The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-15 00:00:00

a.m.

NEW YORK, DEC. 3.

The Richmond papers believe that Grant is pre•
paring an early demonstration against Lee, who,
they say, was never so well prepared to receive him
as now.

The Richmond Whig thinks that Grant has sent
troops to Port Royal to co-operate with Sherman.

The latest intelligence from Tennessee reports no
further fighting, but says that Hood's forces were
thought to be demonstrating in the direction of
Murfreesboro, with Federal Gen. Steedman closing
on his rear and Gen, Thomas in his front.

Richmond papers state that a portion of Sher-
man's cavalry, sent to Savannah River to communi-
cate with the fleet at Beaufort, was intercepted and
dispersed. Beaufort is supposed to be Sherman's
destination.

Louisiana advices state that Banks is soon to
return to New Orleans to resume the command of
that department under Gen. Canby,
The Confederates are constructing formidable
defensive works at Alexandria, Louisiania,
rendering it impossible for the Union gun-
boats to ascend the Red River. Mr Allen, the
Confederate Governor of the State, has organised
ten regiments of negro troops at Shreveport, where
they are engaged at present in strengthening the
defences of the place, but are regularly drilled and
disciplined. Governor Allen was endeavouring to
induce the Confederate Government to incorporate
them into an army.
Captain Semmes, of Alabama notoriety, arrived
at Bagdad, Mexico, on the 15th October, on his way
to Richmond, via Matanioras,
Money easy. Gold 229. Exchange cn London,
252; Paris, 2.284 to 2.134. Stocks dull. New
York Centrals, 120; Illinois, 1291 ; Erie, 938 ;
5.20 Bonds, 1071.

Cotton slightly firmer. Middling Upland, 128
to 130.

Wheat and flour sightly firmer.

Corn qaiet. Provisions tending downwards.
Coffee slightly firmer. Sugar good inquiry.
Molasses heavy. Petroleum, crude, 48k 50;
refined, 69.

Telegraphic News Association.
(Per Etna yid Roche's Point.)

It is reported that the two columns of Sherman's
army are endeavouring to form a j Inction. The
Richmond papers say he is still 100 miles from the
sea, ane harassed oil all sides.

Five thousand negroes are working on the de-
fences of Augusta.
The steam ship North Star is one week overdue,
d fears are expressed for her safety.

Hood's forces stilt confronted Thomas near Nash-
ville yesterday. The retreat of Thomas for 29
miles after the battle of Franklin is now pronounced
a piece of strategy.
Richmond papers of Thursday report Sherman
across the Oconee, and on his way to the coast. It
is supposed that his destination is Savannah or
Beaufort, but his advanbe cavalry had been foiled
in an attempt to open communication with the
latter place.

(REUTERS EXPRESS.)
(Per the Nova Scotiaa.)
IrEW YORK, DEC. 3.
The following is the official despatch of Genera]
Schofield, announcing the repulse of Hood at
Franklin :

FRANKLIN, Nov. 30.

it Major-General Thomas,—The enemy made a
heavy and persistent attac with two corps, com.
mencing at 4 p.m. and lastitag until after dark. He
bwaabslyreopf s,ooouled ator
6,000 all
men.' Our loss is probably pointstwith heavy loss—pro•
not more than one-fourth of that number. We
i
additional particulars of the
haveßrigadier-General.
ricapturedgadie
r.G en
earbaol
.0 t 1,000 prisoners, including one
"JOHN SCHOFIELD, Major-General."
New York Tribune
gives
ehse
thcoerrfeoslploowndinegntadodf
battle :

NASHVILLE, Dec. 1.
GeneraF uil
General °SchoMfiellLu Schofield
O
esteFrda'r fought one of the
ptwar, resulting most disas
trouslyf.
...le loss to ourselves.
A
fights
rebels, of the
with
.the rebels crowded
our first line of works yesterday • afternoon, and at
4 p.m. made a most desperate attack on our right
rettetrie sthree to
the
days'
and centre, forcing our lines to our breastworks,
which were thrown up from river to river in an
open field on the Cumberlaild_pike, which ran
through the centre of the field,'
At least half the rebel force engaged endeavoured
to pierce our centre, and came down viciously on
Wagner's division, which, after desperate fighting,
fell back, and Maury's rebel; division of Frank
Cneatham's corps got inside outworks and captured
two guns. Our centre was Lot broken, however,
and better still, General Wagner successfully
rallied his troops, who charged on the enemy, re-
captured the two gans, and a
-rave the division over
the breastworks, capturing one entire brigade and
its commander.

vigour, the enemy having made during half an hour
At 4 30 the battle was
several attempts to break our centre.
waged with unabating
The Union position was a magnificent one, and
the result of these four days' , work was magni-
ficently grand.

All this while the rebels had appeared in front
of our right. Their plan
was to pierce our centre
and crush our right Wing before dark. A portion
of our infantry was engaged three-quarters of an
hour firing on the rebel column who stood their
ground like madmen.

Daring every charge made on our right and
centre, volleys of grape and canister were hurled
into their lines, and only darkness prevented their
sacrifice being more awful. It is said that no
canister shot was used by the rebels during the
day, but fired shot and shell.
After the first break of Wdgner'a division and its
recovery, our line never budged a step. All was
quiet after 10 p.m. It was not
only one of the
prettiest, but cleanest battles of the war. The
excessive slaughter of the enemy
was owing to our
wholesale use of canister and grape, and on selec.
tion of the ground.

The battle was fought in an open field, with no
trees or undergrowth, or other interruption, The
enemy's loss in killed and wounded approxi-
mates 7,000, and we have over 1,200 pri-
soners, and one general officer, and several
field officers. The colonel of the 15th Missis-
sippi, a northern man, of Illinois, was wounded
and taken prisoner. Fonr.fifths of his regirient
were killed, wounded, and captured, Our loss does
not reach 1,000.

General Bradley, of Illinois, while gallantly lean-
ing his troops,was severely wounded in the shoulder