The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-07 00:00:00

LATIOT INTELLIUNNO&

(azona's rizaawis.)
AMERICA.

THE PLANS OF THE INVADERS.
(Per the City of New York.)

NEW YORK, Jun 26.

The Confederates under General Jones with
cavalry and artillery have, after a severe skirmish,
driven the Federals under Milroy out of Marton-
nellsburg, and occupied that place.

The Federals have evacuated Carlisle and fallen
back to Harrisburg.
The Confederate advance in Pennsylvania is said
to be 10,000 strong.
The Baltimore correspondent of the New York
Herald furnishes the following particulars con-
cerning the development of General Lee's plans :
" On crossing the Rappahannock to move north-
ward, General Lee took with him a very large pon-
toon train, said to come from Richmond. These
pontoons could not be necessary to cross the Upper
Potomac, as that is easily fordable ; neither to cross
the Suaquehanuah, as there are no indications of
large Confederate forces being in that direction.
" On leaving Warrenton and Thoroughfare Gap,
General Lee detached one whale corps, at least
30,000 strong, who are now on their way to Dum-
fries vitt Brentaville. It is also stated that this
column is accompanied by forty pieces of artillery
and a pontoon train. If this is the pontoon train
mentioned above, there can be but one explanation
of the movement.

"General Lee designs this corps to cross the Poto-
mac at Budd's Ferry, which is only 16 miles below
Washington, and to advance on the capital by way
of Bladensburg.
"It is possible also that General Lee expects
the Federal forces now in the peninsula to be sent
up the Potomac to Washington, and he will seek to
re-establish the old batteries on the Potomac in
order to sink the transports conveying troops from
the peninsula.
" The Confederate infantry which defeated General
Milroy at Winchester, Macßeynolds at Berrysville,
and Tyler at Martinsburg, did not cross the Poto-
mac at all. After occupying Martinsburg, they
proceeded along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
as far west as Cumberland, and as far east as
Point of Rocks. The railroad between these
two points, a distance of 90 miles, is in
the complete possession of the Confederates,
and in a military point of view they have rendered
this road entirely useless to the Federal govern-
ment. The railroad communication between
Washington and tho West, so far as that road is
concerned, has been completely cut off.
" General Lee, instead of moving on Centreville,
is reported to be advancing with his main body
towards Gum Spring, Drainaville, and Coons Ford.
If this be true there can be no longer any doubt
as to the direction General Lee's plans will take.
From Coons Ford to Rockville and thence to the
Baltimore Railroad will be but a short march.
This railroad, once cut, whether by this column or
by the one advancing from Budd's Ferry, or by
both co-operating, Washington will be as com-
pletely isolated from the North and East as it is
now from the West. The capture of Washington
will then be reduced to a question of strength
between the armies of Lee and Hooker.

" If the forces under Generals Dix, Peek, and
Foster could be hurried up to Washington, they
would swell General Hooker's numbers to a very
high figure ; but this will only be done by the
government when it is too late.
" As far as General Lee is concerned, having sent
30,000 men towards Budd's Ferry, and having
10,000 to 15,000 men near Harper's Ferry, be is
probably only waiting for certain reinforcements
which were on their way some time ago to join
him.

" During the last two weeks 40,000 Confederate
troops have passed through Lynchburg, bound for
Richmond and the north. They were General
Lee's old troops he had sent to Chattanooga some
weeks ago, and 20,000 others from General Bragg's
army. This, with 10,000 troops sent him by Beau-
regard at Charleston, will make his force amount
to 150,000 men.
"General Hooker can no longer choose his ground,
or, as be boasted, give battle or abstain. He will
be compelled to fight at the moment General Lee
thinks proper to attack him, and he cannot poet
pone a fight when that day comes. The reason of
this is that Hooker possesses none of the strategic
resources which would have enabled him to
choose his time and place of fighting, and have
prevented Leo from crossing the Rappahannock at
all.

"The statement made by the Richmond Dispatch
that Richmond is now uncovered is a blind to con-
ceal the fact that Richmond is well defended, and
to allure the Federal forces on to the peninsula w
what would be a disastrous defeat

" So imminent is the peril that is supposed to
menace Baltimore that the most urgent appeals
are made to the people by the government, the
mayor of the city, the councils of the military
authorities, and the newspapers, to turn out to
work on the entrenchments which are being hastily
erected for the defence of the city, and to enlist in
the various military organisations.
" Late reoonnoisances develope the fact that the
Confederate army of the Potomac does not occupy
any portion of the territory extending from Cul-
pepper to Warrenton, New Baltimore, White
Plains, and Salem on the west, to Fredericksburg
on the east, and to a distance several miles Ruuth
of the Rappahannock."
The Washington correspondent of the New York
Herald writes as follows :

General Lee fora week previous to moving from Cul-
pepper, in his last mysterious movement, gave orders, which
were stringently enforced, that no person, soldier or citizen,
should be allowed to enter or leave his lines. It is maid that
his army commenced to move on Battirthiy, and continued to
pass through Culpepper during all the intervening period
tip to Thursday of the succeeding week. His force is said
to have consisted of Ewell's corps of 35,000 men, who
marched out first, Longstreet's corps of 42,000 men, and
Hill's corm of 28,000 men, who brought up the rear.
General Stuart's cavalry, 18,000 strong, protected the dank
sod rear, while Jenkins with 3,000 men accompanied Ewell
into Maryland, the destin►tion of the main portion of the
army. The artillery is said to be in superb condition, and
very numerous.

Richmond is defended by the corps of D. 11• Hill, 21,000
strong, on the south side, by ltajor•Geoeral French on the
north, or mar the city, with about 17,000 men, while the
heavy brigade under General Wise is on the York River
railroad.

General Cone, with two brigades, occupies Hanover
junction, assisted by 3,500 mounted Texans taken prisoners
at Arkansu Poi and exchanged. This force is to be drawn
close around and concentrated near the capital in ease our
army should advance.

General Jackeon commands the department of East Ten-
nessee, and has under him General P.grsm with 8,000 to
10,000 men, which, together with the force in the Cumber-
land Gap region, is expected to move iota Kentucky.
General Stuart's command is said to consist of six divi-
sions of two brigades each, three regiments to a brigade,
and 500 men ithe average maximum number) to a regiment.
The Fourth Virginia, the largest of all, on a recent review
numbered 714, but every man that weld be obtained was
present ea this ocomeios.

I The New York Herald says that General Lee, by
bold and rapid movements, has tranderred ttie war
from Virginia north-eastward from the Rappahan-
nock to the Potomac, and even to the Suaque-
hannah, and has successfully achieved the most
difficult and dangerous operation in war—via., a
flank movement in presence of the enemy.
General Lee, without any considerable loss, has
succeeded in making a circuit around the right
Bank of the union army and getting in the rear of
Washington while Hooker is still in front of that
city.

Admiral Dahlgren will succeed Admiral Dupont
in the command of the South Atlantic squadron.
The legality of the prorogation of the Illinois
legislature by the governor is to be tried in the
Supreme Court. The governor refuses to acknow-
ledge the legal existence of the present legislature.

NEW YORK, Jul!' 26, Evarnro.

It is reported that General Lee and his staff
crossed the Potomac into Maryland on Wednesday.
The governor of Pennsylvania has called for
50,000 militia, for defence, for three months. The
governor of lllinois has offered 10,000 men to resist
the invasion.

The New York World says that Generals
Hooker and Halleck appear to have adopted the
hypothesis that General Lee will not throw
a large force into the Northern States
whilst Hooker remains on the south side
of the Potomac.; or, if be does, that Hooker can
get into his rear. The World thinks, however, that
if, notwithstanding Lee's formidable menace in
crossing the Potomac, Hooker persists in remaining
ou the south side of that river, it will be in Lee's
power to seize the railroads and isolate Washington.
" If this be accomplished," says the same journal,
" Hooker can no longer avoid a battle in a position
of Lee's choosing, for the government cannot afford
to have a Confederate army encamped between
Washington and the Northern states." If
Washington is assaulted on the northern side,
the World thinks a great mistake will have been
made in not transferring Hooker's army into Mary-
land to meet Lee at the threshold.

I The universal indifference of the people of
Pennsylvania regarding the invasion is the
subject of much comment. The New York
Herald says that the inhabitants seem to
have lost all spirit, and either retreat ra-
pidly at the approach of the Confederates, or ex-
hibit a strange apathy. Even the troops from New
York and New Jersey are not received with cor-
diality or enthusiasm, but the inhabitants endea-
vour only to profit pecuniarily by their presence.
.

A side wheel steamer of 700 tons burden is
reported to have been seen burning off Nantucket.
Heavy firing was heard off Cape Cod ; it was
supposed to proceed from a Federal gunboat.
The steamers Baltic, Atlantic, and many others
are leaving to capture privateers.

NEW YORK, Jon: 27, MORNING.

There are indications that General Lee purposes
operating with his whole army on the north aide of
the Potomac.

On Thursday night Hill's and Loogstreet's corps
are both said to have crossed the river.

General Ewell entered Chambersburg on Wed-
nesday, and issued an order forbidding the inha-
bitants to sell liquor to the soldiers ; also ad-
monishing persons not in military service to
abstain from acts of hostility, stating that acquies-
cence in the demands of the military authorities
would lessen the rigours of war,

General Ewell's main force is believed to have
halted iu the rear of Chambersburg, holding all
the roads and passes in the vicinity, and awaiting
reinforcements.

General Early's division of Longstreet's corps,
consisting of ten regiments of infantry, with
cavalry and artillery, occupied Gettysburg yester-
day. It is supposed that General Early will strike
the Northern Central Railroad at Hanover Junc-
tion or York, 30 miles distant.
The Confederates hold all the passes of South
Mountain. They are also in clove proximity to
Carlisle, but have not yet occupied the place.

The Federal General Smith commands the de-
fences of the Susquehannab. Colonel Pierce super-
sedes General Milroy, at Bloody Run. General
Dana commands the defences of Philadelphia.
The New York Herald says that two days ago
the half of General Lee's army was in Maryland
and Pennsylvania ; the other half, immediately
under the eye of Lee, was 30 miles south of the
Potomac, in the Shenandoah Valley. General Lee's
whole army may be described, in a military sense,
as being in the same valley, extending 30 miles
from Winchester to the Potomac, and thence 50
miles northward to Chambersburg.
The Nc to York Herald does not anticipate a col-
lision between Generals Leo and Hooker for several
days, and says :—" It is probable that the first seri-
ous hostilities will take place at Harper's Ferry, for
that point, with Lee's advance beyond the Potomac,
is essential to Lee's communication with the
Shenandoah Valley and Richmond. Lee's siege
trains will therefore probably be first used against
the Maryland Heights in conjunction with an
assault by the reserved column of General Long-
, street."

The Baltimore correspondent of the New York
Herald says :—" Upon Thursday, the 25th inst.,
Lee was in strong force at Frederick oily, and from
there will either march on Washington or Balti-
more, or move to the railroad between Washington
and Baltimore."

General Hooker is reported to have been moving
on the 25th inst.; the right wing of his army is
stated to be in the vicinity of Hagerstown.

Intelligence from Vicksburg to the 23rd instant
announces that preparations are making for
another assault upon that place.
General Johnstone telegraphed to President
Jefferson Davies upon the 22nd instant that Kirby
Smith has got possession of Milliken's Bend above
Vicksburg.

A body of 1,000 Texans bas been repulsed at
Lake Providence by negro troops.
ASSAULT ON PART HUDSON.

General Banks assaulted Port Hudson at daylight
of the 14th, and at 11 o'clock on the same morning
retreated to his entrenchments, having been disas-
trously repulsed at all points, with the loss of 700
to 1,000 men. It was supposed that another assault
would be made on the 19th inst., Colonel Dudley
having volunteered to lead a storming column of
4,04.10 picked men.
The Confederates were reported to be concentra-
ting in General Banks'srear to prevent his retreat to
Baton Rouge.
General Burnside officially reports that Colonel
Saunder's cavalry expedition into East Tennessee
struck the railroad at Lenoir, destroyed the line up
to Knoxville, and made a demonstration against
that place. He burnt bridges, destroyed
stores, and captured three pieces of artillery,
600 prisoners, and 1,000 stand of arms. The Con-
federates were found in greater strength than was
expected, and followed in Colonel Saunder's rear.
General Foster's troops have been sent from
Newbern to reinforce General Dix at Fort Monroe.
General Franklin has been ordered to New Or-
leans.

Three privateers, a steamer, a bark, and a
schooner, are committing depredations at the mouth
of the Bay of Fundy ; forty vessels are reported to
have been destroyed this week by a privateer
steamer, off Cape Sable.
The Federal revenue cutter Caleb Cushing,
heavily armed and provisioned for two months,
sailed last night from Portland, without orders or
officers. It is supposed that the crew will use her for
piracy. Armed steamers have been sent in pursuit.
The steamer Hattie has been captured.

The steamer Banshee baa been burnt ot Cape
Fear River.
Admiral Foote is dead.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Jon 26, Evngiso.

Money easy. Gold, 441 per cent. premium. &change
on London : Etsakers' bills, 158. Stocks, large speculative
sales. New York Centrals, 120; ; Illinois, 102 ; Brie, 951 ;
Six par Cents. United States Hoods, 104. Cotton very firm ;
middling upland, 65e. Floor dull. Wheat and corn declin-
ing. Provisions good inquiry. Coffee quiet. Sager good
inquiry. Molasses steady. Petroleum very firm.
The City of New York takes out 60,119 dollars in specie,
200 winners, and 16 sacks of mails.

THE POLISH QUESTION.-THE REPLY OF

RUSSIA.

BERLIN. Jou 7.

Private letters received here from St. Petersburg
assert that Prince Gortchakoff laid the replies of
the three powers before the Emperor on Saturday
last.

The replies are said to be of a conciliatory and
peaceful character, and will probably be submitted
to the council of ministers at the commencement of
the present week. It was not expected, however,
that the replies would be despatched from St. Pe-
tersburg before the middle of July.

MADAGASCAR.
REPORT OF THE FRENCH CONSUL.
PARIS, JULY 7.

The official report of the French consul st Ta-
matave, dated May 15, has been published to-day.
This report explains that the cause of the poli-
tical revolution in Madagascar was the rivalry
between the nobles and Nenamaso. The young
men who, at the accession of King Radama, took
power and monopolised all favours, suggested to
the King measures disapproved of by the people.
They were accused of injustice, of being open
to corruption, and great immorality. Under
their influence the King published a law
authorising duels, and even combats of tribe
against tribe and village against village, without
any other formality than the consent of the two
parties, thus proclaiming civil war and furnishing
a pretext for hostilities. The officers and principal
inhabitants begged of the King to recall this law,
who, however, refused, and the preparations for
the conflict then began.

The French consul assembled all his fellow-
countrymen, and the English consul wished the
Methodist missionaries to take a similar course, but
they did not respond to his invitation.
The King, having again refused to revoke the
law, the people, slaves, and soldiers assembled in
the public places to search for the thirty-three
individuals belonging to the King's court who had
been proscribed by the conspirators. Eleven were
killed by the multitude. While this was going on
negotiations were entered into with the King, who
asked mercy for the unfortunate men remaining,
who, he promised, should be exiled for life. This
was refused by the conspirators, who demanded
that the guilty should undergo perpetual imprison-
ment in chains. The King would not at first com-
ply with this demand, but, after much parleying,
ended by accepting it.
The following day the King was assassinated, and
the council proclaimed Queen Robodo, announcing
that the King, disconsolate at the loss of his friends,
had committed suicide. The Queen accepted the
constitution, which stipulates among other things
that she shall not drink strong liquors, and that
the right over life and death belongs to the council.
It also abolishes the Tanquin, and maintains reli-
gious liberty. The Prime Minister informed M.
Laborde that he had sent orders to the governors on
the coast to protect the whites.