AMERICA.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 50, 1 May 1863, Page 2

AMERICA.

The real interest of the eonflbt is , fined to two points — Vicksbnrg i Charleston, The principal force of 'Federals, known as the Potomac, 1 since its defeat at Frederieksburg, I little better than a disorganised mass. , General Hooker, who has r^ceirtlyb appointed to the chief command in room of General BornsideJ is acth exerting hinjself to restore discipline confidence; and he succeeds; at feast, keeping Genera! Lee in check. Meanwhile it is certain that tbe'Fedi Government is exerting its utmost stren in a desperate effort to open up the 1 sissippi by the capture of Vieksburg. the chances of the enterprise itself we t bat little. It is probable that the si operations will involve a great battle. Amongst the recent incidents of war, one of the most .noticeable has bet momentary raising of the blockade Charleston by a Confederate squadi Two iron-dads and three steamers salt out on 31st January, sunk the Mercedi of eleven guns, and another vessel, bui four Federal vessels, and drove off a fifti The English steam-propeller Princ Royal, while trvinar to enter Charles Harbor on ihe 23th of Janua *y, was cha ashore and captured by ihe blockades hong Island, about fifteen miles fi Charleston Bar. On .ihe 27th the Eric3on, Monitor,! Montauk attacked Fort M'Allister, at mouth of the Ogeechee River, but Montauk was compelled to haul off uw^ to some injury to her turret, though i solid shot fired by the rebels were btJl to pieces against her armor. The H mse of Representatives ha 9 pasj the bill to arm negroes by a vote of to 54. On the 30th ult., the Federals unj General Peck were attacked* by the Gj federate General Prior neat the Blad water River, Virginia. The Confedera! were repulsed after a sharp eticounti The 167 th Pennsylvania Regiment, en poaed of draughted men, refused to fi<> and lay down tit the ground during I entire engagement. The Now Orleans correspondent of t Philadelphia Enquirer mentions as rumour ihat the negroes recently sent garrison the forts had come into collis with the white soldiers, and that a gene revolt had mken place. Confederate Commander Watkins, co manding the naval expedition from G vesion, otUoinlly reports on the 21st v from Sabine Pass, Texas, that he has < gaged and defeated the enemy in the (J •captured a Federal ship and schooner of guns and 100 prisoners, and brou| evesything to Sabine Pass, On tbe morning of the 29th ult, Colo Connor had a desperate battle with t Indians on Bear River, Washington lei tory 142 miles to the northward, killed 224, and many are supposed to drowned.