August 7.
At Blackburn, England, a large public meeting was held to consider the advantages of recognizing the “Southern States of America,” with a view to bring about an early termination of hostilities. Mr. R. R. Jackson, after declaring that “it was impossible for the North to vanquish the South,” submitted the following resolution:
That a petition to the Queen be adopted by this meeting, and signed by the Mayor, praying her Most Gracious Majesty to take immediate measures in coalescing with France and such other Powers as may be willing to give their cooperation to recognize the independence of the confederate States of America.The resolution was not received with unqualified approval, there being a strong expression of opinion against it; and an amendment was moved by Mr. J. C. Fielden, disapproving the policy of intervention. This amendment was supported by Mr. W. Crossley, but finally withdrawn, and the following amendment, moved by Mr. F. Johnston, was agreed to:
That this meeting, recognizing the desirability of referring all national disputes to impartial arbitration for settlement, respectfully urges the government of this country to immediately cooperate with other European Powers in recommending to the contending parties in America the above plan as the simplest and most satisfactory method of reestablishing peace, and in their negotiations strongly recommend the abolition of slavery.
The rebel expedition to New Mexico, under Colonel Sibley, was met near Fort Fillmore, by a body of California troops under the command of Colonel Canby. A battle ensued, in which the rebels were routed. Colonel Sibley was assassinated by his own men, who charged him with drunkenness and inefficiency.
Captain Faulkner, with a body of rebel cavalry, encamped in a swamp near Trenton, Tenn., was surprised by a detachment of the Second Illinois cavalry, losing thirty killed and twenty wounded.--Col. McNeill with a force of one thousand National troops defeated the rebel guerrilla Porter at Kirksville, Mo.--A fight took place in the northern part of Dodd County, Mo., between a party of National troops, under the command of Major Montgomery, and Coffin's rebel guerrillas, in which the latter were defeated, with a loss of eleven killed, four wounded, and seventeen prisoners. [56]
A skirmish took place between a small force of Union troops and a body of rebel cavalry at Wolftown, a few miles from Madison Court-House, Va., resulting in the defeat of the rebels, who were driven beyond the Rapidan River, with a loss of two men killed and a number wounded.
Malvern Hill, Va., was abandoned by the National forces under Gen. Hooker, information having been received that an overwhelming force of rebels, under the command of Gen. A. P. Hill, were advancing upon that place.
