The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-21 00:00:00

AMERICA.

(From the Times Correspondent)

Per the Asia, via Roche's Point, March 21,
11.10 a.m.)

NEW YORK, MARCH 9, 1 P.M.

In the absence of official information from Gen.
Sherman, most unfavourable reports continue to
circulate. One account, via New Orleans, states
that on the 16th ultimo he was defeated near Meri-
den, with the loss of 15,000 men, and that, with
the remnant of his army, he was retreating to
Vicksburg, pursued and harassed by a large force
of Confederate cavalry.
Travellers who left Vicksburg on the 31 instant
assert that ho had arrived in that city, but do not
state whether with the whole or a part of his army.
The Confederate Generals Magruder and Taylor,
with 20,000 men, are reported to be advancing into
Eastern Louisiana, from Berwick's Bay.
Admiral Farragut opened fire upon Fort Powell,
on Dauphin Island, commanding Grant's Pass Chan-
nel to Moble, at daylight on the 23d ult. One
Federal gunboat was sunk, but the result of the
bombardment ik unknown.

Confederate telegrams from Charleston of the 4th
report that 1,250 Federal shells had been fired at
the city during the previous fortnight, but without
doing any damage. Blockade running had been
actively resumed, and an average of two vessels
weekly had succeeded in reaching the city.
The Confederates, under General Pickett, are
again threatening Newborn, Plymouth, and Wash-
ington, North Carolina. Four Confederate rams,
plated with 10 inches of, iron, and carrying four
guns each, will co-operate with the land forces.

The steamers S. P. Thomas, Titan, and Jollar,
plying on Chesapeake Bay, were captured by the
Confederates on the otti inst., and taken up the
Rappahannock.

One of the four Federal colonels killed in Kil-
patrick's recent raid upon Lee's communications
was a son of Admiral Dahlgren. On his dead body
were found an address and instructions to the
soldiers under his command, which declared that
when once they were in Richmond the city must
be destroyed, and Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet
killed.

General Meade has been summoned before the
War Investigation Committee, in consequence of
statements by Generale Sickles and Doubleday that
Meade ordered a retreat of the Federal forces on
the first day's battle at Gettysburg, and again on
the second, which orders only failed to be executed
through General Sickle's engaging the enemy.
Meade is also accused of having expressed the
opinion that the Confederates could not be con-
quered.

Admiral Wilkes is also to be subjected to a court
martial for disobedience of orders and insubor

dination.

General Grant has arrived at Washington, and
been received by the President, whom he met for
the first time.

An amendment of the Constitation" of the State
of New York, permitting soldiers to vote in camp,
was yesterday carried throughout the State by a
large Republican majority.
The Asia takes out 271,625 dole. in specie.
The steamers Australasian and Sidon arrived this

morning.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Renewed rumours of European intervention,
coupled with the unfavourable reports from the
Armies of the Potomac and the Cumberland, and
the uncertainty as to the fate of General Sherman,
have kept the gold market in a feverish state. Gold
yesterday advanced from 61 to 65 premium, and
this morning, at 11 o'clock, went as high as 68.
It afterwards rose to 68f.

Government Sixes, registered, 1881, 1121; Trea-
sury 7-30 Notes, 1128.
New York Central Railway, 138; Erie, 122 k;
Illinois Central, 138 t.
Cotton, 77c. Breadstuff irregular. Provisions
quiet, but firm. Sugars, 121 e. to 14!e. Coffee
steady:

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

NEW YORK, MARCH 8 (Evening.)

(Per the Asia via Roches Point.)

It is reported positively that General Sherman
returned to Vicksburg on the 3d inst.
Southern despatches state that he was at Canton
on the 28th badly harassed by the Confederate
cavalry. He laid waste the country along his
route.

Doubtful rumours from New Orleans state that
Polk defeated Sherman on the 16th ult. near Meri.
than with severe loss.

General Johnson was pressing the Federal lines
is Tennessee. The Federals have withdrawn from
Tunnelhill to Ringold.
Lon gstreet's cavalry hold Bull'sGap,s6 miles from
Knoxsville. His army is at Greenville.
The Federals occupy Morristown, 42 miles from
Knoxville.

Colonel Dahlgren, who was cut off from Kil-
patrick's command, was killed. Upon his person
papers were found, informing the troops that their
mission was to burn Richmond, release the Federal
prisoners, and not allow Jefferson Davis to escape.
Kilpatrick's loss is variously estimated at from
150 to 50 men.

The bombardment of Fort Powell, Mobile, on the
30th, is confirmed.

The Confederate ram was lying under the guns
of Fort Morgan, and reporced to be preparing to
attack the Federal fleet.
The Bohemian has broke up and is a total loss.
The City of New York, Nova Scotian, and
Bavaria have arrived out.

The Federals at Newbern are preparing to
resist the threatened Confederate attack. The
Confederates have two rams ready to co-operate