The Daily Dispatch: January 14, 1865., [Electronic resource]

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We have received Northern papers of Wednesday, the 11th instant.

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The Whereabouts of Thomas's army.

The New York Times, speaking of Thomas's army, claims that it has been largely reinforced. It says:

‘ General Thomas, we learn, is concentrating his magnificent army at Eastport, in the northeastern corner of the State of Mississippi, near the point where the railroad to Mobile crosses the Memphis and Chattanooga road. He will thus have the most convenient base of supplies that our Western army has had since Grant fought the battle of Shiloh--his line of communication being by water, on the Tennessee river. He has not only driven the rebels entirely out of Tennessee, but has put the State in a perfect condition of defence, so that he may be free, at his convenience, to enter on his new campaign southward.

’

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The mission of F. P. Blair, Sr.

A telegram from Washington, relative to the Blair "mission" to Richmond, says:

‘ We hear to-day, from an authentic source, that Mr. Blair, Sr., had no permission or authority from Mr. Lincoln to do aught else than try to recover those papers which were stolen from his house, and of which we telegraphed you a week ago.

’ Mr. Lincoln will not countenance any peace mission to Jeff. Davis, and had Mr. Blair expressed any such intention he would not have been allowed to go to the front.

Jeff. Davis, in granting him the pass to enter their lines, had it distinctly understood that his sole object was to recover the lost papers.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says:

‘ We trust that it will turn out that he has gone to Richmond upon his own business, and that his object was of sufficient importance to require him to go within the enemy's lines. We can only regret that he was not required to declare, before going, that he would not undertake to play the part of an ambassador. No good can come of these superserviceable "missions." They can lead to no tangible result, and they lower the dignity of the nation, which seems to authorize such irregular and underhanded expedients to obtain a peace which can only be gained by the diplomacy of such ambassadors as Grant, Sherman, Thomas and Sheridan.

’

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The removal of General B. F. Butler.

The rumored removal of General Butler proves to be correct. A telegram from Washington says:

‘ General Grant yesterday relieved General Butler from command. The alleged reason is said to be his failure to capture Fort Fisher, he not considering the opinion of Generals Butler and Weitzel, that to attempt it would be useless, and only lead to unnecessary sacrifice of life.

’ A letter to the New York Herald from City Point, dated the 8th instant, says:

‘ The news of the President's Order No. 1, series of 1865, removing Major-General Benjamin F. Butler from the command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, is causing much comment, but, so far as I can learn, little or no animadversion. Whether rightfully or not, General Butler has for months past been losing the confidence of the officers of the army, until very few will regret his departure outside of those that swarm around and attach themselves to those in power. It has been General Butler's misfortune to appoint too many of these selfish and irresponsible persons to official positions of trust and responsibility. Their indiscretions have often cost him dearly, and are supposed to be, in no small degree, instrumental in causing his present removal.

’ The ostensible grounds for depriving him of his command are undoubtedly his recent fiascos of Wilmington and Dutch gap. But a mountain of dissatisfaction has been accumulating against him for months on account of alleged illegal and arbitrary arrests, imprisonments and punishments. It is said that many cases of glaring injustice have come to light, and many others are expected to be developed by his supersedure.

Major-General Butler is ordered to turn over his command, all moneys and Government property, and the civil fund in his possession, to the person named by Lieutenant-General Grant as his temporary successor, and to proceed to Lowell, Massachusetts, and to report to the War Department by letter.

Major-General Edward Otho Cressup Ord, commanding the Twenty-fourth army corps, has been named the temporary successor of General Butler, and will at once take charge of the Department.

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Lincoln's levee — the Ape in White kid gloves.

The Washington Star (court journal) has a description of Lincoln's New- Year levee. The White House was thronged from 8 o'clock till 11 o'clock. The Star says:

‘ The President, who was dressed in a plain suit of black, with white kid gloves, stood just inside of the door of the blue or oval room, and was supported on the left by Deputy Marshal Phillips, (who presented the visitors,) and on his right by Mr. John G. Nicolay, his private secretary. The President looked in excellent health and spirits, and had a kind word to say to every one, at times retaining some of his more intimate acquaintances, with whom he entered into a lively conversation.

’ Commissioner B. B. French had the honor of introducing the visitors to Mrs. Lincoln, who was constantly surrounded by a circle of warm friends. She was most tastefully attired in a rich white silk, festooned with narrow white satin ribbon, and trimmed, with heavy black lace; a rich lace shawl, a black lace headdress, and wreath of modest flowers; and she wore an exquisite necklace of pearls.

Between the hours of nine and ten o'clock the east room presented a beautiful appearance. Being brilliantly lighted, a fine opportunity was afforded for the display of costumes; and the ladies appeared to the best advantage, being attired in rich toilettes. In the red, blue and green rooms there was a profusion of floral vases, bouquets and wreathes, made from the most choice flowers, culled from the Presidential hothouse, which attracted the attention of every one, and whose fragrance filled the rooms.

A few moments before eleven o'clock, the President entered the east room, escorting Mrs. Dennison, the wife of Postmaster-General Dennison, followed by Mrs. Lincoln, upon the arm of Governor Morgan. Shortly afterwards the President and Mrs. Lincoln retired, but the visitors seemed unwilling to depart, and it was some time before the house was cleared.

The Marine band, under the leadership of Professor Scala, was stationed in one of the ante- rooms, and performed, as usual, delicious music throughout the evening.

The rule of decorum (sometimes violated) of leaving hats, overcoats, cloaks, furs and bonnets in the places provided for them, was generally observed last night. This is as it should be.

The receptions at the White House for the season have been brilliantly inaugurated, and the scene last night was exceedingly attractive.

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Affairs in New York.

A letter from New York city, dated the 10th, has something about matters in that city:

‘ In the midst of this meteorological misery, however, we have one comfort. We are nearer out of the draft than a forced construction of Provost-Marshal-General Fry's last order led people to believe. Supervisor Blunt, who was sent to Washington to see about it, returned this morning as smiling as a basket of chips, and he assures everybody that it is all right. New York is to have justice; in other words, it will have to raise only four thousand two hundred men — not thirteen thousand, as previously supposed.

’ The Weed-Opdyke case draws to a conclusion. The earlier part of the day was occupied by Mr. Field, who concluded his summing up for Mr. Opdyke.--He spoke of the Mariposa claim, and argued to show that the entire connection of his client with it was uniformly honest and honorable. Judge Mason then charged the jury, who subsequently retired to deliberate on their verdict; but this, whatever it may be, will not be announced till the opening of the court to- morrow.

Colonel Allen, whom General Sherman authorized to come on here and superintend the exchange of Northern provisions for Savannah rice, has taken the Chamber of Commerce to task sharply for taking it upon themselves to alter the character of his mission. He says he has no authority to ask the Savannah people to accept a gift; he comes merely to effect a commercial exchange. Some foolish remarks, made by certain members of the Chamber the other day, are the occasion of this inopportune misunderstanding.

The "peace rumors" continue to occupy the public mind. They constitute the staple of the "talk on 'change," and, in fact, the talk almost everywhere else. Most people are hoping that something good will come of them, though the expression of that hope is invariably accompanied by an ominous shake of the head. The gold gamblers are quite disgusted with Blair; he has spoiled, for the moment, all "operations for a rise;"but they take consolation from the calculation that as soon as the whole thing is exploded the market will go up as high as a kite. Maybe it will, maybe it wont.

The estimated expenses of the Police Department for the current year are $2,211,556; Beard of Education, $1,848,508; Public Charities, $838,450; for keeping in order the Central Park, $150,000. Big figures these; and there are some people who are uncharitable enough to hint that there's a "big" steal in every one of them — down near the bottom — but that, of course, is a vile slander.

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The abolition question in Congress.

The bill for the abolition of slavery is still up in the Yankee House. On Tuesday,

Mr. Fernando Wood (New York) discussed at length the want of power and the impolicy of amending the Constitution in the way proposed. In the course of his remarks he said he should, on a future occasion, speak upon the condition of the country and attempt to elucidate the following propositions:

First. A tribute to the intense spirit of nationality which pervades all classes at the North.

Second. Sympathies with the Northern people, and a review of his efforts in behalf of their prosperity and happiness, and his struggles to prevent our war and its consequent horrors.

Third. A reiteration of his belief that the South cannot be compelled to submit to a sectional Northern Government, and that even if reduced to guerrilla warfare, which is not probable, they can hold the Southern country and render it valueless for at least half a century.

Fourth. An exposition of the Jeffersonian principles of the Democracy, which cannot be too often repeated to the people, that they may see how smoothly, how harmoniously, the machinery of the grand fabric of the fathers would move on if these teachings were not ignored and forgotten.

Fifth. That the Democracy still be held in the proud banner of the Union the symbol of peace, and still labor for a cessation of hostilities; determined, if possible, to rescue the sweet spirit of Union ere it perish amid the carnage and vengeance of civil war.

Sixth. That if the Southern States will return to the Union, the Northern States or people will, in turn, recognize, by constitutional amendment, the sovereignty and independence of the Southern States over all questions not expressly delegated to the General Government.

Seventh. That thereupon the Northern and Southern people shall pledge themselves to a hearty support of measures, peaceable or forcible, for the acquisition of Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and the freedom of Ireland.

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Invasion by the Indians.

A telegram from Julesburg, Colorado territory, dated the 9th instant, gives an account of an Indian invasion, upon "loyal" settlers:

On Saturday morning, sixty Indians attacked the overland mail express, about three miles east of this place, and robbed the mail. They also attacked a mule train close by, killing one man and wounding another.

The troops at the military post here, numbering fifty to eighty men, immediately started to the relief of the white settlers in the vicinity, and drove the Indians to the bluffs a mile back, where the Indians were reinforced to the number of fifteen hundred, and in turn drove the troops back to the post. The Indians then entered the stage station in large numbers, and, after destroying all the furniture and breaking all the windows in the building, set it on fire.

They also destroyed a large amount of telegraphic material. A well-directed fire of musketry from the troops at the fort, however, soon drove them back from the station. In the running fight on the retreat of our troops, thirty-five Indians were killed, including a principal chief. Nineteen of our soldiers and citizens were killed.

A general massacre and destruction of the whites was only prevented by the perseverance and bravery of our troops. The Indians retired in a southerly direction. This was the most determined invasion made by the Indians this season.

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Sherman's Next objective Point — the Strategist of the New York times on his Next campaign.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, pretends to foreshadow what Sherman's march from Savannah is intended to be. He says that Augusta is the next point to be taken, and adds:

‘ Sherman's ultimate objective is nothing less than Lee's army, now held tight in Richmond by Grant. But between his present position and his ultimate destination lie the States of South and North-Carolina. Now, whatever in these supports the rebellion — whether seaports, through which contraband of war finds entry from abroad; or depots of supplies, for feeding the rebel force in Virginia; or railroads and rolling stock, for the transportation of men and materiel; or capital towns, whose fall brings distraction, demoralization and dismay to the rebellious population; or negroes, which form the working sinews of the rebellion — all lie a prey to his conquering columns. From Augusta he can swing down on Charleston, cutting every railroad on which it depends, and enveloping it as he has enveloped Savannah. This of itself will be a portentous blow at the rebellion, for it will bruise the head of the serpent of secession in its home and hatching- place. But it will not be all; he will have his heel on that haughty State, and on the stiff necks of its rebellious population, who will be humbled and brought low. If our prisoners are still allowed to remain within the confines of this State, they will be released; if they are transferred further North, the rebels, becoming unable to feed them, as they are pressed upon by Sherman's advance, restricting the area from which they now draw subsistence, will have to let them go.

’ Finally, from North Carolina, Sherman moves up into Virginia, where he joins Grant in dealing the death blow at the rebellion, the head and front of which is Lee's army at Richmond.

This programme may, to some, seem rather a wild sally of speculation than an outline of operation, actually to be realized, or even in serious contemplation. And yet, I venture to say, it is neither more nor less than what will be done this winter — neither more nor less than what will be an accomplished fact by the opening of spring. In justification of this anticipation, the following considerations may be presented:

Putting aside, as settled, the question of opposition from the armies of the enemy, is an advance from the Savannah river, through the States of South and North Carolina practicable, simply as a problem in logistics? In other words, is it feasible as a march? Before Sherman made his march from Atlanta to the Atlantic, it might have been hazardous to answer this query in the affirmative.--But the master mind that, in the month of December, conducted his army from the heart of Georgia to Savannah, a distance of three hundred miles, without the loss of so much as a wagon, is equal to the task. It is the prerogative of genius to shame old impossibilities by new achievements.

It is clear from this outline of the grand scheme now being worked out by Sherman, that the military situation in Virginia assumes a wholly new aspect and relations. The expulsion of Lee's army from Richmond, so far from being, as hitherto, a desideratum, is now an event to be prevented. Indeed, it is presumable that it will for some time be Lieutenant-General Grant's chief aim to hold Lee in Richmond, while Sherman presses forward in the execution of his great design. Viewed in its most general aspect, Richmond assumes the character of a pivot, toward which Sherman is sweeping, in an immense circumference.

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Narrow escape of General Thomas.

The following incident, related by the Louisville Journal, shows on what slender circumstances great fortunes sometimes hang:

‘ We learn that another distinguished major-general was in this city last week with orders to the front to supersede General Thomas. It seems that his policy was not understood; his retreat upon Nashville was thought to be wrong, and when he retreated there he was too slow, and the people and the authorities complained, so his recall was decided upon. His successor was appointed and reached Louisville, on his way to Nashville, but paused in our city, when it was announced that Thomas had remounted his cavalry, furnished his artillery with fresh horses, and made a sally on the left of the rebel line, and, in twenty four hours, doubled Hood's divisions upon one another in maze of entanglement. His successor returned to other fields.

’

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The Letters of arrested correspondents.

The arrest of Flint, the ("Druid") correspondent of the New York Herald, who writes from Baltimore, has been published. The fellow has excited the envy of the Yankee correspondents by a bold show of having private means of obtaining information from "rebel sources," and they are trying the provost marshal on him to see how it will fit, with a view to sending him through the lines. Here is an extract from his letter:

‘ It was the design of the Administration from the outset of the war to alienate the Southern people and to prevent them from ever again returning to the Union. Hence the adoption of the policy of emancipation and confiscation; hence, at a later period, the adoption of the policy of subjugation; hence, now, the adoption of the policy of extermination. The Southern people understand this perfectly. They know that, if they were ever expected back into the Union again, the policy of emancipation and confiscation never would have been adopted; that Sheridan would not have been ordered to make the whole Shenandoah valley a barren waste, even to the extent of breaking up and burning the farming utensils, and burning the roofs over the heads of helpless women and children; that the atrocities of Turchin and McNiel would not have been overlooked; that Atlanta would not have been depopulated and burned; that Petersburg and Charleston would not be shelled, and that Sherman's march through Georgia would not have been marked by a broad belt of desolation.

’ The course which has been pursued towards the South has had precisely the effect which the Administration designed that it should have. It has made out of every man, woman and child in the South a deadly enemy. If the alternative were presented to-day of union with the North or extermination they would choose the latter gladly. But they do not expect to be exterminated or to be conquered. If they suffer reverses, they will only serve to make their armies stronger and to nerve their arms with greater vigor. Do the readers of the World forget what manner of men the Southern people are? They are Americans, the same as we are. Their fathers fought for liberty and independence side by side with ours. They believe now that they are fighting for the same liberty and the same independence. It is a religious belief with them, interwoven with their existence. The conquest of Georgia, such as it is, will add twenty- five thousand men to the Confederate armies.

Neither Charleston nor Wilmington will fall without terrible and bloody battles. If we take those cities we will pay the full price for them. And even if they should be taken, the work of the subjugation of the South would only be begun. They still have a reserve force of seven hundred thousand able-bodied white men, and after them a reserve force of six hundred thousand able-bodied and faithful black men. All these they will bring into the field before they will yield, and before their country can be conquered.

A Washington telegram says:

‘ Mr. B. S. Osborn, naval reporter, No. 2 Dey street, New York, and correspondent of the English Army and Navy Gazette, has been arrested by order of the President, and ordered to trial, for furnishing to the public press, and requesting the publication of, the details of the Wilmington expedition, thereby causing the enemy to reinforce the works at Federal Point. Mr. Osborn is now in the Old Capitol prison at Washington.

’

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Miscellaneous.

Gold was quoted in New York on Wednesday at 223 3-8.

The New York Wold, of Wednesday morning, sets afloat a story that the French and English Ministers have notified Mr. Seward of the intention of their Governments to recognize the Southern Confederacy, on the Government of the latter abolishing slavery.

Aaron H. Cragin, the newly-elected United States Senator from New Hampshire, for the term of six years from the 4th of March next, was born in Vermont in 1821. He is a lawyer by profession.

The New York News printed the Confederate Constitution in full on New Year's day, and declared it better than the Constitution of the United States, because of its "clearer and more explicit enunciation of the doctrine of State rights."

The Yankee House Committee on Elections had under consideration the Louisiana case. It is understood that the committee will report in favor of the admittance of the New Orleans members only, the others not having received a sufficient number of votes to entitle them to seats in the House.

Upon careful calculation it is estimated that Lincoln, in the two hours of his levee on New- Year's day, shook hands with about seven-thousand persons, men, women and children, of all ages, ranks and races.

Major-General Hancock is in New York.

Henry Ward Beecher's salary for this year has been fixed at twelve thousand five hundred dollars.

It now costs $5 to cross the bridge at Niagara Falls, leading to Canada.

The vintage of California is estimated this year at over six million gallons.

A company for deep-sea fishing, by means of the electric light, has just been formed at Dunkirk.

On the 29th ultimo, the Hon. William D. Stewart was elected a Senator in the United States Congress from Arkansas for six years from the 4th of March next. Mr. Stewart had a two thirds vote in each branch of the Legislature.