LATER AMERICAN NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 12 April 1865, Page 2

LATER AMERICAN NEWS.

Bi'ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. (From the Australasians Own Correspondent.) Sydney, Saturday. The Ellen Southard brings Californian papers to the 22nd of January. They contain war news to the 2lst. The news is strongly in favor of the Federals, whose successes continue. Richmond papers speak most despondingly. Some denounce Jeff. Davis, and suggest the appoint ment of Lee as Dictator. Davis is at logger heads with the Southern Congress. The latter strongly favor peace negotiations with the Federals This Davis denounces as beyond their power. Senator Foote was arrested for attempting to go North, but Congress ordered his release. Seddon, lately the Confederate Secretary of War, lias been removed from office. Brackunridge succeeds him. The second Federal expedition captured Fort. Fisher and a large number, of prisoners. The Confederates, finding this rendered a portion of the defence of Wilmington worthless, blow up Fort Carswell and other important works: and latest advices report that Wilmington itself was abandoned as untenable. The arming of the slaves is reported to have been commenced. Five black regiments arc reported on duty ii\ Richmond. Alabama and (Georgia are reported as anxious to be restored to the Union,. - - Sherman captured an important position at Ponteaglio Rridge, on the Charleston and Savannah Railway, driving the Confederates before him towards Charleston, which apparently is his destination. Its garrison was largely reinforced to make a desperate resistance. General Grainger continues to march towards. Mobile, unopposed. Frank .Blair has left Washington on a second mission to Richmond. Grant’s position remained unchanged. < The Dutch Gap Canal was likely to be mads available. The inquiry respecting Butler’s conduct is likely to bring out important disclosures. The committee of inquiry had summoned Grant and other high officials to give evidence’. . ’ • “Great"reinforcements have been sent, under Meagher and Schofield, to reinforce Savannah. • The monitor Patapsco has bees destroyed by fqrpedo, oft’Charleston harbor. \ . Hood's army was retreating towards Alabama,