The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-21
THE SITUATION.

New York, Tuesday, March 81, 1900.
THE SITUATION.
II was reported In Washington yesterday that Jen
Davis abdcated his position Of President OF the rebel
confederacy and handed over the reins Of his sink
ing government 70 General Lee, with the under
landing that the latter, supreme DICTATOR would
mako one last desperate effort with such resources
n arc left within his control colonng
OF probability Is given TO this report by the
fearful straits which the rebel government is known
north OF the rebel capital the tightening Of Grants grasp
around Il, and the terror created by the steady ad
vance Of shsrman's resistess columns All kinds OF
provisions bringing fabulouspr prices in Richmond,
and every male In the city capable Of carrying musket
has been pressed into the army. cabaetHscsing was
held in Washington yesterday at which il b understood
that the present position OF Affairs at Richmond formed
the subject Of consideration.
Another letter from General Lee is published in the
Richmond papers, urging the carrying out Of measures
for Nming tho slaves The correspondence between
Generals Ord and Longstreet and Generals Leo and
Grant, relative 70 military convention 10
negotiate terms Of peace, is also given in
the Richmond journals. The correspondence
shows nothing additional to what has been stated, be-
yond the mistaken in supposing
that General Ord proposed any convention to deal with
any subject not purely military.
General Sherman commenced his march on Godsboro
from Fayetteville last Tuesday An officer of his
army who arrived in Wilmington the 10th inst said
that Sherman would be in Goldsboro the Goth
yesterday Johnston's, Bragss and Hardee's armies
with large endorsements from Richmond supposed
to be all united at Goldsboro and refugees reported
that General Lee himself at Raleigh, superintend-
Ing matters generally in North Carolina At Kinston,
which the national forces occupy, heavy firing
heard In the direction Of Godsboro, twenty miles
distant, last Wednesday. 1t will be remem-
bered that in Sundays HERALD we gave
IN extract from the Danville (va) Regiser
which stated that Goldsboro was possession OF tho
Union forces last Wednesday. This was apparently
error or, II not IL must have been Schohelds
who occupied the place, shemans army had then
bad time reach it The Richmond Wing Of last Satur
day the rebels still held Goldsboro on tho previous
day.
General Shermans and General Scho6clds forces
sl operating separately up last Wednesday though
communication between them established At
that time SchoHelds men had had no fighting
with tho rebels since the 10th inst. In the three
days engagements before Kinston, ending with
that date, is estimated that the Union losses
were about two thousand, and those Of the rebels
three thousand Large numbers the North Caro-
lima rebel troops deserted left home the fall Of
Kinston. General Terry, who has been for time
In command at Wilmington, il to active work in
the field Large numbers Of the white and colored
gees who followed Shermans army to Fayetteville have
arrived at Wilmington. The negroes will be sent to
South Carolina and consigned the care Of General
Saxton.
A large and very enthusiastic meeting called BY the
Mayor, composed exclusively of residents Of the place.
and participated in by the most prominent and inucn
tia citizens hold Wilmington the night OF the
14th inst At which several Union speeches made
and series Of strong Union resolutions adopted
General sheridan's advance reached White House. on
che Pamunkey river, last Saturday night, and his
whole command at that point Sunday, where sup
plies awaiting him. During his magnificent raid
he was within fifteen miles OF Lynchburg and
twelve miles Of Richmond, and he destroyed
every bridge over the James river between
those two places, and every one on the railroad
between staunton and Charlottesville, and completely
broke up the James River Canal Though the roads
which he marched OF the very kind his
movements rapid that they thoroughly mys-
titled the rebels and created spprehensions in
every direction. His entire loss in the expcd-
tion fifty enlisted mep and two officers He
captured many horses and mules and two thou
sand negroes In with his White House.
The number Of tho latter would been larger bu,
for the fact that he had provisions feed them when
at Charlottesville and compelled station guards
70 prevent them following. General shcrdan's com.
mand will soon be In order for further work.
Dcserters who into the Army Of the Potomac on
captured Burksvie the point whore the Richmond and
Danv and tie soutsde railroads II this
true would DO mos. in portant affair the possession
Of that point by national troops would close the last line
Of supplies for Lees erm.. But there is probably no
foundation in fact for the There consider
able cannonadng In front Of the Ninth corps last
Saturday, but with no important result No now move
ments in front Of the rebel capital ereporcd
Cairo despatch sys IL reported in New Orleans
the 18th that on the 18th the Monitors In Mobile
bay attacked and senccd two OF the rebel shore bat
tsres, driving the from their guns.
Admiral Lee informs the Navy Department that he
Gently sent two vesscls, In command OF Lieutenant ~
Forrest 10 Muscle Shoals on tho Tennessee rver