GENERAL SUMMARY.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 37, 1 February 1864, Page 5

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Tlie speech of the Emperor of the French upon the opening of the Chambers has caused a great deal of perplexity as to whether it means peace or war. He proposes to submit the Polish Question to a Congress of the Great Powers. England has declined to join the Conference. The King of Denmai'k is dead. The succession has been claimed by Prince Frederick of Augustenburg. The Dukes of SaxeCoburg, Weimar, and Meningen have declared in his favor, but German nationality runs the other way, and war is imminent. No change has taken place in the affairs of America, and the conclusion of the war seems as far off as ever. General Lee has retreated in the direction of the Rappahannock. Fort Sumter and the City of Charleston are still holding out against tho terrific bombarding of the Federals. General Rosecranz has been disgraced through lying in bed during the battle of Chattanooga. Grant and Thomas are spoken of as his successors. President Lincoln has called for 300,000 volunteers. President Davis lias dismissed all the British consuls from the South. Tlie Polish revolution is gaining ground, and tlic insurgents have gained many victories. Lithuania has declared in favor of the Polish | ! National Government. The proposal for a Congress has been re ceived with enthusiasm in Warsaw. Affairs in Prussia are assuming a serious aspect,, in consequence of the position taken by the King with respect to the Houses of Legislature. One of the two results — an abdication or a revolution, must ensue. Tlie Mexicans have gained several victories over the French army in that country. Marshal Forey has gone on a mission to New York, Archduke Maximilian is said to have accepted tlie throne of Mexico. The San Domingo revolution is progressing in favor of the insurgents. OBITUARY. Rev. Thos. James ; Mr Wm. Cubitt, M.P. Mr James B. Binning ; Lord Chcsham ; Rev Dr. M'Caul. AMERICA. At a moment when the army of occupation at Chattanooga was threatened with stawation, or the necessity for seeking safety in prompt retreat, an obvious movement has I saved the Federals, owing to the very great neglect or great weakness of the Confederates. Although it was of much importance to the latter to keep the enemy cooped up within, the bend of tho Tennessee river, they occupied the ground in front so feebly that they were unable to resist the advance of the Federals, and lost their hold of the commanding position of Look-out Mountain and the narrow valley through which runs tho road to Trenton and Atalanta. On 27th October, General Hooker, crossing the Tennessee at Bridgeport, " 28 miles above Chattanooga, where tlie Nashville railroad strikes its course, wheeled his iorce round to the right, and swept the south bank of the river back towards that place, till he arrived at Lookout, valley, which is eight miles from the city. Here he came in sight of a body of infantry and artillery, estimated at two brigades and a battery, which retired before him in the direction of Look-out Mountain, which is opposite tha left of Chattanooga. But meantime another corps of Federals, under General Hazen, had crossed the river at Brown's Ferry, be low the city, and seized upon Lookout Mountain itself, without any serious resistance from the enemy. The Confederates, taken by surprise, retired down the valley, and left " the men of Lincoln a day to improve their defences and consolidate their power in their new position ; but on the night of the 28th, xinder Longstreet in person, . they made an effort to recover what they had lost, which, according to Federalaccoants, was signally defeated, and which, whatever its object may huve been, undoubtedly failed. As long as tho Federals occupy their present front, their communications cannot be interrupted except by very wide and sweeping movements made with long detours in the rear ; and Chattanooga can be supplied easily by -water from Biidgeport till the railroad has been restored between that point and the city. But it is vital to the Confederates to drive back thß Federals either by starvation or force, and it i 3 probable they will try both. Within a very short period the campaign in Virginia will be suspended by the winter season, The Federal army of tho Wast is again appearing on tha field, and ia moving down to effect a junction with Grant from the Mississippi. Oa the 6th of November, Sherman, who had only-moved eight miles in 17 days, advanced from Cherokee station} and took possession of Tuscumbia after a spirited aotion with the Confederates. The eiege of Charlestod has now lasted 120 days, and seems likely to go on for as long as that of Troy, as far as Dahlgren, Qlllmore, and bombardments ara concerned, The value of sucaesa now would be very email if Bm-nsido. were routed and Grranc forced to yatlre for jn-Qvislousj , At? 3fc^ Orleans thew ate nmn of •es?

peditions. and there arev predictions of great deeds, but so there have been for months, and little progress, has been made. The scheme of conquering Texas is more easily conceived than executed. . ■■■-.-■:: It appears that on 1 the morning of the 7th November, General Meadu's army, after a period of long inaction, suddenly left its posi. tion near Warrentoa, and- advanced to the liappahannock. The right wing, under General Sedgwicky and the left commanded by General French, '.consisting: of two : army corps: each, ! reached Kappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford nearly simultaneously.during the afternoon, and immediately attacked the Confederates guarding those points. The Confederates, who occupied the earthworks con. structed by the Federals during their occupation of the north bauk.of the river, and who, so far as can he' gathered from- the accounts published, numbered fewer than 3000 men, offered a desperate resistance, but were ultimately ovorpowered and driven across the river, leaving in the hands of the Federals 1800 prisoners and seven cannon. The Federals on the following day crossed the river and continued their march towards Culpepper, the Confederates falling back, and skirmishing before them. -Later news reported that the Federal advance had occupied . Culpepper, and that the Confederates had returned to their fortifications south of. the; . Rapidan. There are other reports which ' state that it is not certain that all the Confederate forces is south of the Rapidan, and speak of the probability of a battle between that river and Culpepper. . , General Meade's main body was at "Brandy Station. No engagement had occurred south' of the Rappahannock. There are various rumours in regard ,to General Lee, the most important of which is that he is not with the army of Northern "Virginia, but has gone to Chattanooga, or some other point in East Tenness=e. Intelligence had been received in Washington . to the effect that Generals Ave rill and Duffie had routed the Conlederates in several engagements among the Greenbriar Mountains, in Western Virginia, on the 6th and 7th of November, and had captured the tewn of Lewisburg. General Meade officially reports the capture of over 4000 prisoners, four guvs, 2000 small arms, eight battle flags, and one brigade train in the advance of the 7th ; and on 9th GOO prisoners near Culpspper. The bombardment of Fort Suuiter, which had been for some time suspended, was resumed on the 31st October, and is still continued furiously. President Davis visited Charleston on the 4th November, and inspected the defences. He made a speech to the people of Charleston, in which he declared that the city would never be captured, for, even should its defenders be beleaguered by fire on every side, reinforcements should be sent to their assistance in proportion to the force ot tbc enemy. Despatches from General Grant were received afc Washington on November 9th, announcing that the Confederates had attacked two of General Burnside's advanced positions and captured the forces defending them. The 'tribune, commenting on this news, says, . — " After this morning's account General Eutnside is undoubtedly hard pressed by heavily outnumbering forces, a»d must expect safety either from rapid concentration of his troops on a defensible position, or from co operating Hiovernerjfes by other columns of Goneral Gran^ os foam, a prompt retreat to a point nearer his s^pjjiißs. It is very probabie that General Burnside must retreat, and scarcely possible* if he retreats, that he will get away without loss, as witness this morning's account." A Chattanooga despatch says that Bragg's army is evacuating its position and retreating to {tome or Atalanta. Letters from Eastport, Mississippi, of the 3rd, state that General Sherman had reached Florence, Alabama, on the way to join General Grant. A despatch, dated Memphis, November 7, states that General -Hatch has driven General Chalmers" rebel forces across the Tailahatchie river with heavy loss. General Richardson, with a rebel force of 2,000 struck the Memphis and Charleston railroad, six miles east of Salisbury, burning the trestle-work, and destroying the track and telegraph. Tlie Comederate forces under General d. D. Lee had gone towards Decatur, and those under Generals Roddy and Forrest are reported to be near Jura. 6-uerillas were operating on the 7th near Bland ville, Kentucky, only 12 miles from Cairo. Advices from New Orleans of the 20th October state that the naval expedition commanded by Genera) Banks in person, previously reported, to be fitting out there, sailed early in the week, but had not been heard from. General Franklin's army was between Opolousas and Vermillion ville. No fighting had occurred, and it was believed that General Franklin would content himself with holding the country already in his possession until news oi" General Banks' progress had been received. Leavensworth despatches of the 9th report that Generals Cooper and Shelby, with 9,000 Confederates, had landed. The Federal forces crossed the Arkansas, and were marching to attack General Blunt, who was proceeding to Fort Smith with an immense, supply train, under an escort of oniy 1,800 men. Mr. Seward authorised the announcement that the French Government, upon the remonstrance of Minister Dayton, had arrested the completion of six iron-clad rams building at IM antes and Bordeaux, which were suspected of heing intended for the Confederates. A grand municipal banquet has been given to ttie Russian officers ac the Astor House. The Republicans have gained the elections in .New York State. Their majority is estimated at froai 15,000 to 20,000. in Hew York City the Democrats have lost 10,000 votes since last year. The Republican ticket has been elected in Massachusetts by a majority of 40,000. Mechanics 'throughout the country are striking for higher wages, in consequence of the increased price of living. The workmen on the Monitors have struck, and work is temporarily suspended upon thsm. CANADA. The Canadian Legislature was prorogued on'the 15tli October. The chief feature in the speech of the Governor-General, was the recognition of the readiness with which both Chambers responded- to the appeal of governmeiHAvith respect to the defences of that province, and the organisation . "of the militia and volunteers.