AMERICA.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 52, 8 May 1863, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMERICA.

Our intelligence from -America lately reported a somewhat dashing exploit which had been performed by the Confederates at Charleston. With two iron-clad vessels and three war-steamers they attacked the blockading squadron of the Federals early on the morning of the 31st January. The Federals were said to have been taken completely by surprise. Two of their gunboats were at once destroyed, three or four of their other vessels were set on fire, and the rest were pursued till they were out of sight. The importance of this success, however, was obviously greatly overestimated by the Southerners. On his return to Charles' on the Confederate commodore announced that the fleet of the enemy was no longer visible ; and thereupon General Beauregard immediately issued a formal proclamation declaring that, as the superior force of the Confederates had defeated and dispprsed the blockading squadron, the blockade of CharJpston by the United States was raised from and after that date. Thisproceedin-jj on Beauregard's part was undoubtedly too hasty, although he appears to have been backed up by public opinion and by the authority of the foreign consuls at •Richmond. Later well .authenticated ac- , counts show thafc the importance of tlie engagement and even its temporary success were much exaggerated. The blockade was re-established by the Federals a few hours after it had been " raised." Exciting news is shortly expected from fill parts ofthe theatre of war except Virginia, where the huge armies under General Hooker and General Lee seem to have agreed to do nothing but watch each other. The interest of the Campaign now centres in the Mississippi valley. The Confederates are said to have about 150.000 respectable soldiers at Vicksburg. If this is anything like truth, the Northerners have small chance of immediately effecting their Jong-cherished object of freeing the navigation of Mississippi. It is stated that General Grant has joined the Federal army before Vicksburg, and that the engineering enterprise of cutting a new channel for the Mississippi succeeds admirably; but General Joseph Johnston will probably hold his ground for a considerable time at least. The Federal General Rosecranz still commands a powerful army in the of Murfreesborough, in Tennessee. Longstreet, however, is at hand with the view of effectually preventing him from reinforcing Grant. It is impossible at present to say what assistance General Banks will be able to afford to the besieging force at Vicksburg. Supposing thai the force* brought to bear against the Confederates at Vicksburg proves too strong for them, we do not doubt, that they are . quite pre-] pared to raise the siege and to commence

a new series of operations by threatening Memphis and the lower part of Western Tennessee. i The political news from the North is chiefly important as showing the growing disunion between the Republicans and the Democrats. The Republicans are not unwilling to continue the war even if the total extinction of slavery be necessary:, although it cannot be said, that as a body they have this latter object much at heart ; but it appears certain that the Democrats will not fight with zeal except for the maintenance of the Union on its old basis. Another element of discord is added by the increasing hostility between the Eastern and the Western States. A crisis may be expected ere long, as the recently elected Democratic Congress assembles on the 4th March, and as at least a third of the Federal army closes its term of service about the end of May. It would seem at present that the only thing that could turn the scale in favor of the Northerners would be some immediate and signal success in the conduct o£ the war. — Home News. |