The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-16 00:00:00

SIMEM

RATE LINES.

THE NEW INVASION OF MARYLAND.
(Per the Zoom)
NEW YORK, Auoner 2.

The news from the army of the Potomac is of an
important character. Another attack upon the
defences of Petersburg has resulted in disaster to
the Federal arms. On the 28th of June, under the
superintendence of Colonel Pleasant., an experi-
enced Pennsylvania mining engineer, the Federal'
commenced to undermine a fort mounting six gnus,
considered the key to the first line of the Confede-
rate works. By the 28th of July the work was
successfully accomplished. The tunnel leading
to the mine was 500 feet in length, 4 feet
wide at the bottom, and 2 feet at top, its height
being 5/ feet. Six tons of powder were deposited
in the mine. All co-operate arrangements being
effected, early on the morning of the 30th of July
the mine was exploded with tremendous effect. An
immense column of dirt, timber, and other clibris
was thrown to a height of 300 feet. The fort was
utterly demolished, and the garrison, composed of
South Carolina troops, all either killed or wounded.
Immediately after the explosion the Federal
artillery opened a furious fire, under cover of
which the Federals charged and captured nearly
the entire first line of the Confederate entrench-
ments. The coloured troops of Burnside's corps
were then advanced in two columns to sustain the
assaulting force and carry the inner works. The
negroes at first advanced in good order, but, being
furiously charged upon by the Confederates, they
finally gave way, and fled in confusion to the rear.
The Confederates now bore down upon the
white troopa, forcing them back and inflicting upon
them severe lose. General Bartlett and staff, and
1,200 or 1,400 Federals, were made prisoners.
The officers of the coloured troops suffered severely
while endeavouring to rally their men. The
slaughter of the negroes is said to have been fearful.
The entire Federal force finally retreated under a
severe fire of grape and canister back to their own
lines. The total Federal losses are estimated at
from 4,000 to 5,000. Daring the charge, imme-
diately following the explosion of the mine, the
Federals are reported to have, captured 400 pri-
soners. The Confederate troops engaged were
mostly South Carolinians, under the immediate
oommand of Beauregard. It is reported that on
the day following the battle General Grant
went to Fortress Monroe and had a protracted
consultation with President Lincoln. Latest ad-
vices, which are up to 9 p.m. on the 31st, state
that hostilities had not been renewed. Grant had
asked a truce to bury the dead. This the Confede-
rates at first refnsad, but a truce was finally agreed
upon, and the dead were being buried, and the
wounded lying between the two lines cared for.
The Confederates refused to exchange newspapers,
and had suspended all communication between the
pickets. This was thought to indicate that Lee
was executing some important movement, and was
guarding against the possibility of detection. Can
were heard running all night on the 30th, and it
, was rumoured that Lee was throwing forward
heavy reinforcements either to Early or Hood.
Prisoners report that Lee has for some time past
been undermining the Federal works. No Con-
' federate accounts of the battle on the 30th have
been received.

The new Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania
and Marylani seems to be enveloped in mystery.
It is not known definitely to the public where or
what force the invaders are. A Harrisburg des-
patch reports them moving to Bedford county ;
another despatch represents them to be marching
against Hancock ; while another report is that they
have entirely evacuated Pennsylvania, and are only
in small force in Maryland. Nothing positive
is known, but the general belief is that the
main body of the Confederates is still between
Winchester and Martinsburg in the Shenandoah
Valley, and that small bodies of cavalry are
still operating in Pennsylvania. The report of the
destruction of a portion of Chambereburg by the
raiders is confirmed. It is stated that a force of
about 250 under M'CausLand entered the town
on the afternoon of the 30th ult., and after an un-
successful attempt to levy a contribution on the
inhabitants of 500,000 dollars, fired the town in
several places, after informing the people that the
town would be destroyed in retaliation for outrages
perpetrated in the Shenandoah Valley by the forces
under Hunter. The Federal forces under General
Averill came up during the conflagration, but, being
unable to subdue the flames, started at once in pur-
suit of the raiders, who had fled upon Averill's ap-
proach. It was reported that Averill overtook and
routed them at M'Connellsburg. About 250
houses and public buildings were destroyed at
Chambershurg, involving a loss of several millions
of dollars, and causing great suffering among the
inhabitants.

(Rurna's yniou.km.)
THE EMPEROR'S FETE.
PARIS, Ammer 15.

The fête yesterday passed off very successfully.
The illuminations were splendid, and the concourse

of people immense.
The Emperor came to Paris, and was warmly
cheered wherever he was recognised.

INAUGURATION OF THE NORTHERN
SPANISH RAILWAY.
SAN SEBASTIAN, ADOURT 15, Evwao.
The inauguration of the Northern Spanish Rail-
way took place to-day.
The Kiug of Spain arrived at San Sebastian at
110013.
The religious ceremonies having been performed,
and the engines having received the benediction,
M. Isaac Pereire addressed his Majesty.
A banquet followed at which the King preside),
baying on his right the Minister of Commerce and
M. Emile Pereire, and on his left the Minister of
the Interior and M. Isaac Pereire.
The King was applauded with enthusiasm. No
toasts were propoactl.

THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLE.
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, AUGUST 6.
Her Majesty's surveying steamer Margaretts
Stephenson returned here this morning with Mr.
Cyrus W. Field on board.
Heart's Content, Trinity Bay, has been selected
as a landing place for the Atlantic telegraph cable.
The harbour is one of the best in Newfoundland.
The Great Eastern can anchor within one mile of
the landing place.

Wan? tx Cauronwia.—What California needs
most to-day is rein. Whet she treats to-morrow is 75,000
WoONIS to mete off the extra aisle population, soeseding
to the lent coents.—Califorissa paper.
PATIVIT Motsar, ROUTH IiENAINOTON.—Num-
bar of •isitors for the week redline Aug. 13. 1,916. Total
number slues the opening of the Yeses= free daily (12th
May, 1886), 836,196.