The Express.
London, England, 1865-02-27 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 27, 1865.

AMERICA.

(isterzies 111/01•34 )

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.
(Vi► Rooluis Pond.)
NEW YOILY, Pa. 14, Eviarnia.
The following are the latest particulars that have
been received relative to Sherman's movements :

After crossing the Whippy swamp the left wing,
under Slocum, supported on the extreme left by
Kilpatrick's cavalry, advanced towards the South
Carolina railroad, of which Branchville is the
junction. On the following day the Federal in-
fantry seized Macbride's Bridge, across the Big
Sallkehatehie, and, after a successful engage-
ment with Hardee'a troops, captured Braxton
Bridge, crossing the north fork of the same
river. Simultaneously the Federal cavalry ad-
vanced along the Augusta-road, then making a
diversion to the right occupied Blearing) and the
midway station between Branchville and Augusta.
♦ mo►ement beyond Blackville by Kilpatrick
woe repulsed by Debrell's Tennessee brigade. From
Braxton Bridge Slocum advanced towards Walker
and Edisto bridges, smogs the Edisto River, which
the Confederates abandoned and burnt. Slocum
is four miles and a half from Branchville, which is
invested on the west and south. The Federal centre,
composed of the army of the Tennessee, under
Howard, after crossing the Oombahee, detached
itself from the right wing, and marched in a direct
line for Branchville by Bell's Cross roads. The
Confederates under Maclaws made an ineffectual
effort to arrest Howard's progress.
The Richmond Despatch of Saturday says that if
Sherman succeeds in forcing the passage of the Edisto
above and belaw Branchville, he will keep the
railroad running thence to Columbia and Charles-
ton, compelling the Confederates to evacuate
Branchville, which they will most probably do if
unable to prevent Sherman's passage of the Edisto.
The progress of Sherman's right under Foster,
which is operating against Charleston, is said to be
slow, as, in view of the capture of Branchville, pro-
bably involving its evacuation, an immediate attack
on the fortifications of Charleston is not intended.
In the meanwhile active preparations for defence
continue to be made at Charleston.

Richmond papers state that Grant still holds his
position at Hatcher's Run ; his lines, therefore, are
extended, but not advanced. They represent
Monday's engagement as very severe. The ground
was fought over four times, in consequence of each
aide receiving snooessive reinforcement'. The Con-
federate loss on Monday was 500 ; that of the
Federal' from 1,500 to 2,000. General Forrest's
wound is not mortal. Grant is fortifying a new
position.
I The World says Grant has added three miles to
his line of works, but as far from the south side
as ever. It regards Hatcher's Run as another fruit-
less slaughter.

The Tribune says that Grant's activity, his close
approach to the south side railroad, and the ex-
tension of his lines westward, will prevent Les re-
inforciag Beauregard.
Dashers report that Les was removing his artil-
. _

lery to the north side of the James in front of the
Federal works. The Herald concludes therefrom
that Lee is preparing to evacuate Richmond.
Grant left Washington on Saturday for City
Point. His visit is believed to be connected with
important military movements. He held consul-
tations with the President and Secretary-at-War.
Schofield has assumed the command of the forces
before Wilmington, in virtue of his appointment of
commander of the new department of North Caro-
lina. It was expected that Terry would command
a corps under Schofield.
The World says that a movement near Wilming-
ton, in co-operation with Sherman's campaign, will
shortly be heard of which may have an important
bearing in the war.
Thomas's troops were embarkiog on board
transports at Eastport on the 3rd, and everything
indicated a movement of his whole army down
the Mississippi.
The Federal,' have evacuated Panaceala,
Florida. The gunboats remain off the coast.
Officers arrived at Washington, from before
Mobile, confirm the reported evacuation of the
city, which would probably be surrendered when
demanded. The cotton is all removed to the
interior. The Federal fleet was expected to reach
the city on March 1.
The Confederates have captured and burned two
Federal supply steamers ou the Arkansas river.
The Confederate General Winder is dead.
Peace resolutions have been introduced in the
House of Representatives requesting the President
to use means to bring about peace by the restora-
tion of the union upon the basis of the constitution
and laws, with a guarantee to the South of the pro-
tection of their rights. These resolutions were de-
feated by 73 against 43 votes.
Mr. Hunter has made a speech at a war meeting
in Richmond. Be said strong governments had
always made it a part of their duty and wisdom to
extend liberal terms to those who bad been in
armed opposition in order to reconcile them to their
sway and make them contented subjects. Mr.
Lincoln did nothing to soothe the reluctance or mi-
tigate the severities of submission. It was impossible
that he could suppose peace to be attainable on his
terms with the fore. the Confederates have in the
field. Secretary Benjamin said all cotton, tobacco,
and provisions must be given to support the
Southern cause. Every negro willing should be
allowed to go and fight and receive freedom. There
were not enough ablebodied white men in the
country.
The Herald asserts that the Confederate Com-
.

missioners proposed to Mr. Linoolu at the late
conference the union of the Northern and Southern
armies for the enforcement of the Monroe doctrine.
Mr. Stephens has left Richmond for Georgia.
A resolution has been introduced in the Confe-
derate Rouse of Representatives directing the Pre-
sident to ask and accept from the owners of slaves
the services of such negro.e as be may deem ex-
pedient during the war to perform military ser-
vice. Nothing in this act shall authorise any
change in the relation of slaves to their owners as
property, except by the consent of the states where
they reside or by the law of those states. The
house refused to reject or postpone the considera-
tion of the bill, and indefinitively referred it to
a select committee of one member from each state.

- The Richmond Whip amnia that General Forrest
is in favour of arming 200,000 negroen
A correspondent of the Southern papers asserts
that Lee has informed a member of Congress that
the only thing to fear was causeless despondency
among the people. The South could pin bide-