Semi-weekly news., 1865-03-25
The Latest Reliable News.

We kave had many vague runors
within the last ten d'ys, that are en-
titled to but little if any credit; We
have, however, some very important
information that may be regarded as
fully reliable.
Sherman pas ed through Colum-
bia, 5. c., on the 18th ult., making
no halt. and meeting with only II
slight resistance, and that from the
inhabitants our generals not being
ready, did not wish to bring Oh an
engagement at that point.
About that date, or few days la
ter, Gen. CheatLam with his corps at
tempted to flank the enemy's left, and
effect a junction with our main forces
in front, but this movement failed.
Our forces being confronted by pref
ty much the whole strength of the
enemy, were thrown far off to the
left, and finally had to resume their
former position in the rear. On the
oath, Cheatham occupied Columbia,
and the enemy position about thir-
ty miles north of that point.
On the Sd of the present month,
Sherman had advanced but little, be-
ing at that time only about from for
ty to fifty miles north of Columbia.
At that time Hardee, at the head
of the Charleston and Savannah gar
risons, and probably other troops
numbering in the aggregate some
$4,000 men--was on Shernan's right
flank and rear. whilst Beauregard, at
the head Of Cheatham's and probably
Lees corps, was on his left. John
ston, now in command of the army
conf onting Sherman, WAS in front,
with at least one corps from Rich
mond, and probably some portion. il
not all of the STATE forces of Georgia,
South and North Carolina.
Thus situated, Sherman was cut
! off from all supplies and reinforce
ments, and must perish, by the grad,
ual destruction of his forces, or over
whelmed in a great battle. unless ne
/ has the force to cut his way out and
! reach Wilmington OF some other plac,
of safety, which We think very prob,
lematical. from our knowledge Of the
strength of the forces by which he Is
surrounded.
/ Parties deemed reliable, W no reach.
ed here in the stage from Monroe on
! "Wednesday last, represent that posi-.
tive information had been received
/ before they came across the Missis-
sippi river, that Cheatham, on the
Sth inst, had attacked the enemy 5
rear, and captured 500 prisoners.
The further information that Sher,
mans whole force had been complete
ly routed, We do not deem reliable. as
, it is, at the best, only a rumor, emit
tied to no particular credit; and We
do not think it the policy of our Gen
erals to bring on general engage
ment with Sherman at this time
We would rather think that the skill
ful and experienced officers at the
head of the Confederate armies would
pursue the more cautious and less
hazardous policy of wearing the en-
ernv out in detail.
The reported fight at Petersburg
We think very probable; but, as W..
have no we'll authenticated facts upon
which TO base this conclusion, any
further remarks upon it will be unne-
cessary.
4 Nonitor Bio,cn Jp.-It has
been known for some time that on
dark nights the picket monitors
were in the babit of vrnturing much
closer into the harbor than in the
day time. One of these turreted
providers has at last, we are glad &c
announce, met a fitting fate.
About o'clock on Sunday night,
a slight explosion was heard by our
men in Fort Sumpter; and on Sulli-
vans Island. 1t proceeded appa-
rently from point midway between
the two posts, and was followed by
a confused mingling of shouts. i'm