Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-03-03
ma NEWs.

1he only important ltem OF war news since
our last report is the capture of Wilmington,
official information of which was received last
Friday evening. This victory wrests from the
rebels another of their few remaining strong
holds, and gives Sherman a secure aud con-
venient base for the further prosecution of
his march toward Richmond
Nothing certain has been heard of Sher-
man recently. The rebel papers, upon which
alone we must rely for news at present, are
again by order of the rebel authorities pro-
hibited from giving particulars of his move
ments. II he suffered any serious reverse we
should soon hear of it, and their continued
silence may be safely regarded as satisfactory
evidence that they have not succeeded in seri-
ously retarding his progress. There are
vague rumors of successes on each side, but
they are not traeeable to any reliable source.
If no mishap befalls him, we shall doubtltss
soon hear of his forming a junction with the
forces under Schofeld and establishing new
base at Wilmington.
There have been unmistakable indications
recently of meditated movement on the part
of Grant; and indeed it is known that he has
only been kept from advancing by recent
rains which have rendered the roads impassa-
ble. TIE rebel papers say he is massing on
their right, and meditates determined effort
to tap the South Side railroad, upon which
Lees army row almost entirely depends for sup
plies.
We have nothing further from the expedi.
ton said to be fitting out for the capture of
Mobile, or for operations in the Gulf States.
The Texas rebels think it is Galveston rather
than Mobile that is to receive attention from
the forces recently concentrating at New Or
leans.
There have been reports of rebel force
under Longstreet approaching Knoxville; but
it is not likely be will succeed in the attempt
to take it should he make one. Gen. Thomas
still commands in that region, and his force
is being rapidly increased by the new regi-
ments now taking the field from the Western
States.
Men are being raised under the new call
with great rapidity and the regiments are sent
TO the field promptly as soon as organized.
Grants army is being heavily REINFORCED in |
this way from the Eastern states.
Our recent captures of cannon, ammunition,
and supplies of every kind, from the rebels,
have been immense. Commencing with Sa- |
vanuah and ending with Wilmington, the cap
lures of heavy guns have numbered nearly if |
not quite one thousand "a loss the rebels can
not repair, being short of material and manu-
featuring facilities within themselves, and now
almost entirely cut off from outside aid, which |
uhas been their chief dependence throughout
the contest.
Never since the war commenced have the
desertiOns from the enemy been so numerous
as during the last few weeks. Those desertiDg
from Lees army alone have recently averaged
more than full regiment week.
The rebel leaders are becoming desperate. |
Lee calls for the arming of the slaves, the
Richmond press frantically seconds the call,
the House passes a bill authorizing it, but
the Senate BY decided majority defeats the
measure. The war of the factions RACES fu-
riouslY at their capital, the opinion that they
will soon be compelled to abandon it daily
gains ground, and the last received Richmond
papers say that members of Congress from the
more distant rebel States have already sought
satisfy iu fight to an extent that bearly leaves
a quorum present in the city.