The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

Sheridan was making preparations to force the
remnant of Early's army from Brown's Gap in the
Blue Ridge. E .rly's position is repreFen to be a
very strong one, and he doubtless intt3rds to hold
it as a protection to Gordon.,ville and Charlottes-
ville, as well as Lynchburg ; for wAlk, holding this
point, if Sheridan advances upon Lynchburg Early
threates his rear and supplies. There can be little
doubt, however, of Sheridan's success, for Early's
army has lost heart, and Brown's Gap will only
prove to be another Fisher's Hill.

The New York herald, in an editorial on Sheri-
dan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, says :
" That struggle is now one of the very deepest
interest. If we suppose the Virginia Central Road
to be in running order, then with that road, with
the Lynchburg and Petersburg Road, and the
Kanawha Canal, Lee has three lines of supply, and
all of these must be . broken up before he
can be forced to fight on Grant's own terms
the great final battle for life or death. None
of these lines is safe. Lee's greatest appre-
hension has lately been for the Southeide Road,
and the events of the past few days have shown that
he had risked even the safety of Richmond in order
to mass his troops where they could be used for the
defence of that line. But Sheridan's defeat of Early
and the rapid race up the valley, brought an unex-
pected danger to the Central Road, and alarmed
Lee lest that line also should be lost. His fears for
its safety are apparent in the fact that, scarce as
men are, and necessary as it is that he should hold
the Southside Road, he has yet sent several thou-
sand men to reinforce the body that he depended
upon to hold the valley and keep open the comma•
nications by way of Charlottesville and Gordonsville.
The column that lately swept down the valley and
threatened Washington is now posted solely with a
view to cover the Central Railroad and keep it open.
It is in a strong position at Brown's Gap, and if
Sheridan leaves it there and moves on he leaves a
force in his rear that can cut his communications.
If he attempts to carry the position he must
fight a bloody battle at a great disadvantage.
Grant and Sheridan will find a way to get over this
difEallty, as both have got over others. Sheridan is
perhaps nearer to Charlottesville than he supposes,
as Grant is much nearer to the Southside Road
than he would like him to be. Lee already sees
how precarious is his hold on the Southside Road.
With Grant so near to that road as he now is, Lee
dare not keep a large force at Barkelville Junction,
for fear that it would be cut off—and thus Grant
can, by a single march, and perhaps a small fight,
close up at once the Southside and Daville Roads.
Lee would thus be left with only one—therefore
he will take care of that, and we shall have yet no
doubt some pretty large operations before Sheridan
destroys the road at Gordonsville and Charlottesville
—but we cannot doubt that he will do it."

The excitement and war preparations in Mis-
souri, consequent on the Confederate invasion,
continue. It was stated in St. Louis, on the 3d,
that Gen. Rosecranz would immediately take the
field In person. There is still no reliable intellis
genes from Gen, Ewing, all lines of communication
between him and the eastern part of the State being
cat by the guerillas. A portion, at least, of those
taking part in this invasion seem to be destitute of
all common humanity, and to be intent on carrying
on wholesale assassination instead of warfare.
Major Walker and a number of others engaged in
the defence of Potosi were murdered in cold blood
by their Confederate captors after the surrender of
the place. Some Federal officers, who were captured
at Pilot Knob, were subjected to treatment very
different from that which prisoners of war should
receive. The Confederate loss in the attack on the
Federal works at the latter place was about 200
killed and between 600 and 800 wounded.

Despatches from Admiral Farragnt, in Mobile
Bay, on the Ist, state that Fort Morgan is being
put in condition for strong defence. The enemy
are trying to place torpedoes in the channel above
the fort, The report that Federal gunboats are
near the city of Mobile is incorrect.
A military commission had been sent into Ken-
tucky, and was investigating the charges made
against Brigadier General Paine, lately command-
ing the district of Western Kentucky. The Louis-
ville Journal charges him with robbery, murder,
embezz'ement, and unjustifiable banishment.
The Secretary of the Treasury announces that
sealed offers will be received at the Treasury Dee
partment, under the Act of Congress, approved
June 30, 1864, until noon of Friday, and 14th
inst., for bonds of the United States to the amount
of 40 millions of dollars. The bonds offered will
bear an interest of 6 per centum, payable Bernie
annually in coin, on the first days of May and
November, and will be redeemable at the pleasure
of the Government after five years, and payable in
20 years from November 1, 1864.
The New York Herald says :
"Reports from Chicago inform us that several
banks had failed, and others refused to pay heavy
cheques. This caused a panic among all classes,
and the small produce dealers went under. Flour,
wheat, corn, oats, rye, and whisky fell heavily, and
everything else in proportion. Then a mob attacked
one of the banks, and proposed to hang one of the
directors; but the military were called out, and the
dirLctor rescued."

The weekly averages of the old banks of the City
of New York show the following changes;—ln-
crease i❑ loans, 315,619 dols. ; decrease in specie
391,019 dole. ; increase in circulation, 910,721
doll; increase in undrawn deposits, 1,161,162 doll,

The details of the battles of the 29th and 30th
ult have at last been received, and show the fight-
ing to have been of a more sanguinary character
than was at first reported.

Oa the night of the 28. h the 10th Army Corps,
under General Birney, and the 18th Corp 3, under
General Ord, crossed the James Myer, near Deep
Bottom, oa two muffled pontcon bridges. By day.
light on the following morning the entire force was
safely across without apparently having attracted
the attention of the enemy. Both corps at once
advanced rapidly towards Richmond, the 10th
Corps following the Newmarket Road, while the
18i ii advanced on a road nearer the river. General
Birney soon encountered the Confederate pickets
and heavy skirmishing commenced, the Confede-
rates falling back stubbornly to Newmarket Heights
where they held a strong position. The coloured
division, under General Paine, charged upon, and,
although suffering severely from the Confederate
fire, carried the works. The Confederates retreated
so closely followed by Birney's troops that they
could not reform their line of battle. About two
miles farther on towards Richmond the Federals
found themselves confronted by a strong line of
defences known as the Laurel Hill Works. After
a brief reconnaissance Gen. Birney determined to
attack this position, and at 2 p.m. the assaulting
colnmn moved forward and was met by a murderous
fire of grape and canister, and continuous volleys
of musketry, causing terrible havoc in its ranks;
the troops, however, pressed on, bet finally were
held at bay by a formidable abattis, while
an enfilading fire of artillery and infantry mowed
them down in great numbers. The corps now
suffered severely. At one point the negro troops,
while attempting to pass a ditch in front of the
works were slaughtered fearfully by musketry and
hand•grenades. One account states that nearly
2,000 of the negroes fell while attempting the
passage of this ditch. It being found impossible
to carry the position, the Federal troops were
withdrawn to the cover of a crest, where they re-
mained until nightfall, when a diversion in their
favour was made at another part of the line, and
the entire command was withdrawn to the junction
of the Newmarket and Varina Roads. In the
meantime Kantz's division of cavalry had dashed
on the Confederate line to the left of the 10th
Corps, and had reached a point within one and a
half miles of Richmond. General Kantz sent back
for infantry supports, and Terry's division was
thrown forward, but before it could reach
him he found it prudent to retire. While these opes
rations were progressing on the right, Gen. Ord 's
corps, on the lat, advanced rapidly, driving the
Confederates back to Chapin's Farm. Here some
very heavy works were encountered, consisting of
a series of breastworks and rifle pits, terminating at
the river in a fort mounting seven heavy guns. The
Federals at once assaulted the position, and after
losing severely, particularly in front of the fort,

they carried the entire line, capturing from two to
three hundred prisoners, and 15 pieces of artillery,

and driving the Confederates back in confusion.
During this engagement General Burnham was in-
stantly killed, and General Ord severely, though
not dangerously, wounded. General Heckman as•
sumed the temporary command of the corps. While
the battle was progressing Fort Darling, on the op-
posite side of the river, and the Confederate iron-
clads opened fire, but they were not within effective
range of the battle-ground. On the afternoon of
the following day, Sept. 30, the Confederates made
three desperate attempts to retake the position at
Chapin's Farm, but were repulsed severely on each
occasion. They subsequently, however, succeeded
in recapturing the redoubt near the river. The
Federal General Stannard was seriously wounded
on this day. On the day following, Oct. 1, General
Butler sent out a reconnoitring force of two brigades
of infantry with some cavalry and artillery. These

troops are said to have gone within a few hundred
yards of the inner line of intrenchments defending
Richmond; but it was deemed imprudent to risk
an attack, and the forces were withdrawn.
These new combinations of the Federal com•
mender seem to involve the entire force under
his immediate command, for the' operations on his
right wing on the north of James River were im-
mediately followed by a vigorous renewal of the
offensive by his left on the south of Petersburg.
On the morning of the 30th five divisions of the
sth and 9th Corps, under General Meade, advanced
from the line of the Weldon Railroad, and, after a
sharp engagement, captured the first line of the
entrenchments of the Confederates, who fell back
half a mile to s stronger line of works. This posi-
tion was then attacked by the Federals, and some
very desperate fighting ensued, during which the
Federals sustained more severe losses than were at
first reported. The Confederates charged suddenly
through a gap between the sth and 9th Corps, and
flanked the first division of the 9th Corps, captur-
ing from 1,000 to 1,200 prisoners, the entire
Federal loss being estimated at about 2,000_ The
Confederates lost lightly, as they fought mostly
behind breastworks. It being ascertained that the
position could only be Carried at a fearful loss of
life, it was determined not to assault it, and the
troops fell back to the line they had captured, and
strongly intrenched themselves. On the afternoon
of the following day, Oct. 1, the Confederates at-
tacked
Ayre's division, but were handsomely re-
pulsed. This, and a demonstration against Gregg's
cavalry on the Vaughan Road, to the left of the 2d
Corps, by Wade Hampton's cavalry, which was
also repulsed, constituted the entire operations of
the day. On the morning of the 2d the Confederates
in front of the 9th Corps fell back to their main
line, and a division was thrown forward to develop
its strength. The result of the reconnaissance was
that it was deemed inadvisable to attack the posi-
tion, and the troops were withdrawn.
General Lee has sent to the Confederate War.
office a report of Mosby's, with an endorsement
stating that Colonel Mosby has rendered very im-
portant serviges to the Confederacy, having, at a
loss of only 20 men, captured at various times 1,200
Federals, 1,600 horses and mules, 230 beef cattle,
and 85 waggons, besides having furnished valuable
information respecting the movements of the Fede-
ral forces. Mosby is reported to have sustained
wounds that will disable him from taking the saddle
for a long time.
A despatch from General Sheridan, dated Har-
risonburg, September 29, states that he had pur-
sued Early's forces to Port Republic, and had de-
stroyed 85 of his waggons; and that Early's army
was " completely broken up and dispirited." An.
other despatch from General Sheridan, dated Har-
risonburg, Oct. 1, states that his cavalry had been
to Staunton and Waynesboro, destroying the rail-
road between those points and the iron bridge over
the South River at Waynesboro'.

It is now five days since any official intelligence
from Atlanta has been published. The telegraph
is not working at Chattanooga.

Mr. Stanton announced on the 33 inst. that noth-
ing had been received at the War Department
from General Sherman for the past three data, but
that it was believed he had taken vigorous measures
to protect his communications. A Nashville de-
spatch of the 4th inst. states that a large force of
Confederates, supposed to be Forest's command,
demanded the surrender of Dalton, Georgia, on the
3d. No further particulars had been received
Confederate guerillas had captured two or three'
commissajy and forage trains near Athens. Nothing
further is reported as to the movements of Hood's
army, which at last accounts was moving west-
ward towards the Alabama line. The commands
of Wheeler, Roddy, and Forrest are reported to
have effected a junction. Beauregard is believed to
have gone to take command of the Confederate
forces in Georgia.

The news from Missouri is singularly meagre, in
view of the important events known to be progress.
ing in that State. At last accounts General Price
was moving against Rolla, his right being com•
manded by Shelby, his centre by Marmaduke, and
his left by Cooper. His entire force is said to
be 25,000 veterans, and 5,000 recruits received since
he entered the State. Nothing has been heard
from General Ewing yet. At last accounts he was
retreating to Harrison's Station, closely pursued by
the Confederates. It is feared that his command
has be
en captured. The Iron Mountain Railroad
has been so badly damaged that it will require two
months to repair it. Latest advices from Arkansas
represent the Federal forces at Fort Smith to be on
half rations, and forage exhausted.
No details of the operations on either side of the
James River
is rumoured
2d and 3d instant have been re■
ceived; but it rumoured that Lee was making
desperate effirts to get a large force around the
White Oak Swamp, and in the rear of the 10th and
18:h Corps. Wild rumours are afloat in Washing-
ton of a severe disaster of the Federal arms, and of
the d:ath of General Butler. These reports have
not, however, been traced to any reliable source.
No Confederate accounts have yet been received.
There is nothing further from Generale Sherman
or Shotidan. Confederate journals still claim that
Sheridan has been whipped, and forced to adopt
the defensive, _

There are no later advices from Missouri, but it
is rumoured that Price is going to make an attack
upon St. Louis with his entire force. The defences
of the city are strong, and are fully garrisoned.
Gen. Gillem reports that he is clewing the States
of Kentucky and East Tennessee of Confederate
guerillas. On the 30th ult, he drove Vaughan's
Land from a stronglyaintrenched position at Carter's
Station.

The Hon. Lewis Cass has written a letter an-
nouncing that he is in favour of the election of
Gen. M'Clellan to the Presidency. There appears
just now to be a lull in the excitement of the Pre-
sidential campaign.

A SINGULAR WILL CASE.—A somewhat extraor-
dinary will case, occupying two days in investigation at the
Preston County Court, was brought to a close on Wednes-
day night. The plaintiff was a woman named Ann Archer,
and the defendant was a man named Robert Woods. Both
reside in Preston. The action was brought by the plaintiff
to obtain possession of the estate and effects of an old man,
nearly 80, named John Woods. Some months before his
death Woods became acquainted with the plaintiff, and
eventually they agreed to get. married, On the 24th of
last May he had a will drawn up, in which he bequeathed
all his furniture, goods, and chattels to the plaintiff.
Afterwards he gave her the will; but in a fortnight,
and before the marriage had taken place, he died. The
plaintiff then claimed the money, furniture, eco., of the
deceased, who was in tolerably comfortable circum-
stances; but the defendant, his son, and four of his brothers
and sisters, resisted tho claim, on the ground that their
father, at the time he made his will, was in an unsound
state of mind. The case was then sent to the Probate
Court in London; but as the sum in dispute was below
£3OO, it was referred back for adjudication to the Preston
County Court. The evidence for the plaintiff was to the
effect that the old man Woods, although of an eccentric,
stupid disposition, was of sound mind, that he made hi
will whilst in his right senses, and that he had "courted'
the plaintiff, who described herself as a widow, because she
had never seen-her husband for 12 years, on perfectly ra-
tional and voluntary principles. Two of the attesting wit-
nesses of the will have stated that when the deceased made
his will he " was not his own man," One of them said he
read over the document drawn out two or three times, and
that deceased would have the name of the plaintiff altered
from Ann Woods to Ann Archer Woods, remarking at the
same time that although not his wife, she would be "in five
weeks." The witnesses for the defendant showed that the
deceased was for some time before his death an imbecile
The jury did not agree upon a verdict, and they were dis-
missed, the case being left for the decision of the judges.