Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-15

imously agree in the statement that nearly
all the rebel troops have left that place
and that it will be surrendered whenever
demand shall be made, even if the force
by which it Is backed up shall not be q
very large one.
The cotton has all been removed from
the city into the interior.
Our feet are busily engaged IN remoy-
ing distinctions, and expect 70 be able to
reach the city by the first of March.
The HeraLfs Paris correspondent states
thRtthe two formidable naval rams Sphynx
and Cheoss, built at Bordeaux, France,
some time ago, have been fitted out in the
most complete manner, for our southern
rebels, with the heaviest class OF guns and
full crews, under the new names of the
StoneWsn and Rspidan. They were TO
sail in the beginning of this month from a
little island of the coast Of France, for this
port. 1t Wss believed they were Of 50
staunch a character that they would expe-
rience no difficulty in passing al the bat
teries In our harbor and coming right up
TO the city, which Il is reported to be de-
signed BY their commanders either TO lay
under heavy contribution or to destroy.
This scheme is said to have been concOct-
ed and assisted in It's prosecution under 3
recent treaty between the Emperor Ma
poleon and the JEFF. Davis Government.
A correspondent of South Carolina pa
per, who has been over the route of Gen.
Sherman's march through Georgia, is sur
prised to think that officer dealt so leniently
with that State and consoles himself with
sntioipstions of the same gentle treatment
for South Carolina.
The Richmond Examiner, of the 10th
inst, in an article on Southern Railroad
connections endesvors to show how Lees
Army may be supplied from North Caro-
linA and Georgia without the assistance Of
the Weldon Railroad.
The Legislature of Georgia is to convene
in extra session tomorrow.
The Richmond Dispatch thus sums up
the situation in South Carolina;
The Edisto river rises in the Southwest
ern portion of South Carolina and flowing
southwesterly empties into the Atlantic
forty miles Southwest of Charleston.
Brsnchyille is on the Augusta branch of
the South Carolina Railroad one mile East
Of the point at which the rsilrosd crosses
the Edlsto.
This river is now the line held by General
Hsrdee. In the neighborhood of Branch
vile, nearer the coast, we hold the line Of
the Combshee river, in the vicinity Of the
Charleston s. Savannah Railroad.
From the most authentic intelligence it
appears that while part of Sherman's Army
is making active demonstrations against
Combahee Ferry, near the Charleston &
Savannah Railroad, as if with the inten-
tention Of marching on Charleston. The
rest Of his forces have appeared at four
points on the Edisto, namely; At New
Bridge, five miles below Brsnchville, at
Bumaker's and at Holman's Bridge, as
above and at the railroad bridge opposite
that place.
Our troops that held the bridge over the
Salkshatchie were driven In last Wednes-
day. If the enemy succeeds in forcing
passage Of the Edisto, above or below
BrAnchville, ne will keep the railrosd run
ming thence to Columbia, and also the rail-
road TO Charleston, and compel our troops
to fall back upon Branehville, but they
will most probably evaeuate it If at any
tinae-it should appear fisherman cannot
be prevented from crossing the river. The
above is written in the hope Of giving or
readers some idea Of the situation in South
Carolina.
It was said soms days ago that Sherman
was slso sending q column against Augusta
on the Georgia side of the Savannah river.
We hsEeno information on this head.