THE CIVIL WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 764, 30 May 1864, Page 5

THE CIVIL WAR

A M E RIC 4

The following are the particulars containei in the Californian papers to the 24ih March, received via Sydney. The more striking items have already bees noticed in our i«sue of Saturday :—

Chicago, 24th March

Tha third resolution adopted by the Democratic State Convention at Columbus is as follows :—'' That we are opposed to the prosecution of the war for the subjugation of the States, or for the purpose of divesting them of their sovereignty, or infringing or impairing their rkhts ; and being satisfied that its continued prosecution for such objects will, in the end, prove the utter destruction of our civil liberty, we therefore demand an immediate inauguration of peaceable means to attain a favourable settlement and restoration of the union under the Constitution."

New York, 24th March

Special despatches say that, the House Naval Committee are preparing a Bill for building four ocean iron-clad cruissrs, the cost of which will be 5,0ii0,000 dollars or 7,000,000 dollars each. The Ways and Meaus Committee struck out the appropriation for them,' on the ground that it would take two years to complete them, and further that the |naval service does not require this class of vessels. A majority of the Naval Committee are said to be opposed to the Bill, but will allow it ti be reported to the House for action.

Cairo, 24th March

Advices from below are to the effect that the fleet reached Atehafalaya on tha 14th, where GUneral Smith's force disembarked to operate against Fort Derussy, where Dick Taylor was encamped wth 11,000 men. So soon as Taylor heard of Smith's landing he marched to his rear to attack him. Skirmishing commenced on Smith's left flank before he was aware of the axaet whereabouts of the enemy. Discovering Taylor's design, General Smith's army, instead of attempting to keep open its communication with the river, proceeded by forced marches towards the Fort, reaching it three hours before Taylor came up. A charge on the works was immediately made, and considerable fighting occurred, in which the Federal loss was about 40 killed and wounded. The fort was taken with 213 prisoners and 11 guns. The fleet in the meantime steamed up the Red River, ani at the latest dates wis at Alexandria

Boston, 23rd March.. The great monitor Monadoo was lannched today

New York, 23rd March,

A Portress Monroe letter reports that an expedition under General Graham has gone to dear out a nest of guerillas in iVlatthes and Gloucester counties. So'far as heard from, the expedition had met with the greatest success. The " World's" special despatch ?ays : -Preparations for the projected expeditions of Generals Burnside and Hancock have been directed to cease by General Grant, and both commands will be placed in position to actively co-operate with the army of the Potomac. Hancock has already returned to his command.

Cairo, 23rd March,

The Memphis " Bulletin" says:—Tlie fight on ihe 16th, twelve miles east of Fort Pillow, was between sixty Federals and a hundred rebels, resulting in the complete rout of the latter, oaehalf being either killed or wounded. Our loss was only one killed

Knoxtille, 23rd March. There are no hostile demonstrations at the

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New York, S2ad March,

A special ik-p.it.ch to the " World," dated Washington, the 2lst says:—General Grant *ill be here in the morning. On Thursday he reviews the entire army of the Potomac. In the re-ovganis.ition to be effected, it is learned correctly that Hancock, Sedgwick, and Warren will be retained as corps commanders; that General Meade retains his present position, General Grant exercising a superior control of the entire army. It has been ascertained from official sources that the effective army of the United States now in the field exceeds by 200,000 the entire force a year ago. It is stated, by authority, that General Grant will take command of the Army of the Potomac in person.

Chicago, 21st March,

On the subject of the expedition heretofore referred to, the publication of the despatches of the Sfc Louis " Republican" will do no harm. They state that a force of about ten thousand men, and a fleet of gunboats, left Vicksburg on the 10th for a Southern destination. Though there is no positive iaiormition as to the immediate objective point of the expedition, current evidences indicate Shrieveport with some precision.

Baltimore, 20th March.

A company of roving guerillas made a dash into Morgan county, Va,., on Friday, and captured a Union League, which was in session at the time, and two representatives of the first Virginia Legislature. After robbing a large number of citizens, the rebels decamped with the plunder and prisoners. There are but few rebels in the valley. This is the first instance for weeks that they have committed any depredations. Parties from the upper valley report ihat all the furloughed rebel soldiers had been called back to joiu their regiment* in Lee's army.

ft ew York, 20th March,

The " Times" special despatch says that the excitement in regard to the threatened, raid by Stuavt has subsided- A detachment of the enemy crossad the Kappahannock at Fredericksbuvg on Wednesday night. The following day, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry captured twenty of them. On Friday morning anothsr detachment crossed at Morton's Ford, and drove in the 7th Michigan, but were subsequently repulsed and forced across the river, istuart is said to be massing Ms cavalry at Charlottesville, where he lias three brigades, and two at Fredericksbiirg.

St. Louis, 19th March,

Natchez advices of the 12th say that General Tuttle has been assigned to the cjmmand of that post. About 609 of our prisoners are still near Shrieveporfc, Alabama. They comprise the crews of the gunboats captured at Sabine Pass and Porteau, and General Davis's command captured by Morgan. About 100 escaped in the latter part of February, twelve of whom Lave arrived here.

Guerillas have again appeared at Lake Providence, and are committiug shocking barbarities on the negroes and Union people.

Washington, 20th March,

Parties in from the front report that a rebel advance bein; anticipated yesterday, marching orders were issued to Deai'ly all our commands. After all was in readiness to move, the order was countermanded, and thing* settled down in the usual order. Firing was heard in the direction of Dumf/ies this morning. It is thought that some skirmishing was going on there.

New Orleans, 19th March,

Considerable activity prevails in military affurs here, General Banks is on the eve of departure for Western Louisiana. His objective point is Alexandria The fleet of Porter's gunboats has already started for that place. It is expected that rather formidable works of defence will be encountered by the ironclads, between the mouth of Bed River and Alexandria.

Madisonville, on Lake Ponchartrain, opposite New Orleans, has been evacuated. Extensive fortifications, thrown up on the land side, were left intact, but add nothing to the strength of the place for the rebels, as it is easily approached by water. General Grave's whole force has been ordered to concentrate at Baton Rouge.

New York, 19th March.

A Washington special despatch siys :—The steamer Ellen Terry, from Newbera, aas arrived. Two of cur prisoners were frozen to death on the way from Richmond to Americus, Ga,, and thirtyone escaped from the cars. The hanging of fiftyone Union soldiers at Kinston, and the reported hanr ing of several companies of the 2nd North Carolina Regiment (white), have given a start to the enlistment of conseriprs and deserters, who are eager to avenge these atrocities.

The Newbern "Times" urges the sending of 50,000 troops to North Carolina, and says that Newbern is impregnable; but that the time will come when the Federal army shall penetrate the interior, carrying the banner of social and political emancipation.

Cincinnati; I9th March,

A despatch from Columbus says that all the veteran regiments in Ohio belonging to the department of the South have been ordered to the army of the Potomac.

A Chattanooga despatch says the rebels are in large force in front, but make no demonstrations.

Thivty-five Federals escaped from the Columbus (6.C.) prison on Wednesday.

A despatch fro 11 Meridian, Mississippi, says that Sherman had gone down the Mississippi witli troops, evidently destined for the Ked River. Breckinridge takes command of South Western "Virginia.

General Price has issued an order, dated Longwood, Arkansas, the 3rd, resuming command of the rebel Department of Arkansas.

New Yokk, 18 th March,

The " World's" Washington despatch has a report, that Stuart, with 5000 cavalry, had eros ed the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg. Our army is well in hand, ready for raids or a general movement on the part of the enemy. It is thought that the rebel cavalry will make a demonstration towards the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.

A special despatch to the " Tribune," from Washington, says that Stuart has not crossed at Fredericks burg with 5000 men.

A letter from Headquarters, under this morning's date, has the following:—By reason of reports that Stuart is concentrating large bodies of cavalry at Frederieksburg, preparatory to a monster raid, one of the Cavalry Corps has been placed under orders to move at a moment's notice. The wildest rumours are in circulation regarding his movements. Rumour at Warrenton Junction says he bivouacked last night a few miles south of that place; but nothing confirmatory had been received when the mail train passed that place this morning. The enemy is strengthening his pickets along the Rapidan; also, has erected new works, and made more formidable those works opposite the several fords.

Chattaneoga. March 17.

Cheatham's division, composed mostly of Tennesseaans, is reported to have g">ne to Dalton, and been replaced by troops from Polk's command.

During a recent reconnaissance, the rebels, supposing a general attack about to be made on Dalton, sent all their baggage and stores to Kosuca.

6 000 Georgia tvoops, employed on duty at the Elowab. Iron Works, have recently been incorporated with the rebel army. Considerable excitement prevailed throughout Georgia on account of Governor Brown's message. The rebel papers are discussing it with much violence. The rebel papers are loud in their praise of the recent speeches of Governor Vance, in the North Carolina Convention.

"Washington, March. 17.

A New York despatch confirms the report that Stuart is crossing the Rappahannock, and says that Kilpatrick and Morrill are on his track.

New York, March 17.

At Norfolk, Virginia, the General Assembly has issued an audres? to the people of Virginia, stating that submission to the enemy, who haa exhausted every infamy, is not endurable. Even though urging their renewed efforts to victory, the story of Kilpatrick's raid is told well as an incentive to exertions. One more resolute effort and, it says, the day is ours.

Louisville, 17th March,

Guerrillas attacked a freight train from Nashville, near Estelle Springs, on the night of the 15th. After displacing the rail, by which, the train was thrown from the track, they burned the train. The rebels killed three negroes in the train. Two guerrillas were killed. No other loss.

Portland, 17th March. The Dalles "Mountaineer" of the 11th, just received, says that Francis Ely, convicted of de sertiou, was shot, in accordance with sentence, on Friday la«t, at Walla Walla. The paper sajs, what palliated Ely's offence was the fact that he was under the command of a drunken,

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I\:ew loaK, 17th M rch

"Herald' correspondent from the fleet off Mobile has a rumour that Farragut is to withdraw his fleet, being satisfied that the city cannot be taken by water. Thirty or forty rebels, who mutinied in Fort Morgan, have been shot. A New Orleans letter states that Porter's entire fleet of ironclads is at the mouth of Red river. Thirty transports loaded with troops are also there. General Bank's staff would take the field on the 10th, and the army commence immediate operations. The "Herald's" Western Virginia despatch states that there is a rumor that the whole of Ewell's corps is moving into the valley j>i the Shenandoah, probably for subsistence

The " Times'" despatch from Washington of the 16th says, that 500 of our p:isoners died at Richmond in February.

The order relieving General Meade and appointing his successor will be issued ia a few days

Fortress Monroe, 16th March,

A blockade runner, name unknown, escaped from Wilmington on the night of the 12th. The blockaders gave chase, but tailed to overtake her. She threw 420 bales cotton overboard.

Washington, 16th March,

A special to the " Post" says the new call for troops accords with the plans for the military campaign which is laid out by General Grant. It is understood that he asks for large armies, if the country expects him to close the war within the present year. General Gilmore's chief of staff states that the lower part of Charleston is nearly destroyed, and that only the upper part is now occupied by troops. The rebels are state Ito have a large force in North Carolina, distributed along the railroad front Petersburg to New Wilmington. Longstrcet, it is said, will be appointed to the command of Southern Virginia, Kirby Smith to take his place in East Tennessee.

Boston, 18th March,

The British prize steamer Mary Ann, from Washington to Nassau, with a cargo of cotton, has arrived here. She was captured by the gunboat Grand Gulf.

St. Louis, 18th March.

The capture of Jacksonport, Arkansas, by the rebels, i 9 reported. They drove out two companies of the 4th Missouri cavalry, and came near capturing the steamer Dave. It is also reported that Quantrell is preparing to make a raid into Missouri in the spring. Cairo, 18th March.

Several persons were arrested a few days since below Hickman, Ky., for having organised themselves into companies for the avowed purpose of entering the rebel service. A number of rebel sympathisers have recently been actively recruiting in that vicinity for the rebel army. Guerrilla bands are being formed by the citizens in several of the towns and counties of Kentucky, for the purpose ot interrupting the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi Eiver.

The estimated force of the enemy in the recent fight at Yazoo City is 5000, with four pieces of artillery. Two sternwheel sieamboa's were there, but could render no service without endangering our forces. The Bih Louisiana (colored) lost eighty killed, wounded and missing. The Ist Mississippi cavalry lost fifty, and the 10th about twenty five men. Mne out of eighteen officers of the Bth Louisiana were wounde.d