Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-02-24
News of the Week .

his cavalry 10 demonstrate against Augusta.
and to break the Charleston and Augusta
Railroad. From official dispatches received at
the War Department, we learn that on last
Friday Gen. Wheeler attacked Fitzpatrick at
Aiken, on 'he Charleston and Augusta road.
20 miles northeast of Augusta, and after a
considerable engagement drove him FIVE miles
in the direction Of Branchvile.
Our troops have by this time, no doubt.
fallen back to the Congaree river. If our
troops fall behind the Congaree, the enemy
will be able TO shell Columbia from the south
bank.
We also learn that the Congaree and its
tributary the Saluda. are both easily fordable
above the city. This disposes US to believe
that our troops viii seek 10 give battle before
crossing the COngaree.
The Richmond Why says We learn,
upon good authority that our forces are tall
lng back before Sherman advancing columns
IN the direction Of Columbia, 5. c., and viii
make a stand on the Santee
Paroled prisoners from Richmond say there
was a report in Richmond when they left.
that Sherman had been checked, and that
Beauregard was killed.
Deserters say that Lee left for the south
on the 10Th, going. it was said. 10 Branch
vile, 5. {. Longstreet is said 10 be in com
mand Of the deiences Of Richmond.
A letter from Fort Fisher saws The1ebel
position in front of Wilmington is next to
Impregnahle. Their right rests on Cape Fear
River, and consists Of brcastw1rks 10 feet IN
height, with a ditch and ab~tfis in front
Gen Scofclt took with him when he assumed
command. large force of veterans. and at
once set 10 work
\ letter from james Island saws Of the
late engagement there. that a gallant charge
was made, and the rebels outer works, con-
siSting Of three redouhts, captured. together
with 80 prisoners. The rebels defending the
redoubts were infantry, and fed pol nell
before the lm-otuous charge of our men.
Gen. Gilmore WAS present ar the fight
\ despatch to the PHILADELPHIA Bulbtia
says Richmond papers of the 18th indicate
that Sherman's advance cavalry Is actually
a. Tar North as Florence, second important
railroad junction on the borders Of North
Carolina. They also announce that all tele-
graphic and railroad communication with
Charleston are destroyed. showing that
Sherman left column must have struck the
Northeastern railroad, running from Char
lesion TO Florence
The Charleston Courier Of the Sth saws
the enemy tapped the South Carolina Rail
road yesterday morning in three places.
Midway. Bidckyillc and Boloorg. The train
from Branchyile came through all safe
Passengers report the r. r. cut at Wash
ington, and state that the enemy had turned
off towards Augusta. number Of militia,
principally boys, are reported captured.
Maj. Stolhrand. Chief OF Artillery. 18th
cory oi Sacrman's army. who has arrived
al Washington uriugin. di-pa-che- 90 the
government saws. That sherman plans are
not generally known i'm hi, own army, al
though be has it. entire confidence. Ii was
BalrS division which defeated the enemy
at Rivers Bridge. soldiers wadng 20 their
waists IL make the attack. /; i clear that
Sherman is moving large columns o. the
right and left. or East and West Of Branch
vile. Little 10 the North, is a fine high and
fertile section. easily taversed. with good
roads and Astounding ~ -upplie-. If be il
aiming AZ Columbia, be- will cross the dis
Uicts Of orangeburgh and Richlani, unsur-
passed for its wealth and abundance
The Columbia Is 60 Guardian SAYS
lated Monday were not as fully followed
up on yesterday. Indeed. the dcarti Of SEN
sation reports would almost have led one to
suppose Sherman myth, or nj least If there
Wa such a Yankee ar;nv upon our soil. ii
occupied remote and by no means threaten
in- position - far rs the capitol OF South
Carolina Is concerned. II is not Intended to
treat these alarming rumors with contempt,
IN. oh.
Ter more truthful than pleasant
Richmond papers Of the l4th state thay al
Is quiet North and South of the James
\ telegram from Wilmington, Of the 18th.
says There has been considerable skrmish-
ing at Sugar Loaf On Saturday three at
tcmprs in force were made which were hand
somely repulstd Daring the attack the
enemy whole fleet opened on Hoke's left
Our casualties are about % men. The same
day monitor threw several shell at Fort
Anderson, killing one and woIuding one
man. All quiet since.
The Herald's New Orleans correspondence
says. Five thousand six and eight mule
teams are engaged in hauling co ton from
toe interior Of Texas % the Rio Grande.
whence they return with supplies received
across the river from Matamara-. consisting
Of war implements from England, medical
and other stores from Northern cities.
The Richmond Wing of the 18th has the
following:
Passengers by the Fredericksburg train
yesterday afternoon. stated it was reported
IN Fredericksburg that Ynnkce cavalry
force variouslg estimated. accompanied BY a
large wagon train. had Reached ths upper
part of Stafford County. Va. and was mpy-
ing in the direction of that town.
The Charleston Courier of the 9th SAYS
that on Saturday one transport and iour of
the enemy's targes landed troops az Little
Briuau-about 100 men. They advanced to
Kings Creek, and after skirm ishIug for
short time retired, and our picket line was
re-e-tabli-hed. The enemy threw two shells
at the city SATURDAY.
\ letter in the Mobile R,gisf-r, dated Os-
yka. Miss Januarr 9th. states that reports
from the river concur as 10 the passage OF a
large number OF troops down TO New Orleans
Our report estimates the number NJ IA, coo
cavalry. Military preparations on large
scale are also said 10 he going Ola az Baton
Rouge, and another raid Is expected soon.
Mobile j. generally supposed TO De tine object
Of these preparations.
There was fght Saturday night in Gar
rison County, Ky, between the Home Guards
under Capt. Bates, and band OF guerrilias,
sand to be part of lyons command. The
latter were routed with loss Of six killed.
Bates lost one killed and one wounded.
The following is a copy Of despatch sent
by the Secretary OF War TO some OF the Gov
errors
WASHINGTON, Feb. 70.
Last night this Department received the
gratifying intelligence Of the occupation Of
Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. by
Gen. Sherman, and the probable evacuation
OF Charleston by the enemy. Hasten on re-
cruiting to fill up the army. and the rebellion
must receive the final blow in this Spring
campaign.
Z. NJ. STANTON,
Sec. of War.