Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-01
BY s. J. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, Pa, MARCH ], 1865. :
THE WAR NEWS.


As stated in our last, Charleston was evac-
uated by the rebels on the 18th Several
of the fortifisations were left uniniured,
which. together with 300 cannons fell into
our hands. The stars and stripes now "a
gain float over the city and Fort Sumter.
The rebels set fire toCharleston before leav-
ing It, and about two-thirds of the city was
destroyed ere the flames could be arrested.
Several iron-clad gunboats were also des-
troyed by the rebels previous to their leav-
ing Charleston harbor. During the burn
ing OF the city a large number Of the citizens
had congregated at the Wilmington railroad
depot, when most fearful explosion occurred
by which several hundred lives were lost.
These people generally belonged to the poor
er classes, and could not leave the city for
want Of meats. The cause Of this horrible
disaster Is not known, but is supposed to
have been the result of the explosion Of tor
pedoes, or some other Internal machines ly-
ing in the depot buildings. A blockade
runner which had just arrived, also fell into
the hands of our troops. Thus, one rebel
stronghold after another is taken possession
Of by our gallant Union boys, and we hope
soon to see the now tottering ''Confedera-
cy' going to pieces altogether.
The news from our armies continues ia
vorable. On the 18th our forces under Gen.
Scofield left Smithfeld, on Cape Fear river,
and commenced an attack on Fort Anderson,
while the feet under Com Porter went up
the river, and also opened heavy lombard
ment on the fort, which was kept up during
the day. On Saturday night, however, the
rebels eYacuated-most Of the garrison max
ing It's escape towards Wilmington. On
Sunday morning the 18th, our troops took
possession of the rebel works Our entire
loss In the engagement was only eight.
Rebel loss not known. Wilmington, too,
has fallen into our hands. As our troops
advanced on the place the rebels evacuated
II also. Our troops Occupied the city
or the ed, Washingt0n's birthday. We
captured in all about 100 prisoners and thi =
" cannons, at Fort Anderson and Whining
ton. In the city the rebels burned one
thousand bales Oh cotton and fifteen thou
sand barrels Of rdsin
From the tone Of the Richmond papers
We infer that much dependency prevails ia
the Cenlederaccy In fact; they admit that
their cause is in a critical situation. The
authorities have set apart the 10th of
March as day Of fasting and prayer, and
the people are exhcrted to devote the whole
day to the service OF God, and asking his aid
III behalf Of the rebel cause. The arming of
negroes is q matter of much controversy a.
mong the rebel leaders. and as yet nothing
defnate has resulted therefrom, as many
fear to trust their servants with guns in
their hands.
The news from Sherman is quite indef-
inate-the only information of his where
abouts being through rebel sources. At
last adyices he was forty miles north of Col
umbia, South Carolina ssand threatening
Char iotte in North Carolina-but whether
the latter place is ais destination is not known.
.JAUREZ The Mexican President, saws
the Pittsburgh Chronicle, challenges our ad-
mirati0n by that courage and fortitude with
which he maintains front against the foreign
adventurers who are holding riot in Mexico.
lie has issued a stirring pToclamation declar-
ing that the republic shall be sustained at
all hazards, and urging the peopleoto stand
firm. The news from Mexico is of an en-
couraging character The States of EChil-
huahua Sonora iand Sinaloa have pretty
much driven off the Imperial troops, and
there are nearly twenty thousand republican
troops sundeT arms in those States MAX
MILAN finds the English newspape regular
''JoB comtorterS, for they are busily pre-
dieting all manner Of embarrassment and
disasters to him. As for LOUIS NAPOLEON,
Notwithstanding the oracIes of Paris cores
pondents OF New York papers, he is doubt
less heartily glad that he has shifted upon
other shoulders the responsibility Of an en-
terprise the most QuiXotic OF the age, and,
next to this rebellion, the most criminal
--~e~ -
STIRRING UP THE HORNETS. tele-
graphic dispatches report a great conlmotion
In the rebel lines, both about Richmond and
Petersburg The rebel leadersar ina pret-
ty hutter Of excitement, and the privates
are ungratefully deserting on every occasion.
The rapid advance of ALARIC, as the rebels
style General SHERMAN, makes It necessary
to do something else but illuminate in then
newspapers and quarrel over arning negroes
In their g Congress-. They must either
change their base, and crush out one of the
main armies operating against them, or be
smothered in Richmond ike so many horn
cts in hole What they decide to do must
be done quickly. We shall not, therefore,
be astonished to hear of the whole swarm
buZzing about GRANTS headquarters soon,
or taking fight into the mountains of East
Tennessee
The four years of continued suffering
which the peopa Gf Savannah have endur-
ed have left an impression of pain upon their
faces Men have remained In their houses
for months, without ever going into the
streets, for fear Of being conscripted; and
an instance is mentioned Of one man who
had not gone outside of his doors for three
years.
A New SPOKE IN THE WHEEL.-The
landing of General ScoFIELD, with.a very
considerable force, at Newhern, prepared TO
build and equiprailroads, indicates that that
place is To be a water base for important OPP
erat;onS toursrls ColdShora and Ralaish