The Express.
London, England, 1862-09-15 00:00:00

AMERICA.

A despatch of the Associated Press, dated Wash-
ington, Sept- k, says :
" lost night there were a series of skirmishes
along the whole front of the army, during which
Generals Kearney and Stevens, and other valuable
officers were killed.
" General Hooker's division was mainly engaged
in driving back the rebels. At 4 o'clock in the
morning a train of 100 waggons with commissary
stores was intercepted by the rebels between Fair-
fax and Centreville, and driven off towards Ma-
nassas before they could be overtaken. As soon as
this raid in the rear of the Federal army at
Centreville was known, the necessity of guarding
that direction became apparent, and at noon the
whole Federal army of Virginia had abandoned
Centreville, and was massed this side of Fairfax
Court-honee, and proceeded towards Munson's-hill.
The rebel cavalry followed them in the distance,
but made no attack.

" The defences of Washington are in excellent
condition, and are strongly manned by experienced
artillerists

" The Federal gunboats now lining the Potomac
are designed to prevent any attempt to interrupt
the navigation of the river.
"A cabinet council of long duration was held
yesterday in Washington, to consider the present
position of affairs."
The same despatch says :—" There is no panic
at Washington, but a general solicitude regarding
the future. _ _ _ _

The returned prisoners report that the Confede-
rate General Lee bad established his headquarters
three miles beyond Bull Run, on the Warrenton
turnpike.
" The only Confederate force at Fairfax was
Stuart's cavalry, he being there in person.
" Washington presents a scene of great excitement ;
immense numbers of wounded are being brought in
from the field. Fresh troops are arriving in large
numbers, and the streets are full of ambulances,
army waggons, and means of transportation for war
material. The people are much excited by the
various rumours which gait currency from hour to
hour." _ . .

The Kentucky State Legislature assembled at
Louisville on the 2nd inst. The following resolu-
tions were offered : -

"In the House of Representatives it has been
resolved that the Committee on Military Affairs be
instructed to inquire into the propriety of calling
out immediately 50,000 men, to serve for 30 or 60
days, for the purpose of expelling the Confederate
armies from Kentucky."
Mr. Burnham offered the following resolution:
" It has been resolved that it is the imperative
duty of those having the command of our military
forces to take the most speedy measures to drive
the invading rebels from the hunits of the State, and
that MIT policy looking to the abandonment of the
interior of the State, and of removing our forces to
the line of the Ohio river, is unwise and impolitic."
The cotton brokers in Louisville are removing
their cotton across the river, and numerous citi-
zens are removing their valuables, fearing the Con-
federates may capture the city.
Purchasers refuse to buy cotton in Louisville, but
offer 45 cents if transported to the Indiana shore.
Authenticated rumours state that the Confederates
are burning all the cotton they come across in their
march through Kentucky and Tennessee.
The Federal General Buell had arrived at Nash-
ville to consult with General Rosencranz.

The Federal Major Jeffers defeated 1,000 gue-
rillas, under White, at Pittaman Ferry, in South
East Missouri, capturing all their waggons and
stores ; and the Federal army at Fort Scott, in
Kansas, were preparing to march into Arkansas.
Information was received at Fort Scott that the
Confederates are concentrating in large numbers
at Cross Hollow, Arkansas, with the intention of
marching north, proposing to take Fort Scotland,
and then Fort Leavenworth.

The Federal Colonel Dennis had defeated a body
of Confederate cavalry, near Whedon, Tennessee.
The Confederate General Bragg is reported to be
preparing to attack General Buell at Chattanooga. '
General Bragg had been reinforced by Price with
15,000 men.
All the property of Truatam Polk, formerly
United States senator for Missouri, has been con-
fiscated at St. Louis. The amount is estimated at
100,000 dollars.
The Provost-Marshal of St. Louis has closed the
old merchants' exchange in that city, as there was
general evidence of the members making a disloyal
demonstration. The association being disloyal, its
property will be confiscated.
The Governor of Missouri has made a requisition
on the banks and saving institutions of Missouri
for 150,000 dollars to buy arms. The full amount
will be assessed and collected. _ _

A notorious guerilla leader in Missouri, named
Poindexter, has been captured. It is stated that he
has been condemned as a spy, and will suffer death.
The Confederates occupy Independence, Mis-
souri, and the Union inhabitants remain perfectly
quiet under the Confederate rule, as the remark is
frequently made that as long as the Confederates
occupy the town there will be no drafting, but if
the Federals regain possession drafting will take
place. The correspondent of the New York
Tribune says, there is a suspicion that the inhabi-
tants in Missouri submit quietly to the guerilla
raids to avoid drafting.
Governor Letcher, of Virginia, has issued a pro-
clamation urging the militia of the different coun-
ties in Virginia to come forward immediately to
take the field and strike the enemy with rapid and
efficient blows. He also appeals to the people of
Western Virginia, who are liable to President Lin-
coln's draft, to come out from the common enemy
and unite themselves to the South.

The Richnunut Despatch says that Lnything lees
than armed intervention by several of the leading
powers of Europe will do the Confederate cause
more harm than good. The recognition of hide.
pendence, the raising of the blockade, and an
offensive and defensive alliance with France
and England, would only!exasperate and unite the
North, and thus strengthen her, and induce the
South to relax her exertions, thereby weakening
herself. _ _ . . .

The French Minister, M. Mercier, left New
York yesterday for IVashington, iu a French frigate.
It is supposed he chose this mode of travelling be-
cause Baltimore was menaced.