The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-14 00:00:00

sea coast.

Richmond papers of the 29th ult, assert that it
was well known in Richmond for several days that
Sherman was baffled in his attempts to penetrate
Georgia. He neither captured Macon nor threat-
ened Augusta, since during the last week he was
unable to advance 10 miles, being harassed on his
flank and rear and manfully resisted in front, and
forced to avoid all important towns.
Augusta papers of the 26th reiterate that Sher-
man had been repulsed in crossing the Oconnee
river.

Beauregard and Johnston were in Augusta on
the 23d. Bragg has left Wilmington for Augusta
with a large force. ,
A heavy Confederate force is concentrating from
all quarters at Augusta.
It is reported that Burnside has sailed from
Fort Monroe with 20,000 men to meet Sherman.
General Grant despatched Gregg's cavalry on a
reconnaissance to ascertain if Lee was sending
troops south. Gregg captured and destroyed
Stoney Creek station and a quantity of stores, and
afterwards retreated, followed by the Confederates
towards the Federal camp. He obtained no infor.
mation of troops passing southward.

Resolutions have been submitted in the Confede•
rate Congress to the effect that the South would,
if shortly recognised by the North, unite with the
North in maintaining the Monroe doctrine. If
recognition was delayed,the South would abandon
the Monroe doctrine in exchange for material ad.
vantages for herself.

The steamer North Star, from Aspinwall, with
1,000,000 dole, in specie, has been long overdue
here.
The China has arrived out.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, DEC. 2 (Evening).
Money easy. Gold, 231.
Exchange on London, 252; do. Paris, 2 8: to
2 13:.
Slocks dal!. New York Centrals, 120; Illinois,
129: ; Erie, 93: ; 5-20 Bonds, 107,1-.

NEW YORE, DEc. 3.
There is no later war news. Holt ,has declined
the Attorney-Generalship.
General Washburne has promulgated an order
requiring a tax of a half per oent. per month to be
levied and collected on all persons at Memphis,
who are in anyway exempt from military duty and
hold trade permits. Tne funds thus raised are to
be devoted to defraying the expenses of the militia
and paying for a permanent guard for each regi-
ment.

The districts of West Tennessee and Vicksburg
have been placed under the command of General
Dana with headquarters at Vicksburg. He has
ordered the traders in Vicksburg and Natchez to
ship north all the cloths and cotton cards remain -
ing in their hands under pain of confiscation.
An attempt to escape was made by 1,300 Fede-
rale at Salisbury, North Carolina, but was fru.
trated.
COMMEactA.L INTELLIGENCE.

Gal 3, 229. Flour, s'. to 10c. lower, Wheat, lc.
lower. Sales unimportant. Cozn declining. Pro.
vision declining.

Telegraphic News Association.
(Per Nova Scotian via Greencastle.)
NEW YORK, Dec 3.
A battle took place on Wednesday, at Franklin, between
a portion of Thomas and Hood's armies. The Confede-
rates drove the Baderals back and sealed their works, cap-

turing guns and prisoners. The Federals were subse-
quently reinforced, and recovered their ground, but
evacuated the position, however, the same night, and re-
tired on Nashville, a distance of thirty miles. The Confe-
derates crossed Harpeth River next morning at the fords
near Franklin, and were confronting Thomas yesterday. A
great battle was believed imminent, and brisk skirmishing
going on. General Wierts Adams and Pat Cleburne are
reported among the Confederate killed at Franklin. Nothing
reliable is known of the precise loss on either side in that
battle, the published accounts being simply rumour. The
Federals have evacuated Columbia, removing their wounded
to Nashville, whore great excitement prevails.
It is rumoured that Sherman'e main army crossed Oconee
River and are now en route for the seacoast, leaving Au-
gusta behind. His advanced cavalry endeavoured to open
communication with Beaufort, but were defeated and part
captured.

Lambton's cavalry from Virginia has arrived at Augusta,
Bragg left Wilmington last week with several thousand
troops for same point. Wheeler has 10,000 cavalry on
Sherman's flank. Several hundred stragglers have arrived
at Augusta as prisoners. The President of Georgia Senate
is acting ex officio Governor in the eastern part of the State.
A reconnoitring expedition from Grant's army captured
and burnt the depot at Stoney Point.
The Message from Governor Vance, North Carolina,
opposes separate State action on the peace question. James
Speed, Kentucky, is appointed Attorney-General, vice
Holt, declined.

A despatch from Nashville of the 2d states that the
army has fallen back within the lines of the city. The
Confederates are reported about three miles distant.
A despatch from Richmond, of the Ist, states that one o
Sherman's columns defeated the Confederates near Grins-
woldsville last week. The army is since reported to
have gained forces.
DEC. 3 (Evening).
Judge Holt, of Kentu :ky (appointed Attorney-General),
reports that the Confederate garrison at Wilmington has
been sent to Georgia.

Ihe World says the Federal armies and fleets are in
motion, and the next two weeks promise to be the most
eventful of the war,

Bonds are now required of shippers of goods from New
York to Nassau.

General Thomas has evacuated Shelbyville, Kentucky.
The :report that Pryor had announced the capture of
Macon, Milledgeville, and Augusta are unfounded.
Dahlgreen and Foster are said to be co-operating with
Sherman. Thirteen thousand Federal prisoners attempted
to escape from Salisbury, North Carolina, but failed.
Confederate cavalry threaten the railway between Nashville
and Chattanooga. Grant is preparing another heavy move-
ment against Richmond.
A Federal expedition into Lower Louisiana captured 200
prisoners, and 3 guns. Magruder's forces are again re-
ported to be crossing the Mississippi to join Hood.
The registration of the Southern refugees in New York
already shows a falling of in their numbers.

The Florida had still her guns on board when she went

down.
The Georgian Legislature, before adjourning, passed re.
solutions expressing unshaken confidence in the Govern-
ment at Richmond.
Tho Treasury has concluded a loan of 20 million 6-20
nds at 105.
Advices from Mexico announce much suffering from
want of food, and complaints on account of the increased
taxation.
The revolution in Venezuela is over.
Advioes from San Domingo report that successes have
been gained by the native forces over the Spanish troops.