Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-02-02
From Richmond.


The Washington correspondent of the
New York Times says every member
of the rebel Cabinet, except Trenholm,
has gone out, and the rebel Congress
men are withdrawing homeward.
Johnston refuses to take Beauregards
department and Lee has declined to
take charge of any army but his own.
The Washington Star says that on
the Gath ult., at 2 o'clock A. NJ, reb-
ell feet of five vessels-the Richmond
! squadron 50 long being prepared
came down the James river to destroy
our depots and works at City Point.
The high water caused by the freshet
enabled them to pass the distractions
which our commanders had placed
above City Point for the better protec-
ton of the place. A battle quickly
ensued between the rebel feet and our
nearest battery or fort, in which one
of the rebel vessels was blown up and
instantly and entirely destroyed, while
two others were so badly damaged by
shot and shell as to compel them to
seek safety by speedy fight back in
the direction of Richmond, accompa-
MED by the other two which escaped
without any damage to speak Of Ad-
miral Farragut left Washington on
the 25th for the scene of this action,
and it is understood that he will at
once assume naval command there.
The object of the rebels in this last
movement, was to cause scare, so as
to enable them to get away from Rich
mond, the feeling being general there
that they cannot hold the city much
longer against Grants combinations.
The notorious pirate, Semmes, is re-
ported to have commanded the expedi-
ton. The rebels believed all our IRON
clads were at Wilmington, and that
we had only few wooden vessels in
the river.
The resolutions requiring Mr..
JEFF. Davis to appoint Commissioners
to negotiate with the government at
Washington for peace, were presented
in the rebel House of Representatives
a few days ago and referred to the for
eign relations committee by an almost
unanimous vote.
The Richmond Enquirer says it is
thought the executive cabinet have
pretty nearly exhausted its intellectual
resources without achieving a very
brilliant illumined individual fame, and
that new set, with fresh ideas and
wide awake characters is especially
desired at the present time.
The Richmond Wing of the oath
says nothing has been offered the
South for peace which we can accept,
and these peace movements show the
Yankee government is really convinc-
ed of its inability to carry on the war
to a successful issue. .....-
A correspondent states that men,
Der of JEFF. Davis cabinet had made
a direct proposition or enquiry Of Mr.
Blair, while he was in Richmond, to
the effect that if the rebel government
were willing to give up the contest
would the United States government
forego emancipation, coniscation, &c,
and permit them to dispose of their
cotton and leave the country for Mexi
CO, with the understanding that no OBJ
stacle should be placed in the way Of
the private soldiers of the Southern
army, at least all who may desire, t.
follow the leaders into that country
If that would be consented to they
would warrant themselves to drive
the French under Macmillan out OF
Mexico, assume the full control of the
government, and if necessary, plegde
Tits ultimate annexation to the United
States. Mr.. Blair stated in reply that
the north would not in any contingen.
cy abandon the idea of emancipation,
but our Government was willing to be
merciful as far as con6scation was
concerned.
The important bridge on the Wei
don Railroad over the Roanoke river
was almost entirely swept away by
the late freshet. This is very seri-
GUS interference with the transporta-
ton of rebel army stores. 1t is said
that months will be required to repair
| it.
The Richmond Despatch of the 25th,
says: The city was full of rumors
yesterday morning to the effect that
an armistice of 80 days had been
agreed upon between the Confederates
and the United States, and some went
so far as to state that white flags
were flying from the hostile lines be-
low Richmond. These stories were
the offspring of idle fancies.
The Tribune's Washington special
says Notwithstanding the denial at
tributed to Gen. Meade that he has
been removed from the command Of
the army of the Potomac, it is now
understood that the two armies of the
James and Potomac have been consol-
idated, and that Sheridan has been
elected to command them, and that an
other command has been assigned to
Meade. The time has at last come to
bring about peace by hard fighting
with the odds in our favor, and Phil.