AMERICA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1835, 26 February 1863, Page 3

AMERICA.

GREAT BATTLE, AND DEFEAT OF THE

FEDERALS. 20,000 KILLED.

The Federal army, commauded by General Burnside, after a brief show of resistance at Fredericksburg from the Confederates, under General Lee, crossed the Rappahannock just below Fredericksburg, in three divisions, and on the 13th December attacked the Confederate position. The Confederates were strongly entrenched behind almost impregnable fortifications, situated on a low range of hills. After a fierce and sanguinary battle, lasting from sunrise to sunset, tbe Federals were repulsed on every position, with a loss of ..20,000 men, including two generals killed, aud five severely wounded. The loss o[ the Confederates is reported to be light in comparison. On the 15th December, under cover of night and a . flense fog, the Federal army retreated, and recrossed the Rappahannock to Fredericksburg. The Confederates sent a notification to the Federals to remove then wounded, as they,intended shelling the town.

The ' New York Herald' gives the following account of the attack: — " After a furious cannonade on both sides, the Federal troops were ordered to charge, and take the fortifications at the point of the bayonet An exppsed plain of a third of a mile had to be crossed. The moment the heads of the storming party appeared on the plain forth burst the deadly hail from the rifle pits; from the batteries, tier above tier, on the terraces shot flame? from the enfilading 1 cannon, distributed on the arc of a circle two miles in extenf, accompauyiijg cross showers of shot and shell. Across the plain they staggered, being literally mowed down. For fifteen ruiDutes they remained under the awful fire. Onward still they pressed until they reached the base of the hill, when brigade after brigade of Confederates rose on tbe crest and poured in fresh volleys of musketry at short range, The Federals had then to retreat, shattered and broken, amid shouts and yells from the enemy. The Confederate cavalry made several incursions into Maryland, destroying and capturing large quantities of stores. The Northern press attribute the defeat of the Federals to bad arrangements., and call for the removal of General Halleck aud Mr Staunton. :

M'Clellan lias been scut for to Washington. It is supposed that he will be ofle.ied the command mice more.

For the next few months it is believed the war will cease, owing to the inclemency of the ' winter, which is already very severe. The Federal Government under the influence of Mr Seward, is trying its utmost to force on a war with F^gland. Mr Clay, the Minister at St. Petersburg, writes, in his official capacity, urging an attack on Canada, and inducements and means to be offered for a rising in Ireland. Congress assembled oh the Ist of December. The President's message was moderate in tone towards the South, but firm for the maintenance of the Union. The House endorsed the President's , emancipation proclamation by seventy-eight to fifty-one. All political prisoners are to be released consequent on the Demcora- I tic triumphs at llie .recent elections. Jeffers'ou Davis, has demanded the surrender, of General McNeil^who caused ten Confederate prisoners to be shot, to avenge the supposed, death of a person named AUsmaii, who is now proved to be alive. Should McNeil! not be surrenderedi the first ten Federal officers captured ard'to be ; shot. y •■■• *••:.■?■*•: ..V-'^i.- .'-'

America has got into difficulties", through Gcucval Butler of New Orleaus notoriety, with the Governments of France, Spain, and Belgium. . .'..., The Alabama has destroyed many more Federal merchant ships. Mr Seward has directed Mr Adams, the American Minister in London, to demand compensation from the British Government for all ships destroyed or captured by the Alabama. I The total strength of the Federal armies in 1 the field is 800,000 men. - - The Finance Secretary, Mr. Chase, estimates, the national debt of the Federal Government at 1,100,000,000 dollars.. Gold is at thirty-three per cent, premium.