Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-03-01
LATEST NE ws.
AFTERNOON REPORT.
Anticipating a Great Battle,

Anticipating a Great Battle,
Nav YoRK, March 1.-The Times Wash.
ington special says
In anticipation of battle between Sher.
man and Johnston, Of which we may receive
ntelligence at any moment, the War Depart
ment has dispatched well appointed corps
of surgeons aud nurses to Wilmington, from
which point they will be sent forward to Sher-
mans army They are amply provided with
hospital stores, aud everything necessary to
the care of the sick and wounded
The rumor that Schofed has formed june.
ton with Sherman is regarded here as alto
Re;her probable but the Government is con.
fdent OF Gen. Sherman's ability, even with
out Scho6eds forces, to take care of himself
aud manage any force the rebels are able Ia
send against him. Still, as Lee will undoubt-
edly exhaust every available resource in the
effort to check Shermans advance, the speedy
junct ion OF the two armies is desirable as
making assurance doubIy sure.
Arrival OF deserters from the rebel army
come in steady stream,
Many Of them, before they leave our lines,
are separately examined aud their testimony
for the past few days is To the effect that A p
Hills corps has left for the South, to aid in
resisting Sherman.
II this should prove true, it Is deemed alb
solutely necessary that Lee must shorten his
lines, which necessarily is the only ground for
the rumored evacuation Of Petersburg,
+--. -.O.p-----
Active Operations Expected before Rich
mond,
New YoRE, March Letters from Grants
headquarters say that, though all is quiet in
front Of Richmond, active operations before
long are looked for, and the utmost vigilance
is observed in our lines.
The Military Railroad has been completed
to the position of the left of the Army Of the
Potomac on Hatcher's Run, and trains will
commence running regularly on It to-day.
On Friday last, so rebel deserterK came
into the two armies Of the Potomac and the
james.
They report that the Petersburg Theater,
filled with rebel Government stores, has been
burned and this is instanosdas additional proof
OF The intention TO evacuate that town.
KIRBY sMTns COMMAND.
The HerAld's St Louis dispatches represent
decentralization in Kirby Smiths trans-Misss-
sippi army to be equal to that Of the other
rebel armies in varioua portions Of the coun.
try.
Large number Of deserters from It are con.
stantly coming into the Union lines at Little
Rock.
Two.thirda Of his men are said to be con.
scripts, who are satisfied that the Confedera
cy is failure, disgusted with the service and
only desirous Of making their escape and get
ting back TO their homes.
JOE JOHNSTON TAKES COMMAND.
The Tribunes Washington special says:
General Joe Johnston assumed command Of
the forces in the front and rear OF Sherman
on Thursday.
LEE TO REMAIN AT RICHMoND
General Lee will remain AT Richmond and
direct the movements from that point, as well
as handle his own army for the defence Of
Richmond
SOUTHERN PAPERS. .. u
Richmond papers Of Monday are quiet as
TO Shermans exact location and it is mat
ter Of doubt whether they really know where
bis main army is, except that he has crossed
into North Carolina.
The Worlds special says the Richmond pa.
pers OF yesterday maintain their reserve in
regard 10 military operations in North Caro-.
lima but as they arc not 10 an exultAnt mood,