The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-17 00:00:00

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE CHINA.
(Via Roche's Point.)
NEW YORK, March 8 (Morning).
The following are the heads of the news brought
by the China :
Nothing authentic has been received from Sher-

man.

It is reported that Sheridan has occupied Charlottes-
ville, defeated and captured Early.
The American consul was expelled from Mata-
moras for not recognising the Emperor Maximilian
on behalf of the United States.
The Confederation scheme has been defeated at
New Brunswick.

NEW YORK, March 8 (Morning).
Sheridan commenced moving down the Shenan-
doah on the 27th ult.

Grant reported on Monday that deserters con-
curred in stating that he had captured Charlottes-
ville, taking Early and nearly all his entire force,
numbering 1,800 men prisoners.
An engagement occurred between Stanton and
Charlottesville, in whi#i Early was totally defeated.
Sheridan was reported to be pursuing the remnant
of his army.

Four regiments had left Richmond to reinforce
Early. Four brigades had been sent in the direc-
tion of Lynchburg to endeavour to reach there be-
fore Sheridan.

These reports have received no confirmation be-
yond a statement from Winchester, that Early's
forces had been defeated, but that Early himself had
not been taken prisoner.
Sheridan will not return to Winchester, but will
co-operate with Sherman.
The reports respecting Sherman are conflicting,
and consist almost entirely of conjectures. The
Trzbune considers the news of Sherman vague and
unsatisfactory. The only thing certain is that he
was at Columbia on the 17th ult. His movements
since are lost in obscurity.
Some report Sherman to be at Fayetteville, where
he had been joined by gunboats sent by Schofield.
Others report him to be at Camden and Florence,
while the New York World states that, finding
further advance northward impracticable, he had
fallen back from Columbia to Kingsville and Branch-
ville.

The battle at Tudkin river was merely an en-
gagement with Sherman's outposts.
The Tribune says that Granttredits the reported
junction of Schofield and Sherman at Fayetteville.

Wilmington advices to the 23d ultimo announce
the arrival of a portion of Sherman's advance at
that place, and that the junction .of Sherman
and Schofield is untrue, since the latter
is about ten miles from Wilmington, and
meetingwith frequent resistance, the enemy appear-
ing alert to pick up stragglers, and actively endea-
vouring to cut off supplies from Wilmington, where
nothing was known about Sherman.

Terry is expected shortly to co-operate in the
campaign in North Carolina.

The Herald says that Sherman's advance had
reached the Cape Fear River, 60 miles above Wil-
mington.

Raleigh papers believe that Haygood's brigade,
with the exception of one battalion, had been cap-
tured near Wilmington, on the west bank of the
Cape Fear River.
A Federal naval expedition captured Fort White
and 15 guns, below Georgetown, South Carolina.
The mariners and sailors afterwards landed and
occupied Georgetown. The Confederate cavalry
charged them in the streets, but were repulsed.
Admiral Dahlgren's flagship, the Harvest Moon,
was sunk on her way down by a torpedo. All hands
were saved. After the capture of Georgetown,
Commander Creigton proceeded up the Black River
and prepared to open communication by army sig-
nals with Sherman, who was reported to be 12 miles
distant.

Admiral Dahlgren reports that he gave attention
to Georgetown, as it was likely to be preferable for
communication with Sherman, in case it became
desirable, before he entered North Carolina.
The negroes are largely enlisting at Charleston.
The I imes says that the Savannah garrison has
been reduced to the smallest number compatible
with the safety of the town, and attributes this to
the planters not responding to Sherman's invitation
to bring in produce.

Grant is compelled to remain inactive by the
condition of the roads.

Deserters continue to come in, and they reiterate
that the Confederates are preparing to evacuate
Richmond and Petersburg.

Canby is reported to have returned to New
Orleans, after inspecting Mobile Bay and the adja-
cent defences.