THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 803, 26 May 1865, Page 3

THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The Hero, with the English mail, arrived a * Lyttelton yesterday at one o'clock. In a former issue we gave the latest telegraphic news, as forwarded from the Bluff. The following is from the Home Neios of March 26: — AMERICA. The capture of Branchville by the Federals under iShermflTi wmfiwnwl; httfc.t)ifl details of the affair have not been fully explained. From that point, Sherman has resumed and continued his* triumphant march. On February 16, the Federals, under Sherman, shelled Columbia from the south bank of the Congaree. During the night they moved up the river, and on the following morning forded the Saluda and Broad Kivers. During the Federal passage of these rivers Beauregard evacuated Columbia. The Federals soon took possession. Two days previously, when it was decided not to attempt the defence of Columbia, a large quantity of medicinal stores was destroyed. Sherman's centre column had already reached Kingsville, 25 miles north-east of Colombia, the junction of the Charleston and Columbia and the Wilmington and Columbia Bailroads, and thus cut off communication with Charleston. It was admitted by the Southern papers that the fall of Columbia would necessitate the evacuation of Charleston, which, in fact, had already begun. The evacuation took place on the night of the 17th of February, after destroying two ironclads, and spiking the guns in the fortifications. Six thousand bales of cotton in the upper part of the city were ordered to be burned, and the flames communicating to a quantity of ammunition stored in the Wellington Eailway depot, an explosion took place, spreading the fire in all directions, and killing and injuring several hundred citizens. It is estimated that upwards of two-tbirds of the city were destroyed. The evacuation was not discovered by the Federals until the morning of the 18th, when a force James Island took possession and occupied the forts at 2 p.m. on that day. Admiral Dahlgren and General G-ilmore, on board of gunboats, steamed up the harbour and landed at the wharf. They found nobody in the city tut negroes and the poorer part of the population, all the richer citizens having left a fortnight or three weeks previously, in anticipation of the evacuation. The official despatches of General G-ilmore report that 200 cannon and a small quantity of ammunition fell into his hands. The following additional details have been received:—lt is stated that the operations of the Confederates began at 10 on the evening of the 17th, and in about 12 hours the evacuation was complete. Early on the morning of the 18th the fleet observed two terrific exploeions. Burning fragments filled the air for a great distance. The shock was severely felt by all -{he.Federal yessels. Many thousand bales cotton were burnt by the explosion of the warehouses and the firing of other public buildings. The Confederates who remained to the last are stated not to have been well organised. The majority of them merely remained for plunder. The inhabitants state them to be guilty of many disgraceful acts. Several hundred Confederates, deserten concealed themselves in the houses when Charleston surrendered, declaring themselves tited of the rebellion end of fighting for it.

They were received as prisoners. Crowds of negroes met the Federal troops and made demonstrations of joy. They wanted food, and said they would be glad to work. Some proposed to take up arms against their masters. Their condition is described as much worse than that of the inhabitants of Savannah. The appearance of the city, the lower part of which was uninhabitable and the upper in flames, is described as dreary and desolate in the extreme. It is stated that the evacuation of Charleston began nearly three weeks ago. Since that time the Confederates had been busy removing stores. Heavy supplies were, however, left at the time of the evacuation. The Confederates were said to number 14,000 men, and took a northerly direction.

News of the evacuation was received with great applause in Congress. The War Department ordered a national salute to be fired at every fort and arsenal, and at the head-quarters of the United States, Seward ordered the illumination of the departments and buildings at "Washington on Washington's day, in honor of the recent triumphs. There were great rejoicings throughout the North, and the Northern press published an exultant account of the recent success. Mr. Stanton telegraphed to the Governor of New York the news of Sherman's capture of Columbia. He urges him to hasten the recruiting, and says that the rebellion must receive a final blow this spring campaign. On Feb 16, Sherman had moved westward along the Congaree River, and during the night crossed to the north bank above Columbia. Beauregard immediately evacuated the city, retiring towards Charlotte, North Carolina. On the following day Sherman occupied Columbia, but at once pursued Beauregard with the bulk of his army, sending at the same time a detachment in the direction of Charleston. On the 12th, Sherman was at Winnisboro', 30 miles north of Columbia. It was understood that Sherman's main army was pushing steadily northwards to Charlotte or Fayetteville, and that an expedition of no little magnitude was striking at the railroads near the coast. On Sunday morning, Feb. 19, Sherman was advancing towards and near Winnisboro', on the railroad leading to Charlotte, 30 miles north of Columbia. Beauregard was retreating before him to Charlotte. Richmond papers say that Sherman enforces strict discipline and punishes all outrages on citizens. He has issued a retaliation order for the maltreatment of Union men. It is reported that 10 more regiments have been recruited from contrabands who joined Sherman's army in Georgia. From this point it has become difficult to obtain accurate or reliable information, in consequence of the reticence imposed, very wisely, upon the Southern papers. Consequently we are compelled to treat such information as reaches us very cautiously. Thus, the New York World gives a circumstantial account of the battle said to be fought on February 24 between Sherman and Johnston, with indecisive results; but the whole report is of a dubious The last intelligence concerning Sherman which may be considered authentic, is that he had occupied Cheran, and defeated Cheatham. Admiral Porter's fleet bombarded Fort Anderson, on Cape Fear River, for 24 hours on the 17th and 18th February, during" which aland force under General Scholefield, assaulted the fort, but was repulsed. Onthe 19th, however, the fort was captured by the army and navy, but most of the garrison escaped to Wilmington, whither the combined forces immediately followed. The guns of the fort were uninjured. General Lee had issued an order assuming the chief command, in which he says he is impressed with the difficulties and responsibilities of his position, humbly invoking God for guidance, relies for success upon the courage and fortitude of the army, sustained by the patriotism and firmness of the people, lie is confident that their united efforts will secure peace and independence. His headquarters for the present will be with the, army of Northern Virginia. The Petersbtvrg Express says that Grant shows no disposition to assume the offensive, and has rather shortened than extended his line, and has withdrawn to the works on this side of Hatcher's Bun. Heavy cannonading was heard at Dutch Gap on February 20, and an unusual activity was reported in Lee's army. According to deserters' reports a Confederate attack was threatened. Hill's Corps was under marching orders. & considerable movement took place along the; Confederate lines near Petersburg. Grantshelled the town heavily on the 20th of February. On the 4th March, President Lincoln de* Hvered his inaugural address. It is somewhat of an extraordinary document, full of Scripture quotations, to show that thei nation is being punished for the sin of slavery, and that the stain of it will probably not be obliterated until every drop of "blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn by the sword. Except a firm determination to continue the war against the South, no policy is indicated, and nothing is said about foreign relations. The Federal Senate had adopted unanimously a resolution by Mr. Sumner, declaring that the Confederates would under no circumstances be recognised by the Federal States. Mr. Seward has rescinded his order requiring passports to be obtained by all* travellers between the Federal States an 3* Canada. It has also been agreed that for; the present the naval force on the Lakes shall not he increased. The proposition to arm 200,000 negroes passed the Confederate House of Representativeß on February 22, but was indefinitely postponed by the Senate on the following day by a majority of one. The Confederate House of Representatives in secret session, however, passed a resolution authorising the arming of negroes, tendered by their owners, and the Senate of Virginia had authorised the governor to call for volunteers among the slaves and free negroes for the defence of Richmond and other threatened points.

Captain Semmes has been made a rearadmiral with the command of the James Eiver squadron. Mr. Maculloch has been appointed Secretary of the Federal treasury. Latest Intelligence, March 27.

Up to the present writing theT© is little or nothing from America. Sheridan has defeated Early in the Shenandoah Valley, and made himself master of the district through which the railway to Richmond passes. Sherman was within 40 miles of Raleigh when the last account left; but whether he had taken that town, which is a central station, or whether he had diverged J from it to the right or to the left, as is his wont, has not as yet been ascertained. There would seem, however, to be a general convergence of all the great armies of the Union upon Richmond, where Lee, who appears to be sorely pressed for provisions, as lie has only one line of railway open to him, has been the object of an internal intrigue to oust him. from the military presidency of the Confederation. The mail now overdue, and hourly expected, will probably bring some decisive intelligence on the subject of the great military movements in progress : until its arrival, speculation is vain. MEXICO. It is stated that the garrison of Oajaca, numbering 7000 men, surrendered unconditionally to General Bazaine on the 9th of February. Diaz attempted to escape, but was arrested and shot. The French troops had annihilated the guerillas commanded by Romera and Roga. It was reported that no quarter was given. Romera was shot. According to a despatch from San Francisco, Mazatlan was in a disturbed condition. Guerilla encounters were frequent. The Emperor Maximilian has forbidden the issue of clearances from Matamoras for American ports, and the American consul has been expelled from Matamoras. The reason for his expulsion is said to be the non-recognition of the French and Austrian authorities in Mexico by the Federal States. It was reported that the American flag was hauled down from the Matamoras Consulate by Union parties. TBANCE. The address to the emperor, which is a paraphrase of the speech from the throne, has been adopted in the Senate by a majority of 130 votes to 2. The debate on the address occupied several days. It is currently reported in Paris that during a sitting of one of the committees of the Senate Prince Napoleon declared it to be his hope and belief that within six months after the evacuation of Rome by the French troops, Victor Emmanual would be proclaimed Sing of Italy in the Eternal City. A bill has been presented to the Corps Legislatif regulating the supplementary credits for the present year. It may be considered as a kind of corrected budget. The minister announced in his report to the emporer that the military expenses would be reduced this year by 21,000,000f, and the naval expenses by 23,000,000f. It is now said to be considered doubtful whether the above projected retrenchments in the military expenditure can be carried into effect. This unforeseen hindrance is no other that the state of affairs in Mexico. Marshal Bazaine, in a recent despatch, urgently calls for reinforcements, failing which the whole enterprise, he thinks must be abandoned.

It is believed that 5000 men will be despatched in the course of the next two months to reinforce the French troops in Mexico. The funeral of Count de Morny was conducted with great pomp; the ceremony is said to have been nearly as imposing as if the deceased had been an acknowledged member of the imperial family. The crowd that assembled to witness it was immense, but orderly and even reverential. ITALY. The Minister of Finance has made his statement. He reckons upon a deficit up to the end of 1867 of 425,000,000f., which he proposes to meet principally by a loan. This deficit is made up of the accumulated deficiencies of several years, beginning with'lß62. ' , The king has signed a decree granting a full amnesty for all political offences, including those connected with the Aspromonte affair. . ■ - In the Chamber of Deputies the clauses of the bill for the abolition of the punishment of death for crimes against the common law were voted by a considerable majority. The rumors which have lately been in circulation relative to the existence of a secret article in the September Convention are daily becoming more credited at. Turin. It is believed that this secret article makes provisions for the cession, of Sardinia to France in the event of Borne becoming the capital of Italy. A new paper, entitled L'Alpi, has been brought out in Turin by a political party who maintain that the arrangement in question forms the basis of the Franco-Italian treaty. This journal violently attacks the transfer of the capital to Florence, and condemns the policy'which dictated the conclusion of the Convention. HOME. A notification has been issued by the cardinal vicar relative to the jubilee. In this document the cardinal reverts to the object of the encyclical, and particularises as especially deplorable errors liberty of conscience and worship recognised as a legal right, the recognition of the right of all to propagate through, the press erroneous principles, and finally the declaration that the will of the people is a supreme law. Information from Some states that the Papal court will not attempt the difficulty, of coming to an understanding with France and Italy on the bases of the September Convention. The Pope_ is determined to allow events to take their own course. Thej cardinals doubt whether the French govern-; ment would dare to leave the Papacy to its destiny. The official Correapondeneia Bomana m a recent publication saye: —"The protection of the Almighty has hitherto been bestowed upon, the Emperor of the French

to enable him to uphold the Papacy, but from the moment the Emperor withdraws his protection the Lord will cease to protect him." An Italian journal asserts that the ambassador of France had announced officially to the Pope the coming departure of a brigade of the corps of occupation, which event is to take place after the Easter holidays, and that the Roman province to be so evacuated will be that or Yiterbo. It is affirmed that the Pope received this news with the utmost indifference. Other reports assert that it is the Pope's intention to leave Kome as soon as the French troops have been withdrawn. General Montebello, in command of the French garrison at Kome, is asserted to have sent a despatch to his government requesting it not at present to withdraw any division of the troops now stationed there, on the ground that he does not consider himself able to answer for the maintenance of public order if the garrison were at once to be reduced. AUSTRIA. Considerable difficulties have arisen between the government and the Chamber respecting the maintenance of a large military force. Finally the government has agreed to fix the strength of the army at the amount determined by the Chamber, reserving to itself, however, the right of increasing it adlibitum in time of danger. The minister had clearly intimated his conviction of an approaching war with France. A A r ienna official paper states that the greater number of tho Polish refugees who were interned in Austria have already quitted the country. Among them is the ex-Dicta-tor Langiewicz, who after his two years of confinement is at length set free. He has gone to Switzerland. The declaration of the Austrian ministry to the finance committee of the Beichsrath that the government would consent to a reduction of more than 20 millions of florins (50,250,000f.) on the budget of 1865, was received with equal surprise and satisfaction. ! All the Vienna journals applaud this resolution, which they regard as a certain proof that an era of peace has commenced for Europe. The reduction announced by Count de Schinerling in the expenditure of the present year chiefly affects the army, which aborbed all the disposable resources. The government has discovered a new conspiracy in Venetia, and numerous arrests have been made in consequence. The Cabinet of Vienna has determined upon granting no concessions whatever to the liberal party in the Venetian provinces. THE DUCHIES. Prussia has put into form the demands which she is resolved to make as conditions to a final settlement of the Schleswig-'Hol-stein question. In a note despatched recently to Vienna, Prussia claims :—" 1. The right to levy sailors in the Duchies for the Prussian navy. 2. The cession to Prussia of the requisite territory for the establishment of the canal to connect the German Ocean and the Baltic. At each mouth of this canal large fortified docke are to be erected for the reception of Prussian men-of-war. 3. The pofltaL and telegraphic departments of the Duchies to beKurider jtKe direction of Pruesiav 4. To connect as closely as possible the forces of the Duchies with those of Prussia, so far as the officering is concerned. The Holstein contingent is, however, not to quit the Federal army.— The first two conditions are made a sine gud non. It is stated that Australia has rejected the proposals of Prussia respecting the Duchies, and that in consequence Prussia has now adopted the plan suggested by Russia, that is, to restore to Denmark the Danish portion of Schleswig, and to incorporate with Prussia the remainder of Schleswig an&alliHolstein and Lauenburg. It is added that though. Austria is no party to this arrangement, sine will not object to it.