AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 626, 28 November 1863, Page 8

AMERICA.

New York, Sspt 17. Mr Mason sayß he was recalled, owing to the persistent discourtesy of Lord Russell. After an incessant bombardment of Fort Wagner for fifty-two hours by the Federals, the Confederates, on the 6th instant, evacuated Morris Island. The Federals afterwards made a night attack on Fort Sumter, and were repulsed. They then commenced shelling the forts on the north side of the harbor. The combined movements of Roseneranz and Burnside caused the Confederates to abandon the line of the Tennessee.. Chattanooga has been occupied by Ko?encrarjz and Bumside. After occupying Knoxville, they obtainel possession of Cumberland Gap. capturing 2000 Confederates. The Federal cava'-y have occupied Culpepper. General Lee is on t c south side of the Rappiddan. Federal attempt^ to cross the river were repulsed. A Federal expedition of 30,000 men has left New Orleans for Texas, with the view of anticipating any movement the French may make iv that quarter. President Lincoln has suspended the Habeas Corpus Act throughout the United States during the existence of the rebellion. Great indignation is manifested against rhs edict by the democ atic journals. Lee's retreat from the line r.f the Sapahannock to the south side of ihe Rappiddnn is thought to re a ruse to draw Gereral Meade across the Rappiddan, l 4 -by a rap ' d flank mov « m ent to reeross both the Kapiddan and ' appahannock, and get between Meade and Washington, and march directly upon that city. Other st«tements are to the effect that the bulk of Lee's army, with the exception of 40 000 men left for the defence of Bichmord, has been sent to Tennessee to co-operate with Brags and Johnstons against Rosencranz and Bumside. Burnside ten-de-ed his resignation, but it wa not accepte !. Thfi Tim**' correspondent wi ; « . tlr tso far from *»:e bouth being exhausted, neve j were the spirit and temper ct the Southern resistance more keen and exasperated than at present. Greek-fire shells were used to bombard Charleston, but they did not prove successful, being on the percussion principle. The re ported capture of Fort Moultrie and occupation of Ja.mes l sland is false. Beauregard has notified to General Gilmore that he may bombard Charleston as soon as he likes, as all the Federal prisoners taken during the war have been collected and placed in that city. President Davis has determined to call out an army of haJf a miliion slaves, promising them freedom, and fifty acres of land per head, at the end of the war* Peace propositions, made in the Virginia Legislature, were voted down by thirty-eight to one. Confederate rams building in England, and the probability of French recognition of the South, cause much uneasiness to the Federals. Earl Russell's reply to the Emancipation Society is considered unsatisfactory, and the war feeling against £nglaod continues. Unanimity prevails in the .Federal fleet in favor of war with England. COMMERCIAL. •Gold, 122 J. Exchange, 45J. Cotton, 69^. Hugar,