November 7, 1863, The New York Herald
There is nothing later from the Army of the Potomac. Perfect quietude appears to reign, with the exception of the guerilla raids which disturb the outposts and the occasional reconnoissances which occupy the attention of our cavalry.
From Charleston we have nothing later than the news up to Sunday night, which we gave to our readers yesterday.
The news from East Tennessee is still exciting, and shows that the rebels are making desultory attempts to maintain their position at some points. A despatch from Knoxville yesterday reports that General Sanders, with his cavalry corps, overtook a rebel regiment at Mettey’s Ford, on the Little Tennessee river, on Thursday; but a vigorous charge made by Colonel Adams drove them across the river. Between forty and fifty of them were drowned or killed, and forty were captured. All their arms were lost. The prisoners reported that there are fourteen rebel brigades beyond the Tennessee, under Generals Cheatham, Forrest, Vaughan and Stevenson.
The expedition of General Burnside’s army to the eastern corner of the State of Tennessee appears to be completed, and the people are reported as exhibiting the most satisfactory signs of loyalty. General Burnside, with his accustomed activity, is again on the march — in what direction will soon appear. We have further accounts, of a highly interesting character, of the late fight at Blue Springs, Tenn., furnished by our army correspondent, which will be found in another column.
There is nothing of importance reported from General Grant’s army yesterday; but our correspondent in Lookout valley furnishes us with further particulars of the sharp engagement near Wauhatchie, between General Geary’s command and a brigade of the enemy, when the latter undertook to surprise our forces at midnight. The battle was fought with desperate energy on both sides, but the rebels were defeated, and retired, leaving their killed and wounded on the field. Among the rebel prisoners are officers and men belonging to several South Carolina regiments. Our loss is about two hundred in killed and wounded. Among the former we regret to find the name of Captain Geary, son of the Commanding General, and a gallant young artillery officer. A complete list of the casualties in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York regiment will also be found in our correspondence.
We give an interesting account of the defences of Wilmington, N.C., on Cape Fear river, with a map showing the different points at which the rebels have erected fortifications.