The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-21 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC IN'TELLIGENOE.

(Icerzz's TILIGIUSUL)
AMERICA.

RETREAT OF THE CON-
FEDERATES.
PASSAGE OF THE JAMES RIVER.
(Par North American, yid Quebec and Londonderry.)
NEW YORE, ILty 9, Emus°.
Federal accounts from New Orleans state that
the bombardment of the forts below New Orleans
lasted six days without intermission. Twenty-one
Federal mortar boats and three gunboats were in
action. On the 25th ult. they silenced the fortifi-
cation* and secured a passage up the river for 14
Federal steamers. General Butler landed 4,000
troops above the forts. Eleven Confederate gun-
boats were destroyed.
The Federal officer Bailey officially reports the I
capture by the Federals of New Orleans, and forts
Jackson, Phillip, Livingstone, and Pike. He also
reports the total destruction of the Confederate
gunboats, steam rams, iron-clad floating batteries,
fire rafts, obstructions, and chains.
The Confederates, with their own hands, are
stated to have destroyed cotton and shipping to
the value of from eight to ten million dollars.
The loss of the Federals amounts to 30 killed
and 100 wounded. The Confederates lost 1,600
men.
The way is clear, and all the Confederate defences
are destroyed, from the Gulf to Baton Rouge, and
probably to Memphis.
The Louisville Despatch reports that along the
Mississippi, from New Orleans to Memphis, there
is a general bonfire of property, particularly of
cotton. At Memphis sugar and molasses in large
quantities were on the Bluff, ready to be rolled into
the river and all cotton was to be burnt. At
the approach of the Federal fleet, the people of the
river towns retreated inland, destroying the pro-
perty all along the Southern tributaries of the Mis-
sissippi. Among this great number only one
planter was found who objected to burning his
cotton.
•
A Yorktown despatch of the 7th says :
"After the evacuation of Williamsburg by the
Confederates General M'Clellan's forces pursued
the Confederates eight miles beyond Williamsburg,
as far as the Chickahominy river. The Confede-
rates retreating across the Chickahominy destroyed
all the bridges. General M'Clellan's forces rested
on the left bank of the Chickahominy. 20,000
Federal troops, under General Franklin, have been
landed at West Point, twenty miles above Wil-
liamsburg, at the bead of York River.
Another division of the Federal army has
left for West Point. Unless the Confede-
rates, after crossing the Chickahominy, were
able to reach Richmond by way of the James
River, it is supposed that the Federal forces,
which have been landed at West Point, will be able
to cut off entirely the retreat of the Confederates to
Richmond."
The Federal iron-clad steamer Galena, with two
gunboats, has started up the James River to cut
off the river, communication of the Confederate
army on tint Chiookahominy. The Monitor and
serital Flifetal-ranbeata have left Fort Monroe for
Sewell's Point, which the : Confederates have
evacuated.
It is rumoured that the Confederates have also
evacuated Norfolk.
Mr. edema, the American minister in London,
has made a claim on the British government
for the restoration of the Emily St. Pierre.
The democratic party is again making a move to
reconstitute its influence.
In the House of Representatives a bill has been
passed making Hilton Head (South Carolina) a port
of entry.
IPer North American by telegraph so Father Polak sad
from Loodoseteery.)

FURTHXB.

NEW YORK, NAT 10, Evans°.
Reconnaissances of Federal iron-clad boats to
fiewell's Point have established the fact that very
few guns and men remained there.
The Merrimac and Monitor approached each
other several times, but no battle ensued. The
Federal steamers returned to Fort Monroe.
Norfolk has not yet been evacuated.
An engagement has occurred at West Point be-
tween General Franklin's Lt division and the
Confederates under General Lee. The Confede-
rates were shelled by the Federal gunboats, and
retreated.
General M'Clellan officially reports from Wil-
liamsburg, on the 9th : " I have effected a junc-
tion with Franklin's forces, and the troops are in
excellent condition. The Federal iron-clad steamer
Galena was aground in James River, a little above
Yorktown, it was supposed not badly. The main
body of the Confederates have retreated across
James River. The Confederates at Williamsburg
appeared to be very short of provisions. Many
soldiers captured bad not tasted anything but
biscuit for 48 hours, and were in a state of exhaus-
tion."

Nothing decisive is reported from the armies of
Generals Beßeck and Beauregard.
The Federal, are feat approaching Charleston and
Savannah. . .

Eleven thousand bales of cotton were burnt at
New Orleans.
Forte Jackson and Phillip surrendered condi-
tionally that the officers should be allowed to retain
their side-arms, and the garrisons be permitted to
retire on parole.
The North American touched at Cape Race on the
13th, but was unable to receive the latest news
owing to the breaking down of the telegraphic line
upon the previous day.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, MAT 9, Evsetsu.
Money abundant. Gold, 31 prem. Exchange
advancing. Bankers' bills, 1141. Stocks very
firm. New York Centrals, 881; Illinois, 611 ;
Erie, 34. Federal Coupon Sixes, 21 prem.
Cotton advancing. Sales of the last two days
amount to 2,000 bales. Middling Upland is
quoted 2740.
Flour heavy, sc. lower. Wheat, good inquiry,
at a decline of lc. Corn depressed, and prices la
lower.
Provisions quiet but unchanged. Coffee steady.
Sugar and molasses very firm.
LATEST.
(By Telegraph to Father Point sad from Lonioniterry.)
NEW YORK, Mat 10, Emma
Money abundant. Exchange very firm. Stocks,
large speculative sales. Cotton very firm. Bread-
stuifs dull and declining.

3C61100.
EV/ YORK. NAT 9Ss.,
Advises received beivarogs Vies ergs. P""
'lobed by tin New York moss, ass to

[Stamped, ld. didditonsq

The French had advanced from Cordova, occu-
pied Orizaba, and were still advancing. They
attacked and captured a small fort, taking 25 pn-
goners.
The French give the following as the cause for
not fulfilling the original agreement of Soledad
L The declaration of war by Juarez ; 2, the as-
lamination of several French soldiers ;5, annoyance
caused by Juarez • aud, 4, the entire interception
of all kinds of food.
Almonte had issued a proclamation which was
regarded as an approval of foreign intervention in
Mexico. large numbers of the inhabitants were
Imourteileto
va.have declared themselves in favour of
1 The Spanish troops were embarking in British
steamers.
It was reported that General Prim would not
leave until all the Spanish troops were embarked.