The Express.
London, England, 1862-09-30 00:00:00

[Stamped, Id. AdditionsLl

it not? "A means of reformation eeoond only in
dignity, importance, and sacredness to the Chris-
tian religion" is worthy of the support of a young
nation, especially when, by the exercise of such
lofty philanthropy, the country pins an increase
of wealth and population.

BO!rON, Barr. 16.

The news received late yesterday was highly
favourable to the Federals. The entire line of
Welellan's forces had driven the enemy bask with
severe loss, and Lee's army was reported as making
a rapid retreat towards the river. Bat the fight
must have been between the rebel rear and the
Federal advance. As yet we have BO knowledge of
the number engaged or the extent of the rebel loss.
Isineesteres Lee's loss as 16,000, but this needs
to be Ifetbiatitisted. The fight took place on Sunday,
and in the successive despatches from M'Clellan to
Balledk the Immerser be is pressing on in pur-
suit as fart as passible. Yesterday Franklin's
corps was fighting, but nothing has reached us yet,
except the vague and unreliable rumour that Long-
streetled surrendered with 5,000 mem. There was
doabtime *severe bottle yesterday. As Jackson
and Lwr were vigorously pressed, if they destraml
crossing . with their whole force into Virginia, ft
would be necessary to make a firm and decided
stand in the rear to detain Welellan. While the
result of the Sunday's work was a brilliant success,
its real advantage must be tested by subsequent
events. If on Monday Franklin drove this foe be-
fore him, and other portions of the Federal troops
were also successful, then important consequences

would follow. In the movement of large armies it
takes more than one battle between portions of
the two to decide the victory. Thus far suc-
cess on this side of the Potomac has fol-
lowed the Federal arms, and the result has
greatly tended to roues the %Arita of the North. If
M'Clellan succeeds in routing a portion of this
army and forcing the rest back into Virginia, they
will be in a critical condition. These thousands of
armed men, as they marched along, swept the whole
country. With no base of supplies, hunger will
stare them in the face, and they must either fall
back or retreat into the rich valley of the Shenan-
doah. Thus it will be seen that unless Lee can
whip his foe in Maryland he is in a tight place. On
the first day's trial he was signally worsted. His
enemy followed in hot pursuit the next day, and
the news of Monday's strife will go out with this
letter. The rebel prisoners report that Lee
had previously sent to Richmond for reinforce-
ments, and that Beauregard and Buckner were
on the way with forty thousand troops. How
does this tally with the new appointment of
the hero of Sumter to the command of the coast
defences 1 All these confused accounts prove that
neither party is yet out of the wood. The Federals
have gained a decided advantage ; they hold im-
portant positions, have captured a train of ammuni-
tion waggons, and turned the tide of victory ; but
the rebels yesterday were massing their troops ;
these are led by skilful officers ; their position is
desperate, and from necessity they must make
terrific struggle, or be seriously worsted. If they
fail now, the golden opportunity will be lost. For
this reason the more careful and thoughtful Fede-
rals, though rejoicing at the report of victories
which was limbed along the wires yesterday, still
wait with a degree of solicitude for to-day's
tidings.
In Kentucky the storm cloud of war is also gather-
ing. The hostile forces are drawing nearer to each
other. Buell and Bragg have bothroarched north, and
unless the latter forms a junction with Kirby Smith
he will be in danger. As General Morgan has
captured from the rebels a train containing pro-
visions, there will be no fear that his troops, who
now stand guard at Cumberland Gap, will be
starved. He can hold his position against all foes
but famine, and as he is safe from the latter, he
will quietly wait for the issue of war in Kentucky.
At Cincinnati the rebels have driven in the Federal
pickets, but it is not yet known whether this is a
feint or areal design on the city. As the battle is
now waging in the East for Maryland and Virginia,
so the fate of Kentucky and Tennessee hangs on
the issue near the Queen City of the Walt. No
longer can it be said all quiet along the Potomac
and Ohio, for along each the hills echo to the roar
of artillery.

[TWOPENCE

HARMONIUMS.—NEW MODEL.
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