Boston (MA) Herald, "Telegraph to the Herald - Stampede of Negroes to the Union Lines," December 23, 1864

TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

FROM THE SOUTH

WITHDRAWAL OF MR. FOOTE FROM THE REBEL CONGRESS.

His Opinion of Jeff. Davis.

THE “CONFEDERACY” TUMBLING TO PIECES.

GEN. LEE REPORTED SEVERELY WOUNDED.

Stampede of Negroes to the Union Lines.

THE SLAVES TO BE ARMED IMMEDIATELY.

Seizure of Every Able Bodied Negro by the Rebel Government.

              NEW YORK, Dec. 22d. In the rebel House of Representative on Saturday resolution were offered in favor of sending Commissioners to Washington for the Restoration of peace. It is stated that Gen Grant had granted permission to such Commissioners to pass their lines.

              Mr. Foote, in the rebel Senate, in a speech on the currency bill, announced his withdrawal from that body in disgust. He said the Confederacy was the verge of ruin and that Congress and building up on irresponsible military despotism, the like of which was never before seen on earth. Its policy seemed to be crush out dissatisfaction by armed violence.

              Ten days hence freedom od deliberation would be effectually extinguished in that body. He unjust, unwise and criminal displacement of Johnston form the Army of Tennessee, and that transfer of the army to Nashville, have open all Southern Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama to the army of  Shemu. For McAllister has vee fallen; Savanna is about to fall and he fate of Charleston only seems deterred a few days later. Hood’s army had already met with disaster at Franklin, and in his (Foote’s) judgment, was firmly compromised. Presidential inference was the cause of all these dire mischiefs and is the result of unfortunate battie of Muresboso’. And the more disastrous one of Missionary Ridge. Should Hood’s army be strayed an event which he feared was too probable, and Sherman come round to this vicinity in ships, which he (Foote) did not doubt he intends, what will be the fate of Richmond.

              NEW YORK, Dec. 22. The Hearld’s correspondent in from of Richmond says it is reported that Gen Lee was wounded in front of Petersburg last Satmony and will unable to report her duty for some time. Desecraters says that desertions from the rebel army will be heavy in future.

              The Richmond Examiner of the 19th notices the fact that large numbers of negroes have recently stampeded to the Yankee lines.

The Examiner of the 19th also says that Yankees have been in Wytheville and other parts of Southern western Virginia and destroy three locomotive and done other damage.

              The Savannah Republican of the 18th, says that on Saturday and Sunday artillery firing was kept up actively on both sides with moreless [illegible]. It says there is not change in the aspect of affairs; everything goes on well, and all are in the best of spirits.

              The Charleston Mercru of the 16th, says Sherman appears to have abandoned a direst attack on Savannah, and is apparent tuinign his attention to the reduction of the cutposts. It regrets the fall of Fort McAllister, and says the enem y will next make a desperate effort to Genesis Point.

              The Richmond Sentinel of the 10th says Gen. Berbrisdge is [illegible] from Sosutherwestern Virginia, and that Vaugh is trying o get in his rear. It also says large quandies of stores are [illegible] sent from Chartauga to Knoxville.

              The Richmond Whig of the 19th says Jefi Davis has suffered for several says from neurology, and hat absurd rumors has been afloat to affect the gold market. It is also says that Kitby Smith is defrauding the government out f a large number of fine beef cattle, which by his orders are run into Mexico from Texas