November 20, 1863, The New York Herald
The latest news from Charleston, to eight o’clock P.M. of the 16th instant, by the steamer Admiral Dupont, reports that the firing on FortSumter continues without intermission; that the flag of the rebel garrison has been shot down several times within a few days, but is always hoisted again. The immediate surrender of the fort is predicted, as, indeed, it has been for several months past. We anxiously await the intelligence of its fall.
By the steamship Creole, from New Orleans, on the 11th inst., we have intelligence of the operations of General Washburne’s forces in the Teche country. The reports from there state that Washburn’s whole loss in killed and wounded and taken prisoners was six hundred and seventy-seven. The Indiana Sixty-seventh was captured almost entire. The Sixtieth Indiana and Ninety-sixth Ohio lost largely. The rebel force outnumbered ours five to one. We only excelled them in artillery, by means of which, at short range, it is thought we killed a large number of the enemy.
It appears from our correspondent’s statements relative to the Texas expedition, that General Banks has for months past been urging upon the government the necessity of reinforcing his army in order to make that movement efficient and successful, and that his appeals have not been heeded. With a small, and possible inadequate force, therefore, he has undertaken the expedition. With what success, under the circumstances […..] and shall […..] not difficult to divine upon whom the blame lies.
The rebels are evidently disposed to give no rest to Gen. Burnside’s army in East Tennessee. Gen Longstreet crossed the Tennessee river on Saturday morning and was met by Gen. Burnside’s forces, who, being inferior in numbers, fell back to Lenoir. The enemy appear to have pressed their attack during Sunday and Monday. Burnside fell back to Campbell’s Station, where, being outflanked by the enemy, he withdrew under cover of his batteries, and by their well directed fire drove the enemy back. By slow retrogressive movements, constantly harassed by the enemy, Gen. Burnside fell back on Knoxville on Tuesday morning. His position, at last accounts, was invested by the rebels completely, but the determination of Gen. Burnside to defend it to the last man, is confidently expressed.
We give some interesting news from the rebel journals today. It appears that Generals Cheatham and Buckner have asked to be relieved of their commands under General Bragg. This fact, if it be true, would bear out the stories of demoralization in Bragg’s army. The Richmond Despatch of the 14th puts down the number of Union prisoners in and around Richmond at 12,775, of which 953 are commissioned officers. It says that in addition to those sent to Danville, a number will be sent to Lynchburg.