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

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 27, 1865.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, FEB. 14 (Evening).

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 South Caro-
lina Railroad, of which Branchville is the junction.
On the following day the Federal infantry seized
Macbride's Bridge across the Big Saltkehatchie, and,
after a successful engagement with Hardee's troops,
captured Braxton Bridge, crossing the north fork
of the same river. Simultaneously, the Federal
cavalry advanced along the Augusta road, then
making a diversion to the right, occupied Blackville
and the midway stations between Branchville and
Augusta.

A movement beyond Blackville by Kilpatrick was
repulsed by Debrell's Tennessee Brigade. From
Braxton Bridge Slocum advanced towards Walker
and Edisto Bridges across the Edisto river, which
the Confederates abandoned and burnt. Slocum is
four and a half miles from Branchville, which is in-
vested on the west and south.

The Federal centre, composed of the army of the
Tennessee under Howard, after crossing the Corn-
bahee, detached itself from the right wing, and
marched in a direct line for Branchville by Bell's
cross roads.

The Richmond Dispatch of Saturday says, that if
Sherman succeeds in forcing the passage of the
Edisto above 'and below Branchville, he will keep
the railroad running thence to Columbia and
Charleston, compelling the Confederates to evacuate
Branchville, which they will 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 fortification 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 Mon-
day's engagement as very severe. The ground was
fought over four times, in consequence of each side
receiving successive reinforcements. The Confede-
rate loss on Monday was 500, that of the Federals
from 1,500 to 2,000. General Forrest's wound is
not mortal. Grant is fortifying a new position.
The World says that Grant has added three miles
to his line of works, but is as far from the South
road as ever. It regards Hatcher's Run as another
fruitless slaughter.

The Tribune says that Grant's activity, his close
approach to the south side railroad, and the exten-
sion of his lines westward, will prevent Lee rein-
forcing *auregard.
Deserters report that Lee 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 consulta-
tions 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 him.
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 on the war.

Thomas's troops were embarking on board tran-
, sports at Eastport on the 3d, and everything indi-
cated a movement of his whole army down the
Mississippi.
The Federals have evacuated Pascagonla, Florida.
The gunboats remain off the coast.
Officers arrived at Washington from before Mo-
bile confirm the reported evacuation of the city,
which would probably be surrendered when de-
manded. The cotton is all removed to the interior.
The Federal fleet was expected to reach the city
on March Ist.

The Confederates have captured and burned
two Federal supply steamers on 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. He said a strong Governmex`
had always made it a part of their duty and wisdom
to extend liberal terms to those who had been in
armed opposition, in order to reconcile them to
their sway, and make them contented. Mr. Lin-
coln did nothing to soothe the reluctance or miti-
gate the severities of submission. It was impossible
that he could suppose peace to be attainable on his
terms with the force 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 able-bodied white men in the
country.
The Herald asserts that the Confederate Com-
missioners proposed to Mr. Lincoln at the late con-
ference 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 House of Representatives, directing the Pre-
sident to ask and accept from the owners of slaves
the services of such negroes as he may deem expe-
dient during the war to perform military service.
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 re-
side, or by the law of those States. The House re-
fused to reject or postpone the consideration of the
bill, and indefinitely referred it to a select committee
of one member from each State. _ _

The Richmond Whig asserts that General Forrest
is in favour of arming 200,000 negroes.
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 gain inde-
pence if the people did not give way to foolish
despair.
Davis has written a letter accepting Mr. Sedden's
resignation, tendered in consequence of the action
of the Virginia members of the Legislature. Davis
denies the right of the Legislature to control the
continuance in office of the officers of the executive
department, whose choice the Constitution has
vested in the President. The Richmond Examiner
severely criticises Davis's letter, and says that the
recommendation of the Legislature deserved a better
answer.

Lincoln has sent Senator Morgan's name to the
Senate for Secretary of the Treasury,
but the nomi-
nation was afterwards withdrawn, Senator Morgan
refusing the position.
Mr. Macculloch, Comptroller of the Currency, is
spoken of as Mr. Fessenden's successor. .

Mr. Fessenden has submitted to the Committee
of Ways and Means a financial plan for the next
fiscal year. It provides for the issue of a loan of
$600,000,000 in such form of bonds and such rates
of interest not exceeding 6 per cent., as may seem
most advisable to the Secretary. The total public
debt, on the Ist February, is officially announced t 4
two billions and 153 millions. The total interest is
93 millions 130 thousand.

The Senate has passed the amendment making
the paper duty 15 per cent.
Duncan Eannar, chairman of the committee of