The New York herald., 1865-03-30

WASHING ON.
Grand Council OF War at
City Point.
OPENING OF the CAMPAIGN.
General Movement Of the Army Of
the Potomac.
Important Combinations Of General
Grant and General Sherman.
Reported Reopening Of Peace
Negotiations.
Lee REQUESTS A MILITARY CONFERENCE.
Secretary Seward En- Route to
LEE REQUESTS A MILITARY CONFERENCE.
Secretary Seward En- Route to
Join the President,
&C., &c., &c.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 1885
THE CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE
MILITARY CHIEFS AT CITY POINT.
The visit Of Mr. Lincoln TO Fortress Monroe and Gene-
raj Grants headquarters is now believed here to have
much more significance than at first attached 10 It,
It has the occasion Of personal interview between
him and General Sherman, and council Of war, in
which the President and Generals Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan participated This conference evidently in
regard to pending military operations Immediately
after the council broke up general movement OF the army
Of General Grant in runA Of Richmond acas begun.
General Sherman to this interview incognio Tho
fact of his coming was known TO few in his own army,
and to none Fortress Monroe except those who met
him in the council He returned last night to Godsboro,
via Wilmington, accompanied by Brevet Bgadier Gone
raj Dodge on the United States steamer Bat.
RUMoRED PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
The delay OF the President at City Point has given
color of probability to the rumors in circulation
in regard to q renewal of peace negotiations.
An officer of the government, who arrived here
to-day brings positive information that the rebel
General Lee has since the battle Of Saturday last
newed his request preferred through Generals Long
street and Ord for military convention to settle mat
and agree upon terms Of cessation Of hosties
and the establishment Of peace II represented that
General Lee has expressed the opinion that hs
cannot much longer remain In Richmond on
account of the scarcity OF supplies, caused BY
the destruction Of the James River Canal; and In
view OF the tremendous combinations against him Il
would be madness to attempt any movement outside OF
his defences He therefore deems continuance Of the
contest a useless and criminal waste of life and blood
1t will be remembered that the request previously
made for military convention declined by General
Grant only because he not then clothed with
authority treat any other than purely military sub
jects Now the President at his sde and can confer
upon him all the authority requisite for the convention
proposed.
It is known that both the President and leading
military officers anxious to secure the whole Of the
rebel armed forces In Virginia and North Carolina, for
scatter them into multitude Of guerilla bands In the
mountain districts would greatly proong the war.
proposition TO surrender these forces will unquestionaby
elicit from Mr. Lincoln liberal concessions the part Of
the government.
II Is known that o movement has been initiated By
General Sherman which will completely cut on the rebel
army under Johnston from every available source Of sup
ply and the movement the part Of General Grant will
compel Leo either 70 his army in Richmond 70
come and risk engagement in the open field, h
which disastrous defeat will bo inevitable.
These facts induce the conviction here that before the
return Of the President to Washington the terms
Of peace will be agreed upon between Grant and Lee and
tho armed rebellion be ended The best Informed ocias
doubt
The Of another peace conference has received
additional confirmation TO- night from the fact that Mr.
Seward has gone James nver tonight TO join Mr. Lin
coin.
sHERMAN's COMMUNICATIONS.
Advces from Wilmington that railroad oommuni
cation between that point and Godsboro will bs oon-
pleted tonight Duplicates Of the bridges The
Northeast and Neuss rivers have been found all ready 70
be put up There is at Wilmington abundance of
rolling stock 70 supply all the requirements Of the army
ct Goidsboro
IMPORTANT POSTAL INTELLIGENCE.
All letters mailed In the United States for the north
Of Mexico embracing the States Of sinaloa
Sonora and Lower California, should be endorsed eva
Saancisco" letters for those States by way Of San
Francisco reach their destination much earlier than by
other routes
Letters for Newfoundland intended for transmissen
by the Cunard packets from Boston TO Halifax, N g.,
should be specially addressed via Boston by Cunard
packet and prepaid the United States inland postage q
Ave cents per single rate Of half ounce or under.