November 24, 1863, The New York Herald
The condition of the roads in Virginia, notwithstanding the recent rains, is such that the army of General Meade is now in a position to move at any moment. His troops fully occupy the country up to the north bank of the Rapidan, but there is no official information that any portion of his army has crossed the river. Reports of the advance of the army to the south side of the river were circulated yesterday, but the announcement is premature. General Lee is said to be prepared to make a desperate resistance to any such movement.
Despatches from Cincinnati yesterday state that General Burnside was holding out at Knoxville, and had notified the citizens of that place that he would hold it under all circumstances. The rebels — who are reported to be 30,000 strong — have withdrawn from the south side of the river. General Foster had reached Cincinnati, en route for Knoxville, which he doubtless reached by this time. It is said that the President has not accepted General Burnside’s resignation; but is willing to grant him leave of absence to attend to his private affairs, which need his supervision, with the understanding that he will return to his command at the earliest moment consistent with the business engagements which imperatively call him temporarily from his duties in the field. We give a fine map today of the scene of General Burnside’s operations in East Tennessee up to this date.
The steam transport Fulton, from Port Royal, which arrived at this port yesterday, reports that the sea wall of FortSumter was entirely destroyed, and the rebels were constructing bombproof buildings on the ruins. The firing on the fort was still going on. During Sunday night the Monitor Lehigh, while on picket duty near FortSumter, got aground. Daylight discovered her position to the enemy, who at once began a furious fire upon her, both from James and Sullivan’s Island. Three other Monitors — the Montauk, Passaic and Nahant — moved up to aid her by command of Admiral Dahlgren. The admiral boarded the Nahant and called for volunteers to carry a hawser to the Lehigh. Out of the number who offered themselves, the surgeon and two sailors were accepted and proceeded on their desperate mission under a tremendous fire. After three attempts they succeeded in getting a line fast to the Lehigh, and at the turn of the tide the Nahant towed her off. Admiral Dahlgren promoted the two seamen on the spot to the rank of petty officers. Commander Bryson of the Lehigh, and the executive officer, Lieutenant Hopkins, were both wounded.
The Fulton brought in here the rebel prize steamer Banshee, captured by the Fulton and the transport Delaware, with a valuable cargo, bound from Nassau to Wilmington.
We learn from Fortress Monroe the particulars of the delivery of the provisions sent by the steamer Convoy for the relief of the Union prisoners at Richmond.
Colonel Irving, who had them in charge, has satisfactorily transferred all the government rations, as well as all the provisions from the Baltimore Relief Fund, for the Union prisoners in and about Richmond, to Commissioner Ould. The immediate wants of our officers and soldiers in Richmond will thus be supplied.