The weekly union record., 1865-03-04
News Of the Week.

The New York Commercials correspondent
writing from Hstcher's RGD, Feb. 18th, says:
ave are DOW under marching orders. having
received Instructions to be ready 20 move at a
moments notice. We expect to hare another
tilt foE the possession Of the Souibside Railroad
ard look for heavy engagement. That some
thing Is going 90 10 the lines in front of US Is
very evident, bat iout believe Lee is goiBg
to retreat, though deserters. now coming in in
greater numbers than ever. report that be is
preparing to fall back 10 Danville. Lee could
not fall back 10 overwhelm Sherman without
having Grant laundering close TO his rear in
less than six hours" The Worlds special
dispatch says: "Uneasiness continues 10 be
manifested along Lees right. DeSeriers report
that Lee is being reinforced By Beauregard's
troops. All civilians except newspaper CORES
pondents have been ordered out Of our army"
OF Sherman's movements and the general
situation in North Carolina, New York dis
patch Of Feb. 2eth says: Though the rebel
papers are silent regarding Shermau's where
abouis, enough is dropped to show that be was
some days since, within easy marching distance
of Fayetteville, n. G., situated on Cape Fear
river, 95 miles northwest Of Wilmington, and
sixty miles south of Raleigh, the Capital Of
North Carolina. Water communication be-
tween Wilmington aud Fayetteville is uninter-
rupted at all seasons, aud, as our latest advices
from Porter said be was pushing up the river
fast as possible with bis gunboats, it is
probable the junction of Schofeld's forces with
Sherman may take place at Fayetteville. One
of the largest arsenals in the Souh is established
there. Bragg has taken his Wilmington force
10 Goldsboro followed by Terry. We hear
nothing from tie Union force reported by the
enemy to be marching from New bern, though
the fact that the troops brought east by Gen
Meagher were some time since landed at New
bern, indicates movement, sooner or later
from that point A special dispatch TO the
New York Times estimates the entire strength
Of Beauresards army, including cavalry, at
thirty thousand men. If Sherman forms a
junction with Schofeld, as be undoubtedly will,
it is safe 10 say bis force will be far superior to
Beauregard's concentrated strength, and all the
aid be may get from Richmond A Washing
ten letter says corps Of surgeons and nurses,
with hospital stores, have been sent to WI
mington which is 70 be Shermans new base Of
supplies. 1t is evident that battle is expected
by good military judges.
The Richmond papers are more frantic than
ever. The Enquirer calls on JEFF. Davis to arm
the slaves without authority Of law. 1t SAYS
These States and the cause stand to day in
need Of man who will take the power of the
people aud use ii for their preservation" Fur
ther on it says: SHERMAN Is rushing through
the Caroinas like an avalanche Report says
he has captured hundred thovsand bales of
cotton at Columbia. Grant is gradually, per.
haps surely, extending his lines around Peters
burg and Richmond, and threatens every mo.
ment TO burst over the lines that intervene, and
the South are doing the conservative! History
furnishes no parallel to this"