The Express.
London, England, 1864-05-23 00:00:00

LYCZUM.

Time snanso. HAlltL".77-11-aZi. Pechter, J. Brougham
jordda, devils. Castles, al'hayfa, Morton, Ramo&
Moreland, Clifford, Idasoada Wield'cant), sad Shore ; Maar
Kate Term, liaarade, sad laswortay.—Commence at L

.TAMIL.

Vas IvwPS. LASHEDTO—TICE HZLIC—ROB ROY.
Master Peres Roselle and Missal C. Bt. Caws tad Scott.—And
Two Parts of THE LIEFZE AIDED MARRIAGE. Mn. Maws:
sod THY GREAT GHOST IFFSCL—Comasace at ise.

Elea WATIR AT marmot AMOK
110 Drf Words& IX 68m Animas. Vb. 19n.
Tweasaow Illorda& sh. 39r0 Allesseas. AIL Ow.

LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 23.

THE news front the field of battle in Virginia
comes down to the I Ith of May. It is idle to
attempt to ascertain from the brief telegrams
the details of the various engagement& which
have taken place between the Federal and Con-
federate armies since General Glumr crossed the
Rapidan. it is well known that the country
between that river and Richmond is admirably
fitted for the purpose of a defensive war. The
roads are few and bad, whilst the district itself is
rough and thickly wooded, so that a skilful officer
has ample opportunity of preparing a series of
formidable positions. Les has not failed to take
advantage of the situation. His object, as we
have already pointed out, is to avoid being driven
back so near to Richmond as to allow the Northern
army to occupy the railroads from Richmond
northward. For such an occupation would deprive
Lee of the means of deriving his supplies from
the country northward of the James River.
It is not surprising, therefore, that Lee should
hold with desperate tenacity a position as near
sa possible to Fredericksburg, and as far as pos-
sible from Richmond. than r, having crossed
the Rapidan on the 3rd, attacked Las on the sth
with his whole army, consisting of the divisions of
Benowicx on his right, WARREN in his centre,
and HANCOCK on his left, with BURNSIDE in re-
serve. The number of each division is not
stated, but they have been reckoned at 30,000
men each. The scene of the action was to the
west of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Rail-
way. The number of the Confederates ender Us
Is equally obscure, but his army was also divided
bito three divisions under Him, Losrosram, and
Zwir.r. The battle lasted all day but it seems to
have been indecisive, but it is stated that two Fede-
ral brigades were captured by the Confederates, and
the commanding officers were killed. On Friday,
the 6th, the battle was renewed. According to the
telegraphic accounts, the contest must have been
most obstinate. On the right HANCOCK was driven
beet, on the left SEDOWICE was thrown into confu-
sion, and it was only by the aid of BURNSIDE'S
reserve that order was restored. It is even said
that the Federal centre under WARRAR was
pierced. But notwithstanding these untoward
results, GRANT held his ground, and during the
night transferred the 6th corps from the right to
the extreme left, and consolidated his lines. In
the meantime LEE began a retrograde movement,
and next morning occupied a new and formidable
position nearer Spottsylvania Court-house, on the
River Po. It seems tolerably clear that the Con-
federates, notwithstanding the advantages of their
position, must have suffered severely ; for although
General Ls; in his official report, maintains that
every attack of General GRANT was repulsed, he
admits that Lomosviuser was severely wounded,
that Pao Ism was badly wounded, and that JENKINS
was killed.

On the Bth a partial engagement took place.
And on the 10th the Confederates occupied a
position on the south-east bank of the river Po,
whilst the Federals occupied a line extending for
six miles along the north-east bank of the same
river. The result, however, was still indecisive,
and on the 11th it appears that Lax occupied a
strong wooded position strengthened by earthworks.
The losses on both sides must of course be consi-
derable, indeed it is said that the number of Fede-
ral' killed, wounded, and missing amounts to
40,000 ; but this is obviously mere conjecture.
The net result of this series of battles has been
that the Confederates have been driven some
fifteen miles south of the Rappahannock, and this
has been accomplished by the army under the
immediate command of General GRANT.

Nothing is reported as to the doings of the
column under Corm and Siczi, which was said
to be descending the Shenandoah Valley. The
Confederates have been able to maintain them-
selves against GRANT only with great difficulty.
And it remains to be seen whether that officer
will at once renew the combat or wait until
he has received reinforcements. It may be re-
membered that from the line of railway connecting
Richmond with Fredericksburg there is a branch
which, breaking off about half-way between these
towns runs to the westward and connects that
district with Western Virginia. It is, of
course, vital to General Las that be should if
possible cover these lines of communication, and
according to the latest accounts he has succeeded
in this object. For his army is placed about twelve
or fourteen miles west of the Fredericksburg and
Richmond Railway, and about twenty miles north
of the branch connecting that railway with the
West : so that whilst GRANT finds it impossible to
seize the main railway and to turn Las's right flank
without endangering his connexion with Cuccu
and Stoat., he finds it equally difficult to turn his
adversary's flank without endangering his own
communications.

The operations on the peninsula and on the
south bank of the James River seem to have been
more suocessfuL It now appears that two columns
are advancing upon Richmond from the east. The
object of the first, along the line traversed by
General ICCLILL•I4, is to threaten Lag's commu-
nications, and it appears that it has already
crossed the Chickabominy river. The object
of the second, along the south side of
the James river, is to seise Petersburgh
and thus cut oil' Richmond from the south.
According to the latest accounts General Bums*
had seized City Point and Powbettan Fort, both
on the south bank of the James River—the former
being within twelve miles of Petersburgh. At the
same time 3,000 cavalry had advanced from Suf-

folk and crossed the

mate object must be to seize
unite at Yetereburgh some '

mood, and thus to cut
South. The great army

counter will probably prevent him from detaching
any considerable force to the assistance of Bray-
snoAna,who commands in this district ; and already
it is said that Bur= has succeeded in defeating a
part of the troops under BamninoAnn. Should
Boman obtain powiession of Petersburgh it will be
a loss to the Confederates which they will find it
very difficult to repair. In short, Richmond will
be invested on the south side of the Jana River.

Sa:&v•N has continued his advance against
Joitnarotr, who see= to be entrenched on the
railway between Chattanooga and Atlanta. He
has divided his army into three columns : the left
under SCHOLZYLILD, the right under Hecrazz-
sow, and the centre under himself. But according
to the latest accounts, the position occupied by
JOHNSTON is so strong that SIMMAA hesitates to
attack it.

The Viceroy left Calcutta on the 16th ult. for
the North-West. His Excellency was to halt espe-
cially at Bbagulpore, Bemires, AlLimbed, and Um-
ba➢a, and primed direct to Simla► The viceregal
council were to ensemble et Simla after the Lt of
May, till further orders.
The Hon. Ashley Eden's mission to Bhootan has
had an abrupt termination, and such a one as may
lead to disagreeable complications. He was grossly
insulted in public durbar by the chiefs, who com-
pelled hhn to sign a treaty making over to them
the whole of Assam : the tea Mates to be taken
over at a valuation, and the government officials
to be pensioned off. He was then dismissed with
great indignity. He had returned to Derjeerling,
whither the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal has
gone. The mission has thus proved a failure.
_ _

Troubles seem to have broken out in OabooL A
conspiracy on the part of the girders has been die-
covered by intercepted letters, which they had
written to Mtn' Khan, urging him to march on the
city. Birders Aureem Khan and Ufzul Khan, the
elder brothers of the ameer by a different mother,
were at latest dates collecting their respective
forces, with the intention of attacking CabooL The
ameer has besought the aid of the British govern-
ment in money and troops.
A great public work has been brought to a suc-
cessful termination in the completion of the Bom-
bay, Baroda, and Central India Railway. On the
Ist of June next this line of railway will be open
without interruption from Bombay to Ahmeda-
bad for passenger traffic ; and insinediately after
the rains for goods traffic. The most fertile pro-
vine* of India is thus brought in speedy commu-
nication with India's chief sea-port and emporium
of trade.

of mar-

The bill providing for the
riages in India of persons professing the Christian
religion has been passed, and received the con-
firmation of the Viceroy.
It is currently reported, says one paper, that
"Sir Charles Trevelyan proceeds to }England in
December next, and that his successor will be
Mr. Forster, one of her Majesty's Finance Com-
missioners."

The state prisoners of the royal house of Delhi,
now in confinement at Rangoon, having, on the
death of the ex-king, applied for leave to return to
Delhi or some part of the North-Western Provinces,
Sir Charles Wood has refused to meddle with what
has been ruled respecting this family in India, and
has turned a deaf ear to their application.
Colonel Eden, the political agent at Oodeypoor,
iu Central India, was mobbed by some three or four
hundred persona on the 31st March last, who
rushed into the residency, shouting and violently
gesticulating and throwing atones. Colonel Eden
has rendered himself unpopular with certain evil-
disposed persons, who feel aggrieved at his putting
in force the law against certain crimes—more espe-
cially his prohibition of the custom of Meriah
(human) sacrifices.
A case of attempted Meriak sacrifice hu been
brought to the notice of the authorities in the hill
tracts of Orissa, near Pailakemedy ; the victim, a
young woman, having effected her escape by night.
Sir Herbert Edwardes bas proposed a branch
railway from Umballah to Kakis, at the foot of the
Hills. The proposition is before the government
of India. The chiefs of Puttiallah, Rabbit, Sir-
moor, Kibloor, and Hindoor have promised all the
assistance in their power.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company have de-
termined to reduce their fares on the Indian lines.
On the Bombay line the reduction will be from
lOW. to 861. after the 9th June next.

The four Italian gentlemen who bad been im-
prisoned by the King of Bokhara, have been re-
leased at the solicitation of Sirdar Mahomed llfzul
Khan.
The Cashmere shawl manufacturers suffered such
heavy losses in their trade last year, that the manu-
facture would have been completely closed had not
the Maharajah made a grant of 25 lakhs of rupees
to comp►nsate for the losses and prevent the failure
of the trade.

Reports from the Central Provinces are highly
favourable for cotton. 600,000 acres are under
cultivation with prospects of great increase, if
present prices continue.
Cholera had been committinggreat ravages during
the last fortnight at Bombay, Broach, and Baroda ;
Major A. H. Curtis, President of the Municipal
Board and Income Ms Commissioner at Bombay,
is one of the latest victims of this epidemic.

SWEDEN.
LETTER OPENING IN GERMANY.

The Nye Dagligt Atiehanda, of Stockholm, pub-
lishes a letter addressed by Count de Man.lerstroem
to the Chancellor of Justice, relating to the viola-
tion of a part of the secret instructions addressed
by that minister to the Swedish delegate to the
Conference at London. The following is a transla-
tion of the letter :

On the Mk of April there was despatched from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs a large letter containing im-
portant despatches destined for the minister of his Majesty
at Load", with en indication that it was to be forwarded
by Gothenburg and Hull. This letter should have been
sect on the morning of the 28th by railway to Gothenburg,
to be despatched in the evening of the 29th from that place
by steamer for he destination at Hall. But, u Count
Wechtmehter informs us, ender date the 3rd of May, and
as in proved by the return of the envelope which contained
the despatchm, this letter was sent, es the postal marks
prove, by the postal administratioo of Stockholm through
Hamburg to London. In time of war especially it
is by no means indifferent for the service of his
Majesty by what way official letters met to hie
Majesty's =Mittel, rush foreign part.. That which
can be sent without difficulty through Gotheeburg to Eng-
land, cannot go with the same security by way of Germany.
Io the mei Wien on the demob:keg contained secret in-
structions and communications which could never have
been intended to be sent by the ordinary post
through German territory. Count Wachtmeiater state.
oleo that the envelope of the letter was torn
I when it arrived, and that there is num to
believe that daring the journey its cosiest. were sublected
to a clandestine examinatioc. Al by this event, after a
grow error, of which the official let Wes sent from hen
ought not to have been ►he object, we have sem a real
incident occur, the ociesespeocee of which may bemuse very
neplummt, I must invite the Chancellor of Justice be take
the measures dictated by the circumalsocea.
By order of the BMA.

Stockholm, May 10, 1864.

(manes siKaaftimiLl
PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, MAT 23.
The Crown Prince of Prussia has left for Stettin
to assume the command of the 2nd army corps.
His royal highness is expected to return this
evening.

A banquet is to be given at the New Palace in
Potsdam to-morrow, in oelebration of the birthday
of her Majesty Queen Victoria.

23,

PARIS, SUNDAY Vaasa.

IL de Beast will have had his audience of the
Emperor to-day, and, as at presented arranged, he
leaves Paris on Monday. This Prime Minister of
the King of Saxony gives himself all the airs of
a representative of a first-class power, whereas, in
reality, be is the living impersonation of the dis-
union of Germany. The premature news of his arrival
in Paris owed its origin to the fact that he sent
Coast de Vitzthum hither someday. ago to prepare
the way before him. Many people anticipate im-
portant conscepienose from his interview with the
Emperor. The German plenipotentiary's cue seems
to be to curry favour with France. He seeks
opportunities to declare ostentatiously that
the only rational policy is the French, and
that an "appeal to the people " in the Duchies is
the true solution of existing difficulties. It is
rumoured that he hopes to persuade France to pro-
pose this measure in London, and that France is
Willing to be persuaded in the belief that such •
proposition will break up the present conference, and
lead to the assembling of the general congress upon
which the Emperor has set his mind. There is
no doubt that whatever may be the Emperor's
secret intentions, a popular vote means, in the
mind of M. Beust, the separation of the Duchies
from Denmark in favour of the pretender, whose
chances but • little while ago were thought to be
at zero—the Duke of Augustenburg. Several
members of the Bavarian Upper Chamber have
lately addressed • letterto K de Bawd, urging him
to support the rights of the duke.

The Foi Bretonae, an ultramontane journal of St.
Brieuc, has received a warning for an article
" pretending that citizens were not bound to obey
the organicarticles of the concordat," This warning
argues a persistence in the policy which prohibited
the publication of the Pope's bull at Lyons.
Madame de Lamoricihre has been nearly poisoned
in Paris by swallowing by mistake a compound in-
tended for external application. The general, who
was in the country, speedily came to sec his wife,
and found her out of danger, medical treatment
having produced vomiting. Belladonna was the
poison taken.
The famous anonymous author of the " Maudit"
will publish in a few days a new novel called the
" Religion..."

p ' EXPRESS 1) . MONDAY , 4''l ' G, MAY 23
Blackwater rlieT. The ::- ~, . . P#l.77r 1 Aim e,. 6 : .. 4.. RES FROM PAUL
to Nan . I -' i,...—..
some 20 th of ;;1". . 'i ' :tI: . , - I J THE GERht4IINVOY AND THE InIIEFLOR
cnt Ilia • • .41 ' NAPOLEON.
army which -I,ww has to cii. We . received lettere and 'mire from Dom-
r prevent him from detaching bay to April 29. (non ore owe comernmarr.)