LATEST NEWS FROM AMERICA.

Evening Post, Issue 52, 8 April 1865, Page 3

LATEST NEWS FROM AMERICA.

The Ellen Southard, from San Francisco, brings later news than that already published. The following is a resume of the latest intelligence, from the Californian papers: — It must be remembered that in the first expedition against Fort Fisher which the Federals had been so long orgtnising, turned out a complete failure, an 4 Butler immediately decided, contrary to the opinion of Admiral Porter, that the fort was impregnable, except for protracted siege operations. From an official report, dated Fort Fisher, January 16th, two a.m., we extract the following: — After a careful reconnaissance on the 14th it was decided to risk an assault on Fort Fisher. Paine's division, with Colonel Abbot's brigade, was to hold the Federal line already strung across the Peninsula, and facing Wilmington against Hoke; whilst Ames' division should assault on the West end. After three hours heavy naval firing, the assault was made at three p.m. on the afternoon of the 13th. Curtis's brigade led ; as soon as it was on the west end land .front it was followed by Pennipacker's and Bell's brigade ; and, after desperate fighting, gaining foot by foot, and severe loss, the Federals got possession of half the land front. Abbot's brigade was then taken from their line, facing Wilmington, and put into Fort Fisher; the rest fell into the Federals hands with little trouble. The garrison fell back to the extreme of the Peninsula, where the Federals followed and captured them. General Curtis was slightly, and Colonels Pennipacker and Bell, dangeronsly wounded. The plan of the naval attack was as follows . — On the morning of the 13th, the fleet took its station in three lines of battle, close to the beach. Admiral Porter sent boats to take off the troops, and they were landed with about twelve days' rations, at about two p.m. The new Ironsides were sent in leading four Monitors. At 12.30 a.m. the forts opened fire on them ; and, they taking up a position within a thousand yards of Fort Fisher opened their batteries. A spirited fire was carried on, but it soon became apparent

that the vessels had the advantage — the guns ofths fort were silenced one after another. The rest of the fleet anchored off some distance from the port; and the ironsides and Monitors maintained their position during the night, firing occasionally. The magazine in the fort exploded by accident, killing and wounding 300 men of the Federal force. The peace rumours have ended in smoke. Street gossips in Richmond say that Seddonhas been removed, and Breckinridge made Secretary of "War. When the news of the fall of Fort Fisher reached Richmond the greatest consternation prevailed.