AMERICA

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1746, 29 July 1862, Page 3

AMERICA

From the European Times, May 26, Evening. The federal commander, Farragut, formally demanded of the Mayor of New Orleans the unqualified surrender of the city on the 26th ; and likewise demanded that the Federal flap be hoisted on the public -buildings, and all Confederate flags be removed. He requested the Mayor to use his authority to quell disturbances, and concluded by saying : — " I shall severely punish any persons committing such outrages as were witnessed yesterday, by armed men firing upon helpless women and children for giving expression to the pleasure of witnessing tbe old flag. " — The Mayor replied :—" For the sake of the women and children General Lovell evacuated the city, leaving the administration of atfairs to the civil authorities. To surrender an undefended city would be unmeaning ceremony. The city is yours by brutal force, not by choice or consent of the inhabitants. Tt is for you to determine the fate that awaits us here. There is no man in our midst whose hand or heart would not be paralysed at hoisting a flag not of our own adoption. You may trust to the honour of the inhabitants from the Government of their choice to one which they have deliberately repudiated. They only yield the obedience which the conqueror is entitled to extort from the conquered. " * Latest despatches from New Orleans report the surrender of the city by the mayor. A battalion of Federal marines from the squadron occupied the city. General Butler's /orces lauded on Lake Puntchartrain, and were within a few miles of the city. General Lovell, with his whole army, retired by railway to Fort Moore, 78 miles on the road to Memphis, to effect a junction with General Beauregard, who is said to have evacuated Corinth. A great battle is imminent at Grand Juuction, near Memphis, between Generals Halleck and Beauregard, both of whom have been largely reinforced. Fort Macon surrendered on the 25th ult. to General Burnside. The garrison retired with the honours of war. The Federal less was 7 killed and 18 wounded. The Confederate loss is notstated.

The Washington correspondent of the Netv York Herald affirms that consultations have taken place at Washington between the Fede-

ral Cabinet and the foreign diplomatic corps. The consultation referred to the French Minister's visit to Richmond, und the question of an armistice was discussed. It was believed the French Minister, since the occupation of New Orleans, concluded the time had arrived when, " under the instructions of the Emperor," he might step forward as mediator. Also, that in consideration of the mouopoly of commercial advantages and aid of some kind from the Southern States in rcganl to Mexico, the Emperor Napoleon hud agreed to use bis influence with the Federal government to end the war on terms securing to the Southern States independent nationality ; that if tbe Federal government did not accept his mediation the Emperor Napoleon would himself acknowledge tbe Southern Confederacy,

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says:—" It is rumoured in Washington that all the mem'ieis of Congress from the border Slave States, and many Conservative sympathisers from other States, were considering the propriety of withdrawing in a body from Congress, thus precipitating the decision by the people of the whole country on the Radical measures of confiscation and emancipation."

The House of Representatives has passed stringent regulations empowering the Secretary of the Treasury to prevent the shipment of goods to Foriegn ports, from whence they are reshipped to Southern ports. The committee of ways and means have reported appropriations amounting to 226,000,000 dols. for the support of the army during the year ending June, 1863.

Congress has passed a vote of censure on ex- Secretary Cameron, of the wav department, for adopting with regard to army contracts a policy highly injurious to the public. A similar vote with regard to the conduct of Secretary Welles, of the navy, has heen negatived. New York, May 6, Morniug.

President Jefferson Davies and the other Confederate leaders are reported to have arrived at Yorktown on the 20th, and, after consultation with the leading Generals, all acquiesced that Yorktowo would prove untenable, and should be evacuated. The Confederate General Magruder alone was of opinion that evacuation was not advisable. Confederate General Jobnstone issued the order for evacuation. The first evacuation commenced on the 2nd, and was com pleted on the night of the 3rd. The Confederates left a large amount of guns and camp equipage, which they cmld not remove for fear of being seen. As soon as the evacuation was known M'Clellan's army was put in motion to pursue the Confederates. The ' Federals came up with the rear of the Confederates on the 4th inst., two miles from. Williainsbuvg. The Confederates rear was found to be strong, and for want of Federal infantry, and night coming on, pursuit was postponed till the morning of the sth.

M'Clellan officially reports from the bivouac in front of Williamsburg on the sth : — I find Gen. Johns tone in front of me in stroug foice, probably much greater than my own. General Hancock has taken two redoubts, brilliantly repulsing the rebels. I do not know our exact loss, but fear General Hooker l>as lost considerably on our left. I learn from the prisoners that the rebels intend disputing every step to Richmond, asd I shall run the risk of at least holding them in check while 1 resume my original plan My entire fores is undoubtedly considerably inferior to that of the rebels, but 1 will do all I can with the force at my command.

A Yorktown despatch of the oth says, the first iudicuiion of the Confederates' rear guard being reinforced, was the fact of their pressing the Federal Hues in front of Williamsburg early on the morning of the oth. The Confederates then opened on the Federal left, composed of Hooker's and Heutzelman's divisions. Firing was very heavy for about two hours with considerable lo:s on both sires, the Confederates being repulsed ; at the same time, Federal Gen. Hancock had been ordered to the right to endeavour to turn the left wing of the Confederates. General Hancock, who was met by Confederate Gen. Earlj's brigade, is reported to have achieved on this occasion a brilliant victory, having thoroughly repulsed General Earley's brigade. The Federal loss was 17 killed. The Confederates lost 80 killed and 200 prisoners, including a colonel and lieut -colonel killed. M'Olellau arrived ou the field in *the evening and assumed command in person. The rain is heavy and the troops are reported to be suffering much from exposure.

Federal gunboats have reached West Point, 30 miles above Yorktowu. It is proposed to land Federal Geneial Franklin's division of 20,000 men at West Point if the gunboats report favourably.

New York, 7th, Morning. — McLe.llan thus officially reports from the head-quarters of the Potomac army, Williarusburg, 6th :— I have to report the Federal occupation of Williamsburg as the result of the battle of yesterday. General Hancock's engagement resulted in turning the left wing of the Confederate line of works. General, Hancock was strongly reinforced and the rebels abandoned their position dining the night. We have 1000 prisoners and 10H0 wounded prisoners. The rebel works are very extensive and exceedingly strong in position. The Federal loss in Hooker's division is large, but not large in any other part. Hancock only lost 20 men. The weather is fine. Our great difficulty is in getting up food on account of the roads. The despatch terminates thus: — We have other battles to fight before we reach Richmond. There is an unconfirmed rumour current that General Beauregard has evacuated Corinth.

New Yobk, May 9, Evening. Federal accounts from New Orleans state that the bombardments of the forts below New Orleans lasted six days without intermission. Twenty-one Federal mortar boats and three gun boats were iD action until the 25th. They silenced the fortifications, and secured the passage up the river of 14 Federal steamers. General Butler landed 4000 troops above the forts. Eleven Confederate gun bouts were destroyed. Federal officer Baily officially reports the capture of New Orleans, and Forts Jackson, Philip, Livingstone, and Pike: also the total destruction of the Confederate gun boats, steam-rains, iron-clad floating batteries, fire-rafts, obstructions, aud chains. The Coufederates with their own hands destroyed cotton and shipping to the amount of from 8 to 10 million dollars. The Federals lost 30 killed and 100 wounded j the- Confederates lost 1500 men. The way is clear aud all the rebel defences are destroyed from the Gulf to Baton Rouge, and probably to Memphis. A Louisville despatch reports that along the Mississippi, Irom New Orleans to Memphis, there is a general bonfiie of property, particularly cotton. At Memphis sugar and molasses, in large quantities, were on the bluff, ready to be rolled into the river, and all cotton was to be burnt; and at the approach of the Federal fleet the people of the river towns retreated inland, destroying property all along the southern tributaries of the Mississippi, Among great numbers, only one planter was found who objected to burn his cotton.

I A Yorktown despatch, dated the 7th, states that after the Confederate evacuation of Williarasburg, M'Clellan's forces pursued the Confederate forses as far as Chickahorainy river, across which the Confederates were retreating, destroying- all the bridges. M'Clellan's forces rested on the left hank of the Chickahominy river. 20,000 Federal troops under General Franklin have been landed at West Point. 20 miles above Wi'.liamsburg, at the head of York river. Another division of the Federal army, has left for West Point. Unless the Confederates, after crossing- the Chickahominy, were able to'|reach Richmond by way of James River it is supposed the Federal forces which were lauded at West Point will be able to cut off entirely the retreat of the Confederates to Richmond. The Federal iron clad steamer Golena, with two gunboats, started up James river to cut off the river communicatiou of the Confederate army on the Chickahorainy. The Monitor and several Federal gunboats had left Fort Monro for Sewall's Point, which the Confederates have evacuated. It is rumoured that the Confederates have also evacuated Norfolk. Mr. Auam's has made a claim on the British Government for the restoration of the JEmilie St Pierre. The Democratic party are agaiu making a i move to reconstitute their influence. The House of Representatives has passed a bill i making Hilton, South Carolina, a port of eutry. New York, May 10, Evening, The reconnoisance of the Federal iron-clad boats to Sewall's Point had established the fact that very few guns and men remained there. The Merrimac and Monitor approached each other several times, but no battle ensued. The Federal steamers returned to Fort Monro. Norfolk was not evacuated. An engagement had occurred at West Point, between Franklin's Ist division and the Confederates under Lee. The Confederates were shelled by the Federal gunboats, and retreated. General M'Clellan officially reports from Williamsburg on the 9th inst. :-— '• I have effected a junction with Franklin's forces. The troops are in excellent condition." The Federal ironclad steamer Galena, was aground in James River, a little above Yorktown, it was supposed not badly. The main body of Confederates have retreated across James River, The Confederates at Williamsburg appeared to be vary short of provisions. Many soldiers captured from the Confederates, had not tasted anything but biscuits for 48 hours, and were in a state of exhaustion. Nothing decisive reported from Halleck's or Beauregard's army. The Federals are fast approaching Charleston and Savannah. 11,000 bales of cotton were burnt at New Orleans. Forts Jackson and St Philip captured, conditionally that officers should retain their side arms, and the garrisou be permitted to retire on parole. Yesterday the House of Representatives at Washington addressed an unanimous vote of thanks to General M'Clellan and the army of the Potomac. Pcstal communication between New York and New Orleans is re-established. A Federal flotilla is advancing towards Natchez and Memphis. Veia Cruz advices to tbe 24th have been received. The French advanced from Cordova, occupied Orizaba, and were advancing. They attacked and captured a small fort, taking 25 prisoners. The following is given by theFiencb as for the cause of not fulfilling the original agreement of Soledad -.—lst. The declaration of war by Juarez. 2nd. The assassination of several French soldiers. 3rd. The annoyance caused by Juarez. 4th. Tbe entire interception of all kinds of food. Almoutez has issued a proclamation which is regarded as an approval of foreign intervention in Mexico. Large numbers of the inhabitants are reported to be de daring in favour of Almoutez's views. The Spanish troops are embarking in British steamers. It was reported General Prim would not leave until the Spanish troops were embarked.