The War news.
We hear nothing more of the crossing of the enemy to the south bank of
James river, near Battery
Howlett, and therefore believe it certain that, if any force crossed at that point, it was an insignificant one, and not designed to effect any important result.
From all we have been able to gather, we think it-likely that a small party, in barges, engaged in the interesting, but perilous business of torpedo-hunting, took advantage of the leg of Wednesday morning and came over from
Cox's landing to the south bank; and being seen when the leg had partially cleared away, their numbers were very considerably magnified until the story assumed the round proportions with which it reached the city, namely, that a heavy force of the enemy had succeeded in making a landing between Howlett's and
Drewry's Bluff.
Yesterday passed off quietly on the lines south of the city, the report circulated yesterday morning that "a general battle was going on all along the lines" being a rumor of that sensational class that were very general and common some months ago, but which have, of late, not been, we are glad to say, so often heard.
Another Raid on the Weldon railroad.
Information reached the city yesterday morning that a force from
Grant's army had struck the
Petersburg and
Weldon road at
Jarratt's, thirty-two miles south of
Petersburg, and were proceeding towards
Weldon.
Up to the time of writing, no official advices have been received in relation to this expedition.
We learn from unofficial sources that a heavy column of the enemy, consisting of infantry, artillery and cavalry, left our front at
Petersburg on Tuesday night, moving down the Jerusalem plankroad, and were reported on Wednesday morning to be at Proctor's mill, twenty miles south of
Petersburg.
Since that time they were not heard from till yesterday morning, when the information above mentioned was received here.
This column of the enemy is said to connect mostly of infantry, from which it is inferred to be simply a raiding party, similar to the one which visited
Stony creek last week, and that it is not prepared for a protracted and extensive expedition.
There are, however, those who fear it is a movable column, destined to operate first against
Weldon, and then, perhaps, to continue its march and take
Wilmington in the rear.
As at present informed, we are not prepared to express an opinion.
We repeat the accounts which reach us and await future developments.
Later.--The latest information from the enemy on the Weldon railroad is that they were still moving towards
Weldon, and were provided with such an amount of stores as to induce the belief that they were prepared for a long march, or, at all events, a long absence.
It is useless to speculate upon their plans, which will be fully known in a day or two.
It is probable that the primary object of the movement was to occupy the road, or so injure it as to prevent our sending any reinforcements to our forces operating against
Sherman.
Nothing of interest has occurred on the lines at
Petersburg except the departure therefrom of the above-mentioned Yankee column.
Indeed, they have been having a comparatively quiet time during the past few days.
The enemy threw a few shell at a passenger train which was approaching
Petersburg from this direction yesterday, causing considerable excitement amongst the women and children on board.
From the South.
We hear nothing from
Sherman.--Whether he is crossing the
Savannah on pontoons, or sailing down the Ocogee in rafts and flatboats, is equally unknown to us. We only know, and we rejoice much in the fact, that
Central Georgia is relieved of his presence, and that our railroads and lines of communication are being rapidly reconstructed in his wake.
As regards their railroads, the Georgians are, to a man, "reconstructionists."
The only news from the far
South on yesterday was, that
Foster is renewing his demonstrations against the Savannah and Charleston railroad, thereby seeking to divert the attention of part of our troops from
Sherman.
