AMERICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 290, 24 November 1862, Page 5

AMERICA.

The great event of the month is the progress of the civil war iv America, the Northern forces being beaten iv numerous engagements in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Mississipi, have retreated beyond the .fortifications of Washington. M'Clellan has been appointed to the command of the capital. A portion of the Southern army, 50,000 strong, has commenced an aggressive policy, by invading Maryland. It is believed that the Southern army will not attack either Washington or Baltimore, having other designs. They intend to invade Pennsylvania, where an extreme sensation prevails, The farmers are arming, and have sent away their wives and children. A part of the American press is in favor of union under Jefferson Davis, seeing tf'at the Federal Government, under Lincoln, is literally falling to pieces. The war committees, heid at New York, approve of raising 100,000 men under Fremont, and carrying on with or without the Government. There is thus, therefore, civil war in the Narth itself. Lincoln's Government abandoned the plan of conscription proposed. The army is to be augmented by calliugin regiments of negroes to its aid. Jefferson Davis denounces the appeal to the slaves, and a bill has been brought in, enacting that armies incongruously composed'of whites and blacks shall not be entitled to the privileges of war. The general opinion of England is, that before many mouths, the Southern States will be formally recognised by all the principal powers jin Europe. At a monster war meeting at New York, a resolution was passed, declaring that any interference on the part of foreign powers, would be regarded as a declaration of war. A proposal from the Southern States to make separate peace with the North-Western, on the basis of the free navigation of the Misissippi, causes much anxiety to the Federalists.

The following is a summary of movements during the month :—M'Clellan, not being able to hold his position in Yorktown, Peninsula, retreated, Washington being in peril; Stonewall Jackson having? crossed the Kapahannoek, out-flanking" General Pope, and marching to attack the capital. Pope not being able to hold his ground, crossed the Rapaliaunock, and took ground on the North bank of the river. M'Clellan landed at Acquia Creek, hoping to effect a junction with Pope. The Federal army then took ground between Warrentown and Manasses, having opened communication with Washington while the Confederates were drawing up, under General Lee, between Warrentown and the Itappahanctk. The battle commenced on the 29th. of August. The result of the first day's fighting was to turn the front of both armies, the Federals claiming the advantage, but on the second day the. contest was most sanguinary. Towards evening General Lee brought up all his reinforcements., and opened a terrific tire. The federal troops could not withstand the shock, but wavered and broke. Before night their army was in full retreat, and closely pursued by the Confederates. ; The whole army of Virginia was finally driven behind the earthworks of Washington, and the Confederates crossed the Potomac into Maryland, took possession of Fredericksburg, and appointed»a provisional government of the fctate. Pope and M'Donnell have been .disgraced for their conduct in the late battles.