June 20.
A force from Gen. Sherman's command occupied Holly Springs to-day, and destroyed several pieces of trestle-work on the Mississippi Central Railroad. The machinery for repairing and manufacturing arms was removed from Holly Springs to Atlanta, Ga., previous to the evacuation of the place by the rebels.
The Paris Constitutionnel, of this date, expressed the opinion that mediation was but a question of time. The cause had gained. More than one hundred provincial journals in France had given in their adhesion to it. The idea had gained ground in England. Such an expression of public opinion in two great countries could not remain without effect, but mediation could not be proposed with the certainty of rejection. It was for the government to seize upon a favorable opportunity.
A delegation from the religious society of Progressive Friends appeared before the President, at Washington, for the purpose of presenting a memorial praying him to decree the emancipation of the slaves.
The United States gunboat Jacob Bell, commanded by Lieut. E. P. McCrea, proceeded up the James River, Va., with despatches for the commander of the Monitor. She succeeded in her mission, but was considerably damaged by the rebel batteries on shore.--(Doc. 137.)
Lieut.-Col. William B. Cassilly, Sixty-ninth Ohio volunteers, assumed command of the military district of Franklin, Williamson County, Tenn.
The brig Yankee Blade arrived in New York from New Orleans, laden with sugar, molasses, and cotton — the first arrival since the remission of the blockade.
