Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-14
War News Fifty Years Ago
.'From sc Richmond pispatch. Dec 14 1XG4

1t is something of curious phase of
that sherman's position in front of Savannah
Of Nashville. Just why these military. chief
tains should have run away from each other.
layman cannot exactly understand. What do
we want with Tennessee when Georgia is
Georgia with Tennessee devasted? These are
questions that the military experts may be able
10 TO, answer TO their satisfaction, but the people
In 1t at all.
The reconnaissance OF General Longstreet and
the Smelling of Fort Gilmer were the closing
events of the expiring year. that u.s. such is the
opinion OF the military experts both sides
which side Of the line they may be- ON. are not
always reliable. The real lighters may yet find
something to do. But be that it may. no
movement Of Importance is expected until the
New Year or some time thereafter.
The holiday season is at hand and it applies
from across the lines that General Grant has
already hurried himself off to Governors Island.
near New York. where he will spend the holt
days in the bosom of his family. General Lee
Keeps in close touch with the operations in front
of Petersburg, but it Is understood that for
several days. may be several weeks ne will spend
the most OF his time with his family Franklin
Street. In this city.
There Is abundant information tina, General
Warrens Federal raiding expedition towards
Bellfed decided failure. General Hamp-
ton broke into Warren's plans and upset them
In handsome style. Warren did manage ito get
back to the Grant lines in fairly good shape
If Hampton had Just had a few more men. he
might have made an end to Warren and all of
his gang but he didn't have the men. and that
was the end of II.
There no advces yesterday from South
Georgia but 1t is understood that General Bragg
Is still holding his own ut and about Augusta
II Beauregard and the other Confederate COM
manders VIII do as we'll in and about Savannah
all VIII be we'll. But will they?
Since General Longstreet drove the Yankees
back over Hatcher's Run. they (the Yankees)
have, seemed to be satisfied, and perfect quiet
has reigned on the lines below Richmond and
in front OF Petersburg.
The report, comes from Tennessee that the
Federals are making every possible effort to
down. To that end they have sent gunboats
down the river to try to whip out the Confed-
crate batteries all along the river front and
on both sides of the stream So far they have
been themselves whipped, several of their gun
boats having been sunk by the fire OF the land
batteries
federate States Senator from North Carolina
to succeed Senator Dortch. Senator Ashe de-
policy. while Ashc declared himself being
In favor of n vigorous prosecution OF the war
unto the bitter end. or until the Confederate
States shall have gained their independence at
the swords edge II need be.
The way in which General Wade Hampton
worried General Warren and his marauders
to Grants lines is something worth telling
about special correspondent of the Dispatch
was on the ground. and his account of the
whole thing will appear in this paper at an
early date.
Friends of General Lee, evidently authorized
by him, appeared before the Legislature of
Virginia yesterday and respectfully asked that
further consideration of the proposition to aid
General Lee financially be dispensed with. 8
There can be no doubt OF the fact that the
intensely cold weather and the falling snow will
call off all military operations in the regions
around Richmond and Petersburg for some time
to come The soldiers on both sides brave
enough. and may be ready to do their
duty to their country, but there are certain
limits beyond which human nature cannot