AMERICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 158, 19 May 1862, Page 5

AMERICA.

CHEAT FEDERAL SUCCESSES. The capture of Fort Donnilson, with 15,000 men, sixty-five guns, and 20,000 stand of amis, &c, after a most fierce struggle, has produced immense enthusiasm in the North. The loss of life on both sides heavy. The Confederate Generals Pillow and Floyd decamped, with 5000 men. The Confederates then made a stand at Nashville, under Beauregard, with Gs,ooomen, but evacuated, for Ftratcgic reasons, on the approach of the Federals, who then occupied Memphis and Nashville. The Confederate forces in Missouri have also been defeated. EVACUATION OF MANASSAS, AMD ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL ARMY. New York, March 12. The Federal army made an advance towards Mamissas on the 10th instant. Two thousand troops proceeded to Centreville, which was found deserted. They thence proceeded to Manassas, which the Confederates had entirely abandoned, after destroying: and burning all they could not carry away. They destroyed all the railway bridges in the neighborhood, and left nothing but desolation.^'lt is rumored that the evacuation commenced on the 7th or Bth. It is supposed the only point where they can make a stand is at the junction of the Frederick and Potomac with the Central Virginia Hailrond, twenty miles north of Richmond. General M'Lcllan has made his headquarters at Fairfax Court-house. BATTLE AT SUGAR CREEK. General Halleck officially reported that the Federal army of the south-west, under General Curtis, had gained a victory, after three days' hard fighting at Sugar Creek, Arkansas, over the combiired Confederate forces of Van Dorn, Price, and M'Culloch. Guns, flags, and provisions were captured in large quantities. The Federal cavalry were pursuing the enemy. The Federal loss was estimated at 1,000 killed and wounded, the enemy's loss larger. President Lincoln, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, has issued War Order, No-1, saying that, on the 22nd of March a general movement of general forces against the insurgents shall be inaugurated. The forces at Fort Munro, the forces on the Potomac, the Western Virginia army, and the naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, shall be ready for movement on that day. General Fremont has received a command. GREAT CONFEDERATE I.AVAL EXPLOIT. Two Federal frigates—the Cumberland and Congress—have been sunk at Norfolk by the Confederate iron-plated steamer ' Menimac. The Merrimac ran into the Cumberland with her iron prow, literally opened her sides, then drew off, tired a broadside, and again dashed at her, and fairly knocked in her sides. She was afterwards engaged by the Federal iron-clad floating battery Monitor for' five hours, broadside to broadside, ■when the Merrrimac retired. Jefferson Davis has been inaugurated PresisidQnt of the Southern Confederacy for six years.

In his Message he admits the reverses lntely suf fcred by the South, but speaks confidently of ultimate success. , ;

COMMERCIAL. • . New York, March 12.—Money easier. Gold, 1§ to IJ. lixchange dull.

FRANCE

The Emperor has withdrawn General Montauban's Pension Bill, tlius avoiding a convict with the Corps Legislatif, but has introduced another, providing an annual sum for reward of exceptional military services. The Address has been adopted in the Senate, after a protracted debate, by a majority of 244 iigainst 9. Prince Napoleon expressed himself much gratified. Political intrigues are now rife in Paris, with riotous demonstrations. Severe measures taken against Parisian students, and many arrests made.

The amendment on an address in the Corps Legislatif, condemning the occupation of Rome, was supported by five votes only.

ITALY.

The jiew Italian Ministry have announced a policy of conciliation for the .attainment of Italian unity by moral and diplomatic means ; but it is thought the Cabinet, under Katazzi, will be subversive of French influence, and against the early settlement of the Konmii question.

- Garibaldi is making a tour through Italy to organise National Xi le Associations. He is everywhere received with immense enthusiasm. The cry is " Home and Venice."

Much excitement prevails at Koine, owing to demonstrations made by French troops. French Ambassador left for Paris suddenly, after a private interview witli the Pope. Pope still seriously ill.

PRUSSIA.

, The Liberals in the Prussian Cabinet have withdrawn from it. (Mid a reactionary Ministry has been formed. The King had issued a manifesto dec!ari:ig the power of the Crown essential to Prussia.

Extraordinary military preparations are goi.lg forward at Berlin, producing mnch excitement among the people.

AUSTfIIA

There is no political news of importance, save the ltutssing' of troops towards the frontier.

Austria, Bavaria, and tlie other German powers who combined in the protest against tiie federal policy of Prussia, have reiterated in :i second note their adherence to their views.

GREECE.

The Greek Government, it is reported, have completely repressed the-insurrection ; but the truth of this statement is doubtful.

RUSSIA

Serious opposition lias been offered to the emancipation of the serfs. Thirteen local judges are to be tried for refusing to carry out the edict.

MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL.

London, March 20. The money market continues easy. Bank rate of discount, two and u-half per c°.nt., but in the open market quoted at 2-}. Little doing in discount business. The increasing depression of trade, and consequent restriction of legitimate commercial enterprise, combined with the uncertainty of our future connection with America, causes a withdrawal of capital from the manufacturing trades; hence the low rate of interest now current.

Consols.—Hosing quotations, 937- lor money, and 93J to 94 for. account.

The exports to the Australian colonies during the past month show a decrease of Ll 92,525, which must necessarily influence the markets.

Exports to Melbourne and Geelong, past month —total, £217,200, against 1.303,004 the previous month ; decrease, .£85,7,14. ~ .

Exports to Sydney are valued at L 132,714, against L 215.059 in January—February ; decrease, 1i92,930. Proportionate decline in all goods.

To Adelaide only one clearance, valued at L26,13G, against L 64.115 last month.

The new Victorian loan was steady, at 104f to % ; New South Wales Government Five, per Cent., IS6G, 99 to. 100 ; Adelaide Government Six per Cent;. (1877, and upwards), 10S to.llo ; Victorian Government Six per Cent. (April and October), 107£ to 108.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of Australasia, a dividend at the rate of twelve and a-half per cent, per annum was declared.

The dividend of the Oriental Bank for halfyear ending December, sixteen per cent, per annum.

At the half-yearly court of the proprietors of the Bnnk of England, a distribution was declared of four and a half per cent., free of income tax.

At Paris, money is very abundant at 3J per cent in open market.

London Wool Report.—Sales commenced on the 27th February. Prices obtained were fully equal to the rates current in November. After first few days prices firmer at Id. advance. Prime Port Philip flocks much competed for. Sales progressed favorably to the close. It is estimated that fully 100,000 bales will be offered at the May sales.

Produce Market.—Hides in limited demand at decline of £d. per lb'. Leather (Australian) quiet at previous rates. Bark.—Good demand; stock cleared at 20s. per ton advance. Horns.—Public sales large. A fair portion sold at slight decline. Tallow.—Good business done. Prices steady, at 4Gs. on the spot for P. Y.C. Metals.—Large business done in copper. "Burra Burra sold at L 96 10s. to L 97 ; English sheet, lid. per lb. Corn.— Supplies from abroad, large. Business alack. Only finest English commands late rates. AH secondary and foreign samples, Is. to 2s. per quarter lower. Cofiee in extensive demand at increased rates. Sugar and spirit markets dull, and little business doing.

SHIPPING.

Arrived.—Lightning, Queen of Nations, Indemnity, Monarch, Southampton, Kooria Mooria, Clutha, Canaan, Austral, Scottish Chief, Netherhy, Vimiera, Eesult, Jason, 11.M.5. Cordelia. Departures.—For Melbourne — Avalanche,, Vanguard, Colonial Empire, Star of the North, Boanerges, Roxburgh Castle, Rowena, Mayflower, Mistress of the Seas, Sur:---, and Birmingham. For Sydney—Lady Mil!:,;., Clara Sayers,Marquis of Argyle, City of Aberdeen, City of Quebec, City of Portland, Shand, and Bellissima. Casualties.—The Beautiful Star, from London' to Hobart Town, put into ScilJy on March 17, with fitting of propeller space' carried away ; Gottenburg, from London to Melbourne, put into Rio de Janeiro, on the 11th February, for repairs. The British screw steamer Salmon, 1200 tons, was captured by United States ship of war Portsmouth, and sent to the north for adjudication. The captain was detained prisoner. The charge against her is that she landed ordnance stores at Matamoras ; but Matamoras being a Mexican port, the seizure is illegal. LATEST NEWS. LONDON, Apsil 2, 6 r.ir. Consols.—Closing price, 93§. The second reading of the Australian Government Act Amendment Bill took place in, the House of Lords. There was a long discussion. Her Majesty is still in good health, and has appointed Lord Palmerston, the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Derby, and the Archbishop.of Canterbury, as commissioners to open the Great Exhibition. Napoleon is expected to be present. LATEST PROM AMERICA. NEW YORK, March 15. On account of the recent loss sustained by the Federals, through the loss of their two frigates off Norfolk, a committee.of naval affairs have laid a bill before the Federal Congress to appropriate a sum of fourteen millions for the purpose of building iron-clad steamers. The Confederates have made a new line of defence, and a general engagement is daily looked: for. The Southerners appear confident of success. . • i

THE ACOID*ENi r'ON"TIII;~MELJiUUIINK ItAILWAY. -■-■■■■:■ Thft Argus of the 9tli inst. contains a long account of-the recenV'collision.-on the Melbourne Railway. The particulars of the collision were correctly stated in. tliu report i>f the accident which appended in our columns ii faw days ago. We arc glue! to find iliut Mr. Haymau, who was stated by our informant as having been killed, still survives, although he has sustained' most frightful injuries. 'ilie following further particulars we extract from the Art/its: — " The carriages attached to the Uhapel-street train formed a sort of telescope, one being forcibly fitted into the other, beats were torn up, roofs were lifted up, as if mere sheets of paper; buffers were wrested off, as if only ornamental appendages; and the glass windows were scattered- to pieces. The engines were damaged to that extent that their coal bunks were flattened, together, as if made of thin tin, and for some time after the collisbu took place, there was all the confusion of one large broken mass. Every exertion was made by the guards and by the engine drivers to prevent the catastrophe, and"the steam was turned oft" and the breaks put on, but it was seen that all precautions could not avail, and the enciise drivers at the lost momeut leaped from off the engines. Upon inquiries being- made, ns soon as the passengers could extricate themselves from the broken carriages, It was found that no lives were lost in either of the trains, alt-hough iv the Chapel-street train there were between 150 and 200 persons. In the Hawthorn train' no injuries were sustained at all. There were several severe casualties in the former. Mr. Walker, who was sitting in ons of the carriages, with his back to the engine, was thrown violently against the opposite seat, the buffer of another carriage coming in and pinning him so tightly that it was found necessary to saw away the woodwork-to release him. He persisted ingoing home, and there is every'reason to bglieve that he was not seriously injured. Mr. Hayman, of Quecngstrect, was the most seve.o sufierer. lie was thrown out, arid sustained very great injuries, to nis head, and also fracture and laceration of the leg below the left knee. He was removed at once to the Melbourne lfospila'. It is believed .that there is no fraclnre of thes=kull, and at, :t, lale hour last croniiiij he wns reported to be going on favorably. Mr* Walsh also sustained a fracture and severe liie?ration of the rialit leg; he was removed to the hospital, but was so far convalescent in the afternoon as to be removed to his own residence. Air. Old.'mm, of St. Kilda, was severely injured, and was convoyed home, as also Mr. M'Jiecimey. of the'firm of Fallenstein and M'Kcclmoy. Mr. Clarke, of the late firm of Qmdie and Clarice, was picked itp from underneath the train, and although he treated the iiffitir slightingly, showed symptoms later in the day of his being much hurt.