The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-11 00:00:00

SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.
The North German Lloyd screw steamship
America, Captain H. Wessels, from New York on
the 30th inst., arrived off Cowes at 1 p.m. to-day,
and went on to Bremen after transhipping mails,
Sc., for this port. She brings 22 passengers for
Southampton and Havre, and 74 for Bremen ;
50,000 dols. for England, 6,150 for Bremen, and
2,000 tons of cargo. Southerly winds and cloudy
weather have prevailed throughout the voyage. On
30th nit. the America spoke the English ship
Garibaldi in New York Bay; on the 3d of August,
in lat. 44 58 N., long. 51 40 W., the ship Flora
31Tonald ; and in lat. 45 8 N., long. 51 5 W., the
schooner England's Rose.

The Cincinatti Gazette publishes the subjoined
account of the great battle in front of Atlanta on
the 22d ult. from the pen of a young officer in
General Hooker's corps:—

" 41e miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, July 21.
" On yesterday occurred one of the most san.
guinary and brilliant conflicts which have befallen
this army upon the soil of Georgia. I shall endea-
vouro thecorps, 2e
unacceptable
t a b
and I trust the same in
your readers. On the 19th inst. the army of the
Cumberland arrived in position south of the Chatta-
hoochee and north of Atlanta. The 14th corps oc-
cupied the right wing, the 4th the left, and the
20th the centre. The line extended along the north
bank of Peachtree-creek, and in a direction per-
pendicular to the line of rebel works bordering
the Chattahoochee. The position thus adopted
compelled the enemy to change his front and
assume a new line of defence. In the mean-
time the armies of the Tennessee and the
Ohio were expected to shortly sever the Georgia
Railroad near Stone Mountain, and to march
towards Atlanta in a direction threatening the right
flank and rear of the rebel army. On the 20th inst.
a general advance in the direction of Atlanta was
begun, By 10 o'clock a.m. the 20th corps had
arrived in position on the heights skirting Peach-
tree creek on its south bank. The Ist division
joined the 14th corps on the right, the 2d division
held the centre, and the 3d joined Newton's division
of the 4th corps on the extreme left. A heavy
picket was thrown out, and was considered a suffi-
cient precaution against any hostile demonstration
of the enemy, since nothing was thought of but an
advance against his position. The troops were per.
m lac(' to rest quietly in the shade, and were not
troubled with building the usual breastworks
deemed necessary at each change of the line of
battle. Temporary barricades of rails were thought
a sufficient strengthening of the line for all necess
sexy purposes. Thus the day wore away until two
o'clock p.m. Comparatively little firing had fol-
lowed the movements of the troops—just enough to
reveal the presence and position of the enemy. The
a evelopments anxiously hoped for in the movements
of 11'Pherson and Scholefield seemed to be awaited
as the signal for active demonstrations by the army
of the Cumberland. But the enemy, appreciating
the desperate condition to which he was being
rapidly brought, bethought himself to make one
bold, clashing, determined effort to thwart our de-
signs. Accordingly, early in the afternoon a fierce,
rapid Lee broke oat along our picket lines, which
quickly' grew into a volleying roll of musketry in
front of Ward's and Geary's divisions. The storm
soon extended along the line towards the right,
were Williams's division lay grouped along the
en St of a rather high and densely-wooded hill. Be-
tween Williaras's and Geary divisions lay a deep
hallow, down which, washed by the timber, the
enemy was no w advancing in heavy masses. Gen.
wi Lla that sudden inspiration which cha-
racterises tree military genius, saw at a glance the
arrangement of his troops which, according to
the nature of the ground and the unexpected exi-
gencies the movement, was best adapted to meet
this unl ooked-for demonstration of the enemy. He
hurried his brigades into position on the double
quick, and though they moved with all possible
celerity, was unable to get them in their proper
places before they received a terrific fire from the
ene;ny. Robinson's brigade hastened along the
crest of the hill, then, facing by the left flank,
marched down the slope to receive the swarming
masses of the over-confident and defiant foe, The
Pare of the enemy was so murderous, and his advance
so impetuous, that it seemed for a time as if Robin-
son's line must surely yield, it was an awful mo-
ment. The combatants were mingled with each
other, and fighting hand-to-hand. The safety of the
corps, and indeed the entire army, seemed to depend
upon the courage and determination of these devoted
men. Should they give way the enemy would get
possession of the hill, command the rear, break the
centre, capture hundreds of prisoners, all our artil-
lery, and drive the remnant of our troops back to
the creek, and perhaps to the Chattahochee. But
not one inch would those intrepid veterans yield.
Though their ranks were fearfully thinned, and the
tangled forest became strewn with bleeding forms
as with autumn leaves, yet they determinedly main-
tained their position and compelled the enemy to
withdraw, leaving his dead and wounded mingled
with the brave heroes who had fought and fallen
beneath the starry folds cf the fhler of the Union,
While Robinson's brigade was thus contending
against fearful odds, Knipe's (First) brigade had
formed a line of battle stretching along the crest of
the hill, in continuation of Robinson's line, and
forming connection with the 14th corps, Knipe had
no sooner got into position than the enemy poured
down upon him in an onslaught no less fierce and
desperate than that made against Robinson. The
awful picture of the battle as it raged at this
moment no pencil can paint, no pen describe. The
noonday air became dark and heavy with the
powder smoke, which hung like a gloomy canopy
over the pale bloody corpses of the slain. "Wounded
men were borne to the rear by scores, the blood
streaming from their lacerated flesh, and presenting
a sight which at any other time would sicken the
heart with horror. Each instant some patriotic
heart, some noble form, the treasure and the light of
some distant household, fell prone upon the earth,
and added a new martyr to freedom, a new victim
to the causeless crime of Southern traitors. The
rattling roll of the musketry sounded like the con-
tinuous roar of a cataract, and was joined by the
thunderous chime of the deep throated can non, which
spouted unceasing volumes of flame and iron into the
faces of the foe, Bat, amid all this carnage and
confusion, Williams's veteran heroes wavered not,
and the red star (the badge of the let division 20th
corps) of the Ist division never gleamed more
valiantly than it did in the hour of that dreadful
conflict. Too much cannot bo said in praise of men
who would thus so nobly do and dare for the cause
of country, God, and truth. The enemy, finding it
impossible to break the line or drive it from the
hills, suddenly withdrew a short distance into the
woods, but the fight did not end here. Ever and
anon the rebels would surge forward again to the
charge, as if goaded by some spirit of madness, or
fired bye desperate resolution which would not listen
to the failure. The sanguinary recklessness of Chicka-
mauga was repeated, nut with different results.
Every effort of the enemy was foiled, every attack
repulsed. Evening came on apace, and the battle
subsided into the irregular firing of the pickets.
The laet beams of the declining sun, though
they gleamed on a sad and revolting specacle,
yet seamed to cat the bloody field aglow with the
almost unearthly light of complete triumph and
glorious victory. Thus terminated the fifth battle in
which the Ist division has participated during this
vmpaignt In each previous instance, as in this last,
theenenqh"
been thorcaghly beaten,of Gail. and in no cam
has he gained
the slightest advent,,g.e
lianas's veterans. Twice at Bestacca, once at Dallas;
once at Kenesave, and, finally, once
at least in the
great struggle before Atlanta, the enemy has been
compelled to eat the bitter fruit of defeat end discs.
for by this splendid division. Yet comparatively
little has been said of its exploits in the public
prints, and the credit of much that it has done has
been unfairly awarded to other commands. Its in-
trepid and skilful leader, who has the moat unli-
mited cimifideuee of his entire command, seems to

have been also overlooked, both by the public and
the Government, and those cheap rewards so justly
due to long and faithful services seem to have been
withheld from him to be bestowed upon others who
were lees of soldiers and more of politicians. It is
well that the.Repablic can yet boast of men to whom
the voice of duty speaks more potently than the in-
sinuations of public ingratitude and personal injus-
tice. History will for ever honour the men who have
done the real work of this war; while she will
utterly ignore the political scramblers who by wire
working have obtained lofty promotion, and on very
small capital have managed to obtain a sort of fire-
fly reputation. In the repulse of yesterday the
enemy received a damaging blow, from which he
cannot fully rez.over. It is almost to be hoped that
ho will continue to spend his strength in such crazy
attempts to destroy this army. By no other means
can he more surely bring himself to that just retri•
bution which is the proper reward of his crime
against his country and the civilisation of the age.
Let the rebel legions continue to precipitate them-
selves against the iron lines that press them towards
the gulf ; it may ultimately give relief to their in-
sane hate, and bring them, by the dreadful argu.
ment of blood, to the conviction that they aro wrong
and we are right."

The following accounts of the battle, including
Gen. Hood's official despatch, are from the Bich.
mond Enquirer of the 25th:—

" The glorious news from Northern Georgia ab.
sorbed the public attention on Saturday and yes.
terday. The city was lively with delightful ex.
citement, and even the grim savans, who affect to
see an almost interminable war, grew buoyant with
hope. The fate of Sherman, and its bearing upon
the result of the general campaign and the war,
was liberally discussed, and it was generally ac.
cepted that, should the effect of Hood's initiatory
engagements be sustained and culminate in a de-
cisive victcry, no fears, not even doubts, need be
entertained as to the result of the campaign in Vir-
ginia. Grant having expended the force of num.
bers at his command in vain, strategic force may
then be employed by him to about the same pur-
pose. The following is the official despatch of Gen.
Hood :

" Atlanta, July 22, 10.30 p.m.
" The enemy shifted its position fronting on
Peachtree Creek last night, and Stewart's and
Cheatham's corps formed line of battle around the
city. Hardee's corps made a night march and at-
tacked the enemy's extreme left today at 1 o'clock,
and drove him from his works, capturing 16 pieces
of artillery and five stands of colours. Cheatham
attacked the enemy at 4 p.m. with a portion of his
command, and drove the enemy, capturing six pieces
of artillery. During the engagement we captured
about 2,000 prisoners. Wheeler's cavalry routed
the enemy in the neighbourhood of Decatur, cap-
turing his camps. Oar loss is not fully ascertained.
Major• General Walker killed ; Brigadier-Generals
Smith, Gist, and Mercer wounded. Prisoners re-
port M'Pherson. killed. Our troops fought with
great gallantry. "' J. B. HOOD, General.
" Hon. Secretary of War.'"
THE PRESS DESPATCIIES.

"Atlanta, July 22.
" About 2 o'clock this afternoon the enemy at-
tackedour left under Gen. Stewart with great vigour.
They were received with a galling fire from both
artillery and infantry, which caused them to falter
when the order was given to charge. Among their
killed is General APl'herson, who was shot through
the heart; Brigadier-General Giles A. Smith and
(the Yankee) General Hood; General Graham lost
a leg. Our troops left their breastworks and
charged with great rapidity, driving the enemy
from two lines of intrenehments and inflicting
great slaughter, capturing a large number of pri.
soners and 22 pieces of artillery. Gen. Hardee,
having passed raund the enemy's flank, is now in
their rear, doing great execution. The fighting
still continues."

" July 23.
"General Wheeler last evening attacked the
enemy's left, in the neighbourhood of Dscatur, and
drove them back, capturing 500 waggons with
supplies, and a large number of prisoners. Ho is
still pursuing. There was very little fighting after
dark yesterday. 2,000 prisoners, including 75
commissioned officers, 25 pieces of artillery, and
seven stands of colours have been brought in.
The losses on either side aro not yet known. Ours
was severe in officers. Comparative quiet reigns
this morning. There is some little skirmishing on
our left."
Despatches from Washington, of the 29th ult.
say;—
" The latest official despatches from Gen. Sher-
man's army state that La is steadily drawing his
lines closer around Atlanta. He has as yet re-
ceived no tidings of the cavalry force sent out to
cut the Macon and Co:umbus Railroad, which is
the only means of escape to the rebel army from
Atlanta. A despatch received here states that
Gen. Hood has made efforts to renew the assault
upon General Sherman's lines since the battle on
Friday last. They were, however, feeble efforts
and easily and promptly repelled, with an aggre-
gate loss to Sherman of only about 100 men."
Latest accounts from General Grant's army are
as follow :

"Bermuda Hundred, July 27, ria Fortress
Montros, July 28.
"An important movement is in progress from this
point. This morning, while our troops were cross-
ing the James River to its north side on two pontoon
bridges, a rebel force came down and attacked our
men on the banks before they had time to organise.
A spirited engagement took place, and the rebels
were finally driven back to their intrenchnaents.
Our forces continued to arrive, and organised and
attacked the rebels, carrying their position and
capturing four guns. These guns were marked,
' Captured from the Yankees at Drury's Bluff.' We
also captured many prisoners. The rebels were
finally driven from their position into the woods,
and far beyond them, where skirmishing still con-
tinued, when our informant left. The gunboats
were on hand and rendered valuable assistance in
covering the landing of our troops. The guns cap-
tured are no doubt the same that were captured
from Captain Bilger's battery by the rebels on the
/7th of May. These guns are now at City Point."
" Washington, Friday, July 20.
"A letter from the army of the Potomac, dated
July 28, says :
" The arrival of some troops in the vicinity of
Bermuda Hundred a day or two ago attracted the
attention of the enemy, and caused them to believe
an advance on Richmond, by the way of Malvern
Hill, was intended. A force, consisting of Ker-
shaw's division of Longstreet's corps, and Wilcox's
division of Hill's corps, was immediately withdrawn
from the vicinity of Petersburg, and sent dawn to
check the movement. To counteract this manoeuvre
of the enemy the 2d Corps was detached and sent
across the James River, and at half-past 6 o'clock
yesterday morning our advance met the rebel skir-
mishers in an open field opposite Jones Neck, with
a battery in position at the edge of the woods, on the
further side of the field. A long line of skirmishers
was at once thrown out, who soon drove the rebels
to their breastworks, where they were kept hotly
engaged, while a brigade of the let Division moved
around on the left of the enemy's line, and getting
on their flank, charged and drove them from their
guns into the Woods, capturing 50 or 60 prisoners,
four guns and a quantity of small arms. The enemy
fell back on their reinforcements, who occupied
strong works built there two years ago, and our
troops followed, taking tip positions on their front and flanks, and before this reaches you the entire
force may be captured or routed. The glans taken
were four 24-pounder Parrotts, marked May 29,
Richmond—the same which were 4, near
cap-
tured from the Bth Corps at Dmry's Bluff lest May.
Our Ices was only about hall-a-dozen wounded, none
seriously. Genera: Grant rode to the front in ti .e
afternoon, in company with General Hancock, and
viewed the position the enemy were in, He seemed
well pleased with the morning operations. General
Foster's command had quite a lively time witn the
enemy yesterday at this place, but his force being
weak he fell back half a mile to a stronger position,
which he .lielchantil the arrival of the 2d Corps. He
lest 49 or 50 wounded during the day. An attack
wain expected en Warren's f
was not ront yesterday, but it
made. Picket and artillery firing is in.