The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-15 00:00:00

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

The Royal Mail steamship Persia arrived at
Queenstown at 11 15 p.m. this evening. She brings
79 passengers and 92,978 dole in specie. She landed
76 sacks of mails, &a., and proceeded at 11 30, all
well. The Persia experienced a week's strong
easterly weather.

(Per the Persia, via Crookhaven.)
NEW YORK, Oct. 5, Morning.

Further details of the operations of Grant's left
on the southwest of Petersburg state that on Fri-
day the sth Corps and two divisions of the 9th
Corps carried the first two lines of the Confederate
defences, but advancing further a gap was formed
between the sth and 9th Corps, through which the
Confederates charged and fiinkcd the 9th Corps,
capturing 2,000 prisoners.

On Saturday the Federals advanced three•
quarters of a mile and intrenched themselves close
to the south side of the railroad. The Confederate
main line of defences in Meade's front cannot easily
be carried.

The Confederates were found in force behind the
formidable defences on the Boynton road, over
which they receive supplies by waggon.
On Thursday the 10th and 18th Corps, under
Birney, had crossed to the north side of the James,
and advanced towardsßichmond by the Newmarket-
road. The 10th C.irps carried the Newmarket heights
and advanced two miles. 1 hey then assaulted the
Laurel.hill works, but were repulsed, and with-
drew to the junction of the Varian and Newmar-
ket roads. The 10th Corps lost 1,500 men, and a
negro corps suffered severely. The 18th Corps
drove the Confederates to Cnappin's Bluff, which
they eaptured after desperate fighting. On the
following day the Confederates made several ineffec-
tual attempts to recapture the main position. They
succeeded in retaking one redoubt near the river.
A small Federal force of infantry and cavalry pene-
trated into the inner line of works east of Richmond,
meeting no resistance.
Sheridan is at Harrisonburg preparing to drive
Early from Brown's Gap. Sheridan's cavalry has
visited Staunton and Way nesborough, and destroyed
the bridges and railroad between those places. The
Richmond papers declare Sheridan to be retreating.
General Price, with a force estimated at 20,000,
and 5,000 recruits taken in Missouri, is advancing
on Rolla in three columns, the right under Shelby
and Marmaduke, the left under Cooper, and the
centre under his own personal command.

No communication has yet been established with
Ewing'a forces, who has evacuated Pilot Knob.
Price has burnt De Soto and destroyed the Iron
Mountain Railroad. The Federals have concen-
trated in Jefferson city, which they are fortifying.
Rosecrans has taken the field against Price.
Admiral Farragat is fortifying Fort Morgan.
The Federal gunboats have not approached Mobile.

Forrest has demanded the surrender of Hunts.
vale, Alabama, which the Federals refused. Fight-
ing is progressing.
The Confederates have demanded the surrender
of Dalton, Georgia.
No despatches have been received from Sherman
for several days. Vigorous efforts are being made
to drive off Forrest and Wheeler.

The military authorities have supressed a leading
Democratic journal at Baltimore.
The Secretary of the Treasury hos advertised a
loan of 40,000,000 dollars in Five Twenty Six per
Cent. gold interest bearing Bonds.
The amount of the public debt announced on the
30th of September is 1,960,000,000 dole.
A panic prevails at Chicago. Large bank failures
have taken place.

The steamer Matagorda has been captured.

The China and Saxonia have arrived out.

Gold has fluctuated since Monday between
192 and 189, at which latter quotation it remains
this morning:

UNDER WHICH KING P—The Syracuse Journal
tells the following :—" On Saturday last, while a train on
the Old Road was stopping at Cayuga-bridge for refresh-
ments, a party of blatant M'Clellanites went through the
cars after a 'straw.' Meeting an old gentleman, ho was
asked his preference for President. He named Lincoln.
But,' said he, I have five nephews in the army, who each
prefer M'Clellan.' Applause from the corps followed,
when ono of them congratulated him on the choice of his
nephews, and said, ' Allow me to inquire under what gene-
ral they are making targets of themselves P' Imagine their
surprise when the old gentleman answered, ' General R. E.
Lee "

M. DE CIIAILLU.—A letter dated Fernand-Vez
River, August 20, has been received from M. du Chaillu
by Mr Henry Claudet, who taught the African traveller
photography before he left England. M. du Chaillu states
that in a few days he intended to start for the interior of
the country, and that as he had a long journey before him
he probably should not return to England for two years.
He speaks hopefully, on the whole, of his prospects of
securing a fine collection of African photographs, though
he complains that he is terribly hot while shut up in the
little box, in which he is obliged to operate, and says he does
not feel quite well sometimes after operating. In another
letter, addressed to Mr S. W, Silver, cf
du Chaillu says he has sent a batch of gorillas to the 131 itieh
Museum, and has also shipped a live one, which he since/ ely
hopes will reach London safely,