The New York Herald Newspaper, January 22, 1865, Page 1

TH YORK H LD. WHOLE NO. 10,373. HEWS FROM THE SOUTH. JEFF. DAVIS’ POWER -WANING. Movement to Create a Military Dictator im Spite of His Opposition. The Rebel Senate Pass a Bill Creating the Office of Generalissimo, and Recommend the Reappointment of Joe Johns- ton to Hood’s Army. LEE: TO BE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. TWE PEACE MOVEMENTS AT AN END. Great Destruction of Cotton at Augusta, &c., &e., &c. Nerthern Traitors not Appreciated at the South. ‘Northern traitors do not appear to thrive in the rebel aemy. They have never had the confidence of their fellow traitors. The Southern rebels look on their own ‘aetion in rebelling as highly commendable, but cannot respect the motives of Northern men with Southern prin- @iples. Gus. Smith, Mansfield Lovell and Frank Gardner left New York to become general and major generals in fhe rebel army. They were welcomed with open arms, ‘bat their first repulse, disaster or defeat cost them their eommissions. Lovell has been on the shelf since the eapture of New Orleans in April, 1862, and for two years past has been living in exile at Columbia, 8. C. Gus. mith has been suffering from neglect ever since the Peninsular campaign of McCleHan, and has been serving he Btate of Georgia as commander of the militia. Gard- mer bas never recovered from the effect of his Port Hud- gon surrender, although suffered to retain a minor com- ‘mand in the interior of Alabama and Mississippi. Danie) ‘Ruggles, of Massachusetts, was welcomed by the rebels ‘With a major general’s commission and assigned to their ‘best army. He has since been'slowly ‘advancing back- wards” until at this time he holds position only as in- @pector general of Beauregard’s military di' m. But Re most positive proof of the ingratitude of the vebels is found in the case of John C. Pem- Berton, of Connecticut, This man was among fhe first traitors from the North who joined the ‘febel cause, He became the intimate and confidential friend of Jeff. Davis, and was appointed a major general, Being promoted in a short time to the rank of lieutenant general. Grant defeated and captured him at Vicksburg, ‘nd he at once lost the confidence and respect of his fel- Gow traitors. The influence and patronage of Jeff. Davis @eald not sustain him, and he was compelled to resign Bis commission as lieutenant general and content him- @elf with that of colonel. He was assigned to duty as @ommandant of the artillery defences of Richmond, Va, But he has not been able to retain even this command. ‘We perceive tnat he has been retired, and, we trust, re- tires permanently from the stage of action. On the 15th ‘Must. be was relieved of his command by a Lieutenant @oelonel Lightfoot, and his once seperate command be- eemes a part of that of a mere boy of twenty-three, a son ‘@f Lao’s, who has beon lately shade a brigadier general and placed in command of the defences of Richmond. ‘Bt ia bad advice to our Northern secessionists to go South. ‘Zhey are not as popular thero as at home. The Rebel Generalissimo. PAGHAGE OF A BILL TO CREATE THE OFFICE BY THE REBEL SENATE. [From the Richmond Examiner, Jan. 20.] ‘The resolutions of the Sonate, creating the offico @f Commander-in-Chief of all the armics of the confe- @eracy, and recommending that General Johnston bo Peinstated, have been passed in that branch of Congress. ‘This will, if carried into effect, make Lee the Commander. tm Chief of all our armies, Cnanuestow, Jan. 17, 1865. It is rumored in Richmond in unofficial circles that General Hood has been superseded by Gen. Dick Taylor. Another report is to the effect that the Confederate Senate had passed a resolution asking the President to Feinstate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in command of the Army of the Tennessee. Repair of the Piedmont Railroad. {From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan. 19.) ‘The Danville Register of Tuesday says that the trains ‘would pass over the Piedmont road to Greensboro the day, the damage done to the track by the recent et having been re The Roanoke river was swollen during the late freehet toa greater extent than ever before known. The bridge across the river at ‘Woldon suffered extensive damage, over seventy fect having been carried away. Destructive Fire and Loss of Rebel Gov- ernment Cotton at Augusta, Ga, (From the Richmond Whig, Jan. 19.) A destructive fire occurred at Augusta, Ga., on Sunday night, burning over four hundred bales of cotton. On Monday evening another fire occurred at Hamburg, op- ite Angusta, burning from one thousand five hundred two thousand bales of cotton, also belonging to the government Foote in His Seat in the Rebel House, rs the Richmond Dispatch, Jan. 19.) Hon. 8. Foote had been released from custody by the provost marshal of Fredericksburg, and had arrived in Richmond, He would appear in the House yesterday. “Peace Rumors at Richmond at an End. {From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan. 19.) ‘The peace rumors that lately filled the air seem to have taken unto themselves wings and flown away, Hood's Losses. Cuanizton, Jan, 17, 1865. Intelligent officers from Hood's army say its loss was ouch less than reported, and eight thousand will cover all tho casualties during the campaign, and Hood has plenty of artillery. The Peace Movement in the Rebel Con- gress. THE REBEL PUBLIC ANXIOUS OVER THE MATTER. ‘Tho following article from the Richmond Whig of Jan. 18 introduces the letter from Jef, Davis which was given 4m yesterday's Heratp:— While we have taken no part in the discussions which hhave taken piace in the columns of some of the city ra, Concerning certain rumored proceedings of that on the subject of informal and irregular negotia- ions with the enemy, it has not escaped our observation that those discussions have aroused the attention of the Public, and that they have excited a very natural de- gree of interest. We might {say that dobate on the Questions on which no open issue has been made, and ‘which rest entirely on hypothetical and conjectural con- ditions, is irrelevant and superfluous. Yet it must be admitted that in the present temper of the public mind the very tendency to admit such questions 18 @aignificant symptom, and the tendency is, no doubt, strengthened by the mystery with which the custom aitting in secret must invest the most important proceed. ings of Congress. While it would bein the highest de- gree unjust tocensre that body for supposed delin- by og of merely imputed errors, itis only nalurat the le should feel some anziety concerning the course of their representatives at this extremely critical , al ugh Shoring to the fullest extent in the deep interest with Which the aets of the leyislative body are watched by the public, we think it only right to abstain m & criticism on their conduct which may prove to be unwarranted by facts, and from condemnation of acts which, after all * may be purely imaginary. Nevertheless 'ae this subject of negotiation, whether through the medium appointel by the constitution, or in the various irregular methods which have been suggested, is ono of grave Importance, ‘wo lay before our reader a letters on a cognate question time eines by the President to several bers of the ¢ State Senate, among ident of As this letter may form a conspicuous feature in our contemporaneous history, wo think we cannot do better than to lay it before the public, hink, will agree that it ie a clear, forcible and igoument, Then followed, WayyPUt further comment, the import fant letter which has been given. The Action of Mr. Orr and the Rehet Hloase better Understood at Washing~ ton than at Richmond, [From the Kichmond Enquirer, January 18.] lie Peace KUMWAs AF prevailing a} tue te, yet ; ( FEETIER : ft ah i Governor. Therefore make any lle ‘Thus we are Se ee ner eats ent ferred, 80 badly off as blessed with so many ‘ to agree as to which of their people, opinion of the enemy, — ee t ust may come jut you mi ‘Jess; you must surrender all your fori yo cours! and w with the courts, and Can by es that Mr. Orr, of Mi than abolition of ton; but, with all due we defy him to give to dence whatever to iB challe: him or any other man to come forward with any evidence that both nit are not still insisted upon by the Washington authori- (Mes. We assert that both laws are w |, and we ‘understand that Mr. Singleton, the reported com- missioner now in Richmond, informed gentlemen since his that the republicans in Washi were discussing bills before Congress for the establish- ment of confiscation courts wherever their armies pene- and the taking possession of all property and its distribution among their armics. Mr. Orr, of Mississip) cannot mean to wilfully de- jude and misicad his country into the belief that the enemy have, through any of the itinorant peacemakers have lately been passing to and fro like trade winds, intimated that other terms than “abolition or reconstruction” could be made with the Washington authorities. We have no knowledge of that movement which Mr. Orr announces to be in the hands of men who are “sustained by a il 0, we believe—Ep.) of sentiment im the country, in the army, and their own sense of duty, and who are determined that in some form the ntry this carnival of death by negotiation.” We wish Mr. Orr and all other men God speed in ending this ‘carnival of death,” but let them take care that they don’t inaugu- rate a carnival of slavery, and make their countrymen the byword and re) among the peoples of the If Mr. Orr's ‘‘statesmanship” and ‘negotiation’ apply to efforts of the House of Representatives, he has used ienecomnines terms, since statesmanship and negotiation, as they apply bef tren do not come within the constitu- tional sphere of duty for the House. Negotiations of all kinds belong exclusively to the President and the Senate, ‘and the House has nothing whatever to do with them. If the House set the example of violating the constitution, {t must not be surprised if others follow its example, and “Pride’s Purge’? become as familiar to Confederate as it 1s to English history. Whatever action that may have been which evoked the debate upon an article of “Sentinel,” it cannot but do harm ; it is now apparent that the action of the House of Representatives 1s better understood in Washington than it is in Richmond; that through some means or other Mr. Orr’s proposition was known to the newspa- pers of the enemy before it was heard of in those of his own country. The enemy are encouraged more by this evidence of weakness on our part than by all their military successes. We implore Congress to drop “statesmanship and negotiation,” and give their whole time to their country, its army and its cause. Take care of the army, pro ide for its organization, increase its mumbers, secure it rations and clothing, and the arm} will take care of their country. Leave pi wo provi. dence, and let us ‘fight it out like men.” This is our sole duty. We cannoté make render—submission—elavery; and that the arm; will not make nor permit the Congress we make. . ‘What Affects Gold in the Rebel Con- mo federacy. -s [From the Richmond Dispatch, 9. Whether gold is to-day held sci or hundred, or a hundred and fifty for one, does net alter the fact t] cen pom not based upon the depreciation in gress ile for coutacating the propery at thoes wi who Eave lett the Confederate States to avoid military ser- vice. Toavoid this cont this property is being sold by the holders and the money converted into gold, to be sent abroad to these di uent Confederates. Be- sides this, the who have eurr j, have of it, to run- . These and similar causes, far more than the fall of Fort Fisher, constitute the real reason for the exorbitant price of gold. The Rebel Congress. TREATMENT OF PRISO OF WAR. In the rebel Senate, January 9, the following resolution was reported by Mr. Watson, of Mississippi, and ordered to be printed :— Resolved, (the House of Rey tives concurring,) that a committee of three on the part of the Senate, and —— on the part of the House, be appointed to inves- tigate and report apon the condition and treatment of the Prisoners of war respectively held by the Confederate and Inited States governments, and also upon the causes of their detention and refusal to exchange, which said com- mittee shall have authority to take testimony and send for persons and papers. GENERAL EARLY AND THE APPLE BRANDY COM- MITTEE OF INVESTIGATION. On the same day a communication was recelved from General Early, expressing regret that the Senate had thought proper to relieve the Committee on Military Affairs from making inquiry into the causes of the recent Teverses in the valley, and inviting the fullest inquiry and investigation. In his letter General Early says that if it is true that the reverses in the valley resulted from the too frequent use of applo brandy or other intoxicating drinks by the commanding officer, no graver subject could engage the attention of Congress, and he thereforo asked that the subject be referred to a special committee. ‘The General utterly denies the charge of drankenness, and asserts that it is without the shadow of foundation. He further- more challenges the production of any respectable of any grade or position who will state that he over saw him (General Early) ‘under the influence of intoxication in the camp, on the march, or in battle,” He also rtates that, since he recrossed ‘the Potomac, his troops have fought five battles and had a great number of skirmishes. In the first two of these battles the enemy was defeated ; in the second two his troops were defeated by overwhelm: ing numbers; but he affirms that the enemy’s loss was more than three times his own. In the fifth and last bat- tle he states that a victory was obtained which would have more than compensated for the previous defeats had the troops remained steadfast; but it was lost and given up by the bad conduct of the troops, resulting from a want of discipline which is inherent in our whole system of organization, The General closes with the remark “that a candid investigation will satisfy the Senate of these truthe, and that it is well worthy of its adoption.” THE BILL FOR CONSOLIDATING THE REBEL MENTS, The following is the bill of Mr. Sparrow, providing for the reorganization of the companies, battalions and regi- ments in the rebel armies:— The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact— 1, That whenever any companies which aro now in the service shall be so reduced as to number less than thirty-two men tank and ile present and fit for duty, and when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Secre- tary of War or of the general commanding the depart- ment ofthe army in which said companies may be serving, that they cannot be recruited to that number within & reasonablé time, the general commanding said department or army shall, under general regulations to Ls issued by the Secretary of War, disband such compa- nies, 2. That new companics may be organized from the non-commissioned officers and privates of the compa- nies thus disbanded, if they aro from tho same State, having the number,’ rank and file, now fixed by law, and the commissioned officers of said companies thus organ- ized, shall be one captain and one first and second lieu- tenant, and the non-commissioned oficers four sergeants and four corporals, 8. That companies, if they are from the same State, may be organized into battalions and regimente, and the officers for said companies, battalions and regimente shall be immediately designated and placed on duty therein by the general commanding the department or the army in which the disbanded companies may have been serving; and officers thas designated shall continue to serve until officers shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and ali selections of officers made by the General to command said new organizations, or appointed by the President therefor as herein provided, ehall be from the commissioned officers of the corapaules, battalions or regiments from which the new organizations were formed, or from such non- commissioned officers or privates thereof as may have been distinguished for meritorious and soldierly conduct or for valor or skill; and the certificate of the colonck commanding the battalion or regiment in which said non-commissioned officer or private may have served, that he has been so distingm#hed, if approved by tho brigade and division commanders, shall be sufliclent Proof thereof. 4. That the officers of companies, battalions and regl- REGI- ments whieh may be disbanded as herein provided, and who may not be selected and appointed as required by this act, shull be dropped from the rolls as euperaume: rary offers: bat such officers May, within a reasonable lime, to be Axed by general orders to be issued by tho Secretary of War, as to troops iy the States east of tho Miesiseipp! river, and by the general commanding the depurtmeut west of tho Miesiseippl river, to troop: therein, organize themselvos Into companies, battaliong aud regiments, the officers wo NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1865. with the may irty-two members, rank and papery for duty, and a same should occur 19 office of second lieutenant, the vacancy shall not filled; and should it be reduced below the number of six- Lone le vacancy in the office of first lieutenant shall 6. That the offices of adjutants and ensigns of battal- fons and regiments are eta abolished, and hereafter the eer Covemanding § battalion or seghaane may 0s. o g sign any subaltern ine ing to command to serve as adjutant; and eul whilst 80 fovig Hone receive, in addition to his pay and allow- ances, Per month; and the officer commanding shall also assign, to act as color bearer, # non-commissioned officer or private from his command, who be distin- guished for meritorious or soldierly conduct for valor or skill; and such non-commiasioned officer or private, Taeereting, shall receive the pay of a first lieu- 7. That the names of battalions and renee nized under the provisions of this act shall be the names of old battalions and regiments from ‘were formed; and the colors of the battalion ment forming the new shall be the colors of the ganization; and the colors of the other battalions and regiments shall be transmitted by the to the Governors of tho respective States, with a state- ment of the batties in which the battalion or regimen' ‘to which they belong may have borne a part. 8. That all staff, line and other officers who may Beep, a command, ce vt ms not time: be uty period exceedi days, long to the invalid cor o are prisoners of sick or wounded, or t by leave of the War or the general commanding, the department or army to which they belong, shall be ped from the rolls and held to service as now provided by law. 9. Prisoners of war may, within sixty days after thelr exchenge, avail themselves of the ions of the — section of this act; and hereafter, when commissioned officers of companies, battalions or regiments may be captured by the enemy, the general commanding the department or army to which they bolong may designate, or the President may appoint other re to fill their places as provided in this to serve with temporary rank and command to be held only until the return of waid officers so captured, Mr. Blair's Mission to Richmond. Pmrapenrma, Jan. 21, 1865. The Bulletin says:—A letter has been received in Philadelphia from a prominent gentleman in Washington, who says that Francis P. Blair, Sr., returns to Rich- mond with full authority from President Lincoln to give a safe conduct to Washington for peace commissioners from Jefferson Davis. Mr. Blair is expected to be in Richmond this evening. Weat Viipicia. THE LATE SURPRISE AT BEVERLY--NEARLY SEVEN HUNDRED MEN CAPTURED. [From the Wheeling Intelligencer, Jan. 19.] ‘We learn that the late disaster at Beverly was almost ‘as completo as the New Creek affair. The rebels com- letely surprised the garrison and captured nearly all tho e, amid the utmost confuaion. The garrison was composed of detachments of the Eighth Ohio cavalry and the Thirty-fourth Ohio infantry, numbering about seven hundred men, nearly all of whom were captured. The rebels could not conveniently guard such a great number of prisoners, and perhaps a couple of hundred of them escaped, including Lieutonant Is Yount and Forney, commanding the two detachments named. ‘There were no stores of any consequence at this post, and the loss in property was slight. The affair isto be thoroughly investigated. More Railroad Accidents. FIVE PASSENGER CARS THROWN OFF THE TRACK ON THE NEW JERSEY RAILROAD—COLLIStON ON THE AUBURN ROAD—AN ENGINE THROWN FROM THE TRACK, ETC. An accident, which providentially was not of a serious character, occurred on the New Jorsey Railroad on Friday night last. The train which left Jerscy City at midnight was thrown off the track about a mile below New Brunswick. The accident, it is stated, was caused by a broken rail. Five passenger cars were thrown across the track and badly damaged, but, fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Travelon the road was delayed in consequence of the accident, the passengers on the owl train, due in this city at four o’ciock yesterday morning, not reaching here until half-past nine, The Rochester Union of Friday evening says:— About two P. M. yesterday two passenger trains on the Auburn road came in collision near Camillus. The locomotives were injured considerably, but no persons were injured. The cause of the collision, or rather where the blame lies, is not stated. Neither train was in charge of the regular conductors. The New York train due here at nine o'clock last | night did not arrive till ten this morning. It was de- | tained by a broken engine at Jordan for a while, and was bes hae rom the track at Macedon. ensued. No great damage | Exhibition of the Cadets of the Niagara | Military Institute. { The cadets of the Niagara Military Institnts, nnder the | direction of Colonel and Mra. Young, who ar? at presenton | a short visit to this city, en route to Albany, gave a short entertainment on Friday evening at the Seventy-first regi mentarmory. These cadets are the orphan sons of those who have fallen in battle, and are being taken care of and educated by the benevolent, The performances Friday eve- ning consisted of military evolutions, which were gone through in a masterly manner, showing a proficiency traly wonderful, In the morning they marched down Broadway, uttracting great attention by their soldierly appearance. They visited the enrolling office in the City Hall park marching through th building, and on their departure received three rousing cheers from the tweive hundred clerks. In passing down Fulton street, the young cadets, when opposite the Hexato office, drew up in front, and complimented us by three cheers, which, we assure them, was highly appre: ciated. thin a week the cadets will appear at the Academy of Music or Cooper Institute, where a grand ex- hibition will be given for the benefit of the institution, ntirs Important from Brazil. A UNITED STATES WAR STEAMER REFUSED LEAVE TO ENTER THE PORT OF BATIA. From the Paris Patrie the following item of news is derived :— AUnited States despatch boat has been desirons to put into the port of Bahin, where there was a mercantile vessel, bearing the Confederate flag, lying. The President of the'province refused his assent, declaring that he did not wish to see a recurrence of an incideut similar to that of the Florida, The United States vessel, after re- maining five hours in the entrace of All Saints’ Bay, put tosea again, “Tho affair had no serious consequences, and it remains to be seen what the commander of tho United States vesgel will do, of the Canada. Haurrax, Jan, 21—8:30 P. M. There are no signs of the steamship Canada. Tho weather is;fine, Non-A rr! Arrivals and Departures, ARRIVALS. New Ontmans—Steamship Geos and wife, Mra Fayssonx, Mra MA Mixa A Berault, Miss © Berault and bell, Mise Lizzie Brower, Mins May Flaiiner, B Fellman, F ¢ Pitman, is, A McEachran, Geo Dolliny WP Gates, BJ West, BP John Cassan, Livanroor-Steamship, Rdinburg-—Joh Dem Mr Glentworth and wife Cromwell—_& Himeheim Love, Misa FR Randall, servant, Mie MA Camp North, CCoutenx, Jos D Sareendate, Wm Lew », Wm M Dutton, B Kirkpatrick, ers, Louis Krilter, D Harter, 3 iam dentworth, et, BO ‘ar aod Gite, mea Dupuy and wife, G Cutiand, Montreal; Stee Morris, Vm Leos, wife and obild, Hamilto Masoras, J M Catlin, B' Mirplo, B 4 child; J’ Phompaon, My a child, Mr Dohalle and nson and Weill,’ L Hamburger, 1B den, Toronto; Mr Barrue, wife and three children, Mre Joa Turner, Mrs.@ © Wickeoburg, New York, Mra Col Paul Frank—with others tn the steerage, | Star—C © Samper New Onteans—Steamehip Mornin, Col Charles A Hartwell and wife: C KR Hawks, Mra_Peabouy and two children, John M Ri BP Starr, Thy ‘ White, wife and’ two Mnieces; Dennis Donohue, Willi ( Hartwell, Anthony Stephens, Mr Barnett, wife, two ohildeon | N Kessler, Edw Campodonill and servant, Havre; EB Gastineau, WF purse and elds V wife, rr and nurse; AB Archer and Wife, Mra Wm K'L0 elses, Me Manstield, BD Ley, Mend Haley MreR Baro igh Bae | ett, of Hartford, CL’; Mra Mary G\adetoue, + Worn © Oliver and child, Edward Bell, John Ocha, CF mpbel Mra J W Dimock, Mra Warren aud servant, " Burbank, Hammond Loche, HW Birkey, Tw ” Zoverdier and child, Mis Mary Zuvarbier Neo Alfred Hamilton, ‘Master Zubervs Fain W Bradshaw, Géorge Dougall, Ws Moyle D 6 Conner, Charles Gould, B Eddy. i John ¥ Pierson, John W Calvin, F ‘Tne! aber “ ML Hyneman, John'Goger, Ms ¥ 0 ‘ : njamin Dr ah » san Leighton and anz, Charles Burn ' Jobn Hillop, FM Ke ‘ £0) Mes Gladstein, Misa Louts I. at Soecunle and ebtld, 5 James Cary ’ a » Misa Ide Weill, Charles ¢ t A Viiher, 8 8 ce W “ Jolnwon nad er V Dav tir ae Wood, George WILMINGTON. Three Light Draft Gunboats Enter Cape Fear River. THE DESTRUCTION OF FORT CASWELL. The Rebel Steamers Tallahassee and Chickamauga Blown Up. List of Promotions for Gallant Conduct at Fort Fisher. Additional List of Casualties in the Navy, &e., &c., Reports of the Capture of Wilmington. Wasmertow, Jan. 21, 1865. Reports of the capture of Wilmington continue to pre- vail, notwithstanding tho lack of official confirmation. No doubt is entertained of its easy capture whenever the forces under General Terry shall see fit to move upon it, and the official announcement of ita occupation by that gallant army may be received at any moment. &e. News from Admiral! Porter. Wasnmaton, Jan. 21, 1865, Admiral Porter, in his detailed report of the attack on Fort Fisher, gives the total number of naval officers Killed and wounded as twenty-one, and of others killed, ‘wounded and missing, including the explosion of the magazine, three hundred and nine, He states that the rebels have blown up Fort Caswell and the rebel steamers Tallahassee and Chickamauga, and that we will be in ‘Wilmington before Jong. Mr. Homer Merrell’s Despatch, Fort Finer, N. C., Jan, 16, 1865, ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE EXPLOSION OF A MAGAZINE IN FORT FIBITER, At about cight o'clock this morning we were startled by a loud roport proceeding from Fort Fisher. It proved to be an explosion of the principal magazine. It is im- possible as yet to learn the cause of the accident. The casualties in the late Colonel Bell’s brignde—composed of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth New York, One Hun- dred and Fifteenth Now York and the Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers—who were in the fort at the time of the explosion, and near the magazine, were quite severe. Large working parties are now engaged extract- ing the bodies of their unfortunate comrades from the debris, The number of lives lost are variously estimated at from one to two hundred. LIGHT DRAUGHT GUNBOATS ENTER CAPE FEAR RIVER. At an early hour this morning three of our light draught gunboats steamed over the ber and took their Position in the Cape Fear river, opposite and above Fort Fisher, Several torpedoes have been found in the river, ‘and they were traoed into the fort. The enomy have been quiet throughout the day, and ; the weather continues fine. Forr Feaux, N.C., Jan. 17, 1865. DEBTRECTION OF FORT CASWELL. At one o'clock this morning the enemy evacuated and blew up the new extensive fortification on the gouth side of the Cape Fear river, known as Fort Caswell. They (the enemy) have also destroyed several large boats in the river, supposed to be blockade runners, The channel over the bar at the mouth of the Cape Fear river has been marked and buoyed out. Colonel George 8. Dodge, Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the James, assisted by Captain Ainsworth, master of transportation, are now engaged in transporting stores from the transport fleet to the shore, via Cape Fear river. DESCRIPTION OF FORT CASWKLL. Fort Caswell, located on Oak Island, was built by the United States government, of massive granite masonry, with two tiers of guns under bombproof casemates and one tier of guns en barbette. It wax calculated for an arma- ment of twelve thirty-two-pounders, twenty twenty-four- pounders, four eighteen pounders, four twelve-pounders, three fleld pieces for flanking defences, six howitzers for raking the gorges, #ix eight-inch heavy howitzers, two ten-inch mortars and two cochorn mortars—in all eighty-seven guns, The work was surrounded by a ditch aud advanced works, and was in every particular a first class and formidable fortification. It cost the federal government $571,000. Its war garrison consisted of four hundred men Besides the armament enumerated, several guns could be mounted on the gorge of the main work of the covered way, as those portholes bear directly on the channel, which has shifted from the east to the west shore, New platforins for these guns had been erected and the guns mounted, and the whole tmport- ance and streugth of the place fully brought out, Accom. modations for an increased garrison were provided Old Fort Caswell, at the rn outlet of the Cape Fear river, was an immense for ration, mounted with guus of the heaviest calibre, with a splendid garrison, amply provisioned and fully prepared, The old fort, which was of brick and a very solid structure, had been completely covered with railroad iron, and on the top of that sand had been laid to the depth of from fifteen to forty feet ‘The original fort was named in honor of Richard Cas. . officer of the Revolution, and first republican Governor of North Carolina PROMOTIONS. Seeretary Stanton last night made the following pro- motions, to date from the Léth inst, -— Brevet Major General Alfred H, Terry to be major general 3 Brigadier General Adalbert Ames, to be brevet major general. Brovet Brigadier General Curtis to he brigadier general. Colonel Louis Bell (dead), to be brevet brigadier goneral Colonel Pennypacker, to bo brovet brigadier general, Colonel Abbot, to be brevet brigadier general. DEPARTURA OF GRNRRAL CURTIS FOR THE NORTH, Rrigadior General Curtis, who was wounded on tho 15th inst., leaves to-night on the hospital boat Black. stone for Fortress Monroo. He ia in excellent spirits, and his wound is doing well, ‘The steamboat James R. Grist, captured in the Cape Fear river on the 14th inst., is being put in order under the direction of Captain Ainsworth. She will be in working condition to-night. ADDITONAL LIST OF CASUALTIRG IN THR NAVE, The following is a list of wounded men in the United States navy, received from the battle of Wilmington at tho United States Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va., Jaynary 18, 1865:— Thos, Chur’ ordinary searaan, Shenandoah, John F venin, Tuscarora Jan, ¥oLor ndenian, Wabash Che we lane fireman, Montgomery Dr an, Tuscarora. Yroakt Tuscarora, bo chode Istand, " apdeman, Oxceola. nary seaman, Rhode Telund voatawain’s mate, Rhode Island, t b> awood, ordinary seaman, Tuscarora, * captain forward gon, Tacony. sgton, ordinary seaman, Rhode Islaad, veneer, ordinary seaman, Tacony. eld, landsman, Gettysburg. cer, Seaman, Gettysburg. aqner, eoond class fireman, Fort Ju keon. Smith, marine, Vanderbilt. o Riley, ordinary seaman, Wabash inietophor Brockman, seaman, Juniata. Artin Howard, landsman, Tacony. Joun Jones, ordinary seaman, Colorado, Wm. Stewart, landsman, Tacony. Robert M. Gunnett, seaman, Thsearora, Samuel McKenley, landaman, Tacony, Bartlett Kelly, landaman, Tacony. Bernard Fitzpatrick, landeman, Fort Jackron. Wm. Gillespie, ordinary reaman, Tacony, Jobo Colling, Seaman, Powhatan. Robert Dougherty, tandeman, Powhot on. Robert Wilson, captain aft gun, Juniat Low's Flontye, seaman, Fort Philip Woreshetfe, seaman, Jolup Vanecoton, i BoE Es as O'Donnel, marine, Powhatan, Richard C. Lloyd, marine, Powhatan. Jno. Miller, marine, Fort Jackson. Horace Wheeler, ordinary seaman, Tacony. ns Seta ena nt, net in 8 7 Wm. Seaman, Huron. is Philip Baker, seaman, Tuscarora, James Casey, seaman, Saugus. Hugh Lee, Jno. Mi seaman, Tuscarora. Owen Daley, marine, Powhatan. Philip Arnold, corporal of marines, Fort Jackson. Edward Williams, coal beaver, Tristam Shandy. ‘Wm. Prescott, quartermaster, Juniata. Wm. Marsden, quartermaster, Fort Jackson. David W. Carroll, acting master, Fahkee. Herbert Westbrook, ordinary seaman, Susquebanua Edward Butler, seaman, Susquehanna Jarnes McQuade, landeman, Seneca. John Farrell, quarter gunner, Seneca, Jas. Rider, boatewain’s mate, Seneca, Wm. Brown, seaman, Susquehanna. Jacob Wagner, quartermaster, Susquehanna, John Castello, marine, Suequebanna. White Hewlett, corporal of marines, Susquehanna, Edward Green, acting master’s mate, Mackinaw. ‘Wm. H. Alger, acting master’s mate, Maratanza REBEL ACCOUNTS. The Rebels Fear that Fort Caswell Wil) Be Rendered Useless to Them. {From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan. 19.) , Our most reliable information is that the enemy has Attempted to advance towards Wilmington. Fort Cas- well, which guards the southern mouth of the Cape Fear river, was, at last advices, still held by our troops, but it isfoared it will be rendered useless to us by the enemy blockading the river at a point between it and Wilming- CANADA. The Case of Burleigh, the Rebel Raider— Thirty Gunboats Coming from England for Service on the Lakes, &ec. Toronto, C. W., Jan. 21, 1865, The course taken in regard to Burleigh is recommittal to prison. The Court informed the Governor General of the decision, his Excellency alone being able to order ex- tradition. Before this is done the prisoner's counsel will probably get a writ of habeas corpus, and the case will be brought before the full Court of Common Pleas or Queen’s: Bench, or any ingle Judge of those courts, If the judg- ment already given is wrong, Burleigh will be released; if right, he will be recommitted to await the Governor's order of extradition. Should the Judge's order release the prisoner—which is considered most improbable—Bur- leigh would probably be immediately rearrested for vio- lation of the neutrality laws, If the judgment is con- firmed the prisoner's extradition will be ordered by the Governor, though the friends of the prisoner talk of ap- | pealing to the Privy Council of England; but it is said the decision of the court here will be final. The Leader of to-day says the British government have ordered thirty gunboats, carrying three thousand five hundred trained men, to be sent out from England to the lakes, and that they will probably be here as soon us navigation opens. RICHMOND. Heavy Firing in Front of Petersburg— Deserters Coming Into Our Lines—Great Rejoicing Among the Rebels, &c. Wasurnatow, Jan. 21, 1866. Tnformation from the Army of the Potomac states that considerable firing took place in front of Petersburg, near the Appomattox, on Friday morning, but with what result is not known. About forty deserters came into our lines on Thursday, many of them being in a sad #tate of destitution. + An arrival from City Point yesterday morning states that a great deal of picket firing took place in front of Petersburg on Thursday night, and some reports of the evacuation of the place were current, but yesterday morning matters remained as usual. ‘The rebels seemed very jubilant over something on Thursday night, a8 they indulged extensively in cheer. ing, bell ringing, &c., for hours. The Missouri Constitutional Convention, St. Lows, Mo. Jan. 21, 1865, The Convention passed yesterday in Committee of the Whole, by nearly a unanimous vote, the fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth sections of the Bill of Rights as fol lows The fourth asserts that all political power is vested in and derived from the people, all government of right originates from the people, ts founded upon their will only, and inatituted for the good of the whole; the sixth, that this State shall ever remain a member of the Ameri. can Union, and that all attempts, from whatever source, upon whatever pretext, to dissolve said nation, ought te be resisted with the whole power of the State; the keventh, that every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the constitution and government of the United States, and no law or ordinance of this State in contravention thervof can have any binding force, An ordinance has been introduced confiscating the pro- perty of rebels engaged in overt acts, and asking Congrese to release the claim of the United States to contecate rebel property in the State of Missourt. Skating. GRAND GALA DAY AT THR PAKK AND FIFTH AVENUE PONDS, BTC. The numbers who virited the Park yesterday to avail themselves of what many supposed would be the lagt op- portunity afforded for some time to enjoy good skat- ing, were far in excess of any previous occasion this sea- son, In the morning the lowering clouds and ‘damp at- mosphere betokened achange in the weather, and those who cold spare the time were not stow tn taking advan- tage of ciroumsta nd hastened to participate in the gay scenes which ranspiring on the glassy surface of the ico-bound lakes. Young and old, grave and gay, rich and poor, seemed to be animated with one feeling of exubcrant joyfulnes#, and permitted nothing to mar the pleasures of the day. The ice was considerably cut up from the etual skating of the previous days and several ugly sand chasis admonished some of the timid that the: running some risk of getting a At th , however, the usual sig layed, and the att alert to chock the recklessness n of “Young America," who seemed perfectly indifferent to ro on th perils which surrounded him on all sides. of people who were not skilled in pied elevated poritions on the ave they had a bird's eye which were passing below. If artist with suffic imaginative powers could only p' Apon canvass & true representation of these gorge scenes, it would make ono of the finest panoramas ever exhibited in the United States. THE FIFTH AVENUE POND. Tho skating at this popular pond was as ueuyl very fine, It was visited by several thousand people, and a strong force of laborers were employed at intervals in cleariog Off the eurface, so that the ice was kept In aplen did condition all day, In the evening the pond was bril- Hautly illuminated by ealceum Ughts, which reflected the Sgures of the skaters in the mirror-like surf pro: the A large Picturesqua seer ducing a most beautiful effect, Tho enjoymen the orcasion WAR Bi eed by the performance of two very fine id nodoubt many a blush ing maiden her ear, as the ovenity | wore away, the words of Moore:— ‘Tis newer too late for delight, my dear; Tis never too lato Cor delight, my dear; And the best of all waya To lengthen one's days Ts to steal & few hours from the night, my dear. The lovers of the sport may not yet despair, aw “ Jack Frost’! some to wield bis harg scoptre with as imveh r termination aa ever, and long Bearon of F ng may | yet be youchsafed to the admirers of that graceful eas | ry PRICE FIVE CENTS. SHERMAN. THE SOUTH CAROLINA INVASION. The Rebels Organizing to Oppose: Sherman’s Army. CHARLESTON HEAVILY REINFORCE’. Evacuation of Pocotaligo and Retirement of the Rebels to the Combahee River. Sherman Concentrating at Mc- Phersonville. He Moves Towards the Com- bahee on January 17. Two Monitors Sunk in Charleston Harbor by Torpedoes, &e., &e. Wasurnaton, Jan, 21, 1865. Sherman’s movements are watched with great interest, and the government expects hourly to hear important in- formation from him. Up to this evening the latest infor- mation of his progress received is from the Richmond papers of yesterday; but theso are rogarded as highly satisfactory. Errata General Sherman’s Letter. The Savannah Republican, from which we copied Gen. Sherman’s letter on the reconstruction of Georgia, calls attention to an omission in one of the most important sentences. The letter as originally published contained the following sentence :— Some of the rebels in Georgia, in my judgment, deserve death, because they have committed murder and other crimes which are punished with death by all civilized governments on earth. This should have been followod by the following sen- tence (omitted in the first publication) :— But the great mass, probably, will never be noticed. The importance of this expression will be at once per- ceived. Relief for the Savannah People. Purcaperrma, Jan. 21, 1865, Henry Simons has given, free of charge, the use of the clipper brig Samuel Welsh, three thousand barrels capa- city, to convey supplies to Savannah for the sufferers there. REBEL ACCOUNTS. Movement of Troops to Oppose Sherman. CHARLESTON HEAVILY REINFORCED, {From the Richmond Examiner, Jan, 20.) Thore have been some recent dispositions of troopé [rebel] in the West and South, the details of which at this time it would be unadvisable to publieh. The Charleston Mercury states that a large number of reinforcements had arrived in that city. Ewacuation of Pocotaligo by the Rebels. THEY RETIRE TO THE LINE OF THE COMBAHEB RIVER. Cuarteston, Jan. 15, 1866, A heavy fovee of the enemy advanced from Beaufort yesterday morning against Pocotaligo, which place was evacuated last night by General McLaws. Refugees from Savannah report one corps of Sherman’s: army gone to Wilmington, and that the cotton in Savan- nab has been or will be confiscated. Cuanuetos, Jan. 16, 1866. After abandoning Pocotaligo our forces took position behind the Combahee river. No further movement was made yesterday. The enemy is believed to be arriving at Branchville. ‘Two Monitors were sunk last night in this harbor, pro- bably by torpedoes, They lie about eight hundred yarda from Fort Sumter, towards Sullivan's Island. Theit smokestacks only are visible, Cuantestox, Jan. 17, 1865. Deserters ani prisoners report the force that advanced from Beaufort to consist of the Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps, with little artillery or baggage trains, and that Sherman was moving by railroad with the remainder of his army, artillery, trains, &c. They report also that Charleston is their destination. The enemy advanced within two miles of Combaheo yesterday, and then retired, Cuantesrox, Jan. 17, 1865, We have nothing direct from General Wheeler. One of the line officers who left from below McBride's brigade yesterday morning, reports that the enemy are still below. Deserters who come in report that a corpe had crossed at Port Royal. ‘The courier says there were cavalry, artillery and in- fantry coming from Coosawhatchie. The forces of the enemy are believed to be concentrating above McPherson. ville. Crantretow, Jan. 18, 1865, ‘The enemy made a move in the direction of the Com- bahce river yesterday, It is believed to be nothing buta feint. All is quiet there to-day. There is nothing from any other point, Sherman Determined to Annihilate South Carolina, {Pocotaligo correspondence of the Sumter Watchman, Jan, 2) Sherman and his thieves and robbers have sworn that South Carolina shall be annihilated. His corps command. ers have spoken it to the wife of one of our generals— unavoidably left at Savannah—from whose lips I heard it, And it has been reiterated from the mouth of every prisoner brought into our lines. Not a chip, they ray, te to be left behind them unconsumed, Neither will row spect be paid to youth, beauty or age. “Booty or beauty,” the original war ery with which South Carolina wag threatened, is to be re-echoed upon her soil, Unless our people have submitted themselves to be Yan- keo taskmastors and slaves, these flends incarnate will bo driven howling from their borders. Let youth and ago alike prepare for the conflict. Let the march of the ene- my upon our own soil be rendered perilous by the crack of the unerring rifle from the midst of every thicket and swamp which lies in his pathway, and let our women, in- stead of exhibiting timidity, nervousness and panic, prove themselves worthy representatives of those of '76. The tree of liberty must be watered by the blood of tt# martyrs, and the fair hand and gentle but fearless soul of woman must nurture and strengthen It. Various speculations are (ndulged as to Sherman's pro- posed scheme for the destruction of Soath Carolina, The most popular idea here seems to be that he will continua to annoy us with a considerable force along the line of coast remaining in our poawession between Savannah apd Charleston, whilo with a heavy colmn he makes bis way up the Savannab river to Angueta, and thence to Columbia, and Charleston. Others suppose that he will cron ag Sisters’ forry and march for Branchville, and thence to Ch on or Cohrmbls, or both, That he intends ta operate in Carolina the present winter there can bo no doubt. The enemy's batterion nightly give forth their thandera as our traint pass Coorawbatehio, and thelr ahells fall thick and fast around the gallant fren horse as be makes his rapid way; but he heeds them not, With this om all rermatns + along our lines, The army : reorganized and put in thorough equipment for active fold service, Let our people look up, A brighter day will yet dawnt upon ua, if they but rerain true to ike cause, Gen, Sherman Patrouizing Bad Hoteth. {From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan, 19-7 It ta reported that Sherman had vi ited Colurubia in inguiae, uy eboppod o Haw Vigkegyeg bol@.