The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-12 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 1864.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

The New York World of Dec. 1 sap :

Usle.s the indications are deceptive, W0;61111000 hear of
warm work, not only in the neighbourbrod of Richmond,
bat at several point/ along the coast. The firing that was
heard near Dutch Gap Canal, an account of will be found in
our despatches, signalises, unless we are much mistaken, the
opening of a most determined engagement between Grant's
and Lee's forces. The importance of the canal has, we
imagine, been overrated, for, even if it succeeds, it will
bring our batteries only some StU yards nearer Richmond
on the James River—a matter of no account at all. By
the extracts we give from the rebel paper., it is clear they
expect the ►ttack to open upon the J►mes River, and north
of th.t stream, though they suspect that the massing of
our troops on our left means that the real attack will be
from that Quarter. There is also reason to believe that our
fleets are in motion along the coast, and that, by the time
Congress maim the country may be gladdened with the ,
news that the last rebel port has been closed to contraband
traffic. An expedition to open communication with Geiser's'
ShermaMis also, doubtlees, under way. Of wee these
movements are intended to help the daring sod splendid
campaign of General Sherman. The latter, if at all sooner
Id, must now be nearing the seacoast, and it is the
dictate of common 1 prudence to keep every army
of the rebels fully employed, so that troops cannot
be spared to impede his progress. It is incredi-
ble, also, that the armies under the immediate
c nnmand of Coastal Grant should go into winter quarters
without making one more attempt to capture the rebel
ospitel. That they may be successful is the fervent prayer
of all who love their country, Lad who wish to see armed
rebellion emitters to the earth. The coming two weeks
promise to be the most eventful of the war. They will
probably witness' great battle near Richmond, another in
the Shenandoah, a third, as important as either of the
others, in Tesassees; several minor conflicts, with pregnant
results, in Georgia, and at less; two important naval
'clime along the coast,
The Richmond Sedind:of Nov. 28 says :

There wee some cannonading at Dutch Gap yesterday,
but nothing of importance occurred on other parte of the
line. We learn from Washington that Grant left there on
Wednesday for the front, and before leaving held consults.
time with the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy.
This may foreshadow the combined attack by the land
and naval forces so long threatened, and which the Yankee
correspondents declared wee only delayed until the Dutch
Gap Can.l was finished. There is, however, a prospect of
another 641111012 of rainy weather, and consequently a con-
dition of roads that will lay an embargo upon the move-
manta of artillery. When Grant dose move, he will meet
with obstacles of greater magnitude than mud or rain—the
invincible army of Northern Virginia. Scouts report that
Grant irrgrednally mwiuglhisjtroops to.our right. and, it
the weather continues favourable, he will probably make
another effort in that direction.

The Savannah Republican of the 24th contains
contradictory statements as to Sherman's move-
ments, particularly as to crossing the Oconee
river. It says that the column operating on the
Georgia-road kept the western aide and struck off
in the direction of Macon, as though contemplat-
ing a junction with the forces in that vicinity. It
is stated that a strong force of cavalry is follow-
ing Sherman, and that "it is not impossible that
Forrest may ere long bang like a wolf on his rear
and flanks."

Some of the recently exchanged prisoners have
reached Washington. They Ray that when they
arrived at Savannah from Millen they were kindly
treated, and furnished with the best food which
could be provided, and that the people intimated
that there were forces under Beauregard and
Johnston at Macon and Augusta to oppose Sher-
man ; but they did not believe he would encounter
them, or that the military authorities would iu
time decide where to concentrate the forces they
had. At Savannah there were only 1,r30t) men,
who would make but a feeble resistance.

The blockade-runners Armstrong and Talisman
bad &mired at Bermuda, the former with 700 and
the latter with 400 bales of cotton. They report
that the Chickamauga bad arrived at Wilmington
after a alight brush with the blockaders, and that
the Tallahassee was safely in port, and would leave
in a few days with a cargo of cotton for Bermuda.
Another incendiary fire took place at New York
on the 30th. The lumber yard of Messrs. Ogden
and Co., situated in Hubert-street, and running
from Washington to West and Hubert and through
Beach-street, was fired about a quarter to 4 o'clock
in the morning, and resulted in the destruction of
80,000 dole. worth of lumber. The fire was
kindled about the centre of the lumber yard, and
bore ample evidence of the hand of the incendiary.
There was no combustible material like phos-
phorus or turpentine, however, found about the
place, all being consumed in the intense beat. But
it is believed that it is a part of the plot to burn
the city.