The War news.
It was reported yesterday that
Grant, during the preceding night, had thrown a considerable body of troops across to the north bank of the
James, below
Varina.
Whatever may be the object of this movement, it was not developed yesterday, the day, on this side of the river, passing off, like many of its predecessors, in unbroken quiet.
During the morning, a very brisk cannonade was heard to the south of the
James, the occasion of which has not transpired.
Grant, probably, was firing another salute for some imaginary success.
On Tuesday he fired a salute of one hundred guns in honor of the capture of
Wilmington; he had previously, on Monday, fired a similar salute to celebrate the fall of
Savannah.
Though unable to do anything himself worth making a glorification over, we must accord to him the credit of celebrating both the real and imaginary successes of others with the utmost alacrity.
In the instance we have just mentioned, he allowed himself to be carried away by his zeal.
Old Butler will feel rather cheap when he learns, while thumping about disconsolately on the
North Carolina coast, that an hundred guns have announced to the Army of the Potomac that he has captured
Wilmington.
With the exception of the firing of these salutes, and some cannonading and picket firing on the left of our line, near the
Appomattox, there was nothing new from
Petersburg on yesterday.
The condition of the ground precludes the possibility of any extensive military movements being attempted for some days to come.
But we consider it likely that
Grant will make some effort to mar the pleasure of the forthcoming soldiers' New Year's dinner, unmindful of the fact that we permitted his troops to stuff themselves in quiet on the occasion of their Thanksgiving dinner.
We have received some particulars of the capture of the salt works by the
Yankee raiders.
They were attacked about one o'clock on Tuesday by the whole force of
Burbridge, numbering about five thousand.
The fight was kept up all the evening mainly with artillery, our forces being commanded by
Colonel Ro. T. Preston, and numbering, it is said, not more than three hundred and fifty.
When night sat in, they still held their own; but, under cover of the darkness, the
Yankees succeeded in reaching
Fort Breckinridge, one of the main defences of the place, in overpowering numbers, and captured it.
Colonel Preston deeming it impracticable to hold the works longer, then ordered the evacuation.
He and three hundred of his men are known to have escaped safely.
It was believed that some others would succeed in working their way out. The works were fired the next morning.
It is believed; however, that no serious damage has been done, and that they will be in operation again in a month.--The
Yankees did not remain long, and are reported to have left for
East Tennessee.
At
Abingdon, we understand they destroyed two entire blocks of buildings, including the courthouse and jail, office of the
Virginian, and private residences, besides the railroad buildings.
A movement from Memphis.
An official telegram, received at the War Department yesterday, states that two brigades of negro troops, and one of white cavalry, left
Memphis on the 21st, moving on the
State-Line road. His advance reached
Fayette depot on the 20th (22d?). The telegraph says that the object of the movement had not been developed.
From the South.
Nothing of importance was received from
Wilmington or the far south yesterday.
Butler has withdrawn from
Fort Fisher; but, as yet, his future plans have not been developed.
It is thought probable he will attempt a movement directly against
Wilmington.
Through the
Northern papers we learn that
Sherman is marching on
Charleston.
Before he advances far in this direction, he must fight a battle.
A private letter, received yesterday, states that
Colonel John S. Mosby's wound is not mortal, the ball with which he was shot having coursed around, instead of entering, his abdomen.
