The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-02 00:00:00

THE WAR BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH.

NEW YORK, Nov. W. (ior Attics.)

A hard fought battle came off on the 10th init.,
in Pocahontas County, Western Virginia, between
the general of the Union troops, and General
Johnstone, commanding the Confederates,
which lasted from daylight till 3 o'clock
in the afternoon. The Union troops numbered
760, and the Confederate force was estimated at
2,000. The rebels were defeated, their camp est on
' fire, and forced to retreat beyond the harden of
Western Virginia. General Johnstone was said to be
shot in the mouth, while the loss of his men
amounted to 200. On the Federal side only 90
men were killed.

Events of an important character have occurred
on the Upper Potomac. Jackson, the rebel
general commanding in that region, has recently
had his forces augmented to about 9,000 strong,
and he has conceived the idea that he can
erase the Potomac. On the night of the Mb,
about 9 o'clock, he accordingly launched about 50
boats, two of which were of large size for artillery.
Information of these movements, however, was
promptly conveyed to General Banks, and a suffi-
cient force of infantry and artillery was
immediately despatched to Williamsport to
prevent the creasing. The object of Jackson was
probably the seizure of army stores there, but the
precaution has been taken to remove them. It was
understood that Jackson was determined to attempt
the crossing on the 18th instant, and cannonading
was heard in that direction ; but it is hardly
probable that he could succeed in the face of our
artillery. A noticeable fact is the possession of so
many boats by the rebels.
The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac have
been very active for the past few days in tiring on
our vessels and throwing their shot across to the
Maryland shore, but they have not af-
fected much so far. The fact, however, shows
the tenacity with which they maintain
their position on the banks and creeks of the Poto-
mac. While the news freenGenersl Banks's column,
on the Upper Potomac, indicates the continuance
of great disquiet, we have no account of a general
engagement. General Kelly, who is pushing on to
Winchester, has daily skirmish's with the Confede-
rate pickets, and it is not improbable that a fight of
some magnitude may take place in that vicinity
within a few days.
The news from Port Royal is to the effect that the
Union troops have fully occupied the town of
Beaufort, and that large quantities of cotton were
being brought to the coast.
Yesterday a rebel battery of three guns, Banked
with about two hundred infantry, suddenly com-
menced shelling Colonel Geary's encampment.
They were soon replied to by the 28th Pawl-
maize Regiment Battery. The action continued
about half an hour, and resulted in the rout of the
rebels, with about fourteen killed and many
wounded.

Despatches received yesterday from General Pope
announced that by a forced march he had suc-
ceeded in getting between two considerable
bodies of rebels in Johnson and Clinton
counties respectively. Hearing of his approach the
Confederates beat a hasty retreat towards Rose
Hill, leaving behind them all their baggage, arms,
munitions, &c. A strong body of cavalry, and a leo-
tion of artillery were then thrown forward in
pursuit, when the rebels scattered in every • <Twee-
tion, but principally towards the south. General
Pope, however, forced a cavalry reconnoisanee
to within fifteen miles of Osceola, and suc-
ceeded in capturing some 300 of the flying
rebels, who were endeavouring to join Price.
General Pope also ascertained that General Price
has only 8,000 troops at Osceola.
An officer who arrived in Washington from
Budd/ Ferry yesterday reported that the Con-
federates have erected, opposite Maryland Point,
another battery of six heavy guns, which commands
the river. On Wednesday night it destroyed a
sloop which was attempting to pass it.
The following despatch has been received from
Si. Louis, dated Dec. 19:

The name: of about 300 rebels have been enrolled at the
Provost Marshal General's office, upon whom contribu-
tions are to be levied under General Halle k's pamal
order No. 24, for the benefit of the south-west refugees.
About GO of the most prominent of these are to be celled
upon to-morrow for the sums set opposite their MAIM.
varying ' from 100 dole. to 400 dole., and the ba-
lance is to be notified as the exigencies require.
It is understood that General Pope will send a strait
force of cavalry to Lexington. The main body of his army
is now en route for Sedalia.

A train of 70 waggons, with clothing and supplies far
Gemara Price, were captured, in addition to the articles
previously exported.

The New York Tribune of the 20th of December
says:

It seems as if there need he no serious difficulty in settling
the Maaoo and Slidell apse. Aoconliog to the accouuts
which have reached us from Eaglasd, the acto/Cspt. Wilkes
w pronounced by the legal advisers of the government,
regular and in conformity with the law of nations up to
the point of the removal of the rebel emissaries
from the deck of the mail steamer. The stop-
page in transitu and the search were entirely
in accordance with the dicta of Stowell and other British
authorities; but the Trent, it seems, should have bees
brought into port, and the question of contraband peassogees
submitted to the decision of a court of admiralty.
Now, if this turns out to be the theory of the British
government, the whole case admired a very easy and pacific
settlement. Let Captain Wilkes pooped to Beek* I. the
San Jacinto, let him take Meson. Masse and Slidell as board,
proceed with them to the Bahama Chased, and restore the
status in quo by placing them on the deck of the Treat,
with an ample apology for his irregular proceeding.
The honour of the British flag, and the nice tochnioslities
of law being thus satisfied, let him bring the Trent and the
rebel emissaries into port, and the whole matter may be
then regularly adjudicated.

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