The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-06 00:00:00

It is reported, unofficially, that General Butler's
forces have succeeded in destroying about three
miles of the Petersburg and Richmond Railroad.
The James River has been obstructed by sunken
vessels at a point about four and a half miles below
Fort Darling by orders of Gen. Grant, who, it is
believed, considered his transports menaced by the
Confederate rams.
Confederate accounts represent that Gen. Hunter
has been defeated, and a large number of his troops
captured. They assert also that Lynchburg is
perfectly safe, and that all Grant's operations
against Petersburg aro worse than useless. The
2ichmond Despatch predicts the capture of Sheri-
c'an's force, which is supposed to be executing an•
other raid.

Ca the 20th a force of 1,800 Fecierals, uoder Gen.
Abercrombie, while acting as a guard for Gen.
Sfieridan's trains left at White House, was attacked
by a force of about 7,000 Confederate cevdlry under
Fi,z%ugh Lee and Wade Hampton. Toe Confe-
derates were speedily repulsed by the Federal
batteries and three gunboats lying in the Pumunkey
River.

A despatch from General Sherman, dated on the
afternoon of the 21at inst., stated that his lines
nave been steadi:y pressed forward, and that an
important position had been captured by General
Howard's corps. The Confederates had made seve-
ral atttinpts to regain the lost ground, making seven
assaults on Stanley's division. 1 hey were decidedly
repulsed with a loss of 700 men. It is rumoured

that a portion of S!Jerman's forces recently suc
ceeded in crossing the Chattaboocllie, and that a
general engagement was immediately expected.

Kirby Smith, with a large force, was believed to
be marching to reinforce Johnstone.
Nothing further is reported in relation to the
movement of the forces under General Forrest, but

it is asserted that General Sherman has taken pre-
cautions amply bufficie n t to secure his communica-
tions against the operations ci Forrest.
New Orleans adviccs state that the State of
Arkansas is overrun with guerillas. The Federals,
however, still h: td Little Rack and Flue Bluffs.
General Banks was at New Orleans.
Admiral Porter reports that the Federal ironclads
recently silenced and captured a Confederate bat-

tery of two rifled 32 pounders on the Atchafalaya
❑ear Semmesport, Louisiana.

In the Federal Senate, Mr. Johnson, of Mary-
land, offered a resolution requesting the President
to inform Congress whether authority had been
granted to any one to obtain recruits from Ireland
or Canada for the Federal army or navy.

Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, offered a resolution
requesting the President to revoke the military
order suppressing the circulation of the Cincinnati
Inquirer, and to issue such orders as will prevent
further military interference With the freedom of
the Press.

The bill repealing the Fugitive Slave Law was
passed by a vote of 21 against 7, This bill, having
passed both houses, now simply awaits the Presi-

dent's signature.

Ia the House of Representatives the Loan Bill
was passed. This bill authorises Secretary Chase
to borrow 400,00,000 doh.., horn time to time,
upon six percent. bonds, redeernable in five to forty
years. The interest pyablo in coin semi-annually.

Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, gave notice of his in-
.ention to introduce a bill to establish
peace among
the people of the United States.

A Washington despatch says that the military
authorities of Ohio urge the re-arrest of Mr. Val-
landigham, bat notify the Government that blood-
shed would be unavoidable in so doing, as an armed
and numerous organisation is pledged to protect
him.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, JUNE 24 P M.
The money market is active, the current rate
being 7 per cent.

Government Securities are dull. Registered
Sixes of 1881, lOsi ; Coupon do., 1121; Five
Twenti.!s, 10,51 ; Seven
Thirties, 107 ; One Year
Certificates, 95k.

Gold is firm at 216, and Exchange 238 for
Bankers' Bills.

The share market is active. Erie, 1121; New
York Central, 1331; Hudson River, 141 ; Har-
lem, 233; Reeding, 1391; Illinois Central, 1291;
Michigan Central, 139 ; Michigan Southern, 95 ;
Chicago and Rock Island, 113; Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne, and Chicago, 114. t.

6....... m. wawa

SOU CHAIIPTON, JULY 6.

The Hamburg
and American Company's steamer
Saxonia, from New York on the 25th lune, arrived
here this morning, with 100 passengers for this
port, H%vre,
and Hamburg, and 60 bags of mails,
of which 42 are for London. No specii.

NEW YORK, JUNE 25, 11 3,133.
Nothing official fro© General Grant or Mr.

Stanton.

The newspaper despatches, which are vague and
contradictory, report that the army is gradually
moving by the left to the south of Petersburg, for
the destruction 'of the Weldon and the Lynchburg
Railways. On the other hand, Lee is reported as
demcnstrating against Grant's coramunicationa, rfa
James River.

Nine brigades have been detached by Leo to

operate against Hunter.

Sueroaan reports that on the night of the 20th
inst, ho repulsed
the enemy in coven distinct at-
tettiPts to ntako a position pre•Tiotaly wiled ly