Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-25
From New york.

NEw YoRK January 24-The Times contains
a true statement of a letter from n Freuchman,
formerly in the rebel army, dated Richmond,
January llth. to a friend here.
He reports the arrival of another agent of the
French Emperor. named Martiguy, yia Nassau,
and his mysterious conferences with jeff Davis
Ii is known. he says, that Jeff.-has promised to
recognize the Emperor in Mexico. and promised
France all the advantages of the Southern Con,
federacy IL Napoleon would recognize and sup.
port the Southern cause. All of our principal
NEE, he saws think. therefore, that war be-
tween France aud the United States is near ut
hand.
The writer has no doubt the plan of making
Gen Lee dictator will be adopted as the only
means TO counteract the strength of the North
Lee has expressed his willingness to accept it.
He and JEFF. are on bad terms and the latter
would have TO retire. The latter is unpopular in
consequence OF keeping Bragg so long in com
mand. He has even thought since Braggs dis
missal of giving him command of the Army Of
Virginia, and sending Lee to Dalton, but had to
abandon his plan on account Of the great inhu-
ence brought against it.
Johnston, who took command of Bragg's de-
moralized army, thought of retreating to Attain
ia, but was kept at Dalton by orders from Rich
'mond. that he might take advantage of proba
BILE weakening of the Northern army by furloughs
and expiration Of term Of service.
Davis's plan is to keep the armies on the
offensive; though Lee gave his opinion that with
the miserable condition of the army in regard to
clothing and provisions, il was impossible to do
so.
Early's expedition was a miserable failure
More than thousand veterans have returned
with their hands and feet frozen.
The news from Charleston, the writer says, Is
fdiscouraging. Bureaugard has expressed the
opinion that he cannot hold Charleston much
longer. as Gilmores guns are in position to re-
duce it to ashes in few hours, if he intended to
do so.
South Carolina regiment doing duty at
Charleston intended to desert en- masse, but we're
prevented by one OF them giving information of
their intentions Twenty of the ringleaders were
shot on the 9TH inst, and the rest divided up
among other regiments.
The 18th Virginia regiment, which was ordered
to Alabama, refused to obey the order, and were
disbanded and used to fill up other regiments. as
the only plan to avoid mutiny
Bread riots occur almost daily in the South.
The Southern people are tired of the war John
Morgan has been given command Of Magrufer's
army, but will not be more successful than the
latter. The writer concludes that the DAYS of the
Southern Confederhcy numbered, and its
backbone is broken.
The Heralds Washington dispatch, says: = +
1t is understood that California and Oregon
will soon be formed into military depart
ment. aud the forces there raised to be at least
ten full regiments. IL is expected that Major
General will be sent there from the Atlantic
States naf antr
The smallpox is subsding in Washington,
and promises 10 soon disappear.
Ii has been discovered that on the occasion of
Meades late movement. the rebels were so APP
prehensve of defeat that they took all the felons
ont Of prison, reprieved large number of de
serters and sent them to reinforce Lee.
One lady, in rep, Wing another, says: Your
description of,ahe President pains me. bad
hoped for better things IL is true we are des-
pondent. but our hope for the future is still
strong"
The weather continues very mild, but the
common roads are impossible for heavily loaded
trains
Several prominent citizens and rebel officers.
one of them an ex Foreign Minister. are negoti
ating to come within our lines under the Presi-
dents amnesty proclamation.
Fernando Wood has, it is said. prepared a
speech. 20 be delivered on the ameudatory con-
hscation biII-in which he will enforce views to
the pr0prlety and necessity OF appointing peace
commissioners to the Richmond Government.
Special to the Herald dated Headquarters,
Western Virginia, Jan oath, says:
We have captured a rebel mail The secrets
of the mail bag curious and interesting. and
in one or two instances highly important Al
most alb the letters contain remarks on the Pres
idents amnesty proclamation. -
The sufferings ANTICIPATED in rebellion. the dis
affected state of cilizensof the South, the com
plants of soldiers. the manner in which the rebel
officers high Ia position spoken of, &c, ell
serve in. very MANY respects to confirm the re
ports in circulation In the Northern papers re
garlipg the condition of the Coniederacy.
The Postmaster General has invited bids to
Of de-
the Atlantic and Pacific.
Daring the late cold weather, over $4,000
worth of ice was collected in the department Of
Washington for the use OF hospitals