the statement that the enemys art
ery tho north side Of James river in front Of the Union
works, was being removed They also said that orders
had boon given by General Lee for the court maraling
OF any Of his caught at the distance Of half mile in
the rear OF Lis lines This would to confirm the
than ordinary in progress among the rebels in the
vicinity of Richmond.
In Of the interest just attached to the city Of
Mobile which, IL not already probably soon will be, in
possession Of the national forces give in this
ings HERALD an interesting and description Of
the position Of affairs in and around the place on
the 9Th Of last month, illustrated by map. The
city was then surrounded It's land sides,
except to the southwark, where an impenc-
trable swamp renders approach almost impossible,
by a chain of some forty very strong earhworks. Be-
sides these II was defended In tho harbor approaches by
water batteries sunken DISTRACTIONS topcdocs and three
gunboats In and around the city there about nine
thousand troops Of whom two thousand were militia,
The whole under command Of General Dabney IL Maury
Recently we have had the rumor two three times
pcaed that the rebels evacuatng the place
on the 18th Of month"; sending their ordnance sorcs
&C. northwnrd to Selma wehavc yet received no posi-
tive confirmation on denial Of this report bu, few days
must prove ito truth or falsity.
Though everything remains comparatively quiet in the
Shenandoah valley the srctost vigilance is still exercised
by tho national forces there and the country frequently
pa,rolled by scouting and accommodating parties Tho
regular rebel troops are stationed different points In tho
upper part OF the valley but the gueras are prowng
around OF the counties between the Blue Ridge
and the Allegheny Mountains.
petition been addressed TO Prcsiden, Lincoln by
citizens OF West Tennessee requesting him TO direct
relaxation by the army officers there Of the rrors Of
military rule 10 which the people Of that portion OF tho
State, as they allege now subjected They AK To
DO relieved from interference Of the military with the
administration OF justice in the civil courts from tho
imposition Of extra taxes and from drafts for service
che army other than those ordered by the President tina
persons who come within the lines from nsurrcciionar
districts and take the oath OF allegiance shall be exemr
from military service and that assurance be given thf
ps soon az the people ratify the amendments TO The
ftae constitution recently adopted by the convention
presidential proclamation will be issued declaring Tel
pcssee longer In instruction and entitled TO all he
lights Oh q member Of the Union
In late Richmond papers wo have reports OF IN
ipeechos delivered at the mass war meeting in that cit
bn Thursday last In yesterdays HERALD was publshc
Me address OF Jen Davis on that OCCASION and we civ
bis morning the harangues Of Judah P benjamin, n
k r. Hunter, John A. Gilmer and Mr. Shelley. Nj
enaln az nreseed brnse In oppoe,tIou 10 conscripn