AMERICAN
JflK B. BRATTON, Editor k Proprietor.
CARLISLE, PA., DEC. 22, 18G4.
[C7" Tlie absence of the editor this week ii
suffiolent apology Tor the non-appearance of
our usual variety of editorial matter.
NO PAPER NEXT WEEK.
In compliance with the usual custom, and
for the purpose of giving the hands employ
ed on the Volunteer a few days recreation, no
paper will be issued from this office next
week. In the meantime if our customers de
tire job work done, wo will try to -accomo
date them. AVe will be also on hand to re
ceive subscription money,‘&o.
Wj* Our carrier will be about on New Year,
with his “ Annual Message,” and ho hopes
his friends will extend to him the “ material
aid” he requires.
O” The Boiling Springs IHolel os Tor rent
from tho Ist of April, 1805. Apply to Peter
F. Eon, Carlisle, Pa. *
Furs Lost !—On Tuesday evening tho 13th
lost, somewhere en South Hanover St.,
and the Engine House )tho Railroad, a set
of Furs. The’finder will bo suitably rewar
ded by leaving them at Ralston’s Drug Store,
Carlisle.
, Lost. —On Saturday afternoon, between
the Railroad Depot and Mrs. Kieffer’s Con
fectionary store, on Main street, a Silver Lo
pine hunting case watch. Anyjpecscn find
ing said watch will be liberally rewarded by
leaving it at this office or Conlyn's jewelry
store* “ f
Cheaper than' Cheapest. —lf you
want to save money by purchasing Clothing
and Gent's furnishing Goods, call at Julius
Neuwahl'# now Clothing Hall, Samuel Ar
nold's old stand, in North Hanover street,
between Drs. Kieffer and Zltzer. 4b
IC7* We h*ve been requested to announce
that the Carlisle Deposit Bank will be closed
on Monday, the 2Gth insfc., (Christmas) and
January 2, 1865 (New Year's).
Christmas Gifts,— Let not» this-cheering
custom be overlooked. The lively-emotion
and good nature they engender, are worthy
of cultivation. Children especially should
not bo neglected. Make the little ones hap-
P7*
The Poor op our Town. —That many poor
people in our town are suffering for want of
proper clothing and food, is an undeniable
fact. In many instances, too, these sufferers
are soldiers families, who have been depri
ved of their protectors. As a general thing
the soldiers in our armies are only paid off
about twice a year, and by this criminal care
lessnes on tho part of the Government, much
distress and misery, is felt by soldiers wives
and little ones. We hope all our citizens who
are able will make it a point to hunt up these
families, and all others, white and black, who
are suffering for the necessaries of life.—
Their wants should be and must be attended
io at once. Give them something substantial
—moat, flour, potatoes, cabbage, wood, cloth
ing, &c. We repeat, let one and all who are
able to give think of this duty and attend to
it.
Oue .Markets. —Our markets are now well
supplied with poultry, hulter, eggs, &0., but
which sell at such shockingly high prices
that none but the rich can think of buying.
Indoed.'we can agree with the old lady, who
remarked some time ago, that when you go
to market now-a-days “ you should carry
your money in your basket and your market
ing in your pocket-book.” How truthfully
this saying strikes the mind when we hear
■ the inconscieniious farmer, demand “fifty
cents” for a pound of butter, and the siimo
shameless price for a dozen of eggs. Poor
comfort, that, for the . poor. ' Me would call
it broad-daylight imposition.
C'isaji otp Your Pavements.— lf We are
not mistaken there was an ordinance passed
by the Town Council of this borough several
years ago, which ordained that after the fall
of a snow the pavements should be cleaned
off within twenty-four hours after the abate
ment of the snow-storm ; and which also in
dicted a penalty of five dollars on the tenant'
or property holder who did not comply with
the provisions of the law. It also empowered
the Borough Constable to enforce the penalty
on all those who neglected the duty of the
law. How beautifully this ordinance is be
ing obeyed 1 How energetically is our inde
fatigable (?) Borough Constable attending to
his duties 1 It is now nearly two weeks since
the last fall of snow, and yet, at the time of
writing this article-(Monday), wo see a great
number of,pavements all over the town that
have not been touched by the shovel. And
what are the results of all this negligence?
The snow is allowed to melt under the burn
ing rays of “ Old Sol,” until the pavements
are overflowing with slush and water, which
freezes through the night into one solid mass
of hard slippery ice, rendering it very unsafe
for persons to walk over, and placing life and
limb in danger. . That such is the condition
. of our nnshoveled pavements no one will de
ny. It is no laborious task to clean off your
pavements immediately after it stops snow
ing. A good shovel and a little elbow-grease
is all thal-i's required • and then wlmt looks
more cheerful in winter’ than a clean pave
ment, free from slush and ice. If the above
law is yet in operation, we hspe it will be
enforced upon those who do not voluntarily
comply with itsjprovisioflß; Bet the Borough
Constable. : be bn the look-ont after a snow
storm.
ZJ- The country is full of horse .thieves,
-and we would advise those who hare good
nags to keep them’under loek or guard.'
TBE FDTCRR OF THE DEMOCRACY.
'Considering the fierceness 'with which tlie
date Presidential canvass Was 'conducted by
'tho friends of the Administration, and the
■extraordinary means resorted to by them to
secure a triumph, it is really amazing and
gratifying to witness the courage and resig
nation of the defeated Democracy. AYhon,
in 1852, the'gallant AVhig party was defoatod,
(after having been in pow'or for four years,)
it was never after heard of as a national or
ganization. It lingered a while, in certain
localities, but it totally disappeared in, and
was swallowed =qp by the Fremont movement
of 1856.
Pour years alter this the Democracy was'
torn nsaundor by the Southern secession move
ment at Charleston, which completed its work
afterwards in Baltimore ; tho consequence of
which was the overwhelming election of the'
present Executive. Since then, notwithstan
ding our almost crushed condition in 1860,-
and tho overwhelming odds arrayed against
us in tho way of patronage—made necessary
by tho necessities of the war—besides deser
tion of our prominentleaders who, were lured
into Abolitionism by prominent appoint
ments, our intrepid organization has weath
ored the storm of unrelenting pdrtizan per
secution, and is now tho moat formidable and
compact party that ever was defoatod-in this
country. This vitality is caused by tho dia
mond strength and beauty of its principles
and teachings. It is not an ephemeral par
ty; nor does it change its name and purposed
to suit every wind of political doctrine. Tri
umph never caused it to forget its duty to the
country; nor is it now disposed (n dc<m|jj- of
the Republic, because of its defeat; Such a
party may occasionally bo defeated, but nev
er entirely vanquished; and from, this time
forth, no matter how tbe war may be conduc
ted or terminated, it is certain to grow" in
strength until it is again'ealied upon to con
trol the Government of tho country. But in
order to be succoessful when the time for ac
tion again arrives, it will bo necessary to get
rid of many inoumborancos which .impeded
our efforts in the lafe canvass. 1 AYb quite
agree with an intelligent ctntemporary who
says: • ;
“ This great work should spring from tho ■
inspiration of the people, led by fresh and
vigorous minds, uncontaminatcd with the fa
tal propensity ,to official position which has.
corrupted so many of our politcians. Prin
ciples must be sought out and followed, rath
er than a shiftless vacilUnting policy in our
public affairs. Ifanything is to be preserved
from the wreck, of our country's greatness, it
must be the work of honest, patriotic men,
fully impressed with the necessities of the
hour and the peril of the republic.
Upon the Democratic press will rest to a
great degree the responsibility of -enlighten
ing the people in reference to this important
subject, and as a member of that fraternity,
wo will take an early opportunity to enter
upon a discussion of those grave questions
which have yet a vital interest to tho Amer
ican people. Wo have heretofore never fail
ed to raise our voice in behalf of what we
have believed to be Democratic principles,
and wo regard the present as the proper time
for a full and candid discussion of the condi
tion of the country.
By way of illustrating tho 4 ‘ inspiration of
the people," it is but necessary to allude to
tho latcCbicngo Convention. There the peo- -
pie’s inspiration forced tho nomination of
McClellan, in spite of tho politicians, who
were generally opposed to him; but still the
record of those who had conceived certain
crotchets exclusively their own, succeeded in
loading the candidate with an obnoxious
weight which defeated him. Yallamdino
ham, for instance, not content with his own
defeat of a hundred thousand majority a year
before, took especial pains to inform the coun
try that 7ie framed the Chicago Platform, as
if determined to make our candidate as un
popular with the masses as he was himself.
If we are to succeed hereafter, tho party, in
deed, must act from the. “ inspiration of the
people, led by fresh and vigorous minds, un
contaminatcd with the fatal propensity to of
ficial position, which has corrupted bo many
of our politicians." So says the Pittsburg
Post.
Short Bays. —The days are intensely short
at each end just now—about as short as they
make them in this latitude, we think, without
consulting the almanac. It is true the nights
are longer, and one can make the rounds of
all the loafing places and still have a long
tirrr'o to spend at homo before bed time; hut
those who have a given amount of labor to per
form find it difficult to do- so without tho use
of artificial light. The breakfast alarm
breaks our morning nap just as the red tints
of the rising sun appear in the eastern hori
zon, and yot wo are surprised to find before
tho morning meal is concluded that tho Town
clock has told the hour of eight. Stopping
on tho way to your business to chat with a
few friends on tho current events of the day,
you find tho minute band has passed tho cy
phers marking twelve, and nine o’clock is
upon you—in fact you scarcely get a fair and
regular built start before tho dinner gongs
sound. The afternoon runs away in tho name
manner, especially when the day is cloudy,
and you are compelled to light the gas at -1
o’clock. Short days, although sometimes in
convenient, are not without their benefits,if
for nothing else than, tho contrast they afford
to the long summer days, which commence
at four in tho morning and ond when it is al
most bed time.
The Week of Prayer— January 1-8,1805.
According to custom, there will bo united ser
vices in tho following churches of this place
in observing the week of Prayer:
Monday, Jan. 2.—Lutheran Church.
Tuesday, Jan.3.—2d Presbyterian Church,
Wednesday, Jnn. 4 —lst “ . “ Church,
Thursday, Jan. 4—Ger. Reformed Church,
Friday, Jan. G.—First Methodist Churoh,
Saturday, Jan. 7. —Church of God Chapel,
Sunday, Jab. B.—Emory (M. lE.) Chapel.
Tho topics for each day will be fonnd in
tho religious papers. Services to be held in
the evening at 7 o’clock, except the last nam
ed, which will be at 3}, P. M. At each
mooting an appropriate sermon will be-deliv
ered. All are Cordially invited to attend.
Farmers.— You are required to report to
the United States assessors all cuttle, hogs,
.calves and sheep which you slaughter for sale.
The tax on each head of horned cattle is for
ty cents, on each hog ten cents, on each calf
five cents. Reports must be made during the
first ten days of each month. Persons fail
ing to make returns as required by law, sub
ject themselves to a severe penalty.
DISTURBANCE IN CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
A correspondent of tho Age gives the fol
lowing account of the late "great battle” in
Clearfield county, this State':
Editors Phi la dr antra Age: I propose
to give you a brief and truthful history of tho
“great battle” recently fought in the county
of Clearfield, of which wo have so many ab
surdly distorted accounts. On the night of
the J3th, or morning of tho 14th instant,
(Tuesday and AVcdnesday of this week,) Cap
tain Soutlmurth, commanding a squad oi U.
S. Soldiers, surrounded tlie house of ono
Thomns Adams, a deserter, residing in Knox
township, Clearfield county. Adftnoo or frol
ic was in full progress. After disposing his
men to command thepremesis, with ono man
ho advanced to the door, opened it. and with
a revolver in hand walked into the room.
II» declared his rank as an officer of the army,
and-requested all to keep their scats, addjrig
that ho would shoot down tlie first who resist
ed. Tbonins Adame, who was in the house,
(a one story and a half,) gnt up-stairs without
being seen, kicked tho weather-boarding off
tho gable'end, looked out, anil seeing a soldier
standing prepared to intercept him, took n
loaded gup which, was at hand and shot the
soldier, killing -him instantly. Adams thon
went to the opposite gable end, kicked the'
boards loose, got out upon a shell, ilocended
thence to the ground, ran a short distance,
when a volly was fired at him, and ho Was
mortally wounded, dying a short tims'after
'torwards. ’Capt.Southworth' arrested nine
teen men, among them being the fiddier, an
other a young man who had a team and had
boon hired to.convey some of the men to the
dance, and a third man who accompanied him.
Neither of these three worfljsUtal'tod men .nor
bounty jumpers ; but the writer believes,
from information received of a character that
commands implicit faith, that tho whole three
volunteered into the service when the "emer
gency”. in 1863 called out citizens for the de
fense of tlie State; and that they served un
der Capt, 11. B. Swoope until lioioifaiuly dis
charged, Of tho remaining captures not one
man was a citizen of Clearfield county. The
“terrible war,” sharp and d“cisive, was a
shot from one Thomas Adams alone on our
side, and one volly from U. S', soldiers on tho
other. Captain Southworth took all the arms
in the poscssion of the arrested parties, con
sisting of ten loaded revolvers, and the pris
oners are hold to answer under tho law,.
This plain story strips the highly colored
statements in regard to the affair of many of
their sensational points, for which the public
havebecn indebted to the fertile imaginations
of Abolition journalists and correspondents.
- Yours, Clearfield.
“They can at any time have peacesijnply
by laying down their arms and snbmittingto
thfc National authority under (he Constitu
tion.”—President's Message.
The Patriot & Union pertinently asks what
Constitution?—the one that has beou viola
ted—ignored—torn in tatters by Lincoln and
his Congress, or the one that the whole shod
dy management are now hastening to patch
up and fasten upon the, people by any and
every species of knaVery ? Yen, what Consti
tution f Certainly not that old Federal Con
stitution, fer V, President Andrew Johnson
said : “ When you hear a man talking about
the Constitution, spot him ns a traitor." For
another reason, not that old Constitution of
Washington ; . did not Congress pass a law
indemnifying the President for the punish
ment that might lawfully be meted out to him
for his repeated violations of it? Than—
what Constitution does the old joker mean?
Who knows?
A Speech by the President. —Governor
Fonton, ot New York, wasscrenadod at Wash
ington theothernightand made a war speech.
The assemblage then proceeded to the White
Houm and called for Mr. Lincoln. He ap
peared at tho door and made the following
olocment and exceedingly classical and beau
tiful remarks :
“ Friends and Fellow . Citizens ; I believe I
shall never ho old enough In speak without
embarrassment when I have anything to talk
about. I have no good news to" tell you, and
yet I have no bad nows to tell. Wo have
talked of elections until there is nothing more
to say nbout them. Tho most interesting
nows wo now have is from Shennan. We all
know where ho went in at, hut I can’t tell
where he will come ont at. I will now close
by proposing three cheers for General Sher
man and the army.”
What a speech to come from the President
of the United States! There are buys in every
high school in the country who could make a
better response to a serenade. It is a dis
grace to our people to have so unfit a man
presiding over the nation. Wo all know where
he “ wont in at,” hut God only knows “ where
ho will oorao out at.”
tCT” Captain Winslow, who captured the
Alabama, is feted wherever he goes. Captain
Collins, who cut out the Florida at Bahia, is
not. Secretary Seward may learn from the
fact exactly tho temper of the people of tho
United States, and mitigate .his bunkum ac
cordingly. Wo neither fear Great Brittain
nor the world in arms, nor would we flinch
from a contest with either in any just quarrel,
and in such,a war with any nation our .peo
ple would be a unit; for not even Mr. Lin
coln would undertake to propagate anti-sla
very or wholesale confiscation among the van
quished. But tho nation is .not noiv, like
Mosoin tho play, so “spiling for a fight" that
it will back up tho foreign secretary in seek
ing entrance upon a quarrel by baseless offi
oial insults, such as ho is striving to contrive.
On, Stock.— Wo refer our readers to the
advertisement of the Burning Spring and Ru
ble Farm Oil Company. This company was
Organized in Philadelphia a few days ago and
is in tho hands of prominent and safe busi
ness men. C. B. Pfauler, Esq., formerly of
this place is secretary of tho company. It
will be observed that the capital of this
company is $500,000, with a working capital
of §40,000. We believe there aan bo no mis
take in investing in the stock of this compa
ny. Subscriptions for stock will be received
by L. T. Greenfield, who will give all nec
essary inforraotion in regard to tho same.
Tho Richmond papers print President
Lincoln’s message' in full,.and with perfect
prudence. There is not a line in that docu
ment but tends to unite the South in deadly
hostility to the North. Had it beentha'mes
sage of a Democratic President, piercing the
joints of the southern armor as the southern'
journals have dreaded that they would be
pierced, then the journals published under
Mr. Davis’s eaves would not have printed Mr’
Lincoln’s message in full. .
J6@“ Wo devote a large space of to-day’s
paper to the important war news which has
transpired the past few days. In making up
our reports we have been careful to publish
the most reliable, and taking no notice of un
founded rumors.
Troubles Unions New York Editors an d
Politicians.
The past five weeks, says the Lancaster
Intelligencer, hate boon prolific of libel suits,
and of political -and personal denunciations,
among the editors and politicians of Now
York city.. First, ox-Slayor Opdjke sues
Thurlow Weed, late of tho Albany Evening
Journal, for slander, estimating his damages
at the snug little sum 0f|50, 000. Mr. Weed
had published an article over his initials in
which ho charged the ox-Mayor with being
guilty of the grossest possible political cor
ruption. Weed justifies, and is engaged in
the attempt to establish the truth of tho.cbar
ges as made. This is a Republican fight all
round. The case has been exciting great in
terest, and the Court Room has boon crowd
ed with notable political characters of both
parties.
Peter B. Sweeney, the guiding and ruling
spirit of Tammany Hall, has sued James and
Erastus Brooks, of the Now York Express
newspaper for libel, founded upon charges
m tho\recont excited election for
Members of Congress, putting“his damages :
at $20,000. This case has not come np for
trial yet.
To wind Up with, Rufus W. Andrews, late
Surveyor of tho, Port, rushes into print with
a slashing roviow®f Thurlow Wood’s doings
and misdoings. • The ‘‘King of the Libby”
receives a severe oastigstion on. the charges
of being interested in all Albany schemes,
having in view the possession of tho 'city rail
roads'! helping to defeat Wadsworth for Gov
ernor in 1862; making a slandcrons and
malicious attack on Mrs. Lincoln, and for
his double-dealing with Old Abo. All these
tit-bits, nicely frioasoed and served up, will
proven savory dish for the lovers of personal
and political scandal.
A League Against Butter. —The follow
ing timely hints on the price of butter, which
wo take from the Harrisburg Patriot and Un
ion, will bet endorsed by all good, citizens.
Road’it farmers and tbon blush with shame :
The idea of a league against the use of ar
ticles of food that have always bean regard
ed as next to indispensihle, is suggestive of
suicide by starvation. And yet, the idea o(
continuing their use at present rates, is sug-i
gestiveof a fate scarcely less to be dreaded
suicide outright, superinduced bydesporation
incident to the cost of living? Nevertheless,.
leagues against butter have been started, and
are said in some quarters to work well,' The
“Trades Assembly” of Albany, N. Y., have
adopted a resolution that the price of butter
has been advanced beyond the cost of produc
tion in proportion to other articles ■ of (ood,
and they have resolved to abstain from the
use of butter in any way whatever. There
is certainly something of the kind required
in Harrishmg. The snow of week before
last ran butter from Id and 50 cents upward
to GO and 75—where, except in a few instan
ces, it has continued to remain!
It is perfect fallacy for one to contend that
the cost of production has increased five and
six fold during the war. The farmers who
attend this market reply to all cavillers as
the price, by staling that they are compelled
to pay our merchants from four to six prices
for merchandize. This may all be, but they
should remember that the town consumer of
butter has to pay the same prices, and really
requires and buys more merebandige than
they. They should remember, also, that
while they take cotton as the basis of the
prices they demand for their productions,"
cotton has beer, almost driven out of the mai
llot by the war, whereas the grasses and
crops which a merciful Providence guaran
tees them, costs no more than formerly.—
The manufacturer who has to pay more for
the labor he employs, must charge more tor
his products, but many of our farmers do
their own labor, draw their income from the
soil; and, if they have to employ help, they
pay leas for it than the manufacturer. If
they, lower the prices of the necessaries of
life to the working classes, prices will come
down at once, Unless they do so shortly,
they will find that the general cry will even
tually arise in all directions—“ Tax the far
mers 1 Tax the farmers!” “A word to the
wise,” &o.
Politics and the Pulpit.— The prominent
andbittor part taken by many of the clergy
of this country, in the late political canvass,
has called forth some able strictures from
many of the Democratic press, among which
is the following extract from the Albany Al
las. It says:
“But clergymen have a right to think, to
feel, and to speak in regard to causes so mo
mentous as those which enter into politics of
the day? Certainly they have. But they
must not make the pulpit their rostrum, nor
assume to be instructors and exponents of the
Divine Words, when uttering their personal
thoughts. The doctor has no right to take
politics in the Clinique, or to forced his parti
san views upon his helpless patient. The
lawyer has no right to make political speech
es m Court, nor the judges, to pronounce par
tisan judgments from the bench. What would
be thought of a dry gopdsclerk who improv
ed his opportunities, l.y dissertations oyer
the counter to his custoiners, upon war and
peace, and the duties of his hearers at the
ballot box? What if your milkman insisted
in delivering tho.diluted trash of the daily
papers, in the shape of a harangue, ns ho
hands in his quart of milk and water? Must
the tailor give you the measure of your pol
itics when he takes that of your coat?
Are you to be cobbled politically by your
shoemaker; whenever he has your foot in
hand ? Has your barber the moment he sei
zes you by the nose, the privilege of snub
bing you politically; and of lathering you
with second suds put of (Irooly’s frothy Trib
une?”
8®“ Mr. Lincoln, in his latest Message to
Congress, proclaims to the world that ho will
retract nothing that he has heretofore said on
the subject of slavery.
Well, “heretofore,” that is to say on the
4th day of March, 1861, Mr. Lincoln did say,
on the eastern portico of the Capitol of the
United States, to assembled thousands, these
words;
“I declare that I have no purpose direct
ly on indirectly to interfere with the insti
tution of slavery in the States where it exists.
I believe I have no lawful right to do so,
and I have no inclination to do so. The
right of each State to order and oonlrol its
own domestic institutions according to ils own
judgment exclusively, is essential to the bal
ance of power on which the perfection and
endurance of our political fabric depend."
K 7” John Steel, the wealthiest man in
Pennsylvania, made so by oil transactions,
(his receipts wore $3,000 per day) died, a few
days ago, in Philadelphia, from injuries re
ceived from the kick of a horse.
THE CABINET.
The ship of State is Sen-ward blown,
And in onr hour of need,.
Law on a wild goose Chase is flown,
And ruin comes with Speed.
—N. Y. World.
TREjirM -NEWS'.
GENERAL SBilN.
Grand Finale of His Tl'ium-
phant March.
REPORTED CAPTURE OF SA
VA «N Aft
From All.nu(a (o the Atlantic
on Foot tn One month.
FDRT M'ALLISTEB CARRIED BY ASSAULT ON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11.
Communication with Dahlgren’s Fleet
Thus Opened. •
THE KEY TO THE OOEECIIEE Oil lIS
A Go-operating Move
ment by Gen.^anby.
GRAND PANIC IN MOBILE
&c., &c.,. &c.
ißaltimolie, t)odember 16.
the correspondent of the American at An
napolis telegraphs as follows:
“ The steamship Varuna loft Charleston
blvron the 14th instant at 8 o’clock in the
morning. The report had reached there by
tbo rebel flag of truce boat that Sherman
was in possession of Savannah, after an eight
hours’ fight, capturing eleven thousand pris
oners.”
Capture of Fort McAllister—Probable
Full of Savannah,
Special Despatch to the World.
Washington, December 10,
A dispatch from City .Point says Richmond
papers of to-day state that Sherman on Wed
nesday tins ip front of Savannih, and had
captured Fort McAllister and a line of in
trenchmonts. This seems to Confirm (he
news received via Annapolis to-night, an
nouncing the fall of Savannah,
Official Dispatch from Seci’y SlatUon,
"[official.]
War Department, 1
Washington, Doc. 10—8-15 p. u. |
To Major-General Dix, New York :
Official dispatches from General Canby
have, been received to day, showing the com
plete success of an expedition sent by him
from Vicksburg to co-operate with General
Sherman’s operations and cut Hood’s com
munications with Mobile.
General Canby also reports the probable
success of another expedition froin Baton
Rouge, under command of General Davidson,
the details and object of which it is not pro
per now to disclose. When last heard from
Davidson was reported ns having caused
quite a panic in Mobile, and to be devastat
ing the country generally. Lieutenant-Colo
nel Karl, commanding a special party, was
scvor.-lr wounded, and fell into the hands of
the enemy at Fayette, Miss. , ,
The Richmond papers of to-day confirm tbo
reported capture of Bristol by an expedition,
supposed to bo under the command of Stone
man and Burbridge; also, the surprise and
cnptuio of the Glade Spring depot on the rail
road, thirteen miles south of Abingdon, Va.
They also contain General Hood’s official
rep irt of the battle of Franklin, in which he
acknowledges the loss of many gallant offi
cers and bra’ e men. Among whom he enu
merates Major-General Cleburne, Brigadior-
Ocnerhls Williams, Adams, Geist, Strolil and
GriWi berry, killed; Major-General John
Brown and Brigadier-Generals S. Carter,
Mnnigaiilt. Quarles, Cackorill, and Scott,
wounded, and Brigadier-General Gordon cap
tured.
They also stale that otl AVednesdajr Gen.
Sherman carried Port McAllister, command
ing the entrance to the Ogeceheo river, by
storm, and that the capture of this position
puts Sherman in communication with the
Yankee fleet, and necessitates the reinforce
ment of Savannah.
The dispatches ot General Cunby, so far is
proper for publication, and the extracts from
the Uichmond papers giving Hood’s official
report of the battle, and,our success in South
western Virginia and in Georgia, are sub
joined.
Dp to this hour (8:30 p. it.) nothing has
boon heard from Nashville since last night,
and nothing from General Sherman later than
the Uichmond newspapers’ report of the cap
turo ol Fort McAllister on Wednesday.
FORT M’ALLISTER TAKEN BY SUER
MAN.
[From the' Richmond Dispatch, Deo. IC.]
Official intelligence was received yesterday
that t.ho enemy, on Wednesday, Carried Fort
McAllister by storm. The garrison of the
fort consisted of one hundred and fifty men.
Fort McAllister is on the Ogeeeheo river, fif
teen miles southwest of Savannah, at the
point where the river is crossed by the Sa-'
vannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad, and a
bout six miles from tbo Osabavv sound. The
capture of this position puts Sherman in
communication with the Yankee fleet.
Without attempting any military criticism,
wo cannot withhold the opinion that the ex
posing of one hundred men to the assault of
Sherman’s whole, army, was a piece of extra
vagance that onr present military resources
do uot seem to warrant.
The Examiner has the following:
“I*ort McAllister oommads the enfrnneo
to the Ogoochco river, and-lms prevented the
enemy, heretofore from ascending the river.
We believe there are other works further up
the stream, which would render the navi-ra
tion of the stream by the enemy extremely
uncomfortable. The’fall of Port McAllister
does not by any means involve the loss of
Savannah, hut will necessitate the reinforce
ment of the troops defending that city.”
DISPATCH FROM GENERAL CANBY,
New Orleans, La., Deo. 9, 1804.
On the 25ih ultimo, I reported that move
ments co-oporativo with General Sherman’s
operations would ho made from Vicksburg
and Baton Rouge for the nurposo of cutting
Hood's .communications with Mobile. The
expedition sent from Vicksburg, and consist
ing of about two thousand oavalrv, and eight
pieces 'iif'artillery under the command of R.'
I). Ostrand, of the Third colored cavalry, re
turned on the 4th instant, having mot with a
complete success. After an admirably exe
cuted flank nioreineiit on Jackson, on the
24th ultimo,-t ho expedition started for the
Big Black Bridge, on the Mississipoi Cen
tral Railroad, which was reached on the 27th
and after a stubborn resistance captured and
destroyed it.
This cuts Hood’s array off from the largo
quantities of supplies and stores accumulated
at Jnokson, Miss., and makes that i-ailroad,
which waa hia main reliance, unavailable to
him for months to oorite. Besides* this im
portant bridge and trodtlo'-work, the follow
ing property was completely destroyed : Thir
ty miles of track, including culverts; the
wagon bridge over the Big'Black ; Vaughn’s
Pickett and Goodwin stations, with all the
railroad depots and buildings; twenty-six
hundred bales of cotton, two locomotives, four
oars, four stagc-conchcs, twenty barrels of
salt, and one hundred and sixty-six thousand
dollars worth of stores at Vaughn’s station.
The expedition was considerably bnrrass
ed on its return by largo bodies of the one
ray’s forces, but suffered no material losses,
and brought back more recruits than its en
tire loss in .effective men. S. B. Cook, com
manding the Third colored cavalry, distin
guished himself and his regiment greatly by
the gallantry with which the force guarding
the Big Black bridge were driven from be
hind their strong stockades on the opposite
side of the riror. Our men had to charge
across the bridge dismounted, with nothing
but railroad ties ‘foi"a path, and in'the ; faoe
of a sharp fire.
I have announced Majdr Conk in general
orders as promoted to the vafcant Hmitehant
ooloneley of the regiment, subject te the ap
proval of the President
(Signed)
E. R. S. O'Wfrr.
Mujur-dSciffernll
‘FROM SOUTHWEST VIRGIN'rA.
At Glade's Spring the enemy captured an
engine -and fourteen flats, with sortie railroad
hands. On these a party of men were mount
ed, and went up the rnnd toward Marty a, and
a dispatch fmu’i tire operator at that place on
yesterday tells us that they vrereat# o’clock
within a mile of that place. I'iieir object is
easily divided. It is to burn over
the llolston river and break the road, to pre
vent being sent down the lino by
stegtfrerto reinforce Saltville. To Saltvillo
the main body will immediately go, and in
all human probability has already >oue.—
There are some fortifications at Saltviile, and
some reserves, whose, numbers we do not
know. If these can.check them by any sac
rifice, reinforcements Will soon pnt the place
out of danger. At present ft is certainly in
great danger.
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
SHEMAN MEETS FOSTER!
Savannah Closely Besieged.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH. FROM
GEN. SHERMAN.-
Splendid Condition \of tlie Army—A Frtv/
Agreeable March—Abundance of Supplies
—Not a 'Wagon Lost on the March—2oo
Miles of Railroad Destroyed—Communica
tion Open With the Fleet—Savannah Re
garded as Already Gained.
OFFICIAL BULLETIN’.
WAsAtNctroN, Poo. 1/. To Major-General
Dix:— Despotclrta have boon received to-day
from General Poster, Who had n pors'onal in
terview on the morning of Wednesday, the
14th inat., with General Sherman at Fort
M Allister. whieh had heen taken by assault
on the previous day.
Savannah was closely besieged, and its
capture, with the Hebei forces there, confi
dently expected. It was to be summoned in
two days, ami, if.not surrendered, Sherman
would open his batteries upon it..
. General Foster reports t'at Sherman’s Ar
my is in splendid condition, having lived op
its march on the turkeys, chickene, sweet po
tatoes and other good things of the richest
part of Georgia. His march was feebly re
sisted. J
Nothing'll as been heard from'Qon. Thomas
to-day. Unofficial despatches state that die
Provost Marshal at Nashville reports five
thousand prisoners and forty-nine pieces of
axtillery as being already secured.
It is ascertained that in transmitting Gen
eral Thomas report, last night,,a telegraphic
mistake was made at Louisville or Nashville
in the estimated number of our casualties
The despatch written by General Thomas
stated that his whole loss would not exceed
three thousand (3000) and very few were
killed.
A dispatch from Lexington* tfcis evening
states that Von tho 13th instant, at Kings
port, lennessee, General, Bnrbridge had a
fight Basil Duke's Brigade, (formerly
John Morgan’s) and-routed it with a loss to
the enertiy of one hundred and fifty killed,
wounded and prisoners, and-their trains.—
Dick Morgan, a brother of ‘John, was cap
tured. . 1
(Signed)
J/DWIV M. Stanton-,
Secretary of War.
OHN T . SltUllM AN’S DESPATCH.
Washinot ns. Doe. 18, 18C4, 9P. Mi—Ma
jor-General Dw, New York An official de
npatcli from Gen, Sherman was received to
day, dated near mid nigh,. December 13th, on
the gun boat Daiulc/ion, Osabaw Sound, Ga.
It was written before General Foster had
reached him; lie reports, beside some mili
tary details of future operations which are
omitted, the following interesting particulars
of his operations !
, ''D*xBEr.fnV (KsaHAw Sound,
’’ —Tu-dav, at 5 Pi
General Uazon's Division of the Fifteenth
Corps carried Fort McAllister by assault,
capturing its entire garrison and stores. This
opened to us the Ossnbaw Sound, and I pulled
down to tins gun-boat to communicate with
the fleet Before Opening oommunicntioU w 0(
had completely destroyed all the railroads
leading into Savannah and invested the city
The left is on the Savannah lliver, three
miles above the city, and the right is on the
Ogeechee, afc King’s Bridge.
The army-is in splendid order, and equal
to anything; The weather has been fine and
supplies abundant. Our march was rilost o
greoable, and we were not at oil molested by
guerillas. We reached Savannah three days
ogo> but owing to Fort McAllister we could
not communicate, but now wo have McAllis
ter. and go ahead I .
We have already captured two boats in tlje
Savannah river, and have prevented their
gunboats from coming down. I estimate the
population of Savannah afc twenty-five thnu
fmnd, and the garrison afc fifteen
General llardeo commands. •
Wo have not Jest a wagon on the trip but
havo gathered a largo supply of mules’, ne
giooa, boraos, &e., and our teams aro in far
bettor condition than when wo started.
My first duty will he to clear the army of
all surplus negroes, mules and horses.
We have utterly destroyed over two hun
dred miles of railroad, and consumed stores
and provisions that, wore essential to Lee's
and Hood’s armies.
Iho quick work made of Fort M’Allistcr,
and the opening of communication with our
fleet, and consequent independence of sup
plies, dissipates all their boasted threats to
head mo eff snd starve the army. I regard
Savannah ns already gained. ■
Yours, truly,
tT „W; 1'- Sbebhan, Major-General.
-Mon. It. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
The Attorney General of this State
has furnished the Governor with a written
opinion in reference to the case of Iliin.
John L. Dawson, of the 20th Congressional
district, who was fairly elected and is,so de
cided by tho Attorney General, Mr. Meredith,
and Gov. Curtin. Some'of those virtunds
Republicans die hard". After all their cheat
ing and , swearing not to got to Cbngreso is
too bad. , , • .
TENSES S E E.
Victory of General Thomas
More Nashville.
HOOD ATTACKED BY OUU AUMy.
Two Days Hard Fighting
■* .0
49 PIECES ARTILERY TAKEN.
5000 Frisoiici's €ap| Iu . C( , ;
THOMAS’ OFFICIAL REPORT.
tfnion Loss About3ooo
HOOD’S ARMY 'COMPLETELY ' RO'JTKO.
Official Dispatches from Gen. Thomas
and Secretary Stanton.
FIBS* OFFICIAL BDLhETRV.
"\VaR-DePARTMKNT. )
vYaeitimoton. Deo. 15—11:30 p. n f
Mijnr General Dix; ' ‘ 1
T’he department has just received unoffi
oml dispatches , from Nashville announce, i
hat General 1 horn as, with the forces under
h.s command,, attacked Hood’s army in front
of Nashville at 9 o’olook, this morairur • an j
although the battle is not yet decided the
whole action to-day is desoribod as splendid
ly sucoosaful, r
• °ur lino advanced on the right five miles
Lhe enemy were driven from the river, from
their intrenohmonts, from the range of hills
on which thbir left rested, and forced back
upon his right and centre, and the center
was pushed back from one to three miles,
with the loss of seventeen guns and about
fifteen hundred prisoners, and his whole like
of earthworks Axcept about a mile of his ex
treme right, where no serious attempt was
made to dislodge him-.
Our casualties are reported to bo
Hood's whole l army,. exubpV the cavidry
and a small force uoar MurfroosOuro, word
engugodt.
Edwin M. Sianton;
’ j Secretary of War.
StiCOfot) OFFICIAL BULLETIN.
War Department, Wasiiingtdn, 1
December 10—9:15 a. u. f
Major- General Dix r
lhe following official report of the baltlA
before'Nnahvillo has been received from Ma
jor-General Thomas;
Nabixvii.i.e, Tonn., Deo. 15—9 a. u.
Attacked the enemy’s loft this morning,
and drove it from the river below the oi:y
very nearly .to. Frauklin pike, a distance of
About eight miles.- Have ’ captured bind
iner’s headquarters and train, and a seoond
train of about twenty wagons, with between
hundred and one thousand prisoners
and sixteen pieces of artillery ' Our troops
behaved splendidly, all.taking their share in
assaulting and charging the enemy’s breast
works. .1 shall attack the enemv ngain to :
morrow, if he stands to fight; Aml if he re
treats during the night 1 frill pursue him:
throwing a heavy, cavalry force in his renrtd
destroy his trains, if passible.
Geokoe 11. Thomas, Major-General.
THIRD OFFICIAL DISPATCH,
, Washington, Doc..X7, 1864-8:35 A. M.~
To Major-General Dix, Now York.—The fol
lowing official report of the., great victory
aohived yesterday by Major-General Thomas
and his-gallant sriiiy over the Rebel forces
under General Hood, in front of Nashville,'
was received this morning.
One of the most surprising circumstances
connected with this great achievement is the
.small loss suffered by our. troops, evincing,
among other things, the admirable skill nml
caution of General Thomas, in his disposition
of the battle. In our rejoicings 'at the defeat
of the enemy, thanks are dao'to the Almigh 2
ty for his protection to 'our gallant officers
and soldiers in the gteat conflict they have
passed through.
. Tbo report of (Jeridfal Thomas, Containing
interesting details, is subjoined :
GEN. THOMAS’ OFFICIAL REPORT.
Head-Quarters Department of tbb Ouk-
BERfcAND. Eiout MILES PROM NASHVILLE}
Dec. IC, 18G4, G P, M.r—To the President of
the United States, Hon. E. M.- Stanton and.
Lieutenant-General Grant:—This army
thanks you-for your approbation of its
duct yesterday, and to assure you that it is
not misplaced, I have the honor to report
that the enemy has been pressed at all points
to-day in his lino of rbtreat to the Brentwood
Hills.
Brigadier-General Hatch,. of Wilson’s
Corps of Cavalry, on the right (timed tlid
enemy's left, dud ctfpttired a large numbed
of prisoners} Hfimher not ‘.Ma
jor General* Schofield's Corps, next on the
loft of the cavalry,* carried several hills aud
captured many prisoners and six pieces of
artillery 1
.Brevet Atajof Qdnor/U Smith, next on the 1
of Major-General Schoffisld, carried the'
saliOnt point of ttiti fcrienlv’s line with M'-
Millan’s brigade of M'Arthur's division, cap.*
turing sixteen gutis, two Brigadier-Generals
and about two thousand prisoners.
. Brigadier-General Garrard's division of
Smith’s command, next oti the left of 51’-
Arfchur's division, carriedj the Enemy's id
trenchments, capturing all the artillery and
troops of the enemy on the line.
. 'Brigadier-General Weed’s troops, on ths
Franklin Piko, took up the assault, carrying
the enemy’s intrentchmenta, and in Ids re*
treat captured eight pieces of artillery and
sdmething over six hundred prisoners, and
drove the enemy within one mile of tlio
Brentwood Hill Pass.
Major-General Steadman, coniipanijuijl
detachments of tho different armies of the
military division of Mississippi, most nobly
supported General Wood’s left, and boro rt
most honorable part in the Operations of.thrf
day.
I have ordered the pursuit to he
in the morning at daylight, although tbV
troops are very much fatigued. The. utmost
enthusiasm prevails.
. I must not forgot to report the operations
of Brigadier-General Johnson, in succeed!*
ly driving the enemy, with the co-operati"*
of the gun-boats under Lieutenant Command'
ing Filch,, from their established batlorie* oil
tlio Cumberland-river, below ’ the city; ni
Nashville, and of tho success of Brigadidr-
General Craxton's brigade, in covering *o“’
returning o,iir right nnd rCaf, in the opera
tions of yesterdi y und to day.- .* , .
' Although Urnve no report of fhfl number
of prisoners captured by Johnson'* ana
Craxton's commands, I know they-have .»
large number, I aid glad to be able to state
that tho number of .prisoners captured yesj
terdiy greatly exceeds tho number reporfce‘l
by telegraph last evening.
The woods, fields and intrenchmfchts' ar®
strewn with the enemy's small arms, ahan-,
donod in their retreat,- Tn conclusion, I
happy to state that all this had been jffio. k oa
with a small loss to u». Our loss duos n? .
exceed three thousand, nnd voty ftp* kjl*®I** 1 **
(Signed) l - Obo. 11, Thou'as, Maj. G o * l '*