The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-20 00:00:00

works, the Confederates made several charges, and
attempted to break through them, but were re-
pulsed. The Federals captured a large commissariat
train. Their loss was about 100 men. A general
battle was expected the next day. •
President Lincoln has prepared a lett( r giving de-
tails of the peace conference. It is understood to
contain letters from Davis to Lincoln and from Lin-
coln to Blair.

Senator Foote has arrived at Baltimore, it is sup-
posed en route for Fort Monroe.
The Senate has adopted a resolution to the effect
that the action of the Secretary of the Senate in
presenting the constitutional amendment for Presi-
dent Lincoln's approval shall not be taken as a pre-
cedent for the future.

The President has designated Fernandini, Flo-
rida, as a place for the purchase of the products of
the rebellious States on Government account.
Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Maine have ratified
the constitutional amendment.
Sherman is moving in two columns, demonstrat-
ing against Charleston and Branchville. His left
wing, which he moved up the Savannah River for
53 miles, had struck off in a northerly direction.
He crossed Whippley Swamp on Wednesday, and
secured one of the bridges over the Salkehatchie
River, 30 miles from Branchville, whither the left
wing was moving. Another column is operating
easterly towards Charleston. A portion of troops
appeared in transports in the vicinity of Young's
Island, 20 miles south-east of Charleston, after-
wards retiring. Three steamers were off Whalespont
threatening a landing.
A body of Federal cavalry had appeared on the
road leading to Augusta.
The last advices report the left wing under Slo-
cum to have arrived and established its base of ope-
rations, on the 30th, at Sister's Ferry. The right
wing, under Howard, is encamped at the extreme
junction of the Salkehatchie River and the old Union
Road, Howard's advance extending to Combahee
River, where Hardie opposes him in force.
The Richmond papers report that Sherman is
burning goods and houses along his line of march.
Detachments of his forces have burnt Macpherson-
ville, Gillensville, and the:old estate of J. C. Calhoun
at Braddock's Point.

Beuregard has assumed the command at
Augusta.
A large force from Thomas has reinforced Grant.
Terry's forces are reported to have left the Cape
Fear River to reinforce Sherman. Fifteen thousand
troops are fitting out at Pascagoula, their ultimate
destination being Mobile. The New Orleans Times
asserts that refugees from Mobile report that the
evacuation of the city commenced on the 15th. The
guns and ordnance stores were going to Selma by
rail and water. There was a general impression that
the city would not be defended. The garrison was
small, and composed of militia under Maury.
The bulk of Thomas's infantry is reported to have
been sent down the Tennessee River to engage in
active operations at another point.
A doubtful report is current that a cavalry expe-
dition, 40,000 strong, will be sent to destroy the
remnant of Hood's army, open the Alabama River,
and seize Selma, Montgomery, and Mobile.
Sheridan's cavalry have defeated a detachment of
Confederate cavalry at Moorfield, Virginia, captur-
ing 20 prisoners, including Major Harry Gilmer.
The departments of Missouri, Kansas, and Ar-
kansas have been consolidated in one division, under
General Pope, who has established his headquarters
at St. Louis.

The Federal expedition up the Chowan River has
been abandoned.

The World asserts that the South is about to
change its military policy, evacuate Richmond, and
abandon Charleston. Lee will then withdraw the
Confederate forces from the coast, and, discarding
the defensive positions on the coast, will continue
the contest in the open field, whether attacked or
prosecuting an aggressive campaign.
President Davis has appointed Lee commander-
in-chief, and the Senate has confirmed the appoint-
ment.

Southern journals announce an improved and
more cheerful feeling among the people and army.

A resolution has been introduced in the Confe-
derate House of Representatives to put in the field
100,000 slaves—the Government to purchase them
and give one as property to each white soldier, in
order to render the slaves effective and interest the
soldiers in the institution.

General Grover, commanding at Savannah, has
ordered the abandoned property to be disposed of
by the Treasury agent. He has also ordered that
the retailers at Savannah shall not be allowed to
charge more than 50 per cent. over New York
prices.

Ten cotton vessels will shortly leave Port Royal
for New York, convoyed by Government revenue
cutters.

The blockade runner Coquette has been captured
off Charleston.

The Confederate Senate has passed a vote of
thanks to Mr. John Lancaster, the owner of the
Deerhound, for rescuing Captain Semmes and his
officers from the Alabama.
The New York Times declares that Mr. Sumner's
resolutions regarding the ratification of the consti--
tutional amendment will, if adopted, recognise the
complete dissolution of the Union.
The Times reports that rumours are current that
Juarez had obtained a great victory in Southern
Mexico, and had captured an important city.
A diplomatic correspondence has been published.
Mr. Seward writes to Mr. Adams in April, 1864,
that the insurgents manifestly have a bold, vigorous,
and effective party in both Houses of Parliament
and in the British press, who are confessedly influen-
tial in the administration of public affairs. The
United States have no advocates or defenders except
the persons who, however great their ability and
worth, are excluded from the conduct of public
affairs. He mentions the forbearance of the United
States to England, whose subjects, since the com-
mencement of the civil war, have committed so
many provocations and injuries, and the exacting
and unyielding disposition of England towards the
United States. Referring to the inference of Mr.
Adams, that the Government must triumphantly
and speedily conclude the war, or it may expect to
have a conflict with England and her allies, 11117.
Seward says that if the war were vigorously con-
ducted none would be heard counselling submission
to foreign aggression. He attributes the favour
shown by the European Powers to the subversion of
the Mexican Republic to the jealousy of the United
States.
The steamer Eclipse blew up in the Tennessee
River, near Johnsonville, on the 27th ult. The
casualties exceeded 100-10 men being killed, 26
missing, and 69 seriously injured. Most of the un-
fortunate men were United States troops.
General Lee has issued the following appeal to
the Southern people calling for arms, saddles, and
cavalry equipments :

I, Head-quarters Army of Northern Virginia,
January 25.

"To arm and equip an additional force of
cavalry ; there is need of carbines, revolvers, pistols,
saddles, and other accoutrements of mounted men.
Arms and equipments of the kind desired are be-
lieved to be held by citizens in sufficient numbers to
supply our wants. Many keep them as trophies, and
some with the expectation of using them in their
own defence. But it should be remembered that
arms are now required for use, and that they cannot
be made so effectual for the defence of the country
in any way as in the hands of organised troops.
They are needed to enable our cavalry to cope with
the well-armed and equipped cavalry of the enemy,
not only in the general service but in resisting those
predatory expeditions which have inflicted so much
Im3 upon the people of the interior. To the patriotic
I nee. d make no other appeal than the wants of the
ability
service ; but I beg to remind those who are reluc-
tant to
port with the arms and equipments in their
possession that by keeping them they diminish the
therefore
of the
themselves receivingarmarmy
to defend their property, without
urgesomepeorfsons not in the service to deliver
all any benefit from them. I
such arms and eanipnithe officers designated below
Promptly to
for cavalry) as
Y have, and to
entg (especially those suitable
those officers thethneaY may
to surrender those i.:111 such
persons
asreport to
who prevents a carbine heir possession. Every
neglect
or Pistol from: citizen
remaining un-