The New York herald., 1865-02-18
New York, Saturday, February Is, 1865
THE SITUATION.

THE SITU UATION.
All doubt regarding the occupation OF Branchvie,
South Carolina, by General Sherman dsspaed by the
despatch Of one Of Fort Fisher correspondents.
Tho announcement of its capture supposed the
inst, after three days Of hard lighting was brought
to Smthville, N c. the 18th inst by courier who,
at great peril rode the country despatch from
General Sherman to Admiral Porter Wilmington papers
OF the 9th inst and refugees who have reached Smith
vile confirm this statement; and Richmond journals OF
Wednesday last say their War Department has the Official
announcement OF the evacuation of BranchviIle which
was consequent the occupation Of Orangeburg north
Off, tho railroad leading Columbia by large force
OF Shermans infantry; but they do not mention any
fighting the vicinity. They report however that Kill
patrick reached point within fifteen miles Of Augusta
Ga, on the 10th instant and attacked by Wheeler,
and adriven Hve miles, with considerable loss. On
Tuesday last they ste.e there again Union column
within few miles Of Augusta, and, important
still, they say that Wednesday sherman's ad.
vance had reached the south bank Of the Congarce
within few miles Of Columbia which is situated the
north bank Of that river to which side the rebels had
fallen back battle considered imminent A
mor was in circulation yesterday purporting to have
been brought from Richmond to Annapolis by released
Union prisoners 70 the effect that Sherman had been
checked and Beauregard killed Tho lattcr possible,
but tho former very improbable.
Additional daring exploits Of the intrepid young
Commander Cushing described in Fort
Fisher correspondence On the 9Th inst. with about
nflsen mon, he captured the lite town OF shalotte gar
by hundred rebels held for several hours
during which he destroyed large Of army sup
pies provisions and about eighty bales OF cotton and
escaped without los. On the night OF the 10th Inst
he made q reconnaissance OF Cape Fear river,
actually penetrating up 70 the wharves Of VIII
mington where he remained sufficiently long to gain
much valuable information. He discovered the
rebel pirate Chickamauga sunk in the channel Of the
river. On the next night, with four boats crows he
up the rebel Fort Anderson and managed to get
close enough under walls hear officer, supposed
10 DO General Bragg, haranguing his men tho last
ditch and tho last stroke for Southern Independence
Our James river dispatches represent that with thin
exception Of exchanges between tho batteries
and pckets before Petersburg the stiffness in the armies
OF the James and the Potomac remains undis
turbed The number Of rebel deserters coming the
Union lines has increased since the failure OF the peace
negotiations very considerably Not only prvates. but
many OF Lees officers leaving him. They say that
che general feeling Of his army Of hopecssness
that the majority OF his convinced that their
Southern confcdcracy Is a chimera, and would gladly
lay down their arms IL they had the opportunity.
Our New Orleans dispatches published in the HERALD
Of tho Goth ult announced that General Mea the En-
peror Maximillan's commander at Matamoros had
agreed 70 return the rebel authorities in
Texas all tho refugees who made their es-
cape from Jcn Davis dcspotism in that State
across tho Rio Grande into Mexico We have now the
statement from Cairo that General Candy has informed
General Mcja that II he persists in carrying out this
rHngement he may expect retaliation by the taking and
holding Of Mexican officers, man for man. for each Of
Ehs escaped Texans returned to the rebel officers.
Bands Of guerilas have for days past been
prowng through the country in the immediate vicinity
Of Nashville and Carksvic Tennessee, pundcrng the
fDhabitans and carrying OF Of them. On Thurs
day afternoon about -four hundred marauders ap
psared within six miles Of Nashville, and captured
several wood choppers and government employees East
Tennessee said TO be present undsturbcd by them
The case Of the st. Abans raiders Is st undecided by
che Montreal court After argument between the
opposing counsel Thursday, further proceedings
adjourned over ill Monday next.
We have received files Of Nassau papers TO the ilth
fust The Guardian Of the sth informs that
blockade running had returned to port hayns
been unable 70 get Charleston Between the 9th an'
Che ilth inst the steamers Secret, Dream, Florence
Caroline, Chameleon, Virginia Hansa and Owl rcturnes
% Nassau afer unsuccessful efforts 70 run the blockade
Our hles Of late rebel newspapers contain some
very interesting disclosures regarding the corruption
gn jon Davis Cabinet, and give an insight into the
sausca OF IL recent dissolution A COMMITTEES Of the