Latest Northern News.
We give some further very interesting extracts from our Northern files of the 27th ult. The expansion of
Gen. Banks was at
Fortress Monroe on the 27th, and was to sall for its destination in a day . The
Baltic is the flag-ship, and the number of men composing the expedition is stated at . It appears from the
Northern papers that
Fredericksburg movement was determined on the 13th ult., on the occasion of the visit of
Halleck to
Burnside, and that the consent of
Lincoln was not obtained until the following
Saturday.
I dispatch from Offutt's Cross Roads,
in Montgomery county, Md., dated the 28th, gives the following account of a Confederate dash:
This morning at daylight a body of rebel cavalry, supposed to be sixty strong, entered
Poolesville Messrs. Cherry and
Sargeant, the
Government telegraph operators stationed there, in bed them and permitted them to telegraph to
Washington.
This boldness of the has caused much excitement in this neighborhood.
1st coming battle at Nashville--the position of the Opposing forces--Gen. Rosencranz--his Intention to fight, &C.
Probably the key point of the theatre of war in degreat West is the city of
Nashville, the capital of
Tennessee.
Seated in the midst of the great central basin of the
State, surrounded by a highly and very fertile agricultural district, enjoying considerable facilities for military manufacture the focus of several important paved roads and railways, and within two days of the
Ohio river by water when the
Cumberland is at a good stage, the political and strategical importance of
Nashville can hardly be overrated.
A letter, dated the 18th ult. says of its defences.
When I left here in September the fort on
St. Cloud Hill had hardly been begun.
Now it covers the entire hill, looming into vast proportions and dignified with a title.
Not a gun had been mounted or a rifle-pit dug; the
Capitol remained unornamented with slege guns, and the water-works had sot anticipated being turned into a fort.
Now the city is encircled by a chain of rifle pits and forts.--The streets have been barricaded and pitfalls made it is almost impossible to get in or out of the city.
The next battle is expected to occur on
Duck river, near
Elk Ridge, about fifty miles south of unless the
Confederates should advance on the city.
A correspondent of the New York sends that paper a map, showing
Morgan to be twenty miles from
Nashville Forrest at
Lavergne, the same distance
Breckinridge at
Murfreesboro', twenty miles this side of
Forrest, and
Anderson's Buckner's,
Cheatham's, and
Withers's near
Elk Ridge.
The letter gives the following arrangement of the
Yankee forces:
Gen Rosecrans's line now extends from
Nashville (right wing) to
Lebanon, (left wing,) and that it may be represented by the turnpike road, as laid down on the map which I send you accompanying this.
This line has been thoroughly reconnoitered by the enemy, and they are as well acquainted with it as our own officers.
Forrest and
John Morgan have several times paid their respects to it, and one or two of their reconnaissances have resulted somewhat seriously.
It will be seen by reference to the map that from the right and left positions of the army two turnpikes run nearly parallel to the rebel positions south of
Duck river, a third central road converging with the eastern pike at
Murfreesboro.
It is by these roads that the rebels expect
Gen. Rosecrans to operate, and it is very evident that they are making their preparations to oppose his march by these routes.
The writer estimates the whole Confederate strength at 36,550.
A letter from
Nashville, dated the 18th ult., gives some information given by a Confederate prisoner captured the day before.
It says:
‘
He states that on Thursday evening he accompanied a reconnoitering force to within six miles of the city.
The Lunatic Asylum, on the
Murfreesboro' turnpike, was the nearest point to the city to aided the rebels came.
This place is visible from the
Capitol with the naked eye, but it is hardly presumed that anything but the buildings can be seen.
The force making the reconnaissance consisted of the First Tennessee cavalry, about twelve hundred strong, and
Freeman's battery, consisting of six places.
General Forrest of guerrilla fame, commanded.
A general survey of the country was made, our picket line examined, and also the hedges and berricodes established beyond it. These barriers and obstructions are made by building a doubt line of parallel forces and filling the space between with brushwood.
It is perfectly to passable to cavalry.
Gen. Forrest remarked, on examining it, that ‘"it must be the work of some damned Dutchman."’ The reconnaissance was not completed until late at night when the force returned to
Lavergne, where it went into camp.
This force is the outpost of the enemy, and is held as a post of observation.
When this army moves
Forrest will fall back to
Murfreesboro'.
John Morgan is on camped about ten miles south of
Lebanon, engaged in watching the movements of our left wing.
When the movement begins these two post of observation, it is supposed, will be abandoned, and
Morgan and
Forrest will fall back to
Murfreesboro', and the whole force then retire towards
Tullahoma and the main army.
Such are the inferences drawn from the best information of rebel intentions and the situation of their forces.
Major-General Breckinridge command the advanced infantry force of the rebels.
This division of
Bragg's army did not penetrate into
Kentucky, but remained in front of
Nashville, operating under
General Anderson,
Breckinridge in person being for a short time in
Kentucky, lending his influence to induce
Kentucky to secede.
It is said that he became disgusted and returned to
Tennessee.--His division is about 5,000 strong.
Among the brigades is that of
General Maxcy, which figured in
Buell's rear when evacuating
North Alabama, and which fought at
Stevenson and Fort McCook in August last.
This division is abundantly supplied with artillery, there being six batteries with it. 'No works have been built at
Murfreesboro' of a formidable character, unless they have been projected and constructed within the past week.
The main rebel army is encamped at
Tullahoma and Estell Springs.
The former point is at the junction of the
Manchester and
McMinnville and
Nashville and
Chattanooga railroads.
This near
Duck river, which, at the crossing of the railroad, and for miles East and West of it, is a formidable river, the banks being precipitous and almost impassable.
The Southern bank is bluffly and higher than that of the opposite shore.
Estell Springs is a watering place, in the centre of a highly productive and finely watered district.
It is unimportant in a strategic sense, and the force encamped there have been so located on account of the supply of water.
’
Affairs around Fredericksburg — Flags of truce — Deserters — the rebels, &C.
A letter from ‘"Headquarters, opposite
Fredericksburg,"’ date the 23d, after a superfluous announcement that the
Yankee army is still on the north side of the
Rappahannock, gives the following gossip:
‘
You are already aware that flags of truce are being sent to and received from the rebel commanders at
Fredericksburg.
Yesterday we were honored by a visit from
General Kershaw and Col
Bland, of the rebel army, on behalf of the military authorities, and
Mayor Slaughter, to represent the civic portion of
Fredericksburg.
The nature of the meeting that took place it is not desirable to make public; but it is sufficient to say that there is an evident intention on the part of the rebels to prevent us from crossing the
Rappahannock, if they can. This intention on their part is evident to all from the active preparations that they are making to defend the passage.
They have had commanding the ford at
Falmouth a battery of four light pieces, planted on an eminence a short distance from the banks of the river, and on Friday night they employed a number of men to throw up breastworks of earth before the guns, and yesterday morning they were, to all appearances, ready for work.
Other batteries have been placed at different points along the river, all threatening our front, and yesterday there were seen batteries coming towards the city.
Together with this they have evidently received large reinforcements of infantry, as the large camp fires, that are visible at night, would clearly testify.
For a great distance last evening the sky was red with the reflection of these fires, and if it was their intention to evacuate such would certainly not be the case.
It is supposed by many that Long street has been reinforced by
Lee and his command, or a portion of them.
The presence of
Longstreet at
Fredericksburg would seem to indicate that when we left
Warrenton he moved in a parallel line with us from Culpeper Court-House another strong proof as to the intentions of our enemy is that yesterday we could plainly perceive many families leaving the city, and the smoke issuing from the chimneys of the houses this morning was but little.
Whether the inhabitants are leaving at the instigation of the rebel commander, or for fear that the city will be shelled, of course I cannot tell; but that the greater portion have gone is certain.
Yesterday two or three shots were tired at trains that were seen coming out of the depot; but no apparent injury was done to them as they steamed off in the direction of
Richmond.
The rebel pickets are still seen, quietly sitting by the river bank, and ours are on this side; but as yet there is no firing on either side.
The usual conversations have ceased, and more serious feeling has taken the place of the excitement and curiosity of the first day.
This morning, at an early hour, two of the rebel soldiers, under the command of
Col. Bland, of the Seventh South Carolinas regiment, deserted the ranks, and, crossing the
Rappahannock, gave themselves up to our pickets.
They are large, fine looking men, and claim to be brothers, although their appearance would contradict the fact.
Their statements go to prove that my surmise as to the movements of the rebels was correct.
Gen. Longstreet, they say, has more than forty thousand soldiers; but they are unable to give the names of brigades or regiments.
They were on guard on the opposite side of the river, and seizing this favorable opportunity, they took the small boat that was lying there and came over.
There is a singular history connected with the flag of truce that was used by
General Patrick in his visit to the city of
Fredericksburg on Friday, which is well worth giving publicity to. It was used by
General Willcox then
Colonel Willcox, while held a prisoner by the rebels after the
first Bull Run fight, to bind up his wound, and was we believe, given to him some time ago by
Mrs. General Ricketts Strange that it should have traveled so far, and at last been the means of our visiting a rebel city to demand its surrender.
Their picket force along the banks of the river has been considerably increased to-day.
The conversation between the opposing pickets is still kept up and though frequently taking on a profane tune, is both amusing and instructive, as showing the condition of the rebels.
‘"You have lost your best man,"’ shouted out one this forenoon.
‘'
Burnside is played out we don't care a d — n for him."’ A 9th New Hampshire boy inquired in return where they had stolen their blue over coats.
‘"We took them off the dead at
Antietam, why didn't you take ours?"’ ‘"Because they walked off so fast,"’ was the reply.
Another rebel wanted to know if we had any
Bull Run boys with us. ‘"Have you any
South Mountain and
Antietam boys with you,"’ retorted one of our pickets ‘"It isn't
Maryland any longer, is it?"’ cried out one of our boys.
Not one who has conversed with our men but expresses himself tired of the war. This afternoon, as I rode for some distance along the ranks, and saw them shivering in the cold, with no fire and very light garments, I thought to myself, ‘"they indeed have a reason to be tired of the war."’ This morning, a woman using a secesh flag over her house, nearly opposite to where I am writing, our pickets cried out to her that they had ‘"spotted"’ that building, and would be there before night.
The Confederate rag thereupon immediately disappeared.
’
The New route to Richmond — what the Yankees think of it — the Failure to Outwit Gen. Lee Acknowledged.
A correspondent of the New York
Herald, writing from Stafford C. H., the 22d, says:
‘
There is no sign of any movement in the corps which we are attached, although it is asserted that at all hazards we must reach
Fredericksburg and deploy our columns on some line beyond it, even if it be, as necessity seems to point, a line of defence for the winter.
The project of a sudden advance on
Richmond in two grand columns, by way of
Culpeper and
Fredericksburg, seems to have fallen through — at least it is at a stand.
While the enemy was lying entrenched at
Gordonsville, with a portion of our forces threatening him in front, it was thought by quiet marches we might gain
Fredericksburg before he could have knowledge of our movement, and thus, from a point practically nearer
Richmond than his own, run a race with him for the rebel capital.
We reached
Fredericksburg — that is, a portion of our army did — but the race did not come off, although the stakes were up.
Instead of advancing further, this wing of the army was halted one day at noon, as soon as our advance reached
Falmouth, and next day the rain began, and with it came King Mud; so you hear from me still in the same position as that of yesterday, and the day before, and with no other report to be made to you on my part than ‘"All's quiet on the
Rappahannock"’--as far as we have got.
’
The
Washington correspondent of the New York
World telegraphs as follows:
‘
General Burnside has abandoned the
Warrenton and
Gordonsville route to
Richmond, and is coming up the
Rappahannock and the railroad lines to
Fredericksburg, whence he moves towards
Richmond.
This move he has doubtless been forced to make, because of his long rear left open necessarily to ‘"danger and shame,"’ The result will cause much delay.
Bridges will have to be built at
Frederick burg across the
Rappahannock, and new wharves constructed at
Aquia Creek.
The rebel army is probably transferring its position to the
West bank of the North Anns river, a few miles below
Fredericksburg.
A friend of mine, who returned from the army to-day, and whose statements are entitled to the highest confidence, had interviews with the various corps commanders and
Gen. Burnside.
He tells me that they all do not present by any means a cheerful state of affairs.--
Gen. Hooker says that
Burnside cannot take
Richmond alone.
Some diversion of the enemy must be created somewhere South of the rebel capital before it could be done, and he seemed to intimate that such a diversion was not now included in the present plans.
’
The
Washington correspondents generally, as well as the papers in that city, are remarking upon the ‘"new base"’ of army operations:
‘
The Washington
Republican (anti-McClellan) now makes the admission that, had he not been removed, that General would have brought on a battle in three or four days. It also thinks if
Richmond is captured in ‘"ten days,"’ it will be an example of celerity very new in the war, and very refreshing.
’
The
Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia
Ledger gives this warning on the same subject:
‘
I would advise you not to place too much reliance upon the report of forward movements against the enemy in
Virginia.
Nearly two months ago, when every paper was filled with reports of onward movements I then cautioned you against them, and with how much truth let the present position of affairs answer.
As to the new base of operations,
Fredericksburg, I have but little faith in the same, as it places our forces in a desert country, and renders them liable to flank attacks, which it will be difficult to provide against.
But enough on this point for the present.
It appears that the routs to
Richmond via
Fredericksburg is the one always advocated by that natural commander,
Phil. Kearney, who greatly preferred it to the
Peninsula road, or that by way of
Manassas.
’
The New York Herald on the mediation Question — no Show for intervention — Russia the friend of the United States.
The New York
Herald has a long article on the recent foreign news about mediation, some portion of which is interesting.
After reviewing the diplomatic notes, it says:
‘
Thus even the moral support of
Russia in favor of mediation depends on two contingencies; and one or other, perhaps either of them, may never happen.
First,
France must persevere in her course; and, second,
England must acquiesce.
Now. It is not very likely that
France will persevere if
England will not openly join in the movement; and
England, strengthened by the reluctance of
Russia, will not be precipitated into a position which involves her interests in a far higher degree than the interests of the other two Powers.
France has no special interests in
America; still less has
Russia.
England has vast interests at stake — her immense commercial relations and her colonies, including the
Canada,
Nova Scotia, the
West Indian Islands, and her possessions on the
Pacific, to say nothing of her risk of losing
Ireland before the struggle terminated.
She is dependent on
America for even the necessaries of life, and corn has become king instead of cotton.
This, therefore, is the source of her hesitation and not any decent respect for the feelings and susceptibilities of the
American people, much less any genuine good will to the republic or its institutions.--
Russia, calculating, therefore, that
England will not venture to place herself in so perilous an attitude, gives a vague and general pledge of ‘"moral support"’ should
France persevere in the mediation scheme and should British statesmen acquiesce — consenting once more to be dragged after the tall of the
Emperor, as in the case of the war in the Crimea, from which
France derived all the glory and the profit, while
England had to pay the principal part of the expense.
To keep the mercurial and discontented French people employed abroad is the greatest task of
Napoleon.
He wishes to prevent their brooding over their own condition.
By diverting the military enthusiasm of the
French against foreign nations,
Napoleon saves
France from revolution.
This is the game he played in the Crimea, played in
Italy, and is now playing in
Mexico, and which he desires soon to play in the
United States.
But
England is impelled by no such necessity.
The population is more patient and tractable, and her statesmen will count the cost before they consent to another degrading alliance with
Napoleon, especially where her most vital interests most be put into the opposite scale.
But even suppose
France should persevere in the mediation project, and
England should acquiesce, the mere moral support of
Russia would be of little avail.
France is well aware that any moral pressure upon the
American people would be as futile as the idle wind.
But the moment intervention goes beyond that point, then
Russia will not be with
France and
England--perhaps she would be wholly with the
American people.
Her interests do not conflict, but harmonize with ours.
In the
Eastern hemisphere the destiny of
Russia is to absorb all the minor States around her, and she is every day making rapid progress in that policy.--She will soon be, if she is not already, the great Power of
Europe and
Asia.
In the Western World the
United States is destined to play the same part.
One of these Governments is an absolute despotism — the other is
a representative Democracy.--But both are suited for the regions and races where they prevail.
Both are philosophical, and will fulfill their destiny without coming into collision or competition with the other.
Not so the milk and water Governments that stand between them, and are neither one thing nor the other.
’
The war in the Southwest.
Railroad communication between
Louisville and
Nashville is complete.
A train went through on Wednesday last.
A dispatch from
Nashville dated the 26th says:
‘
Sixty paroled rebel officers and soldiers took the oath of allegiance to-day voluntarily, as did also a number of rebel citizens.
Fifty paroled Federal officers and soldiers, who have surrendered in a cowardly manner to the rebels at different times, were marched through the streets, dressed in
night caps, and sent to Camp Chase.
Cairo, Nov. 26, 1862.--
Gen. Hovey's expedition, consisting of seventeen transports, carrying about ten thousand men, which left
Helena some days since, returned on Friday.
It proceeded to the mouth of
White river, but, owing to its lowness, could go no further.
Its destination is said to have been
Little Rock.
’
Later from New Orleans — Sweeping orders from Gen. Butler--a portion of Louisiana Confiscated.
The latest news received at New York from New Orleans brings another batch of orders from Beast
Butler.
The
Times says:
‘
The property within the
District recently possessed by our forces under
Gen. Weitzel, to be known as the
Latouche District, is declared sequestered, and all sales or transfers of it are forbidden.
This District comprises all the
territory of Louisiana lying west of the
Mississippi, excepting the parishes of Praemunire and
Jefferson.
A Commission is appointed to take possession of the
District, and the sugar plantations are to be worked by them where they are not worked by their owners, and negroes or white laborers may be employed at discretion.
All property belonging to disloyal persons is to be inventoried and sold for the benefit of the
Government, under the provisions of the Confiscation act. Another order suppresses distilleries and other manufactories of strong drink.--Another one suppresses the newspaper known as the
National Advocate, for an improper publication.
Still another prohibits the arrest of any slave unless the person arresting knows that such slave is owned by a loyal citizen.
Gen. Shepley as
Military Governor of the
State, has also issued two orders.
One directs an election of two members of Congress from the First and Second Congressional Districts of the
State.
The election is appointed for the 3d of December, and is to fill vacancies in the Thirty seventh Congress Our correspondent's letter also contains an extra-ordinary development relative to the doings of
Hon. Reverdy Johnson in New Orleans.
It appears that the money seized by
Gen. Butler at the
French Consul's, and which was returned at the direction of
Johnson, actually belonged to citizens of New Orleans, and was taken charge of by the
Consul to pay for cloth in
Havana, awaiting to run the blockade, to be used by the Confederate Government, and that the money, $405,000, has been actually sent from New Orleans to
Havana, within a short period, on board the Spanish war steamer
Blanco de Garay.
’
The New York times on retaliation — the rebel authorities to be brought to judgment.
The New York
Times has an editorial on the recent order of
President Davis, ordering the execution of the next ten Federal officers falling into the hands of
Gen. Holmes, in reprisal for the
Missouri massacre.
It says:
‘
It further appears by the latest advices from New Orleans, that on a recent occasion when a portion of three companies of the 8th Vermont regiment of volunteers were captured by the rebels in the interior of
Louisiana, seven of the number were shot by the rebel officers, ‘"on the ground that they had been enlisted in New Orleans."’ By what rule the enlistment of men in New Orleans, a city that
Jeff. Davis has not for nearly a year exercised any authority over, doom them to be shot, is beyond our power to explain; and we trust that our Government will authorize
Gen. Butler to make a note of the transaction in his future dealings with the rebel officers in
Louisiana.
With reference to the threatened retaliation on
Geo. McNeil, of
Missouri, for his punishment of guerrillas, or upon a sufficient number of Union prisoners to represent him, the case seems no less plain against the
Confederate authorities.
Guerrillas and bridge burners in the
Union interest in
East Tennessee and elsewhere have been invariably and incontinently, not shot, but hung, by the rebels, whenever they could lay hands on them.--They have set an example of zealous and implacable hostility to these irregular partisans.
Their Congress has distinctly refused to recognize them as a part of the rebel force.
Yet
Jeff Davis now essays to take them under his wing, not in the seceded States only, but far up in
Missouri, where he has not now, and has not had for a year, a military force of the slightest strength or significance to justify the pretext of the pendency of legitimate hostilities.
For all these things let the rebel authorities be quickly brought to judgment.
’
Miscellaneous.
The
Washington correspondent of the
World telegraphs that
Lincoln will submit his emancipation proclamation to Congress for reconsideration and modification.
Gen. McClellan's reports, not yet published, are to be presented to Congress with the letters of the
President to the
Young Napoleon.
The Philadelphia
Inquirer wonders where
Jackson is, and thinks he ‘"seems determined to vindicate his reputation as the great bugbear of the
Union army."’
Over 3,000 sick soldiers have arrived in
Washington in the last few days from
Burnside's army.
