Primary tabs
1
Latest by Telegraph.
NEW YORK, Feb. 21. — The World prints the following rumors in circulation here:
Telegrams from Washington to private parties in the city state that Lee had sent 30,000 men to reinforce Beauregard and enable him to check the advance of Gen. Sherman. That Gen. Grant is already aware of this fact, and that the army of the Potomac is once more in motion. It also stated Gen. Sheridan is advancing in heavy force, with Gordonsville or Lynchburg as the objective points.
If it is true that Lee has moved troops south, it is because Lee considers the safety of North Carolina and South Carolina of far more importance than ever the possession of Richmond and the occupation of Virginia.
It was also positively asserted yesterday that Wilmington was in our possession, having been evacuated by the rebels.
The Herald's correspondent says a party of Sheridan's cavalry, consisting of 125 men of the 14th Pennsylvania went up the Valley of the Shenandoah the other day on a scouting expedition, and while on their return fell into an ambuscade prepared by Mosby's men. A desperate fight ensued, but the guerrillas were so numerous and strongly posted, that our cavalry were roughly handled, and only made good their retreat after losing a number of killed and wounded, and sixty taken prisoners. Capt. Coffinger, of Gen. Torbett's staff, was captured.
The naval supply steamer Fort Morgan, arrived here, brings army officers and nearly five hundred discharged and invalid soldiers and sailors and the mails from east, and west gulf squadrons, both of which she communicates with at various points, having proceeded as far west as the mouth of the Rio Grande. Off that place there were a large fleet of merchant vessels, and one English and French man-of-war. The Fort Morgan reached Mobile Bay on her return trip on the 10th inst., several iron clads and double-enders were then off Dog River bar in close proximity to the city; the Fort Morgan left Key West on the 14th, Capt. Meade, officers and crew of the San. Jacinto, arrived there on the 15th; the guns of the ship and other valuable property was saved. The Herald's Washington special says there are again strong indications that Gen. Lee is preparing to evacuate Richmond and fall back on Lynchburg for a final stand. Advices received in Washington state positively that nearly all the valuable machinery and medical stores have already been removed from the rebel capital, and it is anticipated that its abandonment will occur within ten or fifteen days.
The Herald's correspondent says the exchange of prisoners, under the new arrangements perfected between Gen. Grant and Commissioner Ould is progressing rapidly, and three steamers are now busily employed conveying released Union soldiers to Annapolis, Md., and to conveying return loads of rebels.
Our men, both in words and appearance, add mountains of evidence to confirm all that has previously been told of the barbarity and rapacity practiced by the rebels on their unfortunate captors.
Under an agreement lately entered into, all Union prisoners now held in the Trans-Mississippi Department, are to be exchanged.
The Richmond Examiner of the 18th says the little army of Beauregard is yet safe, and may lead Sherman such advance as Green did Cornwallis over the same rivers and swamps.
If the Federal army cannot reach the Danville road, then it may as well have staid at Atlanta.
There is reason to believe that Beauregard is acting with this design, and that Sherman is near the end of his triumphs.
The Richmond Sentinel of the 15th has an article which says submission will not bring peace, nor inaugurate a peace. The rebels will take to bush and carry on guerrilla warfare. It is very severe on submissionists who still appear to exist, notwithstanding the late firing of the southern heart.
The Petersburg Express says we learn a Yankee force numbering about five hundred, have again occupied Suffolk. Their pickets extend three miles from the town in the direction of Blackwater.
A raiding party went out from Suffolk a few days ago and visited Chuckatuck and Smithfield, doing considerable damage to the country through which they passed.
By an article in the Richmond Enquirer rebel paper dollars are worth just two cents a piece.
The Tribune says letters received from our prisoners at Salisbury, say the deaths continue in the same alarming proportion as before, and among them are a number of civilian prisoners both northern and southern.
NEW YORK, February 21. — Previous to the enemy evacuating, Charleston they fired part of the city by which six thousand bales of cotton were burned, and it is supposed that before the fire could be subdued two-thirds of the city will be destroyed.
A fearful explosion occurred in the Wilmington depot (cause not known) by which several hundred citizens lost their lives. The building was used for Commissary purposes and situated in the upper part of the city. Admiral Dahlgren was the first to run up to the city where he arrived at about two o'clock. Gen. Gilman arrived soon after and had an interview with Gen. Schimmerfling, he being the first general officer in the city, and for the present in command.
The remains of two iron clads were found which the enemy destroyed by blowing these up previous to the evacuation.
The blockade runner Cyreno, just arrived from Nassau, fell into our hands, and two others were expected to run in on the night of the 18th.
The first flag over Sumpter was raised by Capt. Henry M. Bragg, Aid d'Camp on Gen. Gilmore's Staff.
Houses in the lower part of the city were completely riddled by our shot and shell. The wealthy part of the population have deserted the city and now all the remains are the poorer class, and who are suffering for want of food.
A movement had been made by the force under Gen. Hatch which resulted in the capture of six pieces of artillery. The Tribune's correspondent, who arrived by the Fulton, gives the following account:
CHARLESTON HARBOR, Feb. 18. — Early last evening Brig. Gen. Schimmerfling, commanding Northern District Department South, discovered some indications which led him to believe the rebels were about to evacuate Charleston and its defences, and he accordingly ordered his pickets and picket boats to keep a bright look out and report immediately any movement on the part of the enemy. About half-past three o'clock this morning a terrific explosions took place in Charleston, which shook every ship in the harbor and off the bar, and almost simultaneous with the explosions flames broke out and could be distinctly seen in different parts of the city. It appears the first explosion took place at the Wilmington depot, the fire from which rapidly communicated with the adjacent buildings, causing a general conflagration of all the dwelling houses in the vicinity; and it was whilst the unfortunate inhabitant were trying to extinguish the fire that the second explosions took place, which resulted so disastrously, causing a terrible loss of life amongst the women and children who were represented as having been horribly mutilated.
About 6 o'clock this morning Gen. Schimmerfling moved his forces and occupied the city and its defences.
The formidable earthworks on James Island were found abandoned and the guns spiked.
At 8 o'clock this morning a detachment was sent to take possession of Fort Sumter and raise the flag which Gen. Anderson hauled down nearly four years ago. At 9 o'clock the flag was raised amidst deafening cheers.
As fast as forces could be thrown into the city they were set to work, to put out the fire, which, up to time of leaving, was raging fiercely in different parts of the city. Old men, women and children were rushing frantically to and fro, in agony of despair, at the loss of their homes, and the killing and mutilating of their friends.
It is impossible to estimate the amount of cotton destroyed by the rebels. Several thousand bales were collected indifferent parts of the city, and set on fire almost simultaneously with all the principal depots and warehouses. There is no doubt but the rebels intended to burn the city to the ground despite the misery it would entail on thousands of women, children and old men, of which class the inhabitants of Charleston is now almost entirely composed.
It was the opinion of one of Gen. Gilmore's staff that in all probability two-thirds of the city would be destroyed before the fire could be extinguished, with the imperfect means for subduing it at hand.
The last or rear guard of the rebels left Charleston at 4 o'clock this morning, and there are various rumors and conjectures as to their destination; but the general opinion is that they intend concentrating at Florence, to which point they have railroad communication from Charleston, unless recently destroyed by an expedition sent to Ball's bay.
Several hundred rebels, who secreted themselves in different parts of the city when the main column was retreating, have given themselves up, and the usual story of being tired of the war, half starved, &c., was told. They expressed a desire to be allowed to take the oath of allegiance to our government and remain in the city.
NEW YORK, Feb. 21. — Stocks better; 6s of '67 quoted at 1,30 Ë; of '81 registered 1,11; coupons 1,11; 5-20s registered 1,10; 10-40 coupons 182 Ë; one year certificates 98 Ë; N. Y. C. 14 &frac;; Erie 13 ź; Reading 12 ź; C. B. Q. 1,18.
Gold 1,97.
Cotton dull at 84@85.
Flour dull and heavy, and 25@30 lower; 20,20@10,30 for extra State; 11,00@11,10 for round hoop Ohio. (Continued on 4th page.)
Wheat dull and nominal, and 2@3 lower.
Corn dull and drooping; 1,88 for mixed western.
Oats firm; 1,12 Ë@1,13 for western.
Pork dull and lower; 35,00@35,50 for new 33,00@33,25 for '63 and '64 mess; 29,00@30,00 for prime.
Lard firm at 20@25.
Dressed hogs quiet.
Whisky dull.