The war News.
The "situation," in a military point of view, everywhere remains unchanged.
We give below such items of intelligence as were received yesterday:
While the bombardment of the city was progressing on Wednesday, there was considerable skirmishing and cannonading in front, which, about ten o'clock, increased to a brisk artillery duel, gradually extending along the lines, and for two hours, from the right of the plankroad around to the river, an uninterrupted roar of cannon was heard.
The opposing lines of pickets have lately been more demonstrative than usual, and at times within the past two or three days the interchange of leaden compliments has been very frequent.
The shelling of
Petersburg on Wednesday, as we have before stated, was one of the most vigorous bombardments of the campaign.
Shells of different sizes were thrown into the town at the rate of from ten to twenty per minute.
Mary little damage, however, was done.
The only movement of the enemy, perceptible within the last few days has been an advance of his picket lines, which have occupied a portion of the
Vaughan road; and a corresponding advance has been made this side of the
Davis house.
It is said that the object of the wanton destruction of the
Davis house, on Monday, was to revenge the capture of so man. Yankee pickets at this point.
We do not see how the infliction of an injury upon a private citizen can compensate for the loss of men; but such is the
Yankee mode of conducting the war.
Deserters report that the fifteen-inch mortar with which the enemy has been shelling the city recently, bursted a few evenings ago, killing twenty men.--The statement is doubted.
There was some shelling yesterday, and some picket fitting on the lines; but beyond this, nothing of importance occurred.
The valley.
The Northern papers claim that in an action on the 10th instant the "rebels" were driven back with heavy loss.
There is probably no truth in this statement.
Indeed, we have it on the authority of a letter from an officer in
General Early's army, that on that day the enemy was driven through
Martinsburg, and on the following day our forces were engaged in tearing up the railroad.
Sheridan, however, is not so much to be blamed for claiming success where he suffers defeat, for of all the
Yankee warriors he seems to have been the most unfortunate during the campaign, and it is not surprising that he should desire to shield himself from the odium that would follow a confession of the truth.--It will be remembered that he played the same game at the time he was whipped by
Hampton's cavalry last summer, and succeeded in pulling wool over the eyes of the
Northern people, who appear still to regard has as a great commander.
There is no change in the position of affairs before
Atlanta, nor will there be during the continuance of the armistice, which commenced on Monday last.
Even after that expires, there is an impression that there will be no resumption of hostilities.--
Sherman will reenforce
Grant, and endeavor to hold
Atlanta with a small force; but no further advance is anticipated.
The
Atlanta exiles who have arrived at
Macon were in a most deplorable condition.
The
Yankees are represented to have stripped them of everything except one change of clothing.
Such are the consequences of the enemy's success.
Georgia papers represent that our army is rapidly accumulating in strength and numbers, and hint at very pleasant rumors concerning our future prospects.
