AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 5 August 1864, Page 3

AMERICA.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE, MOST IMPORTANT. New York, May 14. The Federal army, under General Grant, in Virginia, numbering 100,000 men, gave battle to the Confederates under Lee, also numbering about 100,000, commencing on the stb May. The carnage is described as truly awful. For upwards of a week both armies were engaged in a daily band to hand conflict, with varied success. After the battles of the stb and 6th, Lee retreated in good order. On the 10th and 12th most sanguinary engagements again took place. All the reserves of both sides were brought up, and the battle rnged for two days with great fury. Scarcely any artillery were employed. General Hancock succeeded in turning Lee's right: but the desperate attacks on his left and centre were only repulsed with great slaughter. On the 13th General Lee withdrew across the river Po, in good order, to a stronger position. The Federals admit a loss of 40,000 men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. The result of the week’s slaughter may be thus summarised ,—The Confederates lost some ground. The Federal army is nearer to Richmond by twenty miles than before. But even if Grant succeeded in taking Richmond, the subjugation of the South would be as far off as ever. The Confederate’s loss during the week’s battle is estimated in all at 37,000 men. The Federal generals Sedgwick and Warren were killed. General Longstreet was badly wounded. There is every probability of war continuing with unabated vigour. The Governor of Kentucky has issued a

call for 10,000 troops, to assist in finishing the war and saving Government. Reinforcements were being hurried forward from Washington to General Grant. Reports from Cincinnati state that General Sherman captured Dalton, with 5,000 prisoners and ten gnns. The Federal cavalry destroyed a portion of the railroad in Lee’s rear. Sigel destroyed Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Gordousville road. Butler was advancing against Drury’s Bluff, previous to a movement of the Potomac army on the 3rd. Several regiments refused to do duty, alleging that their term of service had expired. General Meade issued an order declaring this open mutiny, punishable with death. The troops returned to duty. Six large steamers, with supplies and reinforcements from General Banks, have been captured below Alexandria. The capture of Admiral Porter’s fleet of gunboats was considered inevitable. Major-General M’Dowell is appointed to the command of the military department of the Pacific, in the event of a rupture with France on the Mexican question. The House of Representatives has passed a bill giving soldiers and sailors, both white and colored, homesteads from confiscated Government estates. General Canby has superseded General Banks. The latter is blamed for the failure of the Red River expedition. The Federal General Forrest captured Decatur, killing the whole garrison. He then retreated to Mississippi. The Federals have entirely destroyed the town of Washington, causing great distress. Freight of flour from New York to Liverpool, Id. per barrel. Wheat brought without charge as ballast. Money easy. Gold, 72f. CONTINENTAL NEWS. Denmark has totally succumbed. Duppel has fallen, Alsen has practically gone. Fredricia is abandoned, and Jutland is occupied by-the allied armies. Notwithstanding these serious reverses, deputations wait on the King, requesting him not to prolong the armistice, and in any conclusion of peace, to uphold the rights of Denmark. Public opinion has lately taken a more warlike tone, and it is asserted that the Danish Government will recall its plenipotentiaries from the Conference, should the German powersgiiot modify their demands. The Minister’s of War, Justice, and the Interior, have resigned, on account of suspension of the blockade being agreed to. A desperate naval engagement, between the Danish and Austrian fleet, took place on the 9th May, 6 miles east of Heligoland. The Danes were victorious. H.M.S. Aurora was there. When the news was received in the English House of Commons, members broke forth into tumultuous and long-continu-ed exultant cheering. For some time the Speaker could not restore order. Despatches from Copenhagen state that the Prussians have violated the armstice by imposing and exacting contributions in Jutland. At the London Conference peace policy prevails, and it is almost certain that the Conference will agree on the basis of an appeal to population, with a view to detach Holstein and Southern Schleswig from Denmark; Daunewerke taken as the frontier line. The loss of the Danes during the campaign is estimated at 17,000 men and 467 pieces cannon. WOOL REPORT. May 25. Sales commenced sth May. Large attendance of buyers, both home and foreign, and a spirited competition. Up to date more than half the quantity catalogued has passed the hammer. Comparing prices with March sales, prices of the choicest Port Philip have advanced to 2d., and Id. to for average to fine. Advance on Sydney, Cape, and other descriptions of wool, about Id. Port Philip, fine combing, fetched 2s. 7d. 2s. lid., and noted Sydney brands brought 2s. lid. to 3s. Bd. Steady prices expected to rule throughout the year. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. VIA SUEZ. Juno 4, H’3s a.m. The Penal Servitude Bill has passed the second reading in the House of Lords. Members of the Government characterized the Australian grievances as only imaginary. Mr. Cohden’s motion in the House of Commons, in support of non-intervention in China,

after a lengthened debate, in which the Ministerial policy was attacked and defended, was withdrawn. Mr. Gladstone has qualified his very liberal suffrage speech. At the conference on the 28th, a prolongation of the armistice was proposed, and a treaty on the basis of 1852, but was opposed by England. A proposal of compromise was submitted to incorporate North Schleswig with Denmark and South Schleswig with Holstein as a German Duchy, Prussia encourages the Duke of Augustenburg’s pretensions, and Denmark resists the proposal. In America, Grant unsuccesfully attacked Lee, at Spottisylvania, on the 18th. Lee subsequently attacked Grant, but without any decisive result. Beauregard assaulted Butler’s reinforcements. Siegel was defeated at Newmarket. General Banks is in imminent’peril. The Federals havelabandoned Baton Rouge. Gold, 83. The Chincba Islands have been seized by Peru. Present contracts are respected. The Pope’s health is re-established. Consols, 90L Per Greville & Bird, (Reuter’s agents.) REUTER’S DESPATCH, American ship James Watt, Capt. Finchell, destination Callao, was at King George’s Sound, having been been boarded on the passage out by the Confederate war steamer Georgia. Released on giving bond for vessel ; cargoes belonging to English owners. REUTER’S LATEST TELEGRAMS. London, 2nd June. New York, 21st May. Further indecisive fighting. Grant reinforced ; battle imminent. Atalanta draft commences July. England and France abandoned London Treaty. Proposed union of Holstein and South Schleswig, INDIAN & CHINESE SUMMARY. Galle, Juno 22. Xlong Koxo, May 30. Imperial troops of China have been universally successful. Chanze Bow Foo has been retaken by Gordon. Nankin alone holds out. Arrangements making to take it. Gordon retires. An expedition to reopen Straits. ShunanAsaki has sailed. London, May 26. The Prince made his debut in public life as chairman at the dinner of the Literary Fund. Prince Alfred is making a tour on the Continent. At Berlin he received the order of the Black Eagle from the King of Prussia, which portions of the English Press style a doubtful honor. The Prince will visit other continental parts, and then join the Racoon at Marseilles. The marriage of the Count de Paris to his cousin, the infanta Isabella, eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess de Moutpensier, takes place at Kingston on the 31st. The Orleans family, all assembled at Claremont, will be present at the event. The bishopric of Peterborough has been conferred on Dr. Jeune, Dean of Lincoln. The conference of European representatives on the Danish question has held several meetings during the month. On the 12th an armistice was agreed to for a month, till the 12th June ; each belligerent retaining position on land and sea. The Danes were raising the blockade. At next sitting Prussia and Austria it is said, have declared in consequence of the events of the war, that they consider themselves released from treaty engagements of 1860 and 1862. The question of prolongation of the armistice, it is said, is under consideration ; and it is rumored that there are prospects of a speedy conclusion of peace. The Marquis of Aylesbury and Duke of Sutherland are nominated to the vacant garters. The steam rams, built at Birkenhead, by Messrs. Laird, have been sold to Government for £225,000. A well-contested naval engagement took place between an Austrian and Prussian squadron, consisting of Austrian frigates and three Prussian gunboats, and the Danish force of two frigates and one corvette, off Helligoland. The Austrian frigate Schwarzenberg was thoroughly disabled, set on fire, and lost foremast and bowsprit. All the boats had their hulls riddled with shot. The loss in the Schwarzenberg alone was over 170 killed and wounded. The Danes lost

14 killed and 54 wounded. Austrian only escaped capture by taking refuge in the neutral waters of Helligoland. An insurrection has broken out at Tunis, among the native tribes who refuse to pay taxes. The Bey conceded a reductiou. The insurgents insist on the Ministers being brought to trial as a guarantee against future exaction. Italian, French, and English squadrons have been ordered to protect the foreign residents. In French Algeria there has been a conflict with the Arabs. A Colonel and 250 men were cut off on the 24th ult., and all killed. The French Gonerals, it is reported, have since gained considerable success over the rebels.