Staunton Vindicator

Gen'l Sherman on Slavery.

From gentleman who had several consultations with Gen. Sherman recently, the Augusta Constitut[i]onalist learns, he says slavery will exist in the South after the conclusion of peace, let the war terminate as it may; that Lincoln's proclamation in reference to its abolition are simply means for the restoration of the Union, that the Supreme Court have, nor will not sustain him, neither will the Federal Government attempt to abolish slavery, but will leave it to the States returning to the Union to settle it, and that he [Sherman] expects to own a thousand slaves in the South one of these days.

He represents Sherman as being a thorough fanatic upon the subject of restoring the "glorious Union."

War News.

The lines below Richmond and Petersburg are quiet, the men busily engaged in repairing damaged done by the late rains. No immediate engagement is expected on either side of the river, though several transports laden with troops, (mostly black) have been seen ascending the river.

From Charleston we learn that our army is advantageously disposed along the line of the road between Hardeeville and Charleston.

The enemy is estimated to number about 50,000--a portion of whom will, it is expected, be left as a garrison at Savannah, together with a number of negro troops.

It is expected that as soon as the enemy completes his arrangements, a combined land and naval attack will be made on Charleston--the land attack from the direction of Savannah.

The negroes taken by Sherman are leaving him in large numbers--an officer having met one crowd, numbering at least 1500, on their returns to their homes, their treatment having been so different from what was promised.

Our informant also states that a large number of negro children were either jostled into the river by the treacherous Yankees, or thrown in by their deluded mothers, their captors having told them they could not take them along.

The following dispatch to the war department gives an account of the success of Gen. Rosser, and his gallant command during their recent trip to the mountains.

Headquarters, Jan. 15.

Hon. J.A. Seddon:

General Early reports that General Rosser, at the head of three hundred men, surprised and captured the garrison at Beverly, Randolph county, on the 11th instant, killing and wounding a considerable number and taking five hundred, and eighty prisoners. His loss slight.

R.E. Lee.

The Richmond papers of Tuesday gave us the intelligence that Fort Fisher, our principle defensive work, at the mouth of the Cape Fear river, 30 miles below Wilmington had been taken by the enemy, at 10 o'clock on Sunday night. There are other works, and various obstructions to be overcome before the enemy can get to Wilmington.

The following official report giving all the particulars that are yet known of the fall of this place was received at the War office.

"Headquarters, January 16, 1865.

Hon J.A. Seddon:

"General Bragg reports that the enemy bombarded Fort Fisher furiously all day yesterday. At 4 P.M., their infantry advanced to the assault--a heavy demonstration at the same hour being made against their rear by our troops.

"At half-past six P.M., General Whiting reported that their attack had failed, and the garrison was being strengthened with fresh troops.

"About 10 P.M. the fort was captured with most of its garrison.

"No further particulars at the time known.

R.E. Lee."

Stonewall Brigade.

One of our Richmond co[n]temporaries has called attention, on two separate [sic] occasions, to the wants of our noble "Stonewall Brigade."

They are in need of clothes to keep them warm. they do not complain but we understand they suffer for many comforts. The men composing this Brigade are from our own midst--our own friends and relatives--and can be supplied with many things needful to them by us. If our people will but make the effort it need not be more than a very few days before these gallant men, who participated in the glory and will share the fame of the immortal Jackson, may be made comfortable for the winter. Let our ladies undertake this matter and we are satisfied our poor boys will not suffer long. To keep the soldiers from our midst comfortable while hazarding all for us is clearly an imperative duty, and its [illegible].

For the Vindicator.

Head Qr's Pegram's Brigade,

January 4th, 1865.

Ladies of the Churchville soldiers Aid Society,

The collation prepared by you for this Brigade, after some delay, reached us, and was I assure you, enjoyed not less on account of those from whom it came, than for its own sake. It was certainly an enlarged quantity which prompted the ladies of a single neighborhood to attempt the preparation of a feast for a whole Brigade; and the success with which it was accomplished is highly gratifying to philanthropic observers, but was especially so to the hardy soldiers who participated in the repast.

At the commencement of the war when means were abundant, exuberant liberality toward the devoted men who so promptly went forth to battle for their country, was a thing of course. But now, when supplies are difficult of attainment, the sustained effort to bestow when the veterans still in the field, something of the comforts that before the war they were wont to enjoy, is worthy ever of the incomparable women of our own country. Nor is such worthy example without its parallel in the army--where, even when the foe presses most pertinaciously, true soldiers resolve the more stub[b]ornly never to yield, and strike the more vigorously for their honor and their freedom.

From the plains that border the Potomac--from the mountain bound Valley where the Cacapon winds its way--and from the green hills far away beyond the Alleghanies, come patriotic and gallant men of this Brigade, who for long years, and in countless conflicts, have battled side by side with patriotic and gallant men from Augusta. Their mothers sit sadly at the door where they do not come; their wives go about their domestic duties with distracted air; and their little children, when the day is done and they gather around the domestic hearthstone, with earnest words enquire when their father will return--and ever a lone heart echoes mournfully--"When Oh! when will their father return!["] These are encompassed by watchful and implacable enemies. No carefully prepared delicacy, no fondly wrought token, not even an encouraging message, may find its way from them to the heroic men who in the Camp and in the field--during the weary toil of the day and in the lone watch of the night, think of those at home whom they love. But the women of Augusta have ever generously divided their provident offerings between their own cherished friends and the strangers whom they know only as soldiers battling for a common cause.

The brave and faithful soldiers in our service will not always be separated from their mothers, their wives, and the maidens they love. This protracted war must one day have an end--and it can have but one termination. He who controls the Universe, yet watches the sparrows flight, does not intend that the delicate daughters of Virginia shall be the bond-women, or far worse, the wives of ar[r]ogant puritans of New England. And when each brave soldier shall have fought the fight--and finished the work before him, and the hand of dissolution shall be lifted from his house, and his own fig tree shall again bear fruit and his vine pour out its juice, and the trials and perils of the great war shall be told to loving listeners, the patriotic kindness of the noble dames and beautiful damsels of Augusta shall not be forgotten.

Most Respectfully,

J.S. Hoffman Com'dg Brigade.

For the Vindicator.

In Camp Jan. 14th 1865.

Mr. Editor.

Allow me, through the columns of your paper, in behalf of several of the members of the Staunton Artillery, to return our sincere thanks to Mrs. Col. W.H. Harman for several pairs of socks, knit by herself, and presented to us through Lt. M.C. Garber. Such substantial Testimonials of Remembrance by the fair ones for whom we have been battling for near four years emblazons their names upon the tablets of our memory, undoubedtly [sic] cheers our soul, warmes [sic] our hearts, and nerves our arms "For deeds more great" in their defence.

At the same time Mr. Editor allow me to thank you for the commendable discretion exercised in reference to the communication sent by myself to you for publication. Upon calm and mature reflection, I confess it was premature and unjust, and regret exceedingly even the harsh thoughts indulged in ignorance of the real facts, and the impulse of the mement [sic] are palliating circumstances for the indiscretion. Once more we sincerily [sic] thank our friends and the cittizens [sic] of Staunton and the County for their kindly efforts and liberal contributions for our benefits, though we received it not.