Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-30
War News Fifty Years Ago
tFrom the Richmond Dispatch. Nov 80, 1se4)

| There came last afternoon some startling re-
ports or rumors of Il vicious attack of tho enemy
haps vicious attack of General Pickett on the
enemys lines Both reports proved to be with
| out foundation
The report that General Roger A. Pryor had
been captured by tho Federas was confirmed
yesterday. The report that he purposey put
himself In a position to be captured has not
| been confirmed, and the people of Richmond
and Virginia will not believe it until they have
s Snn more t, definite But in the meantime,
recent conduct is certainly matter of suspicion.
On the lines down the river and on nil of tho
lines in front of Petersburg there was absolute
quiet all of yesterday and last night, and, az
for that matter for the past two weeks
Just as we go to press We hear startling
story from down the river. II is to the effect
that the enemy In front Of General Piclotts
command put raw line OF negro troops OH the
night guard, while the fine white Fellows from
the North enjoyed themselves In their com
Portable quarters: that tho Confcderates caught
on TO the situation and attacked these negro
guards in the night time, killed nearly all of
them and played havoc with the balance OF the
winter camp. The story lacks confirmation
The reports from the Army OF the Tennessee
arc meagre, rather too meagre for the comfort
OF the people who have loved ones in that far
away and Indefinite army. and too meagre for
tho officials of the Confederate government. The
Army OF tho Tennessee Is no longer a thing
worth talking about and never will he again
until General Johnston gets back In the saddle
Hood Is a failure.
Sherman. it il said has issued an order
that al! of the houses in East Tennessee &C.
and the whole country dcvasted as far as he
can SO order things.
General Grant is said to be taking a rest and
a holiday in Philadelphia. That he is taking
much of a rest Is not to be believed. The proba-
bties that lie Is holding n conference there
with Lincoln and some other high-up officials.
The mail steamer Webster from City Point
reports that the steamer Greyhound, known as
General Buffers "own." while going down the
river bound for Fortress Monroe caught fire
and was destroyed. Butler and staff, and also
the Reverend Porter, all on board, and IL
Is said that they escaped. The Reverend Porter
and all OF the staff to be congratulated but
Butler-why did not tho good waves take him
in their deadly embrace?
The Richmond WhiS, copying after the
fashion OF the Yankee journals announces an
afternoon edition to appear . o'clock every
evening Sundays excepted OF course.
Ambrose Z. Pollard. a citizen o, Hanover
county, whose home was not more than eight
miles from Richmond. murdered night be-
fore last while sitting quietly in his home talk
ing with his family ~ muskct was fred into
Mr.. Pollards home through the window and
the same being aimed square him. there could
be no mistake to the object OF the man who
held the musket; murder vile was his intent
Mr.. Pollard fell TO the floor, being pierced by
tho bullet from the musket. and in two hours
breathed his last. Mr.. Pollard's activity in
catching deserters for the past six months
accounts for the whole affair.