The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-26 00:00:00

SAITANi!IA.

?EP EYlloinn, THE DAI AOF Louis XV. Zr,. 8. Lae.
—TEA GREAT OHOAT EFFIS4.7. Heim keynolds and Cooke
11,1. rs Croutord end Yawl& —Blnglng by Soo Collins, Mr. Ran-
dall. nod Num Mon.—And THE HONOUR OF THE HOUSE.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON 8R1D67.
TIP NT UM.. ..Allaresma. lb. SOS
2.11.11110111 Montag. 2k MO JA

LONDON, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26.

The latest intelligence from America is of con-
siderable interest. Acrording to the telegrams
which have just arrived, and which come
down to the 17th of October, there have indeed
been military movements, but the situation
is practically unchanged. On the west of
the Mississippi a sort of desultory warfare
is being carried on, but it is obvious that the ope-
rations in those districts can have no material
effect upon the ultimate success of either party.
There are, in truth, only three points to which it
is necessary to direct our attention. There is the
army of General G/L3IORE, there is the army of Roes-
CHANN and there is the army of General Means
in Virginia. Gnatovie holds his ground with admi-
rable tenacity. BearIIZAIARD seems content to allow
his adversary to erect his batteries and to complete
his preparations for a new attack upon the defences
of Charleston. At the time when the mail left
these preparations were nearly completed. As
might be expected, the Feierals had suffered some
inconvenience from the enemy ; but although the
monitors had been injured by the explosion of a tor-
pedo, there was no indication that GILMORR'S pro-
mised attack would even be delayed. Rosuntsio was
still entrenched at Chattanooga. Even the Southern
journals admit that he cannot be dislodged from
his present position by an attack in front. The
only possible means of assailing him is by inter-
rupting his communications. There is no lack of
rumours that a strong force of cavalry has been
sent across the Tennessee to prevent the arrival
of reinforcement; by breaking up his line of com-
munication with Murfreesborough and Nashville ;
but as yet there is no reason to believe that these
attempts have met with any success. Even if
ROSECRANS could not be attacked, it might seem
possible to mask his front, and to detach a force
sufficient to annihilate BURNSIDE. But it
appears that Braman' remains at Knox-
ville, and has only just been compelled
to retire from Athens, a station on the railway
between Knoxville and Chattanooga, distant about
50 miles from the latter place. Thus BrRNSTDE
Still holds the whole of eastern Tennessee, and is
so placed as to render any grand movement of
Beac.o's army northward upon the communications
of Roseciass hazardous in the extreme.

The only movement has been by the army of
General Las That officer had gradually retired
southward to Madison, which stands upon the
southern bank of Robertson River, a tributary of
the Rapidan. It is said that on the Bth of
October General Lax crossed the Robertson River,
with the design of outflanking General MEADE,
who at once fell back "in good order and with
" slight loos." Lea continued his advance, whilst
MEADE continued to retire. At length, on the
l4tb, the Confederates made a serious attack on
the second corps of the Federal; in which they
were repulsed with the loss of a battery, five guns,
two oolours, and 450 prisoners. It is said that
MEADE has now reached Fairfax, which is within
a short distance of Arlington Heights, just opposite
Washington. In the meantime General Lea has pos-
session of the gapsin the Blue Ridge Mountains, and
has sent westward Hares corps towards Leesburg
and the *Upper Potomac. It is obvious
that General MEADE has no intention of
resisting the advance of General Lim ; but
he is no doubt prepared to receive the
Confederates within his entrenchments. Nor is
there any reason to doubt, if such attack were
made, which party would come off victorious. It
matters not to the Federal whether the army of
Virginia is close to the Potomac or a hundred
miles further south. The vital point at the pre-
sent moment is not in Virginia, but at Chattanooga,
on the frontiers of Georgia. If General Lea could
prevent any more reinforcements being sent to
ROOZCRANB, his advance might avail something.
But unless he defeats the army of MIADI he
cannot deprive Rout:Rum of a single man. The
only mode in which General Lee can compel
General MEADS to attack him is by repeating his
manceuvre of crossing the Potomac and invading
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Tiii2o has this
attempt to transfer the war to the northern side of
that river been made, and twice has it failed. It
is difficult to perceive upon what ground a third
attempt should prove more successful. On the
other hand, such an attempt would strengthen
the conviction of the North that Until the
Southern armies are defeated there can be no real
security for the permanent peace of the country.
To threaten the Northern States with a new inva-
sion the very moment when the elections are
taking place proves that the Southern
general has been compelled to neglect
the strongest political considerations. To
make an offensive movement against the army
of MKADE close to its base, and posted behind its
entrenchments, whilst the armies of Bruno and
Joirmiroxa are unable to dislodge Roanceass from
Chattanooga OP BDILIOnDi from Knoxville, is so
inconsistent with ordinary principles as to baffle
all attempts at explanation. If General Lim hoped
to attack MEAD, before be reached his entrench-
ments he moms to have failed. General MEADE
had nothing to gain by delivering a battle in the
centre of Virginia, and he wisely declined the
challenge. Having reached the selected field of
battle, he will no doubt be ready to receive his
amailanta.

Ter MiaurraT.—Lord Granville and Mr. Milner
Game area Lowden ; Sir George Grey will leave Scotland
in attendance on tie Queers. who quite Balmoral for Wied-
err Castle ; Lord Palmerstou anti the greater pertioo of the
niembers of the Cabinet continue absent from the metrope-
les.—Ofeerver.