THE "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 28th JULY. THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1900, 28 July 1863, Page 2

THE "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 28th JULY. THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The main interest of the intelligence brought by the present mail centres in America. As we anticipated it gives a complete contradiction to the Californian telegrams that reached us but a few days ago. Two great battles have been fought, and again, now for the fifth time an attempted invasion of Virginia by the Federals, has proved abortive. The Federal General, Hooker, crossed theßappabannockon the 29th of April, with the intention to attack General Lee in Fredericksburg. His plan was to assail the Confederates with one wing and prevent their escape with the other ; and so confident was he of success that he boasted ■ that the engagement would almost annihilate the Southern armies. But a sudden and fearful reverse was impending. Suddenly by a swift and secret march, General Stouewall Jackson wilh 40,000 Confederate troops fell upon biro, and a fearful conflict ending in the disastrous defeat of the Federals ensued. The first battle was fought on the 2nd of May; the strife was renewed on the 3rd, and in both engagements, the slaughter of the Federals was tremendous. Later advices confirmed tbe news and showed their rout to have been complete. The events were crowded into but a short space — from the 291h of April to the sth of May, on the former date the great army of the Potomac went forth to achieve its work, on the latter it recrossed the Rappahannock, beaten at all points with enormous loss, and retreated (o its former lines. The full details brought to England up to 14th May, do not add much to this, nor does General Hooker's Munchausen like despatch change a defeat into a victory. But the telegrams from England of 2nd June are ominous. Another battle is alleged to have been fought between Grant and Pemberton, vhen victory declared for neither side. Hooker is said to have been withdrawing his forces, and tbe Confederates to have invaded Kentucky. Till the details arrive by next mail nothing can be founded on these latter statements, but the whole character of the intelligence shows the Confederates to be still successful. Their last great coup was dearly purchased wilh the life of Stonewall Jackson, who fell accidentally by ihe bullets of his own men. Tbey could better have spared a brigade or a divison, than this intrepid soldier. In Poland the Revolution has acquired its utmost strength. That oppressed nation has risen as one man, and the very desperation of its efforts, ensures their success. The insurgents have formed a national Government, and a general lising was to take place, on the Ist of June, Diplomacy had exhausted its efforts in remonstrances from all the European powers, addressed to Russia, and a reply had been received from the Cabinet of St Petersburg. Some vague promises were made of ameliorating the condition, and introducing improvements into the scheme of Government for Polai d, but tbe attitude of Russia towards the insurgents tells a different tale ; it speaks a determination to put down the insurrection by fire and sword, and to do so even at tbe hazard of a European war. Thsother Continental events, are the continued squabble about the Greek throne, the never ending crisis between the Pussian Cabinet and the Prussian Assembly — and lastly, the capture of Puebla by the French from the Mexicans. Of puiely English news there is but little to comment on, except the new scheme of the Government fot the relief of Lancashire Distress, The operatives are to be employed in municipal works, and the reclamation of waste lands ; and the plan which, when in full work, will employ 70,000 laborers, is to be carried out through the machinery of the Board of Health. But perhaps the most important item of news to the colonists is the assurance that General Cameron is to be continued in the command. In the present crisis nothing could be more gratifying.