The War news.
The sounds from the enemy's camps below
Richmond throughout Sunday night indicated that their troops were in motion; but nothing positive is known of their movements except that it was discovered on yesterday morning that the white troops had been withdrawn from our front near
Fort Harrison and their place supplied with negroes.
The Yankee papers announced some days ago that all the negroes in
Grant's army were to be put into the Eighteenth corps, under
Weitzel, and we presume this arrangement was being carried into effect when the marching and countermarching of Sunday night was heard; all the negroes were being brought over to this side from
Bermuda Hundred and
Petersburg, and an equal number of white troops were being sent south of the river to fill their places.
Negroes, on yesterday, for the first time, strutted on picket in front of
General Barton's lines.
Their appearance here has not caused any interruption of the usual quiet.
They have deported themselves peaceably, and, so far, have not been fired upon by our men. There is no longer any doubt that
Grant has been reinforced by the Sixth corps, and that he will, in a few days, make another demonstration on our lines.
There was a considerable cannonading and picket firing on the left of the lines at
Petersburg on Saturday, but without casualties on our side.
On Sunday and yesterday, everything was quiet; and there are no indications of an early advance by the enemy.
Official intelligence has been received that
Sherman is at last moving towards the
Atlantic coast in earnest.
His objective point is believed to have been at length discovered; but it is deemed injudicious to mention it yet awhile.
The prospect is that there will be a battle within the next three or four days which will decide the question whether
Sherman is to reach the coast in safety.
We are still, and may be some days, without direct intelligence from
General Hood.
In the meantime, we hear from him very satisfactorily through the
Yankee papers.
The fear and trembling of the
Yankees at
Nashville is so manifest in their telegrams from that place, and their efforts to keep their courage up so transparent as to be quite amusing.
After telling us that a battle of
terrible fury is imminent, they say "we do not believe
General Thomas has any fears of the result.
He is not as weak as he would make the rebels believe.
General Thomas has prepared a trap for the rebels.
We will not tremble for the result; but we feel strong and hopeful for the cause, and confidently look for victory to perch upon our banners.
Our troops are brave and
General Thomas is an able commander," etc., etc.
It is clear to us from all this that they do "tremble for the result," and, we think, with good cause.
Hood's star, for the first time since he commanded in the
Southwest, is in the ascendant, and he is just the man to push his luck.--His energy and dash will now serve him in good stead and carry confusion to his antagonist.
Thomas, upon whom the
Yankees rely to deliver them out of their difficulties, is "Leatherhead"
Thomas, of the old army, so called from his impenetrable stupidity and tortoise-like slowness, both of intellect and motion.
He is a poor dependence in such a conjuncture of military affairs as the
Yankees themselves describe.
We look with the utmost confidence for news of a great decisive victory in
Tennessee.
The Yankee tricks with regard to the
Florida affair are not likely to avail it anything.
We understand that information has been received here, on undoubted authority, that
Brazil has notified the
United States that she will make the seizure a
casus belli unless the crew and vessel are restored and ample apology made for the outrage.
In this it is further understood that she will be supported by
England and
France.
