Staunton Vindicator

War News.

Since our last issue, nothing of interest has occurred on our lines below Richmond and Petersburg. It is stated by some prisoners recently, taken, that another Yankee picket line has been captured in front of Mahone, on the morning of the 28th. They state that it was very dark, and they could not discern the full force that took them; but that the attack was very sudden, that 20 or 30 were killed on the spot, and about 60 or 70 captured. The general impression with the knowing ones seems to be, that Grant is evidently making ready for another advance on our right, and is massing troops in that quarter. Our batteries still continue to shell Dutch Gap, and it is reported that Gen. Picket, from his lines South of Battery Howlett's, had also opened with his cannon upon the enemy in his front, who are believed to be mostly negroes. The Richmond papers state that a report was current there, that Grant had sent off a considerable body of troops to co-operate with Sherman in Georgia, and to aid that General in reaching and establishing a base on the Atlantic coast.

The latest intelligence we have from Georgia is contained in the following extract which we copy from a Georgia paper.

The Augusta "Sentinel," of the 22d, states that intelligence reached Augusta the evening before, by the passenger train on the Georgia Railroad, that our authorities had burned the bridge over the Oconee river, and that the Yankee column, moving down the road, had diverged from it and was hastening to join the main body.

It is stated that the Yankees had a large wagon train with them, which was divided after leaving the Georgia road, in order to sweep all supplies from the section within reach of the two routes taken. Scouts report them five brigades strong.

The rumor that the Court House and depot at Madison had been burned is correct.

The Macon train arrived the night of the 21st at its usual time. The train left for that city next morning at its usual hour.

The Macon "Telegraph" says it intends to hold forth in Macon until the Confederate flag ceases to wave over the city.

From the Richmond "Whig," who was furnished with a copy of the Augusta "Constitutionalist" of the 25th we learn that Gen. Wayne has whipped Kilpatrick's cavalry division at the Ocenee bridge, driving them headlong and in confusion. He telegraphs that he is perfectly able to take care of himself.

Wheeler, with many thousand men, has intercepted the enemy at a point, at present unmentionable, and is giving them no rest, night or day.

The main body of the enemy is moving down the western side of the Oconee, and has shown no disposition thus far to attempt its passage.

The "Constitutionalist" adds that three hundred prisoners arrived last evening from up the Georgia Road, and four hundred more are to arrive to-day.

These prisoners report that a division of three thousand of our cavalry has followed them all the way, dashing upon them constantly, picking up stragglers and capturing wagons.

We have nothing from the army of Gen. Breckenridge since the affair of the 9th ult., in which the enemy were driven beyond Strawberry plains. The next we hear from this chivalrous chieftain may be that he has penetrated his native State with his gallant army, and hoisted the Confederate banner, under the ample folds of which we hope he may redeem that downtrodden State from the tyranny of Yankee rule, and place her where her heart is, and where of right she ought to be, among her sister States of our glorious Confederacy.

The news from the "Army of Tennessee" is becoming interesting again. We are now informed that it was concentrating near Columbia, Tennessee, last week, and that Thomas was falling back towards Nashville, having evacuated Huntsville, Decatur and Pulaski. The main body of Hood's army crossed the Tennessee river at Florence, on the 13th instant, the day after Sherman left Kingston on his Georgia expedition. Lee's corps had previously occupied Florence.

Nothing of interest has taken place in the army of Genl. Early, during the past week.

The Yankees are said to be encamped below Strasburg, their headquarters at or near Kernstown.

A Word to the Wise.

The success of our arms, in the glorious struggle for independence in which we are engaged, depends as much upon sustaining our armies in the field as upon the invincible spirit of the brave men who bear the brunt of battle. That it is of the primest necessity that they should be well fed, well clad and well armed no one will pretend to gainsay, but as to the means of doing this there may be a diversity of opinion. Our section has been sorely oppressed by two invasions of the enemy--its barns, mills, factories, fences &c. burned; cattle, horses, sheep and hogs killed or driven off; wheat and long-forage, seized or destroyed, thus leaving but little for subsistence for our people. To be fed on the meagre remnant left by the Vandal invaders are the non-producers as well as the producers themselves. In some portions of our County, the little our farmers had left has been impressed for the ruse of the army of the Valley, leaving, in many instances, an insufficiency for their own immediate wants, to supply which they must go into the depleted market with the non-producer and buy.

We do not doubt that the necessity, at times, was such that the army of the Valley would have suffered if this course had not been pursued, and on this account many have hesitated to complain, but the evil seems to be a growing one and we therefore raise our voice, against the evident mismanagement which makes its continuance necessary. Many portions of our State have been entirely free from the annoyances to which our Valley has been subjected and we are informed that in those sections the crops have been generally good and produce abundant--certainly more abundant than in this pillaged district. They are indirect Railroad connection with this place, and ample supplies may be procured and easily transported to this point and thus relieve our people and the army for a further draft upon their already scanty allowance. Besides this the transportation of supplies from Staunton to the army is over a good road and can be much more speedily done than from our different farm houses over mud roads.

If it is desirable that a crop should be raised in our Valley next year it is necessary that our people should have enough left to subsist them, which can not possibly be the case if continuous drafts are made upon their present small supply and hence we appeal to those who have this matter in hand to take hold of and arrange it so that the army will be supplied from more plentiful sections and the chances for a crop next year in this locality be greatly increased.

Negroes for the Army.

In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr. Henry of Tennessee, from the committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to amend an act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain cap cities. The bill increased the compensation given to free negroes and and [sic] other free persons of color to $18 per month; authorizes the employment of 40,000 slaves, instead of 20,000 by the Secretary of War--to impress them, if unable to hire them, and those not engaged in agricultural productions shall be the first impressed, and then those engaged in agricultural pursuits are to be taken from persons having more than fifteen able bodied hands, between the ages of 16 and 50 years. The bill was ordered to be printed, and placed upon the calendar.

$400 Reward.

Ran away from the subscriber on Thursday the 24th of this month, my negro boy

Pitman.

He is about fifteen years old, tall for his age and slender of a clear black color, can read, has an appearance of simplicity when spoken to and often twists up his forehead when addressed. He had on a Grey jacket, brown pants and a brown shirt and took with him a hand satchel believed to be black. He is probably making his way towards Gordonsville or Charlotte County.

I will give Four Hundred Dollars for his arrest and detention in jail or otherwise se[e] that I recover possession of him.

Hugh W. Sheffey.

Staunton Dec. 2--3t 1864.

$100 Reward.

Ran away from the subscriber near Greenville, Augusta Co., Va., on the 26th day of October last, a mulatto boy named

George Lee,

about 15 years old, walks with his toes somewhat inward. One Hundred Dollars will be given for his apprehension and confinement in the Staunton or Lexington jail so that I may recover him.

A. F. Kinney,

Depositary.

Dec 2--4t.