The Shasta courier., 1865-02-25
WAR NEWS.

in the interior. There is no doubt that stores,
etc. have been removed south from hich-
n,ond lately. and this indicates its abandon
ment at no distant day
The Petersburg Express says the fighting
on Monday last was very severe. The tim
her and underground were literally cut TO
nieces by bullets The ground was fought
over four times, in consequence OF the arrival
of freinforcements to either side. The charge
which broke the Yankee lines late in the day
is said to have been one of the grandest
scenes in military annals. The Yankees lost
between 1900 and 1000 men killed, wounded
and prisoners.
The Times Washington special says the
latest Richmond papers received here state
that Friday, 10th, Sherman encompassed
| Branchyile, and was within miles of that
place. 1t is understood that the papers of
Saturday, 1lth, made a definite announce
ment Of its capture, and General Grant
stated 1t rs positive fact. The Richmond
papers also confirm the statement of the
evacuation of Charleston as military neces-
sity.
Philadelphia. 14th-Thc Bulletin has the
| following from Washington Richmond pa
pers of the 18th announce the tapping of the
railroads by Sherman north of Branchy;lle,
"hu pet"eeH hlHSsNiiIe ana Dr3ncilVllle,
thus destroying every road entering Branch
vile.
Tie Richmond Enquirer says: ;. Submis-
sion, the abolition of slavery, and reconstruc
tion were the only terms that could be got
out Of Lincoln.''
The Worlds Washington correspondent
reiteTates his former statement that the reb-
els will soon evacuate Richmond and the
Atlantic coast. and fall back to the noun
famous interior. He now says Lee and
Beauregard commands two grand armies,
and that preparations are being made for an
an overwhelming attack on Sherman.
Worlds Hilton Head correspondent of Sth
says reliable information has been received
that Sherman's army is rapidly marching on
the Edlsto river, and that portion OF his
troops are beyond the Georgia and South
Carolina Railroad, and have erected deseuses
preparatory to future march. Enemy dis
appears rapidly before the advance of our
troops. They have manifested disposition
to evacuate nearly all their strongholds and
retire further north. This purpose has been
the result Of Sherman's S tactics That these
retreats will be slowly but surely followed
up admits of no question. Our troops are
known to extend over distance Of forty
miles. and for several days past have been
occupied in destsoying ali the railroads con-
nacting with the Gulf and Northern States
| The object seems to be to isolate Branch
vile, Augusta and Charleston from all posi-
bic aid from reinforcements, in order to
capture the garrison Of each city. Some of
our troops are north of Charleston, which is
/ cut. of from reinforcements. corps is
moring simultaneously on the line CT the
ildisto. The towns passed through have
! hoaY Iact-0,-nl bT thnir inh, -bo
have forced all able bodied negroes to leave
them. that they may not aid our army.
Washington. 18th. The Richmond Wing
Of 18th has following:
Charleston, S. c., l0th.-A force of the
enemy 2.G90 to 1000 strong landed at Turn
| bulls, James Island this A. II. and drove
in cur picl,ets. Some skirmishing took place
but no general engagement. Turnbull's is
on Stone river, two miles southwest of
Charleston, Ashley river 1900 yards wide,
intervening. Enemy are making active de-
monstrations at various points, believed to be
feints. 4 force attacked our troops at Salt
kahatchie, this A. NJ, but were repused.
Enemy also advanced on Charleston road as
.ar as Blue House and opened VITA artillery.
| but made 10 impression on our lines. In
telligence from the road to-day reports that
the enemy crossed the Edisto at Bannaker's $
| bridge. Enemy are now moving on Edisto.
1t will be remembered that on Febuary 4th
! Sherman crossed the Salkahatchie, between
Blackstone's and Reeves bridges thereby
completely outfanking our forces and COM
pelling them to fail back to Branchville. We
have since learned that the Yankees forded
the river through water waist deep at Reeves
bridge. sharp engagement. took place
here, which lasted several hours, in which
Wheeler cavalry Inflicted severe injury ON
the enemy. On 9th heavy column Of Yam
kee infantry struck the South Carolina Rail-
road Grahamsville, l8 miles west of Branch
vile, while Fitzpatrick, with a cavalry force
occupied Blackvilie on same road, miles
northwest of Grahamsyilie. Portion of Sher
mans column was reported yesterday to have
moved forward crossing tae South Edsto and
fanking Branchviile on the west This
force has been advanced to Orangeburg on
the Columbia and BranchviIle read. l6 miles
west Of latter point.
New York, l5tb.-Herald's special saws
Richmond papers of Monday, 18th, concede
that Sherman has hankcd Branchylle S. c..
both above and below, and that Ifardee's
forces evacuated the place They also state
that ii Union column has reached Orange.
burg on the Columbia Road All the rail,
roads communicating with Charleston are
cut of except by the road via Wilmington,
n. G. BY these operations communication
between Virginia and the South is entirely
cut off, and rebel authority over the South
ern States cannot longer be enforced.
New York, l6th.-The Ileraids Fort
Fisher correspondent says last Saturday. 1lth
the National troops formed in line of battle
above, Fisher, stretching across the .penin-
sula from tn, ocean TO Cape Fear river,
Gen. Ames' division of white soldiers form
ing the right. and Gen. pane's colored
division the left A simultaneous movement
was made by the two wings and the rebels
were driven from their line into their main
works. being forced TO yield a few mics of
ground in tie direction CT Wilmington. which
Eerry's men held at night. The rebels lost
| 100 prisoners. The total casualties on Union
side were 60 to 20. Admiral Porter cooper.
ated with the feet of gunboats, going up Cape
Fear river in advance of the troops and sub
| jecting the rebel Fort Anderson to vigorous
| FIRE. which was very feebly responded to.
The Governor of South Carolina has issued
a frantic appeal to the people, and notified
all able to bear arms that they must at once
Join the military service or leave the State.
/ Even foreigners are not exempted.
| Washington, Sth.-The two Houses of
| Congress met in the Hall of the House of
/ Representatives this noon. Tbs Vice Presi.
/ lpnt onana1 tho Certificates IF oIao.;or g