by John Beauchamp Jones
DECEMBER 7TH. —Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs to-day from Rutledge, Tenn., some fifty miles northeast of Knoxville, and says he will soon need railroad facilities. He is flying from superior numbers, and may be gathering up supplies.
Governor Vance writes distressfully concerning the scarcity of provisions in certain counties of North Carolina, and the rudeness of impressing agents.
Lieut.-Gen. Hardee telegraphs from Dalton that 5000 cavalry, besides two brigades of Buckner’s command, are with Longstreet, and that other troops ought to be sent him (H.) to compensate for these detachments.
Mr. L. S. White obtained another passport yesterday to go to Maryland, on the recommendation of Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance.
There was a quorum in Congress to-day; but the message was not sent in.
A five-dollar gold piece sold at auction on Saturday for $140—$28 in Confederate notes for one of gold.