THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 401, 27 August 1861, Page 3

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

[From the Home News.)

Our news from America during the past month has been full of accounts of preparations for war on both sides ; but it is only within the last few days that we have received intelligence of something like a serious collision. The Federal troops advanced some time ago into Virginia, and they collected in such considerable force in the neighborhood of Harper's Ferry that we now hear of the evacuation of this important place by the Confederates. The Confederates are reported to have fled in great haste, after having burnt all the government property. The whole line of the Potomac is now in the possession of the Federal general, and his opponents are concentrating their forces at Mtmassas J unction.

The despatch which informs us of the above facts is dated New York, June 15. It contains several other particulars of interest. The Governor of Missouri has issued a proclamation calling for 50,000 State troops to resist the Federal usurpation ; and the State officers have abandoned Jefferson city and burnt the railway bridges west of that point, with the idea of concentrating their forces at Arnow Rock. General Lyon, with a large body of Federal forces, followed them in close pursuit. It is also announced that at the election of a member to Congress in Maryland the Union party triumphed. The Virginia Convention at Wheeling has passed an ordinance vacating the State offices and providing a provisional government. Eastern Tennessee has given 10,000 votes against secession.

An affair occurred which proved disastrous to the Federal troops shortly before the abandonment of Harper's Ferry by their opponents is briefly mentioned in a despatch of June 11:— ' Very extensive movements of Federal troops are taking place towards Harper's Ferry. Three thousand Federal troops left Fort' Monroe oil Sunday night to attack the Confederate position, nine.miles distant. In the darkness two Federal regiments fired on each oilier with fatal effect. At daybreak the Federals advanced, but were repulsed by^ masked batteries of heavy rifled cannon. Brigadiur-General Pierce, commanding the Federal forces, is said to have lost presence of mind ; and the Federals, after having been exposed for one hour to a galling fire, retired to Fort Monroe. General Butler estimates the loss of the Federal troops at 30 killed and 100 wounded.'

General Butler, commander of the forces at Fort Monroe, having applied to the Federal government respecting the disposition of the negroes who were 'constantly flocking' into Fort. Monroe had received the following:— ' ' War Department, Washington, May 30. 'Sir,—Your action in respect to the negroes who came within your lines from the service of the rebels is approved. The department is sensible of the embarrassments which must surround officers conducting military operations in a State by the laws of which slavery is sanctioned. The government cannot recognise the rejection by any State ofita Federal obligations, nor can it refuse the performance of the Federal obligations resting upon itself. Amongst these Federal obligations, however, no one can be more important than that of suppressing and dispersing armed combinations formed for the purpose of overthrowing its whole constitutional authority. While, therefore, you will permit no interference by the persons under your command with the relations of persons held, to service under the laws of any state, you will, on the other hand, so long as any State within which, your military operations are conducted is under the control of such armed organisations, refrain from surrendering to alleged masters any persons who may come within your lines. You will employ such persons in the service to which they may be best adapted, keeping an account of the labor by them performed, of the value of if, and of the expense of their maintenance. ' The question of their final disposition will be reserve! for future determination. . , ...

<m m • r, 'S; Cameron, Secretary of. War. ' To Major-General Butler.'

The death of Senator Douglas took place at Chicago on Jane 3. This event can scarcely fail to be pregnant with serious consequences to*the Northern Democratic party, as Mr. Douglas wa3 its controlling spirit and its ablest statesman. Many of the American papers are filled with attacks on England for recognising the bellieereut rights of the South. The Tribune, for example, asks how England would like such "recognition were Scotland in rebellion; and every public letter received in England adverts to the bitterness of American feeling on the point. A writer in the New Yorh Commercial Advertiser shows, however, that this feeling is not universal.' He says:— 'The principle of treating the' Secession States as belligerents relieves the United States from reclamations for lawless acts, under Secession auspices, upon British property. If Great Britain allows that Georgia is a belligerent and at war with the United States, the latter cannot be held accountable for insults to British ships and mariners in the ports of that revolted State, or for robberies on the high seas by Secession cruisers Against them England, if she believes in their probable existence, will do well to despatch her cruisers, for the United States are no longer to be held liable for those who are recognised as at war with the United btates.'

The New York papers denounce the policy of France as well as that of England. In speaking of the course taken by France, the New York Times says:— - . .

♦ This wilful ignoring of the lofty claims of the American government—this indifferent choosing between Christ and Barabbas—will not strengthen the regard we are accustomed to entertain for the pedple and the government of France; It mieht even appear advisable to withdraw the exequatur of all the French consuls in the seceding States. Our business An this deplorable contest is to prove we have a government—a proof that seems to be as much needed at Paris as at New Orleans.' The same journal threatens England with chastisement by prohibiting the export of cotton, and remarks :—

'Nothing that England can offer now of sympathy, or hereafter of pious congratulation at the triumph of liberty and government, can remove the conviction implanted in the minds of our people of the base selfishness, the canting hypocrisy, of her governing classes.' She has lost in American affairs the golden opportunity of centuries, and it will never come again. If ever a war was holy, if ever it was made for the noblest objects. this has been.' ,

According to recent advices General Scott had informed President Lincoln that he had resolved to have possession both of Richmond and Memphis before the 15th July.