26 DECEMBER 1863, Page 2

The general news of the week from America has been

of the smallest kind. General Meade has gone into winter quarters, and announced his determination not to attack till he can do so with some prospect of success, and General Longstreet has finally evacuated East Tennessee. The bombardment of Charleston pro- ceeds without any perceptible effect, and both Congresses are pro- posing to modify the conscription laws. The South will abolish substitutes altogether, so making the system Prussian, while the North talks of sweeping away the money exemption, and making every man drawn either serve or find a substitute. For the rest, no action of importance is likely to take place this year.