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JJtowttnafc § *ily derail BT S. W. MASON AND CO. SAVANNAH, TUESDAY, PER. TANARUS, 18#5. Utra. LATER FROM THE NORTH. DATES TO FfiBRUABY 3. HZ SHOT IMPORTANT. YHE REBEL PEACE COSBISSIMERB. Am Interview Expected at City Point. Dspiriare of Senator Scvaid for that Place. LATEST WAR NEWS. SLAVERY ABOLISHED BY CONGRESS. d)ld Down to 200 1-2. [Special Dispatch to the New York Times] Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1. Peace matters liave assumed anew phase instead of Commissioners arriving here, as was anticipated, Secretary Sew ard left this morning in a Government vessel for the purpose of meeting those gentlemen at City Point. The object of his mission is undoubtedly to ascertain the exact status of these gentlemen, what they propose to do, and by what authority they are sent. Mr. Seward does not carry any ultimatum from the Government, neither is the President ' aware of what these gentlemen propose; and until he ascertains that fact, it is uncertain whether they will be allowed to proceed to this city. Richmond pa pers of Monday last would convey the idea that tney were appointed in ac cordance with the understanding brought about by the mission of Mr. Blair. Dispatch to the Aseiciated Pres*. Baltimore, Wednesday, Feb. 1. " The Annapolis correspondent of the ; American annqunces the arrival there ibis morning of Secretary Seward, ac companied by his private Secretary, who immediately left for Fortress Mon roe on Gen. Grant’s dispatch steamer to meet the rebel commissionors. They were met at the depot by Gen. Berry and escorted to the Executive Chamber, where they were welcomed by Gov. -Bradford. Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1. ' The rebel Peace Commissioners have • not arrived here. If they come, it will not be before to-morrow. THE EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON. The city has been much excited all day by the intelligence _ respecting the .*■ Southern Peace Commissioners, and re ports were constantly put in circulation and as respectfully contradicted, that they had actually arrived here. One of them originated with a porter of a hotel, who said he was perfectly familiar with v their faces, but who mistook a party of three gentlemen returning from a tour in , Baltimore for the Commissioners. I (Special Correspondence New York Times.) Headquarters Fifth Cqurs, Tuesday, Jan. 3J, 18G5-8 A. M. We are still agog with our new excite ment, the “Peace Commissioners ” but as yet haye not laid eyes upon them. When the boat started from City Point yesterday morning, the arrival of the commissioners was not decided, and I was unable to forward you any reliable intelligence regarding the event. It now appears that a meeting wa3 to have been held at daylight this morning, and it was : .supposed that Messrs. Stephens, Hunter • and Campbell would be permitted to across over into our lines yesterday fore noon. t Several meetings, under flag of truce, in front of Fort Morton, took place dur ing all of yesterday, despatches were ex changed, and much formality g»>ne through with, but no decisive action or understanding arrived at. The last in terview heltl was at half-past five, p. in Col. Hatch, of the nbd army, and Capt. Brackett, of Gen. Wilcox a staff, being the bearers of the respective flags of truce. Auother, and, it is hoped, final interview, will take place this morning at 10 o’clock. The absence of Gen. Grant from his headquarters at City Point, no doubt, has caused the delay; for were he here this matter would have been decided, one way or the other, before this time. Nothing is known as to what may be the intention or mission of the rebel commis sioners, for no one is allowed a peep into any ot the numerous despatches ex changed. Considerable excitement prevailed during the greater part of yesterday, along our front, and I understand that it is currently reported at City Point that the commissioners have actually arrived, but nevertheless, the fact that tney have not yet crossed the lines of our pickets is in dispensable. The greatest degree of confidence and quiet is still existiug along our lines in front of Petersburg. The two armies moved about in open view of each other while the different flags ot truce were in actual progress, and the men were seem ingly glad of the chance of enjoying themselves with more freedom than is customary. No other event worth re cording has happened within the limits of this army during the past twenty-four hours. George F. Williams. [From the New York Times, Feb. 2.] The St. Louis Democrat learns that a fight took place on the 15th instant at DardAuelle, Ark., about halt way be tween Little R<>ck and Fort Smith, in which the rebels were defeated. A fleet of light-draught steamers were en route to Fort Smith, and took on board a reg iment of cavalry at Lewisburgh, to clear the river banks ot guerrillas. This force landed at Dardanclie, where rebel# were ia strong force, under command of Joe Shelby. A fight ensued, during which the transports passed up the river. Our loss was twenty-five killed. The rebels fell back, and the next day evacuated the town. No further particulars have come to hand. At the recent assault on Fort Fisher, Lieut- Commander F. B. Blair, Commo dore Godon, Lieut. John R. Bartlett, First Lieut, of Aiarincs W. Wallace, and Ensign W. W. Rhodes, all of the Sus quehanna, landed with two boats’ crews, numbering about eighty men, and took an active part in the attack. They were among the first to reach the enemy’s works. Lieut. Wallace was severely wounded, and they lay four or five hours in the sand, close to the san I, before he could be removed, the shot and shell falling so fast that his men were unable to reach him. Mr. Frank Lawler’s letters from Rich mond to the London Times are so often intercepted, that each one published is said to cost the proprietors of the Times one hundred and fifty pounds. Gen. Grant, with Capt. Fox and sev eral other officers, has just returned from a visit to Fort Fisher. Gen. Grant is said to have expressed the opinion that it could riot have been carried, if the naval fire had not dismounted all the guns on the side assaulted by the soldiers. Nu merous circumstances w T ere found con firmatory of the belief that the rebels supposed that the main assault was that made by the sailors and marines, and were but poorly prepared for Terry’s assault on the other side. Extensive as the fort is, the gentlemen are of the opinion that it was not finished accord ing to the original plan. 'flie St. Louis Republican states that Brig. Gen. itoddy, who has earned a high reputation during the war, as a par tisan Cavalry Commander, and who has co-operated with Forrest in several im portant operations, grew tired of the contest a few weeks ago. He found means to communicate with the Federal authorities, and through them procured a full pardon from the President as a precedent to laying down his arms. His pardon was .orwarded to Gen, Thomas’ headquarters by Mr. Lincoln last week, and by this time, doubtless, is in the •muds of the repentant rebel for whom it was prepared. He will soon be heard of, therefore, as having resumed civi 1 pursuits at his old home, which we be - was in Tennessee. The informa tion upon which this statement is made, comes from a loyal officer, who has just arrived from Tennessee. His position in tne army there is such to give him an opportunity of personally knowing the truth of what he asserts. Washington, Jan. 31, 18G5.—The con stitutional amendment was passed this afternoon by a vote of one hundred and nineteen to fifty-six. The scene was one to be remembered by all who were privileged to be present. The floor ot the halt was crowded, as were also the galleries, the intense interest of the occa sion having attracted the large numbers present. At the commencement of the session Mr. Ashley, who had the amendment in charge, gave notice that at three o’clock a vote was desired ; but it was not until .alter four P M that a vote was reached. Several members discussed the amend ment until that time. Mr. KalbfieUch, of New York, made a speech against the amendment, in which hepresentei the case in opposition with much ability; but he failed to convince the House. Mr. Sweat, of Maine, was the only New Eng land representative wlio voted against it. Mr. Cox, of Ohio, had a letter from Mr. Guthrie, ot Kentucky, urging him to vote for it, but could not see his way clear to do it, and his vote was finally recorded against it* Os the New York Representatives seven D smoerats voted for the amend ment, namely: Messrs. Odell, Ganson, Steele, Radtord, Nelson, Hess and Gris wold. There were nineteen votes in favor of the amendment from represen tatives of Slave States, and in all twenty Democrats in its favor. Os the New Eugiand delegation only one— Mr. Sweat, of Maine —voted against it. Ev ery Republican member was in Jhis seat, and voted in its favor. Upon the announcement of the vote loud and continuous cheering arose spontaneously from the crowd on the floor and in the galleries, and the House immediately adjourned. This success has inspired a jubilant feeling throughout the city, and the ante-rooms of the betels were crowded this evening, and general congratulation and rejoicing were indulged in. A salute of one hundred guns was first immedia ately upon the passage of the amendr nients es its houor. Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1. — The Senate went into executive session to- day, at an early hour, for the purpose ot considering the confirmation of Maj.- Gen. Meade. It is said that a very ani mated debate ensued, which lasted up ward ot two hours, in which several-gen tlemen animadverted very severely upon the military career of this gentleman.— The Senate, however, preferred to take the indorsement of Lieut.-Gen. Grant, as Gen. Meade was confirmed by a very large majority. The Committee on Commerce to-day continued* the examination of several gentlemen who hold permits to trade in cotton. It appears from all he evidence elicited that these permits have been ob tained from persons connected with the Treasury Department. The witnesses in most cases refused to tell where or how* they obtained permits. J. S. Rbck, (Colored) of the Supreme Court ot Massachusetts, was to-day, on motion pf Senator Sumner, admitted as Attorney and Counselor in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Gold Room left off w,eak yester day at 203 1-2 per cent. The Railways w*ere also depressed in the early part of the day, and closed lower than on Tues day. Governments steady, Money easy. Flour, Wheat and Corn were in limited request yesterday, at declining prices, as were also Cotton, Petroleum, Whis ky, and the principal kinds of groceries. Provisions were in fair demand; Pork was dearer. Hay, Tallow and Clover Seed were moderateiy inquired for.— Fish, Hides, j rather, Oils, Naval Stores, Wool and Tobacco were inactive. .* The freight market was quiet. LATE REBEL. PAPERS. Richmond Sates to Jan. 30. TOE REBEL PRESS 01 THE PEACE ISOVEHEIT. Petersburg, Monday, Jan. 30, A gentleman who was at the army on yes terday when Messrs. Stephens, Huuter and Campbell passed through our lines on their way to Washington, says that shouting all along the lines was prevail ing, and it would indicate that they hoped for preparation for such terms of peace as would allow the armies to dis perse. Once before the acclamations of the armies were united, as when they lav before Fredericksburg. A fine military band played “Secessia,” “Yankee Doo dle,” “Dixie,” and other tunes and other national airs. They were appropriately responded to by the two armies alter nately; but when the band struck up “Home, Sweet Home,” the opposing camps forgot their positions and united in vociferous cheering. [From the Richmond Examiner, Jan. SO] Rumors were in circulation yesterday wdich need not be repeated here. It is understood that the nomination of Gen. Lee will be sent into Senate to-day to till the newly created office of Command er-in-Chief of the armies of the Confed eracy. It is known that no steps what ever have be.en taken by the Executive under or with reference to the resolution recommending the reinstatement of Gen. Johnston. Gen. Breckinridge has been appointed Secretary of War. He does not expect to assume the duties of his office until this day week. [From the Richmond Dispatch, Jaa. 31.] We learn that the President did not send to the Senate yesterday, as was said, the name of Gen. R. E. Lee as Cotn mander-iu-Ghief of the armies of the Confederate States. Charleston, Friday, Jan. 77.—The. Yankee gunboat Dai Ching got aground in the Combahee yesterday. Our batte ries opened on her, and set her on fire.— She burned to the water’s edge. All the crew, except a Lieutenant atd five men, escaped. Tne prisoners were brought to the city to-day, and report that the mon itor sunk off Sullivan’s Island recently by a torpedo was the Patapsco. Only five, out of a crew of eight hundred, were saved. All the rest were drowned. No thing important from below. Charleston, Monday, Jan. 29. — The ■enemy’s infantry are encamped near Eames Cross-roads, on the road to Gra hamsville, on the road towards Sister’s. Ferry. They have wagon trains with them. A recounoissance in force was reported within four miles of Roberts ville on the 29th. Robertsville is 50 miles north of Savannah, and five miles east of the Savannah River. A small party of Yankees landed on Little Point Island near Legree, on Saturday night, and were driven off. [From the Richmond Whig, Jan. 31.] Gen. Hardee telegraphs that the ene my crossed at Springfield on the night of the 2Gth, and moved northward in two columns. On the morning of the 27th he reports that all attempts to cross the Combahee have been so far baffled. • [From the Richmond Sentinel, Jan. 30.] We think, says the Goldsboro’Journal, we may assure our readers that, beyond the garrison of Fort Fisher and a few co-operating vessels, there are no Yan kees below Wilmington. The fleet is said to have disappeared, and it is pro bable also that the bulk of the infantry is gone to reinforce Sherman. In all probability, the fleet is destined for an attack on Charleston. If this be true, Wilmington is all safe for the present. [From tfie Lynchburg Republican.] We have direct advices from the Army of Tennessee to the 13th, and learn through private sources that Gen. Beau regard would assume command,. and the army was about to move, but in What direction is not known. Most of Thomas’ army are represented to have marched from Columbia to Clif ton, on the Tennessee River. Part of A. J. Smith’s corps are said to be in the vicinity of Huntersville and Eastport.