The news.
No event of importance has occurred on the lines in front of Richmond and Petersburg. Grant has issued an address to the Armies of the Potomac and James, congratulating them upon the success of the land and naval expedition against Fort Fisher.Through Confederate sources we have nothing additional from Wilmington or thereabouts. The Yankee papers continue to be filled with accounts of the capture of Fort Fisher and glorifications over the event.
There was a report yesterday that General Price had captured Fort Smith, Arkansas, with its garrison of two thousand men. The report is not confirmed by official intelligence.
Mr. James A. Seddon has resigned the Portfolio of War. We have not been able to learn that his successor has been appointed, though several prominent gentlemen are spoken of as likely to be appointed. Among these are General Braxton Bragg, General Breckinridge, and Senator Hill, of Georgia. There is a report that the place had been offered to General Breckinridge, but that he declined to accept unless he was allowed to select his Commissary-General. It is understood that Mr. Seddon was induced to resign by action taken by the Virginia Congressional delegation. These gentlemen, it appears, sent into the President an official announcement that they had lost confidence in all the members of the Cabinet except Mr. Trenholm, and asked for a change. Mr. Seddon being informed of this action, immediately sent in his resignation.
Two important measures, recently passed by Congress, were made public on Saturday. One is the bill providing for the appointment of a "General-in-Chief" of the Confederate Armies. This provides that the General-in-Chief shall have charge of the armies of the Confederacy. Whether this implies the power to select the generals who shall command those armies is a matter of doubt. It also repeals the law providing a staff for the general assigned to duty at Richmond. General Bragg now holds the position referred to. The bill has not, as yet, been approved by the President. The other measure is the resolution recommending the assignment of General Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the Army of Tennessee.
Five hundred returned Confederate prisoners, who arrived at Varina on Friday, reached the city last night on our flag-of-truce boat from Boulware's landing.
By the same boat, Mr. Francis P. Blair, Sr., peace commissioner, returned to this city. Nothing has transpired as to the objects of his mission; but of course it has reference to peace negotiations, and this has grown out of his former visit. He is a guest of Captain Hatch, at the residence of the latter, corner of Fourth and Leigh streets.
The Hon. H. S. Foote, of Tennessee, left the city yesterday morning by the Fredericksburg train, en route for Prince George county, Virginia.
