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. _____—___■» _»*^ ;slla|fte -9 irgtukt. BY COAtE & AtAßKyy Jan. &&, 1.-.Q-A. ™" ~ Hnex*Fllle. ' -We were entertained a few evenings ago with an interesting narrative «#.the State Of affairs in ■ knexville, by a very H»telligeuts*etUman who * had been there from the time of its occupation "by the Federal army until about three week* ugo, when he watcbed bis. opportunity and slip ned out between the pickets. He says the cha racter of Fedoral rule and policy there has pret ty well cured the Union men of tbeir Unionism, and has more firmly and resolutely determined Southern men to fight them to the bitter end, and to throw all the weight of their services and influence in the scale of Southern independence. When be left,' about the 10th of Janurry, there was a vast deal of sickness in tbe city, besides some 350 cases of small pox. We have heard from another source, that they bury the deed in the yards and gardens, or wherever most con venient. Our. informant cays there were oat less than 100 dead horees and mules lying in the streets, and for a mile or two round the whole face of te>o earth was strown with decomposing earoaaoas. Those who have been at Knoxville will remem ber,, that there wore many beautiful ornamental trees both in tbe streets and in the grounds of private residences. All these have been cut down, either in wantonness or for fuel, and not one left standing. Even those in the Asylum grounds, and in that vicinity, have all been fell ed and consumed. The oppression of Southern oitiiens, is'the most despotic ever .heard of in a civiliiaed and 'Christian ceantry. They are not allowed to fol low their occupations, or to sell or buy, without a-permit from Gen. Foster, and Cannot obtain this without faking the oath of aMofHwweY Nor is tnis all—without tbe moans Of procuring food, they cannot even draw tbe scanty rations allow ed loyal subjects, without swallowing tbe deeta hle oath—-hence same.have been starved into ■compliance. The rations issued, are one hard cracker per . -day, and a little lean, blue, strjhgy beef. This ; beef is driven from Kentucky, and as fa forage can be had from Cumberland Gap to Knoxville —a distance of 62 miles—tbe cattle necessarily become about as thin as Pharoah's "lean kino." and mrny of. them die by the way from fatigde and starvation. . Oar informant also says that there is scarcely a pannel »f fence or a frame outhouse left in tho 1 city, all having been used -for. fuel, while all the churches and hotels, as well as stores and resi dences, have been converted into hospitals.— . itany of the citizens have* been compelled to "<crowd themselves and their effect* into one or two rooms, while the balance of their Urge and comfortable mansions is appropriated to officers' quarters. The whole country round, trs well as the city, in one bread, waste of rein and desolation. From '■ Knoxville to Loudon-—a distance of 80 miles— scarcely a rail, or farming implement i« loft, and What little famished stock remains, wanders at large to nibble a scanty subsistence from the naked fields. The beautiful and fertile estate uf the Messrs. Lenoir, one of the finest in East Tennessee, is as bear of provender as the Great Sahara, and those gentlemen.themselves forced to the alt'eruative of drawing lankee rations or Starving. This is a disheartening picture truly, and we give It for the benefit of thow who may think that Yankee enactions aTe not much more* op nressive than Confederate requirements. Let it be borne in mind that what is true of Knoxville and- the adjacent country e«w, will 'be true of every inch Of <our country upon which the «an * Vonl is permitted to plant hie foot. Are we will ing to endure, this, or even to remain at home in comparative oomfort while so many of our friends and fellow-ooutitiy—en it? • \We«re.ekl»d up*U to Sake up arms to def.ud our families and homes, as Well, as onr country . and our rights, and. the man who shirks this dus tty with ability to perform it, deserves just snch treatment as he will be sure te receive, should he ever get into tbe coils of Lincoln's anaconda. : Ht. — . -— . jigp- -'Variety is the spice of Life," says ah -f<eW wrttfer; but it is Often tlie bane of life to the ' printer. We have a variety, both in hue and "quality, of paper, and if it were not aggravat ion; it would be amusing to look upon the small lots of motly paper we are sometimes so fo■ tu -1 nate or unfortanate toobtaan. ?he week before last and for sdme woeks previously, we printed . upon an article that had the sombre color of a thundercloud, last'week it was tolerably fair* and this week it has that beautiful tinge which chrtraoterites the uueftilarliclecalltd sand-paper. Well,; we shall hot eonrplain, for sope Of the Richmond journals are printed upen paper that looks as if it-had been suldected to the operas - tioss of a -pepper-hex, and is almost as trans parent as mud. And this is not oil—-the ink is ' - as bad mr worse than the paper. Inatead of be ' ing cempeoed, as In former times, of lamp-black, olive oil and turpentine, it has the appearance •of a combination of soot, -saw-dust and dubbing. We hppe.te do better after awhile. .■ —<»'"■» % ' ' -a.' ■ ;' M. BeaaeU, Auditor of Pubfm Ac . eoonte, in his instrerctiona to Commissioner* of ;; Bevenue'sayg, "The law Axes the first of February of each year as the .time to commence the aeeessment ef persons and -property. It is a duty, however, that may be waived, for proper considerations; and as t anticipate an «mend ment of the assessment law, I advise a poi-ipoae -montof such cemmenoement until furtbet' bi stractiena" "The Rival Administrations: j I ; fcllM^kDA^WASrilSeTQiJ.'' 1 This is the title of a pamphlet of some 80 pa* .gee, written by Mr. 15. A. Pollard, author of the -■4'irstmiASeeohd Years of (he War,'' and tes— • ed by tbe\l_uhmond press. It is very, ably writ ten, but exhibits, we think, rather more bitter v -1 ness against "the powers that be*" than might be altogether prudent at this particular lime, when harmony and conoiliatioa.are so desirable, not bickering* and distrust. 1 President Davis, we ndmit, often permits his prejudices .tojois lead his better judgment, and is governed, to A great exU-nt, in his patronage and appointments, by his tbrmer political predilections; but still, take'him all in all, we very much doubt if there is *a man in the Confederacy who would have done better, or more nearly filled the measure . ■ ■ •* of the arduous and delicate duties devolving up •on him. • . * Tbe positions assumed by Mr. pollard with reference to the blunders of the Executive, are, a* far as we know, altogether truthful; but then ought we not to make liberal allqwances for the fxtraordiiiHiy and embarrassing circumstances by which Pre>i<lent Davis and bis Cabinet are surrounded? We think so ;*antL while we ad mire the ability and zeal of the author, we do not altogether approve his style, and the tinte he has -choseu to utter his criminations. Tbe price of. tho pamphlet is $1, and it will be sent postpaid to any part of the Confederacy en tending remittance to tke office of the Rich mond Examiner. , . —: : « ♦ » "In for llie War. How any man pan feeT depressed and despond ent, when each day bring* the cheering tidings that the veteransoh'the field—tbe men who have Stood between their homes and danger from the hour the dark cloud of war overshadowed our laud—are, with most remarkable unanimity, stepping forward.and tendering their services to the Government to tho end of tho war, he it huig or short. The troops of Tennessee, wo be *lieve, took the lead, aud Brigade after Brigade, and Division after Division, have followed tic noble example. Such men are unconquerable, and we are.now more convinced than "ever, that ftpeQple-deteiminrd.to.be free will be free, no matter what the-power or odds against them.' SMALL POX. This terrible disease, and one ef the evils that never fail to accompany war, has again made its appearance.iv this County. We under stand there is a case or two at Bristol, and a friend writes us there is a case at the house of - Mr.. John Gobble, on the North. Fork, in* 'be lower end of the bounty. We fear it wUI spread in the bitter case, as a great many persons vj slted the sick man before the character of his disease was known. * :■ ■ '—.- >t- —■ ——i — • "Daily Telegraph." This is the title of a new paper that has sprung from the ashes of the Jenenboro' weekly. Ex press, the first numbi-r of whijh is before ?us. It is publiehed'hy Mr. John SlaVk, the proprie tor of the late Express, at $3 per month. It is very neatly gotten up. and we wish it success. ««»«». Meeting or Next Congress. The present Congress will adjourn On tbe lfitb of February, and the new Congress will*as>em ble, we presume, on fhe fii-ht Monday in May, When all the members elected'during the past year will be entitled to seats. ' - \ - _ .«■»»•, ■' o ■ JCT Capt. Rodefer having resigned tbe posi tion pf Quartermaster of this.Post, ia co*ie quence of declining beaitbv'Captv M. B\ fate, of Smyth county, has been appointed his successor. It is due to Capt. Redefer to state, that "he has filled the place with more than usual fideli ty, and retires without having amassed, a for tune. « *•*— r' i ..-' "Washington Mounted Rifles.". • . Tbe members of this} Company, tbe first to enter the army' from Southwestern Virginia, have Been permitted tq return to fneirbomes , for a few weeks, a*ad*are now among us. tor <ne*riy three years have they been actively en gaged, and niw, for the first time, have* Bhort respite frbm the dangers of tbe.field, and the toils and privations of the scout and march.;— This is the Company of which Gen. William E. donee was tbe first Captain, and of which Maj. II Mgsby was a private member. . For two years pa?t it has been\inder*thc command of Capt. C. T. Litobfidd of this place, and baa distin guished itself on many bard-fought fields. . » + » ■ —_j — • |f_r Rev.-Thus. B,rowa will preach at Union *ne»t Sabbath, 81st inst. ■ -*t-f! -• — For the. Virginian. Messrs. Editor? —l see by your last paper, that Gin..Humphrey Marshall bad consented to be come a candidate to represent the Bth District of K.utncky m-fbe Coi.gress of the Confederate States. This uuist, indeed, be gratifyiug to afl Kt-Stuckiinio who have any pride slid with them fer the State in which their homes are situated.. G>«u Marshall, as a statesman, has a reputation as broad as our country, aud at such a time as this, it must be piea>aut to exiled Kentuckiuns - to think t hey have such a uiun still left to gua#-d their interests. .He served in our army two .years, and only left it when a sense pf honor "would not permit him to remain loiiger. iam myself cognfzant of many of the circumstances which induced him to resign, ano know how liiuch he regretted them * and still further; that there is not a more high minded and pure-heart* ed patriot in fhe confines of tile Southern Re public. We have few *-uob men as Humphrey Marshall available to us at present, and in hon oring him, we reflect honor open ourselves. Ido not know who his opponents may be—so far as I can learn be dees not appear to have any'ia this section of let them be whom they may, I pn sume the simple announcement tbatiJvii. Marshall -is a eandiilate will be suffi ciont to seouro.tbe support of every soldier who ha» setero with him, as it has done in the case of Yocr Hcsißtx Skbv't. I . . • Fijke Virginian. ' CamffidateY&ongress in. Bth Die. ' £ * Sin—H&ffng rl ydur card self as a'camlidafor Congress, rather lik "' ihg the manner iplrtah yorf spent to ■ view things, bujavhtg. no personal acquain . i tance with youi jl not being able to enlighten | t myaejf among mjelluvy-soldiers, \ propose to / I adt you a few qutioiis'iii this public u»anner, | ' j for my own infojation as well as for many I , others who are eju'u-ing about you. You will , '"have an ppportum before tbe election takes ' ! place to reply toy interrogations through tbe * [saoie medium, ait bepe you will not foil to do - j so. I must not hceal from you, the fact that I , I there are *ome sties in circulation here, which do not redound ijcli to your favor, but satWac ' tory irhswers to c questions'! p.-opose will si lence these at onL , s Ist. How lonsave you been in the. Southern 2 - Confederacy, aniow havft you employed yoor . time sines you'WE.left Kentucky! 2d. You epeotp being a soldier and "know ing their needs..'! How long have" you been in 1 the service, audlth what command have you , been serving, anfwhat actions have you been t engaged ifl* ",[.'• , 3d. I learn tit; you are quite a young man. --* ~lf this be true, Sy is it that you propose to s . abandon the arsfof our country at such a time 9 ac this, and turnoliticiar.? ' tf • KttNTUCKY SOLDIER. ' l* j ■•» i—■ — . * t the Virginian. B . AiJbdon, Va., Jan, 27th,'166A'' *Messrs. Etlitti:—He'.ng a soUici myself, Ij 1 presume I h»v be privilege" ef.-saying a few V words to my c< iauione iv arms. On tho 10th . «hvy of Februai mere is to be an election held among Ktutucl lis for members from their own State to the CunSderat'e Congress. Since ar riving here, I-lew that the' friends of Colonel Thomas J ounsonjntend running him as the can - didato.to repreajit the 10th district,'. I Bare ■ served with Col.loliusoh as a soldier for the * past 18 montneVfad a more worthy man could not be selected tjfill tbe position. Col.'. Jdlin * son ie beyond tW age that our- Isjo l makes sol r diers of men, anjiu the present-crisis, I believe in carrying out be antique proverb, "Old men. ' for council—yobg men for war." Col/ jjobu son left a comfofable homo in Kentucky; among - the very first ofjer sons, to '-strike bands with - those who were iruggUug- for Southern Inde pendence. He Is made many sacrifices far our [ cause, and I lp}i that aojuau has contributed ' more to KentucV soldiery in proportion to his » means than he. As a tribute to his past ser t vices, nod as a fark of our approbation of his , good conduct, w should all unite and elect ki'ui to the office, is lie opinion of a KENTUCKIAN '~' f ! ' .-■».— —- Fir tlie Virginian. ' • «_»njvaWK, 8. C, Jon- 17th, 1864. 1 Messrs. Ediiot:— Thinking my friends of Lee, " Scott and Washington' counties ere this, have i that Hoce's Brigade of Cavalry were f Ordered to reporTat Abingdon, VS., as soon as ■ -prae doable, nadauxious to loam tbe time of etir ' arrival., you wilJplease give publication in your \ paper that we ac thus far on out exposed and ■ pajnful trip], ahtfwill perhaps reach Abingdon' i on or about the |sth February u«xt. Our Vir ginia boys are tlnly clad—some without shoes, ' milh rags wrapnd around their feet, n'll in fins spirits, singing, H'ei'ry me'back to Old Virgfnia shore." AH-ball to the ladies and.gentlemen of I the little Paini|tto State for the hospitably 5 ■ shown* us whilst >a*sing through their patriotic country. Tbe rlmainder of our trip through * these large Ners Carolina monhtafns will be ' severe, no doubt tK this season. Nevertheless, ! s we hope {he will be with us, and preserve us frou freezing, that, we may reach our old North Site, and help to defend her..' Bespctfully, Ac..,. . . , * . • Capt. THOS. S. GIBSON. —— ■" ■•>"»•» ' —r— ' " ' rar the Virginian. Messrs. Editon- -Permit me through your co lumns to sugges to the good'citizens of Abing don and vicinity that they give to tbe members of the Washiugtm Mounted Rifles an sntertain * me-nt of Borne kbd. -When the first-harsh, notes . of war were sounded in this Southern land of .. ours, these herdo young men were among the first to buckle m and go forth * from our hii'dst jo battle for onr rights-Slidliber y ty.* During thi whole Of this prolonged rind .. bloody c«o test, they have manfully endured the privations, hardships and dangers of.the sol dies's life without ever flinching one iota from the discharge 'M theirwhb'le daty. They have rendered tbenuelves illustrious," and crowned , tbeir brows wit) countless, fadeless laurel&.u-pon , niany a bard fotght battle field. / Hundreds ef the foe have been brought low. and given a rest ' my pleeee among the dead during the gallant * -charges made by these men of valor. r We, an a people and as fellow-citiier.s, owe . them a debt of gratitude which can never be ~ paid: ami-now that they are permitted to'rest for aßhort time, to turn a way., from" the Moody 3 and heart-rending sefnes in which they have - been engaged for so long a time, and to return . to their homes to recover strength for .a more deadly conflict in coming spring,' it 11 'nothing' but right,, nothing but our duty, and it ought to ' be cur plcaeure, to show to them the apprecia . tion we have of their noble deeds of daring, by . giving them an entertainment Worfliy of the occasion. FsiSJfP to th*.Socman. •■■ ____ __. y i- The Military Despotism of the l*T.orth. The. Chicago Times says, in reference to , the proceedings of Congress; Ijlr. Edgetton, <»f. Indiana, is much compli t mented by the crjinsertalive members of Con . gross of both Houses, for' Uie noble tone, as p well, as the «omprehensfveneoeand point of i his resolutions. The resolutions arraign tbe I Presbieiit, as he deserves, for hi* bad faith i and for the violation of his, inaugural oath; .. throw in his teeth the various' *>Jenm promises i which he has dwregarded; and denounce the i whole military polcy of the admiuistration * in fitting terms. • Tbe resolutions, of course, 1 were voted down; but the tact that they rficeir > ,c.d sixty-six Votes in the Houseof ftepreseata r tiyes.oaused a very uneasy feeling to pervade 1 the radical *ide of the House. r . The resolution of Mr. Harrington, of Jndi t ana, dffered on fiio Bame day, in relation to v the.habeas corpus and the usorfcatioh of the h President, are atmilar in tone and spirit, and f are equally commend able. They met of course . wiili the same fate. J .♦ ♦ +'■• —— ■••'."' y r It is a littje curious to note tbe different 4. Kinds i£quarters built 4>y the troops frqm a different localities. The Tennesseean. is not t content until he has his shanty constructed - of logs, with a huge chimney and fireplace, a while a Lo'uisianian rests in frail c structure of boards, shivering, relying on the hope that it will turn warmer soon.", ~ We tVubii*H;thfe following t eyirrepomienc# hettseen the President ,e| «*« States and Ui»:Bolipesß fbpeftu* elicited by fetter ef Ibatmter, dated in October, 18G2,.tp the €atnohc Arch bishops at New York .and New Orleans, en joining them to employ their prayers and in fluence for the restoration uf peace : President Dotis to his Sotihess Pope -flh tftcN'/tfA. '.. Execciite Orrics. X Richmond, September 23. 1863. j. Most Venerable Chief of the Holy See and Severeign Pontiff of tbe Roman, Catholic Church: ' ' . The letters which your Holiness addresse to the Venerable Chiefs of tbe Catholic olergj in New Orleans and New York, have beeii brought to my attention, and* I have read with eniotiouthe terms in which yoo are pleased to express the deep sorrow with which you re gard the slaughter, ruin and devastation con sequent on the war now waged by the Govern Hieiit of tbe United States against the States and people over which I have been chosen to preside, and.in which you d»rec§ them, and the clergy under, their authority, to exhort the people and the rulevs to the exercise of rnutal charity and the love of peace. J am deeply sensible of the Christian charity and sympathy with which your Holiness haatwiec appealed to. the venerable clergy of jour "Chuicb, urging them to use and apply all study and exertion for the restoration of peace and tranquility. I. therefore, deem.it my duty to offer to your Holiness in my own naeie and in that of.the people of- the Confederate States, tbe expression of our sincere and cordial appre ciation of the Christian charity ami love by which your Holiness ia actuated, and to as sure—>o that this people, at whose hearth stones She enemy is now pressing with threats of dire oppression and merciless carnage, ape now and ever have been earnestly desirous that this wicked,wair shall cease; that we have offered at • the footstool of Our Father who is in Heaven prayers, umpired by tbe I,fame feelings which animate your Holiness : that we desire no evil to our enemies, nor do we covet any of their peeseesienß* butare on ly struggling to the, end that they shall cease todevasfate our land and indict useless and cruel slaughter upon our people, and tiiat we be permitted to live; at peace with all man kind, under our own laws and institutions which protect every man in the enjoyment not oitly of hi* temporal rights, but of the freedom of worshipping God according to hi* own faith. # I, thereibrev pjraj your Holiness to accept From me and from the people of these Confed orate States the assurance of our sincere thanks for your effort to aid the cause fi\ peace, abd of our earnest wishes that y'ont life hiny be prolonged and that God may have you in.llis holy keeping. (Signed) JsffsHsqn Dari?, President of ihe Confederate ' Stated of America [tSANSLATIOST J To the lilustrioijs'and Honorable Jeffirso."> Da vie, President of tjie Confederate State: of America, Richmond, Va.: . .. . Illustrious and- -Honorable Sir., greeting. We have lately received witb all 'kindness, at .was meet, the gentleman sent by your Excel . lency to present to us your letter dated ontfu 23d of Jast September. We have received certainly no small pleasure iv learning both from yotir letter tb,e feelings of gratification and of very warm appreciation with which yon, Illustrious and*-Honorable Sir; Wert moved when yon first had knowledge of out lotted* writteiV in October of the preceding year to the .Veperalde Brethren, John;-Arch bhdiopof NewTfork. and John, ArehDishop of New-Orleans, in wbich we again and again urged and exhorted those Venerable. Brethren that because- of their exemplary piety and episcopal zeal they should employ their most earnest efibrts» in «ur name, ah-o in prder that-the fatal vivil war which had asi.sen in tho-States should end, and that the people of America might again onjoy mutual peace and concord, and love each otl«sr witb mutual chanty. And it has been very gratifying to .us to reVoguize, Illustrious and Honorable Sir, that you and your people are animated by the same desire for peace artd, tranquility winch w-e-had so earnestly inculcated in our aforesaid letters to the \ enerable, Broth," en abovp named. Oh* that t)be other people at«o of the States and their rulers, considering se riously how deplorable is this intotine war„ would receive and.embroee the counsels of peacw and tranquility. " We indeed shall not cease with mo*t fervent prayer te beseech God, the Best and Highest, and to implore Him to pour out the spirit of Christian-love and peace upon all the people of America', and to reecue them fruia.the great calamities witb which they are afflicted. And we »lso pray the same most merciful Lord that be will il lumine Your Excellency with tbe light of His divifte grace and unite you with ourselves in l perfect charity. Given at Romp. St. Peters, on the 3d De #ember, 1863, in the Eighteenth year of our Pontificate. Pies P. P. IX. A Yankee Negro Camp. A "Vickeburg correspondent writes: Any one who looks at. a large map of the Mississippi-river, can notice just below Vicke burg, an immeece bend, enclosing a space of the shape of a borse-eboe, with the ty«-» j pinched close together. Government has ta ; iften possession of the property, and is to es tablish a earap for the collection and employ ment of negroes. At the neck of the penin sula, lot* than half a mile across, an entrench, ment will be thrown up, and a suitable guard qf negro troops will be kept to defend the. place against guerrillas. " Another Jrralt of Slaves. The Enquirer says Gov.* Smith will in a ( ehei-fc time issue a call for SyOQO. able bodied male slaves to work on the batteries. The a mount must be drawn from 50 cudnties. The, number required from each county will *soon be senfarouud to the respective courts whose ..duty it will be to apportion the number oj slaves required For each citizen. The carf fWi this force has been made by tbe'President un der a resolution of Congres-b*, ' - - •' . g Gen. Johnston's Army I The Atlanta Register informs Us that ot., - _r* and men from tbe aunv encamped ne.n- Kltpn", state that the condition and spirit pf onr ,rot>p% were never better than at precent. * Tbjey <*ee-n to regard the contretemps at Mis siu*iry'iVtdge as the result of rivalries and dissensions among the general officers, now remedied by fhe, appointment of Gen. John ston to the chief command." This is übUlU— men unide liable to" military service are/se lecting their companies attil regiments, and the ranks are'being rapidly filled up. Many oftbe.se recruits have seen much service and sucrfis the spirit now prevalent and spreading; through the army, that it is believed that the whole will rovolutiteer for the war. The Marietta Reblealso gWea us cheering accounts from the same quarter. AH the re- • ports from fhe Army of Tennessee, says that * paper, assure u» that tbe troops are a unit in their'nduilratiou and hnVe'pf their new com- . niander. . Tbeir eonndence.m him is unboun ded, and they hare the usnafi implicit" faith in hie great abilities. They believe that, if the • foe shall attempt to advance, hiosagaeity aud promptness, combined with his consummate skill, will prove sufficient £>r their defeat and overthrow. It is a pleasant and. gratifying; condition for this army to lie in, Wecaadtd ly believe that we have, in, the future pr>spect, everything to encourage us to hopefulness and exaltation,' and not. the slightest reaaou to despond., Grant is my* n'oar Atlanta as be will ever gut, unless* be conies a« a' prisoner of war, w.biottis*by »o means unlikely, if ha attempts an advance Meade never see . the spires of Richmond, or Gdmore the inside of Charleston-. Tbe Yankees may annoy and. injure ua by unexpected raids, but any con siderable advanc* into ouf territories, with large armies; is an impossibility, so long as Lee, Johnston,, and Beauregard stand War dens at the portals of the Republic. The Atlanta Confederacy also says cbeer ingly : "Every indication which |reaches us from Tthe army is cheeYing. It is not so much, • that the troops are comparatively comfortable in their rude hots, nor yet that a single, uni versal sentiment of eontidencu exists in favor of Gen. dohnfctoii. The chief feature that ar- • rests our attention and our pleasure is that the troops are re-enlisting. This noble ei 'ample was. set by "the Tennesseean*. These poer exile* ha*e'held meetings among them selves; and have resolved never to go home except with muskets upon their shoulders.— . Tba Kentucklans followed suit, and the whole army ia flow readily subscribing to a now term of service. With tbe new levie* which will be poured ih after the fcYs* of February, we shall be able to meet and sepel Grant's advance in the Spring. If every one in the rear will put his shoulder to the wheel*and contribute whatever he can to'the proper* equipment of the-army, especially jn the way of blanketß, there- would be no more buffering.. Republican* .-■- ~« Diabolical attempt .to a>urn the . Presidential Dlanslun. Between the limimof ten and-eleven o'clock on Tuesday night a most diabolical attempt was-made by .un4iicei'diary,-t« destroy the huuse of President JDavis." At the "time men tioned, tbe atfention of wine mem hers \A the President's family having been attracted by a smell of smoke,-whichseemed to proceed from the basement, instant alarm was given and a search made which disclose*! the I aft that tbe premises were on fire in the east .basement room, which was used us a wi~~d and coal ' bouse. A large 'quantity'uf shaving-* and a bundle of laggnts, pinoed by vtm incendiary against a pile of-wood, were in a bheae.ltnd 'but for the timely discovery.*ould so..n have communicated to.the wood and resulted in ' the destruction »f the building, and perhnps, ' in lyes of life; The fire was *< on extinguish ed,»lien it appeared that tin entrance, into tlie house* had been ejected threugb" fhe wood house window, and that'the mUereaqta, be fore applying the- torch, had broken into the store room, als** into the basement, and stolen a large quantity of butter, lard and bther groceries. Bad this attempt-to burn the building have been made an hour br two later in the night, there is every probability that it'would have beet/successful. No clue has been obtained as to who were thb perpetrators of this roldiery and outrage; but the genetabimpreasion among citixens is, that it was the work of some of the five or ■six hundred Yankee prisoners who have been > turned loose in this city. We. however, think, it quite as.likely that the President's houre servants knew st me thing of the matter.—• Richmond Examiner. ■ -* ■♦ » ■ The Situation fn East Tennes- S*tvCe The Times* in an article en the military situation in Tennessee.say« - The official reports that have been received here lately do not coincide with the statement a that have been published in the administra tion organ, in relation to the state of affairs at Chattanooga and RniHtville. In tbe first place, General Longatreet ia not retreating to Virginia. He is firmly established at Rogers ville. thirty-fivfj miles southeast of' Cumber land Gap, where he is awaiting reinfnreeroenta fiom General Lee's army, which are on the way to him. Joined by them it is expected that be will either make a second a'tempt to take Knoxville, or else that he will rejoin Gen eral Hardee at Ringgold-.- In the second place,, itappeare that tbe Confederates are really en deavoring to carry out the programme stated * in my letters id" November '28th, and Decem ber 2d, namely: to make Chattanooga unten able by General Grant by getting possession of.the Sequatchie Valley'roads. - —■ ■ . Tbe Siege of Charleston. The Courier of Thursday says:'* v "We learn ttjat a private of the "(jiist GuaroY*~ Captain Chiebester's Company/First S. C. Artillery, was instantly killed, last evening by the explosion of a Wlard rifle shell. Thin is tbe hr-.t instance of a white person having! 1 been killed outright by a shell Binoe the' bom bardment of the city. TbV name of die man was not ascertained at the time of wr jtiurour report. A negro was also rbporied'siwerely ■ wounded on Thursday."" ■ ' i-V." -. " Corn AbnnsUtnt. '. , scope of fifteen eatUs are|*44bia t .Tillage, says the ! user," there aretwetttyfive thousand bushels f: of corn over and above tbe reqoiretftetrtS 0 f •the producer and the tithes «# tbe mrrern • t"*snt. 'fbis calculation in based upmV safe |_ data, add may be considered reliable.