The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-01-07
War News of the Week:


tosu quo No movement OF any soft Is re-
ported during the week. The rumors are
renewed that the rebels are about to eTacu-
ate Richmond. and Lee, it is further stated,
abou. 10 strike a blow that viii as.onish The
world. The Richmond papers advocate his
appointment as military dictator.
Fro Saerhasn, the news is confined to
preparation-makins in his army to resume
the offensive The railroad to Charleston is
being repaired, and it is reported that How
ards corps Ia. passed over the road and is
now in the vicinity Of Charleston. 1t is al
90 intinated that Hardee will be intercepted
before he crosses Broad river, and probably
his whole army captured. Dahlgrens fleet
is clearing the Instructions out OF the river
below Savannah, and has so far succeeded
that gunboats have reached the city
Gen. Geary has been appointed Governor
of the city, and appears to be popular with
the people, who, in public meeting, approve
his measures and ask Sherman to continue
hin in the position. The same meeting,
which was called by the mayor and attended
BY all the leading citizens, also resolved that
they accepted the position of tie surrender
of the city, and seek, BY complying with the
Presidents proclamation, in laying down
their arms and submitting to the national
authority under the constitution, and obeying
the laws, to enjoy the blessings OF peace
The mayor, in his address to the meeting,
said the city contained 10000 people, without
food, fuel or remunerative pursuits. The
soul sickened at the sight. There was but
one course to pursue-to rely upon the wis
dom and magnanimity Of Gen. Sherman and
Gov. Geary.
The Greet Wilmington Expedition, under
Porter and Butler. has come to naught. The
details are published, and show about these
facts: That the plan was first to take the
forts Fisher and CaswelD at the mouth of
Cape Fear River. Porter was to open upon
them a fierce bombardment, silence their
guns, and then Batter was TO hand his forces
on tho beach above them and take tl,era By
assault The attack was first made on For
Fisher, the strongest on the river-indeed,
pronounced the strongest earthwork in Anne
RIGA. Porter carried out his part with marked
success. At noon, Dec 9th. the lombard
ment opened. and By Sunday noon al OF the
guns Of the Fort were sienced and the garri-
Son driven into the bomb-proofs. Two minor
works above the Fort had also been taken, so
that Buffers forces could land without OBJ
struction. But Butler seemed very slow about
landing his forces. Admiral Porter sent q
number Of war vessels TO his aid, and express
his Impotence at Buffers dilatory move
ments. By night but a part of the force was
landed. Reconnoisances 70 the very para
pets were made, and one man even climbed |
the parapet and carried of flag. but no as
sauit was made. Gen Curtis asked permits !.
sion to storm the Fort by his single brigade, |
declaring ne could take il alone but Gen.
Weitzel, who had made the reconnaissance,
gave It as his opinion that Ell assault could
no. successfully be made, and so nene was
attempted. Next day the Land forces were
re embarked. and returned to Fortress Non
roe The navy remained 2 few days longer,
and then, leaving the usual blockaIipg force,
sailed for Beaufort. The feet universally
blame Butler for all the delays tie expedition
encountered, and hold him solely responsible
for lis final failure.
The pursuit Of Hood by Gen, Thomas az
pears to be still kept up. Only a part Of
Hoods force succeeded in getting across the
Tennessee river, when Gen. Steainan over
hauled him and destroyed his pontoon train
Hoods army IS pretty essentially scattered,
and dispatches from Richmond say he is or
dered TO gather up the fragments and re-o-
ganize his army at Tuscaloosa.
a large force oftroops is moving from Mem
phis down the river. The particulars of the
expedition are coDt-aband. The rebels are
concentrating considerable body of men at
Clinton, fox the purpose Of making demon
strat;on against Baton Rouge.