The Express.
London, England, 1865-03-01 00:00:00

l

LAINT IN*LLRallork
astraz's TZLIOW(B.) "
AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF LONDON.
The Inman steamship City of London arrived
at Queenstown at 6 a.m. to-day, with 282 pas-
sengers and 59,926 dollars in specie. She landed
33 passengers and proceeded at 6.15 a.m. for
Liverpool.

(Via Roth.', Poiat.)
NRW YORK, 1,13. 18, Moulin.
A courier from General Sherman to Admiral
Porter has arrived at Smithville, having ridden
across the country. lie announces the capture of
Branchville on the Bth inst. by Sherman, after
three days' hard fighting.
Southern papers do not mention any battle, but
state that in consequence of the Federal occupa-
tion of Orangeburg, Branchville was abandoned.
General Beauregard has taken up • new line to
cover Columbia.

The Richmond Despatch of the 15th inst. says
that when Sherman's main army advanced towards
Branchville and Charleston, he sent Kilpatrick's

cavalry to decuonitrate against Augusta and destroy
the Charleston and Augusta railroad. On Friday
last Wheeler attacked Kilpatrick at Aiken, 20 miles
north-east of Augusta, and, after a severe engage-
ment, drove him five miles towards Branchville.
Our troops by this time have doubtless fallen
back to the Congaree, and if they fall back
behind that river, the enemy will be able to shell

Columbia from the south bet*. The Congaree and

its tributary, the Salute, are easily fordable above

the city.

The very latest Richmond despatches state that

Sherman'sadvanced forces have reached the south
bank of the Congaree, a few miles of Columbia, the
Confederates falling back to the north bank of the

river. A battle waa imminent.

Annapolis despatches of yesterday announce the

. _
arrival of a flag of truce summer from Richmond.
At the time of her departure rumours were current

in Richmond that Sherman had been checked and

Beauregard killed. These reports are unreliable
I: is reported that 20,000 Federate, under &bole-

field, have landed at Newborn, and are advancing

into North Carolina to reconstruct the railroad
from Kingston to the Atlantic.
Aeootding to the World, Sohoinfield's corps has
landed at Masonborougb, thus closely besieging
Wilmington, and avoiding the march up the
Peninsula.

The result of the reconnaisanoe at Wilmington,
on Saturday last, was the advance of the Federal
lines three miles. The new ground was held and
works thrown up on it as strong as those to
which the Confederates retreated. Lieutenant
Cushing made another reconnaisance to the ob-
structions opposite Fort Anderson, crossed the
obstructions, passed up to Wilmington, and made a
complete examination of the wharves and ship-
ping. He also proceeded to Charlotte, North
Carolina, and destroyed all the provisions there.
A deserter is said to have arrived from Norfolk,
who states that the Richmond authorities had
stopped the work on the monitors, had blown up
one, and were about to evacuate the city.
General Grant continues to fortify his position
at Hatcher's Run. He has extended his pickets
to Shiney Creek.
The World says the elevation of Lee is a step
towards a more resolute and defiant resistance, and
the most serious part of our military work still
lies directly before us.
Small bands of Canfederate cavalry are threaten-
ing the suburbs of Waahville.

Thomas has arrived at New Orleans. Price is
reported to have 9,000 men, mostly Texas cavalry.
His headquarters are at Bonham, Texas, south of
the Red River.

It is reported, rid Cairo, that Price has gone to
Mexico, on a confidential mission, ander the orders
of Kirby Smith.
_ . .

Kirby Smith is still at Shreeveport, Louisiana ;
his force is estimated at 38,000 men. Many are
scattered for foraging purpose*, and it is believed
that they could not be concentrated this season for
want of transportation. .

Magruder is at Camden, Arkansas. He has
10,000 men on his muster rolls, two-thirds of them
being effective.
Palmer has been appointed to the command of
the department of Kentucky.
The bill to enrol negroes into military service was
to have been taken up by the Confederate Congress
on the 15th.
Captain Beales, the Lake Erie pirate, who was to
have been hung to-day, is respited.
The majority report of the judiciary committee
of the Kentucky State Senate, recommends the
rejection of the constitutional amendment. The
minority report insists on compensation as a con-
dition to precede the ratification.
Lincoln has called an extraordinary session of
the Senate to assemble on the 4th March, to receive
and act upon such communications as may be made
on the part of the executive.
At a meeting of loyal Georgians, held at York,
resolutions were passed urging the people of
Georgia to submit unconditionally the Union.
The proposition to strike out the word " White"
in the qualifications requisite to become a member
of the Missouri Legislature, has been defeated in
the state convention. The proposition to permit
coloured persons to vote at the poll office was also
defeated.
The Senate has refused an appropriation for the
Niagara Ship Canal.
Congress has passed a bill for the "establishment
of a mail steamship line between San Francisco and
China.

The congressional committee has recommended
the admission of claimants to seats from Arkansas
ani Louisiana.
The House of Representatives has passed a bill
for taxing sales at one-half per cent., and levying
an internal revenue tax of eight cents. on cotton. Mr.
Stevens's amendment for a tax of 10 per cent. on
gold sales except for duties, interest on the public
debt or exportation was adopted in committee of
the whole, but it is supposed that it will be
rejected in the house.
The Virginian Congressional delegation, who
recommended the re-constitution of Davis's cabinet,
have issued a report referring to Davis's letter to
Mr. Seddon. They express regret that their
advice was repelled in such a manner, but declare'
their unwillingness' to provoke a resentful con-
I
troversy.
Nearly all the cotton fleet has arrived at New
York from Savannah.
The Tallahassee has arrived at Nassau.
The correspondent of the Herald states that the
governor has refused permission to the Federal gun-
boat Honduras to anchor at Nassau.
The British barque John Parkins has been
wrecked off Honduras.
The steamer Constitution sailed from San Fran-
cisco on the 18th inst. for Panama with 1,300,000
dollars in specie, of which 800,000 dollars are for
'New York.