November 5, 1863, The New York Herald
The Richmond papers furnish us with two days still later news from Charleston. The firing on Sumter was continued on Saturday and Sunday, and on the latter evening was still going on, both from Forts Gregg and Wagner and the Monitors. The bombardment is described by the Richmond Examiner as furious and incessant. The flagstaff on Sumter was shot away several times and replaced, but the old flag was so cut to pieces that the battle flag of the Twelfth Georgia regiment was raised instead. On Saturday morning, at four o’clock, a portion of the sea wall fell in, burying in the ruins thirteen of the garrison. Over one thousand two hundred shots, many of them from rifled guns, were fired at the fort on Saturday.
The news from the Army of the Potomac describes the men in fine spirits, the sick removed to Washington, the sutlers all fallen back, and the army unencumbered and ready for any movement. The guerillas continue very bold in many quarters. The weather is glorious.
General Butler left Lowell yesterday to take command of the Eighteenth army corps and the departments of Virginia and North Carolina, to which he has just been appointed, as we before stated.
Despatches from Cincinnati yesterday state that there has probably been a severe fight in the vicinity of Tuscumbia, Ala., between the forces of General Sherman and the enemy, who were there in great force. It is certain, however, that our troops are in possession of the place, General Osterhaus having captured it on the 27th ult.
The rebel guerillas captured two trains near Mayfield, Ky., on Monday, and were tearing up the railroad in that neighborhood.
In Tennessee, however, the guerillas are not quite so successful. A portion of Gen. Granger’s cavalry from Nashville pursued and defeated the rebel Hawkins, near Pinney Factory, and drove him to Centreville, where they again beat and completely dispersed them.
The Southern news to day is very full and interesting. Symptoms of starvation are becoming stronger in Richmond. Meat has nearly disappeared from the markets, and the papers complain that beef is impressed for the support of the “Yankee prisoners,”and insist that those who are hoarding provisions should be compelled to bring them into market. The currency question is the subject of earnest discussion, and the remedy for the present miserable condition thereof is variously argued by the different journals. President Davis refuses to remove General Bragg.