LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 348, 23 December 1864, Page 6

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(From tho Evening Mail, October 19.) I AMERICA. ' (By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.) [FEOM OUB OWN COttEESPOHDENT.] (Per tho North Amorican, via Grcencastle, October 18th.).

New York, Oct. 7Ai'I'AIRS in Missouri are threatening for the Federal couso. General Price continues his victorious march, and is moving upon Jefferson City, the capital of tho State.

A large force under Magruder and Kirby Smith is • reported to have ontered Arkansas, and to be preparing for a combined movement against Little Rock and tho capture of General Steele and his army. If successful, it is believed that they will combine with Genoral Price, attack St. Louis, and proclaim the annexation of Missouri to the Southern Confederacy. Goneral Forrost's forces destroyed portions of the railway between Chattanooga and Allatoona (?) on tho 4th inst., and captured Big Shanty. On the Gth they attacked Alloma (?), but retired after a severe fight, in which they are stated to have lost heavily in killed and wounded. No further news from Genoral Grant. It begins to bo admitted that the recent operations at Deep Bottom and Petersburg are, like all his previous movomontß, failures. Sheridan is still at Harrisonburg. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Tho gold market continues violently agitated. Tho price opened this morning at 198, rose to 206, fell to 199, and closeß at 201. Exchange, 221. United States' Sixes, registered, 1881, 105} ; FiveTwenties Coupons, 107:! > Seven-Thirties, 105. New York Central Railway shares,jllSJ ; Erio, 93 g ; Illinois Central, 117-J. Cotton, 110 c. to 115 c. Breadstuffs and provisions activo, but irrogular. SugarjJ and coffee dull, and nominal. Oct. 8, afternoon. . Secretary Stanton reports a series of skirmishes at Deep Bottom yesterday, attended with considerable loss in urtillery to tho Federals, and many killed and wounded upon both sides, but no decisive advantage to cither. Gold, 199 J. Cotton, 115 c. (by electric and international TELEGEArir.) (Pee tiik Baltimore, via Ckookhaven, Oct. 18.) New York, Oct. 8, 11 a.in. The forco which was repulsed from Allatoona (?) on the sth is now stated to have consisted of a division from General Hood's army, under General French, which, by a flank movement, crossed the Chattaliooehie and gained Sherman's rear. The Federals state their own loss at 300, and that of the Confederates at 500. Genoral Thomas Ims been sent to Nashville by General Sherman to take charge of the Federal forces there, and to watch General Forrest. The Pilot Knob garrison reached Holla, Missouri, on tho 2nd, with tho loss of 300 men during their retreat. General Ewing has arrived at St. Louis. The Confederates appeared before Jefferson City yesterday. Still ixo further movement by Grant. Tho Confederates claim to have captured 1,500 prisoners during tho recent engagements to the south-west of Potersburg. A despondent and violent speech attributed to the Southern President by the Macon Telegraph is Relieved by th o Administration at Washington and by tho public in this city to be forgery. Several banking houses in Chicago which have been engaged in speculations in grain and produce failed during last week in consequence of the heavy decline in prices. Crowds gathered around the banks, and were dispersed bv the military. Gold, 201}. Tho Baltimore brings 120,212 dollars specie, (BISTER'S TELEGRAMS.) Queenstown, October 18. The Inman steamer City of Baltimore, from New York on the Bth inst., arrived here here at 7.10 p.m. She brings f 117,500 and £2,000 in specie, also the New York mails, and 671 passengers. She landed 75 passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 7.45 p.m. ller news has been fully anticipated by the North American, via Greencastle, which brought New York advices to tho Bth October, afternoon.

(I'EH THE NOETU AMERICAN via GREEN CASTLE.) New York, Oct 7, evening. Mr. Stanton reports that the operations are progressing satisfactorily before Richmond and Petersburg. No engagement had taken place since Saturday. Both belligerents were fortifying. It is reported that Leo in concentrating on Grant's loft. T'he Federal loss north and south of the James River on Friday and Saturday is estimated at 4,000.

The Northern papers contain a report that the larger portion of Grant's corps has crossed from the north side of the James Hirer, but state that he retains his position in the surrounding forts.

General Lee reports that in the engagement south of Petersburgh the Federals broke through a portion of his line on the Squirrel Level-road, but were driven back with a loss of 400 prisoners. General Hampton then drove the enemy, capturing 500 prisoners. Mr. Stanton reports that the Confederates in Sherman's rear, after capturing Big Shanty, were pursued and driven from the field with heavy loss, leaving behind thom their dead and wounded. Unoflieial despatches report that the Confederates left 1,000 dead and wounded.

It is reported that Forrest's transportation has been captured. The gunboats would prevent his retreat across the Tennessee Kiver.

Southern papers state that Hood moved his army tliirtv-five miles westward without molestation.

Sheridan is at Harrisonhurg. Guerillas occasionally intercept his supply trains. Early reports that on the 2!) th ult., that if the people of Lynchburg will guard against raiding he is in a position to check Sheridan's further advance.

living's force has arrived at Rolla. Missouri, after having lost 300 prisoners. Prico is reported to bo six miles west of Union City, on the Jefferson City road. It is supposed that he purposes attempting the capture of Jefferson City and the establishment of a Stato Government. It is reported that Prico attempted to cross the Osage River, but was prevented by the the Federals. Tho Pacific Railroad, eight miles from Joft'erson City, has been burnt. Several trains between St. Louis and Hannibal liavo' also been burnt.

Admiral Farragut retains tho command at Mobile.

The Macon Telegraph contains a speech alleged to havo boon delivered by Jefferson Davis, assarting that Sherman will bo compelled to re-enact the retreat of Moscow ; that tho independence of the South would bo established, and tho enemy defeated if half tho absent troops returned to their duly. Tho Southern press is dissatisfied with tho speech, and doubts its authenticity.

In aceordanco with a resolution passed by Convention the Governor of Tennessee has issued an order that all persons voting in the Presidential election must swear to oppose an armistie and peace negotiations with armed rebels until Constitutional laws and Constitutional proclamations are re-estab-lished throughout the States. The Governor of Tcnne isoo has conscripted white men and negroes between eighteen and forty-five years of ago. The steamers 'Night Hawk' and 'Lincli' had been destroyed, and tho steamer 'Condor ' beached, off AVilmington.

October Btli, Morning. The Federals under Btirbridge attacked Saltville, Western Virginia, aud were badly repulsed, retreating in confusion, pursued by the Confederates.

A portion of Price's forces have appeared before Jefferson City.

The Governor of Georgia has declined Sherman's proposition for un informal peace conference. Gold, 100 premium.

Evening. Tho Confederates yesterday attacked Butler's lines, drove in Kantz, and captured his artillery. They then attacked Birney, but were repulsed. Birney recaptured Kantz's position, and drovo tho Confederates to their inner fine of defences.