The Daily Dispatch: March 21, 1865., [Electronic resource]

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The news.

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The Richmond and Petersburg lines.

Everything was unusually quiet on this side of the James yesterday. Sheridan has made his hasty raid from Staunton to the White House, passing through the counties of Augusta, Albemarle, Nelson, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Hanover and New Kent, and leaving some desolation in his track. It is reported that he destroyed a large quantity of subsistence in his route. We have heard of many individuals who were robbed by his brigands. From the White House it is conjectured his forces have proceeded to Grant, either across the country or up James river in transports.

There was a very considerable bombardment near the Jerusalem plankroad, on the Petersburg lines, about daylight on Saturday morning. The firing was begun by our troops. The results, if any, are unknown.

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A Victory in North Carolina--General Johnston makes the Attack and Routs the enemy.

The following official dispatch, from General Lee, was received yesterday:

"Headquarters Armies Confederate States. March 20, 1865.
"Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War:

"General J. E. Johnston reports that, about 5 P. M. on the 19th instant, he attacked the enemy near Bentonsville, routed him, capturing three guns. A mile in rear the enemy rallied upon fresh troops, but was forced back slowly until 6 o'clock P. M., when, receiving more troops, he apparently assumed the offensive, which movement was resisted without difficulty until dark. This morning he is intrenched.

"Our loss as small. The troops behaved admirably well.

"Dense thickets prevented rapid operations.

"R. E. Lee."

Bentonsville is sixteen miles south of Smithfield, and Smithfield is twenty-five miles southeast of Raleigh. The report is, that the battle was renewed yesterday.

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From South Carolina--affairs at Charleston.

By recent advices from South Carolina, we learn that the Yankees posted at Charleston send out daily foraging parties, devastating the plantations on the Santee. All able-bodied negroes are being dragged from their homes to fill the Yankee ranks.

The South Carolina railroad is operating to five miles north of Summerville, twenty-five from Charleston. Dr. A. G. Mackay, the famous Masonic author, has been appointed by the Yankees street inspector of Charleston. The editors of the Courier call him an old and well-tried citizen. Sanitary improvements are progressing in East Bay and Church streets.

The Yankees are fearful of the advent of the sickly season, and are purifying, to be prepared.

On the night of the 9th of March, a fire destroyed the whole block on which is situated the warehouse of John Franzer & Company.

The roads to Charleston are lined with people, white and black, going to Charleston on foot to trade and for protection.

Foster's command are treating the ladies brutally and outrageously in raids from Charleston.

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From the Trans-Mississippi.

Mobile papers, of a recent date, have reliable information that Kirby Smith has twenty-five thousand negro troops armed, equipped and organized under their masters, and operating in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The muster-roll of that Department contains over one hundred thousand names, of which eighty thousand are effective for service.

We should prefer to hear that General Kirby Smith was moving some portion of this immense force to this side of the Mississippi river.