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

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 8, 1864.

turn his left columns. There is no official informa-
tion to show that our troops have entered Atlanta."
M:.spatches to the New York papers of the 27th
state that the force which made the late raid in
Maryland had turned up3n its pursuers. The fol-
lowing appears in the Baltimore American of the
26th :

"Tree city last night was full of rumours of rebel
movements in the Shenandoah valley, together with
vague accounts of disaster to the force under Gen.
Averill which last week attacked and defeated a
portion of Gen. Early's raiders near Winchester.
Among the rumours prevalent were the deaths of
Generals Kelly and Averill, as well as of Col. Mul
ligan. The facts, as far as we have been able to
ascertain them, are that General Averill, after his
successful encounter with General Early's forces,
pursued them to the mountains beyond Winchester,
where Early made a stand, and, after heavy fight-
ing on Saturday and Sunday, the rebels having in
the meantime been reinforced, Gen. Averill was
compelled to fall back to Harper's Ferry, bringing
with him the forces at Bunker Hill, and causing
also the evacuation of Martinsburg. The rebels
appear to have pursued him in his retreat, and yes-
terday afternoon again occupied Martinsburg, where
they cut the telegraph wires and commenced again
the destruction of the track of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad. Our forces, according to the best
advices we could obtain, are now concentrated at
Harper's Ferry, under command of Gen. Hunter.
The rebels hold Martinsburg, and rumour states
them to be in large force, but this can hardly be
possible beyond the strength of the forces under
Generals Early and Breckinridge, The object of
the rebels in returning is doubtless to give time for
the safety of their trains of plunder, and to secure
the collection of a portion of the crop in the She-
nandoah valley. That they may again come into
Maryland for more plunder is highly probable,
especially if they find the way open to them, as is
generally the case in the military management of
affairs along the border. As to the extent of the
disaster to our forces in the fight beyond Winches-
ter we have no authentic information, nor have we
any confirmation of the death of Generals Averill
and Kelly and Colonel Mulligan. It is not likely,
however, that all three of these officers have fallen ;
we are inclined to doubt the story of their death. We
learn that orders were sent to remove the army and
medical stores from Frederick last night, as a
matter of precaution, and to prepare to evacuate
the city in case of the advance of the rebels un-
checked i❑ that direction. That the official intel-
ligence from the valley last evening was not as
favourable as could be desired may be inferred from
the fact that General Wallace convened the Loyal
Leaguers last night, to advise with them as to hold-
ing themselves in readiness in case their services
should be required for the defence of the city.
These precautions are of course advisable, and our
citizens should be in readiness at all times to meet
the invaders and to prevent their repeating the
outrages recently perpetrated in the neighbourhood
of this city. The despatches received here last
night merely announced that General Averill had
been compelled to retire before a superior force to
Harper's Ferry, but mentioned no serious disasters
as having occurred."
A Washington despatch of the 26th of July
states :

" General Crook met the enemy on Sunday at
Winchester, and was repulsed and driven back to
Williamsport by way of Martinsburg. General
Crook had not his old command with him, General
Hunter for some cause having given him command
of the militia."
The Baltimore American adds to this :

"The train which left here yesterday morning
for the west and proceeded as far as Sandy Hook
returned about half-past 7 o'clock last evening. All
of the cars were crowded with Union officers, who
reported that a heavy fight had taken place between
Harper's Ferry and Winchester, and that General
Hunter had been repulsed ; also that several pieces
of artillery and a large number of men of two bri-
gades had been captured by the rebels, It is im-
possible to ascertain the true state of affairs in that
region, but there is no doubt that a serious disaster
has occurred to the forces of General Hunter.'

The New York. Tribune has the following in red
ferenee to this new raid :

" Yesterday afternoon brought intelligence of a
sudden disaster in the Shenandoah Valley, reported
at first to consist in nothing less than the total
defeat of General Hunter's advance under Averill
and Crook, with loss of guns, and men, and stores.
It was subsequently modified into a prudent re-
tirement of General Crook from the vicinity of
Winchester and from Martinsburg, with slight
losses in men and none in material. And the latest
reports seem to justify the opinion that there has
been no very serious battle in the valley, but that
our forces withdrew in the face of an enemy deemed
to be superior in strength. The reported deaths of
Averill, Kelly, and Mulligan receive no confirma-
tion whatever. Of the precise location and purpose
of such forces as were operating on our side we
have had no information that could be trusted for
some days. The pursuit, so called, of the rebel
force retiring from Maryland had never reached the
dignity of an offensive movement. Crook and
Averill seemed to be hanging on the rear of the
rebel rear guard, picking up a waggon or two now
and then, but inflicting no serious loss upon the
enemy. But it becomes pretty clear that the rebels
grew tired of the annoyance to which they were
subjected, and rather suddenly sent Crook and
Averill to the right about. Hence the reports of a
return of the rebel forces, and a new invasion of
the North. We may remark, however, that there
is no reason why the rebels should not return.
They have laughed at a pursuit which they knew
was not undertaken in earnest. They gained rest
and strength as they slowly retreated with abun-
dant supplies. They knew that the 19th Corps had
been sent to the James. They inferred from the
weakness of the effort directed against the retiring
columns that no formidable force was left in Mary.
land. Why should they not return with the small
yet insolent band which was flushed with great
success, gorged with plunder, stimulated by the eclat
by an attack on the capital, and instructed by new
orders from Lee to try another diversion in his behalf ?
The previous raid was a greed reconnaissance; this
may reap the fruit which the other from over haste
left b2hind. We are far from suggesting that any
serious effect is to be apprehended from these reports
and inferences. But we do mean to say that it is
not a creditable administration of military affairs
which leaves even the apprehension of such a return
to be felt by the North. Long since the valley ought
to have been closed absolutely against such demon-
strations. The force under Gen. Halleck is and has
been ample for the purpose. The forces under Gen.
Hunter and Gen. Wright were alone sufficient, if
used with ability, to have prevented the possibility
of a renewed invasion or raid, for we know not which
is the least respectable term since the last rebel
attempt fluctuates between both."
Fears are entertained that an invasion of Penn-
sylvania is contemplated. Reports are afloat in
military circles that Hill's corps has reinforced
Early, but they are deemed improbable by some.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE OF FARMING STOCK.—A most
disastrous fire broke out on the premises of Mr.
Pitcher, the NunneryParm, about two miles from Worcester,
on Saturday afternoon. At 5 o'clock everything was safe,
and some men were engaged in making a rick of barley, when
they observed smoke issue from a barn at the end of the :rick-
yard. Before they could reach the barn the flames burst out,
and, spreading with great rapidity, extended to the rickyard,
setting fire to the half•made barley rick and all the other
ricks in the yard. By half-past 5 the whole place was
in a blaze, the flames reaching to a great height, and,
although the sun was shining brightly, being visible at a
considerable distance. Three fire-engines were quickly on
the spot ; but, as it was evident no effort could extinguish
the fire in the ricks and barn, their energies were confined
to the saving of the house. The garden hedge was already
on fire, and the fruit on the trees against the house shrivelled
up with the heat, when providentially the wind changed
and blew the flames in another direction, or the house must
have fallen a prey to them. As it was, the fire was confined
to the barn and rickyard. The former contained about 30
bags of beans, a great number of agricultural implements,
three waggons, and a cart, all of which were destroyed.
The barley rick and several ricks of straw were burnt, but
some hay ricks in an adjoining yard were saved. The fire
is conjectured to have arisen from some men employed at
work smoking on the premises, but nothing certain is
known. Mr Pitcher is fully insured. Only two nights
previously there was another fire at an adjoining farm not
half a mile off, when a large rick of hay
was worth over £2OO
deatroye

SPORTING IfTTELLIGENOE.

LEWES RACES-SATuRDAY.

The Town Plate (Handicap') of 50 sovs, for all ages. Hal

a mile.

Mr Temple's The Doe, 3 yrs, Cat 10Ib (Loates) 1
Lord Bateman's Gipsy Girl, 4 yrs, Bst 2lb (J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr Wales's Lady Warwick, 3 yrs, 7st (J. Smith) 3
The following also rar.:—Cenfusion, Ace of Hearts,
Practitioner, Dont't Come Late, Lampoon, Little Star,
Sister to Lavender, and Lady Wilson filly.
Betting-2 to 1 agst The Doe, 4to 1 agst Gipsy Girl, 5
to 1 agst Don't Come Late, 4J to 1 agst Confusion and the
Lady-Wilson filly coupled, 100 to leach agst Lady Warwick
and Practitioner, 20 to 1 agst Lampoon, 50 to 1 agst Ace
of Hearts.

After several failures Don't Come Late made play to the
distance, where Gipsy Girl, The Doe, and Lady Warwick
went to the front, The Doe almost immediately after pass-
ing the distance post going in advance, and winning easily
by a length; Lady Warwick was only beaten a neck from
Gipsy Girl ; Don't Come Late was fourth, and Lampoon
fifth, Little Star sixth, Practitioner seventh, and Confu-
sion last.

The Lewes Grar.d Handicap of 15 soya each, 10ft, with 200

added ; winners extra, Two miles. 98 subs, of whom

78 paid 3 sous ft.
Mr Fleming's Magnum Bonnm, 5 yrs, Bst 41b (Norman) 1
Mr W. Bevill's Suspicion, 3 yrs, 7st .... (J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr R. Ten Broeck's Canzonette, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b (carried
ist 111 b) (Fordham) 3
Marquis of Hastings's Redcap, 3 yrs, 6st lllb (inc. 71b
extra)i (Deacon) 4
Mr W, Ashworth's Doctor Syntax, 4 yrs, 7st 81b
(T. French) 5
Mr G. Angell's Orphene, 3 yrs, Est lib .... (G. Sayers) 6
Sheridan was scratched at one o'clock on the day of the
race.

Betting-9 to 4 agst Canzonette, 4to 1 each agst Suspi-
cion and Doctor Syntax, 5 to 1 each agat Magnum Bonum
and Redcap.
._ .

Orphene jumped away in front, but was quickly pulled
into the rear, the running being taken up by Redcap, who
had Magnum Bonum and Canzonette in waiting, these
three proceeding a few lengths in advance of the other trio,
who went on side by side for a mile, when Orphene fell
back. At the foot of the hill Suspicion drew to the front,
and Redcap being beaten at the distance, Magnum Bonum
carried on the mnning. Oppnaita the stand Suspicion
made an effort to reach Magnum Bonum, but failing to get
up, was beaten by a length. Canzonette, several lengths
in front of Redcap, was a bad third—and Doctor Syntax
and Orphene trotted in.

The County Cup of 50 soya (in specie), added to a Sweep-
stakes of 5 sous, for all ages; penalties and allowances,
T.Y.C., three-quarters of a mile. 13 subs.
Lord St. Vincent's Microscope, 4 yrs, Bst ]lb
(J, Grimshaw) 1
Mr Redeliff's Cranbury, 3 yrs, Oat (Pearson) 2
Prince D. Soltykoff's Nebuchadnezzar, 4 yrs, Bst 41b
(Hibberd) 3
Lord Westmoreland's Auditor, 2 yrs, 7st 51b .. (Morris) 4
Betting-2 to 1 agst Microscope, 9to 4 agst Cranbury,
3 to 1 agst Nebuchadnezzar, 5 to 1 agst Auditor.
Microscope made all the running, and won cleverly by
half a length—a bad third.
A Plate for all ages: certain penalties and allowances.

One milo and a half. 6 subs.

Lord Westmoreland's Summerside, 4 yrs, (£500), 9st 51b
(J. Goater) 1
Lord St. Vincent's The Stranger, 3 yrs (£59), 6st 131 b
(J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr T. Read's Secrecy, 3 yrs (£5O), 6st 131 b ..(llibberd) 3
Mr R. Smith's Waveney, 3 yrs (£5O), 6st 131 b (Carroll) 4
Mr R. Drewiti's Colleen, 3 yrs (£100), 7st 41b (Mordan) 5
Mr Elphiek's Flying Spur, 4 yrs, Sst 91b.... (C. Martin) 6
Betting-6 to 4on the Stranger, 100 to 30 sgst Summer-
side.

The Stranger made play until opposite the stand, where
Summerside challenged and won a splendid finish by a neck,
Secrecy a bad third, and the others beaten off.
There was no bid for the winner, but The Stranger was
claimed by Elphick the trainer.
The Railway Nursery Handicap of 10 sovs each, 5 ft, with
50 added, for 2-yr-olds ; winners extra. T.Y,C., three-

quarters of a mile. 3S subs.
Captain Machell's Hope, 7st Gib (J. Grimsbaw) 1
Mr James Smith's Sympathy, 7st 101 b (C. Gray) 2
Mr Fleming's Scylla, 74 31b (Loates) 3
Mr Egerton's Corporal Trim, 7st 81b
The following also ran :—St. Vincent, Vigilant, Sisy-
phus, Tilt, and Volatile.

Betting-5 to 2 agst Sympathy, 3to 1 agst Tilt, sto 1
agat Scylla, 6 to 1 agst Volatile, 10 to 1 agst Hope, 100 to 8
agst Vigilant•

The three placed lay in front throughout, and Hope corn-
ing away with a clear lead at the distance, won easily by a
length; three lengths separated the second and third, and
Corporal Trim was only beaten a head from Scylla ; Vola-
tile was fifth, and St. Vincent last.

The Castle Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 30 added, for all
ages; certain allowances. T.Y.C., three-quarters of a
mile. 6 subs.
Lard St. Vincent's Olive, 2 yrs (X3O), 6st 41b
(J. Grimshaw) 1
Mr G. Angell's Orphene, 3 yrs (£3O), Tat 131 b .. (Perry) 2

11. Grimshaw weighed for Tomfoolery, whose number
was hoisted, and considerable betting took place at 5 to 4 on
Olive, but when Mr Payne's mare could not be found, odds
of 3 and 4 to 1 were laid on Olive, who made all the run-
ning and won easily by two lengths. Tomfoolery, who had
by mistake been sent into the town, was fetched back, but
did not arrive until the flag fell.
The winner was bought by Mr Weatherby for 210
guineas, and Orphene claimed by Lord St. Vincent.

A Scurry Handicap of 10 soya each, 5 ft; gentlemen
riders ; professionals 71b extra, T,Y.C., three-quarters
of a mile. 5 subs.
Lord Westmoreland's Deception, 4 yrs, list
(Mr Edwards) 1
Lord Bateman's Gipsy Girl, 4 yrs, 1 Ist 21b (Mr W.Bevill) 2
Mr Cherry's Disappointment, 5 yrs, 1 Ist (Owner) 3
Betting-6 to 5 agst Gipsy Girl, 6to 4 agst Deception,
5 to 1 agst Disappointment.

Deception made all the running, and won easily by two
lengths. Three lengths between the second and third.
The Juvenile Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 50 added, for
two-yr-olds, did not fill. _

_ .
An offer has been made to purchase Anti-Macassar for
1,000 guineas.

AQUATICS,

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA.

The Royal Yacht Squadron brought their Regatta for
1804 to a close on Saturday with a match for a prize of 100
sovs, to be given for all yachts under 200 tons,
belonging to
any Royal Yacht Club. Thames measurement. Acker's
Scale. Tho yachts to start from their stations off the
Royal Yacht Squadron's Castle, round the Nab, back to
the southward of the Brambles, round a mark vessel off
Newtown, and outside all the buoys and marks on the
shoals, Peel included, except the Middle and Sturbridge.
The Nab light vessel and Newtown Mark Vessel to be left
on the starboard hand.

The following vessels entered and contested the prize :
The Vesta schooner (Sir Bruce Chichester), 74 tons ; the
Alert° cutter (Lieut. J. Sladen, R.N.), 5G tons ; the Vo-
lante cutter (Mr. 11. C. Maudslay), 59 tons; :the Mosquito
cutter (Mr T. Holdsworth), 59 tons; the Vindex cutter
(Mr. A. Duncan), 45 tons ; the Albertine schooner (Lord
Londesborough), 153 tons; the Viking, schooner (Mr.
Inglis Jones), 131 tons; the Flying Fish schooner (Mr. G.
Jessop), 40 tons; the Water Lily yawl (Lord Alfred Paget),
105 tons; the Amulet cutter (Mr. T. Vernon Tippingc),
48 tons.
At 10 30 a.m. the start was effected in nearly a dead calm,
with occasional light puffs of wind from off shore. Volante,
Mosquito, Vindes, Alerte, and Vestal were the first to
get their sails up and slew their heads round to the eastward
with the aid of the east going tide. Vestal and Flying
Fish next followed, with Albertino next, and in company
with Viking, the Amulet bringing up the rear. The race
was a mere drifting match for some time, as at 11 30 all the
yachts, remained in sight from Cowes, the Alerte, Volante,
andAlo a
squfeitwo,caantsdpaNw'isndfreoxmle\avd.sing,wn. playing over the surfaceearly in line with each
other off Osborne, making their way slowly with the tide,
of the Solent, the precursor of a smartish breeze that could
be seen coming up astern in the west channel. The breeze
soon overtook the yachts, moderate from W.N.W., and
Ryde-pier head
was passed in the following order

H. M. S, H. M. S.
Alerte
Albertine ...... 12 2 55 Flying Fish l2 4 0
Volante
Vestal, Vindes, Amulet, and Viking followed immediately
upon the Flying Fish, and all in close company. In run-
ning for the Sandhead buoy the Volento shot passed the
Albertine, by the help of a few friendly puffs from the
northward, and very soon afterwards took the lead from the
Alerts, the Flying Fish following in Volante's wake. The
schooners were running down for the Nab Light "goose-
wing," the Albertine setting a square sail, and showing
more canvass than the others. Before the Noman was
reached, the light breeze had veered round to N.W., some-
times a fresh pnff, and then nearly a calm. The Noman
was passed thus :

Ir. M. s. H. M. s.
Volanto
Alerte
Mosquito
Albertine .... 12 35 5 I Vestal .. 12 58 55

Down to the Warner nothing particular occurred worthy
of note, for it was cietly a drifting rather than sail•
in g, until the Warner had been passed and the Nab
rounded, which the Albertine accomplished at Ih. 60m.,
followed by the others in a cluster, as they shared the light
light puffs of wind that came off from the land. A nice
breeze at length came is from the S.W., which the Alber-
tine was the first to feel at 2 5 p.m., and at once commenced
in earnest her work of Leafing back westward, standing in
for the island shore between the Noman and Warner, and
weathering the Tolante, which was standing on her reach
to the westward. Off Southsea pier tho Volanto tacked and
stood in for the island, and cleverly weathered the Albertine.
The Amulet, Alerte, and Vindex went about nearly together
between the Noman and Sandhead, and as they reached
along the Ryde sands the weatherly positions of the vessels
were as follows, the Valente, having a lead of nearly
a mile of the secono vessel, the Albertine :—Volante, Alber-
tine, Vindex, Amulet, Alerte, Mosquito, Flying Fish, Vik-
ing, and Vestal, It was 330 p.m. before any of the return-
ing craft were visible awn the Club-Jame of the squadron