Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-06

| "1t is stated on untoubted authority that
Ieheral beauregard has arrived in the city Of
i Iatlons in that department.
| The Petersburg Express of the Sd says. ."that
previous to the passage Of the commissioners
| through the lines, on Tuesday, General Wise
| them not to relax their vigilance on account
| OF the so called peace commissioners bu. to de-
pend upon their arms for peace"
| me rald up the Chowan river is said to
nave been abandoned before II accomplished
ses, vsral days siacs cS M Charles F.
s.s.ia aess HofS plantation stealing and killing his
stock, destroying ali his valuable farm ma.
chinery, and either burning or carrying off his
large crop OF grain and provender and all his
provisions.
"Saturday evening last the sth Illinois Van.
kee cavalry encamped two miles north Of Dum-
FRIES on the telegraph road. They were ac-
c0mpained by wagons, and are supposed to be
on their way to Fredericksburg.
"The weather was very cold, and the roads
in such wretched condition that they returned
toward Alexandria Sunday morning. They
robbed Mr. Richard Curries Of all his forage
and provisions. Monday last body Of Yam
kee cavalry were near Pork Gate, three miles
Everything below Wilmington is quiet,
says the Journal. There is no change in the
position Of the enemy's land or sea forces. The
weather is dreadfully cold.
.'General Lee is said to have remarked few
days since that he saw and appreciated the
difficulties surrounding us, but he Y: as hopeful
| anu continent, tudt any compromise now
wonld prove but truce or armistice, and
would have been unmanly shrinking from the
present duties, and ertailing upon our children
| trials which we should meet and overcome.
.'Shermans army ia reported to be burning
all the good houses along the line OF its march
Prisoners taken vary In their statements as to
Shermans destination.
IAN expedition 1900 strong was reported to
be fitting out in New Orleans, 10 be landed at
Pascagoula, the intended destination supposed
| t0 be Mobile
Departure of the Peace Csmmi issioners.
[From the Richmond Whig, Feb. 2.l
Vice President A. III. Stephens, Hon. Robert
M. T. Hunter and Judge John A. Campbell
left Petersburg on Tuesday on their mission
was received from General Grant announcing
that the Commissioners would be received at
O'Clock p NJ. Accordingly, at that hour, ac-
entered the enemy's line in front of Wise's
Brigade, OF General Bushrod JShnson's Di-
vision. They were preceded by Captain
O'Brien, OF the Exchange Bureau, who bore
the flag OF truce, and were met midway be-
tween the opposing picket lines by several
Federal officers among whom were Colonel
hancock, of General Grants staff. The bear
| ing OF these officers was extremely courteous,
and the reception Of our Commissioners grace
| ful and becoming. They were In excellent
| good humor, and seemed alive to the imper-
tance of the occasion.
at twenty minutes to O'Clock, after a short
interview between the respective parties our
flag returned, and, under the escort of the Fed.
eral officers, the commissioners were cond ucted
down the Baxter road to a special train Wait
ing them inside the enemy's lines. 1t was an
tanned At hneTqqa that headq uarters on Tues-
day night, and Wednesday morning q
steamer would be in readiness to convey them
| TO Washington A speciaI request that MIR.
| Stephens servant should be permitted to &C.
company him was readily acquiesced in, and
the negro marched in attendance upon his
| master This step was rendered necessary in
| consequence Of the delicate condition Of Mr.
@ n ton a N hoir mo-
| required, under the circums tances, for bis
| comfort a detail OF ten men was made on
| the part of the enemy, to receive and take
charge OF the baggage belonging to the commits
| sioners.
| Lieut. Col. Hatch, Assistant Commissioner
| of Exchange, accompanied the commission as
| secretary.
| The scene on the lines during the passage of
| the commissioners was one of lively interest
AS far as the eye could REACH to the right er the
left, the breastworks were dark with men,
| W hile in front the Yankees crowded on their
| works, apparently eagerly to witness the event.
| Large groups were visible here and there in
| the haZy distance, viewing the scene through
| their glasses and evidently discussing the
, merits and prospects Of the commission.
A number OF ladies were present on the
| ground, some in front of the works some on
| top, and many walking and riding In the field
| to the rear. Their presence added increased
| interest to the occasion.
| During i visit Of Colonel Hatch and some
friends to the lines earlier in the afternoon, to
| superintend the dispatch of flag OF truce, con-
| siderable cheering was manifested on the part
| OF our soldiers and Of the enemy, who probably
| mistook them for the commissioners. The ene-
| my ia evidently pleased at this step we have
| taken to secure cessation of hostiities, and
would welcome peace as joyfuny as we.
! From Richmond Examiner, Feb. 3.
The enemy's present plan of campaign Is OBJ
| vious. He seeks to keep up the pressure upon
| Richmond, and to chain the Army OF Northern
Virginia to its breastwcrks. If, In addition, a
| favorable moment can be seized for shooting
ont upen the Danville road, and cutting that
| avenue of supplies, he will surely embrace
the opportunity TO effect SO important pur-
| pose.
| But his aggressive designs are chiefly direct.
ed agaiast two important points in South Oar.
| olina, GameIy, Augusta and Charleston, so
long besieged, so prominent in the previous
history Of the war, so conspicuous in the pol
tiles OF the South and SO cherished in the affet-
tions of the Confederate people, and Branch
yille more geographically important point,
but important as being the key to Charleston
| and the gateway for supplies which come from
the States OF the g alf
These being the conceded objects of the EN- +.
emy's present operations, 1t is not difficult to
determine with approximate certainty the des-
tination of Thomas army, if reports be true
that it is moving eastward. Not many days
ago we had intelligence that a detachment OF
$1,000 men from this army had gone down the
Mississippi River and by the G ulf to rein force
sherman, and now we have another report
~, IN the direction Of the Chesapeake to rein.
force Grant.
1t is probable that botn these rumors are
true. Each one and both would be entirely
consistent with the enemy's pres ent plan Of
operations in Virginia and South Carolina II
is very probable that the object of reinforcing
Grant at present Is to enable him to make 8
demonstration from his left wing upon Lees
line of supplies simultaneously with Sherman's
| movements in South Carolina.
| The addition of Thomas army to those OF
Sherman and Grant may put it in the power OF
| both commanders to make formidable aggres.
| sive movements in earnest, each being much
| more than front in aid of the otuer. Whether
| the Virginia movement shall be q mere diver.
sicn in favor OF Sherman or a NOV ement in
chief will depend, OF course. upon the number
| OF men from Thomas army. which shall be
| transported to the James river, q question
which the development of few days will dis.
l close. .. ....
| This transference Of the Federal army in Ten
| nessee by crcuttous but more expeditions
| route to Virginia, or to Carolina, or to both 10.
caiities, seems to be modification OF the origi-
nal design Of the present years campaign. I'm.