The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-09 00:00:00

WAR NEWS.

The Norfolk Day Book publishes advices from
Richmond to the effect that an engagement was
going on at Pensacola. Parties who read the
paper say it stated that the frigates Niagara
and Colorado engaged Fort Mcßae, that
the fort briskly returned the fire, and further
that the vessels, being damaged, were compelled
to haul off. The Day Book adds that Fort Pickens
was firing on the Pensacola Navy-yard.
Another despatch says the fight commenced on
Saturday, and was in proves' on Sunday night.
Fort Pickens, by firing hot shot, had set the Pen-
sacola Navy-yard on fire three times, but the rebels
managed up to the letter day to extinguish the
flames. They had not, however, been able to sup-
press those of the burning town of Warrington,
which the hot shot had destroyed. It was thought
at Old Point that our victory is deeisive.
A despatch from Washington, dated Nov. 26,
says :—" From information received to-day from
the War Department., it is believed that the fire
of Fort Pickens has destroyed the Pensacola Navy-
yard."
We have some interesting news from Fort
Pickens by the steamship Geo. Peabody, which
arrived at New York on the 26th. The privateer
Beauregard, which had been captured by the sloop
of war G. W. Anderson, of Boston, with 27 prisoners
and one large pivot gun on board, is now lying at
Key West.
GenerallDix has received despatches from General
Lockwood announcing the capture of three rebel
officers and seven cannon, the latter all new
and in good order. All traces ofj disloyalty seem
to be disappearing from both Amman and Not th-
ampton counties.
About miduight on Friday last the gunboat Cam-
bridge, one of the flotilla at Fortress Monroe, pro-
ceeded up the James river as far as Warwick,
where she engaged a rebel, which she succeeded in
silencing after a spirited interchange of shots, in
which the Cambridge sustained no particular
damage.

The retreat of the Union force. under General
Schoeff from their advanced position near Cumber-
land Gap to Lancaster, was in consequence of a
report that the rebel General Johnston was ad-
vancing with 40,030 men, and threatening Louis-
ville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. The order to
retreat is said to have come from General
Nelson, through General Thomas ; but there
appears to have been no cense for it. The retreat
appears to have been a very disastrous one, both
to the men and to the property of the govern-
ment. It is believed that 20,003 men and live
millions of dollars will not now put the campaign
in Kentucky in so favourable a condition as before
the retreat was ordered.

It is reported from Needs that Prim has already
again crossed the Osage River at Hoffman's Ferry,
and that hie advance guard was expected at Osceola
on Saturday last.
Her Britannic Majesty's gunboat Nimble &Lived
at New Yurk on the 25th Nov.

General Fremont is shortly expected iu W►sh-
ingtou.
The burning of Warsaw, Missouri, has been
continued.

A deserter from the rebel army came ;-ito General
Blanker's camp on the 25th ; he reports the rebel
force about Centreville, where head-quarters are
established, as numbering 14,000 men, and as many
more all along the Potomac lines. Centre.
ville, he states, is well defended, but has
no siege gnus. At Manassas, however, there are
some heavy guns. He describes the troops as being
in good spirits, pretty well fed, clothed, and armed,
and under the impression that the war is one of
subjugation, devastation, and abolition. This im-
pression they receive from their officers and chap-
lains.

It is the intention of the government to put all
the coast defences of the Northern States into com-
plete working order immediately for protection
against foreigu foes, in case that such defence
should become necessary. The Governors of the
States are authorised to carry out the work.
The fast reinforcements from New York for the
army at Port Royal left on the 25th. The Thrl4l

Sates steamships Boston, Delaware, and Cosmo-
politan sailed at noon for Fortress Monroe, where
they will receive troops, and proceed to Port Royal.
These three steamers will carry about 1,100 men,
also a full cargo of provisions and ammunition.