The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-22 00:00:00

AMERICA,

RETREAT OF GEN. HOOKER
(Per steamer New York.)

NEW YORK, MAY 8 (Afternoon

General Lee having driven the Federals under
General Sedgwick from the heights of Fredericks-
burg across the Rappahannock, did not renew the
attack upon General Hooker. On Tuesday morn-
ing the latter prepared to retreat, and on the fol-
lowing morning his army had returned to the camp
near Falmouth, after being absent nine days. Gen.
Hooker is now occupied in strengthening his
position.

General Hooker's artillery commenced crossing
the Rappahannock on Tuesday night, being very
dark, and completed crossing by three o'cicck on
the follow morning. The infantry then crossed, their
rear being well covered. Tho crossing was entirely
completed by daylight, the rear guard having some
severe fighting in getting over.
Various reasons are assigned for the Federal re-
treat. One is, that General Sedgwick's repulse
uncovered the line of the Acquia Creek Railroad
and endangered General Hooker's communications
and supplies. Another is that General Hooker did
not consider his position tenable, after the route of
the eleventh Corps of his army, which is described
as disgraceful.
The Federal dead in the Sunday's battle were left
unburied, and the wounded without attention.
President Lincoln and Gen. Halleck visited Gen.
Hooker's army on Thursday morning.
Gen. Sedgwick's command lost 5,000 men. Stone-
man's Federal cavalry approached within two miles
of Richmond, causing considerable excitement in
that city. General Stoneman is reported to have
returned safely to the Rappahannock.
General Lee's despatch to President Davis says
that General Jackson penetrated to the enemy's
rear, driving him from all positions to within one
mile of Chancellorsville.
General Lee further states that many prisoners
were captured, and says in conclusion " The enemy's
loss in killed and wounded was large. We have
to thank God for a great victory. Paxton was
killed, and f;eneral Jackson severely wounded."
Washington despatches attribute Gen. Hooker's
retreat to prudential motives.
NEW YORK, MAY 8 (Evening).
The Confederates are still operating in Western
Virginia, and threatening Charlestown.
Active operations are taking place in New York
for an early conscription.
It is reported that the Republican party will now
urge the bestowal of an important command on
Fremont.
The Mozart Hall Democracy has passed resolu-
tions demanding the discontinuance of the war, and
denouncing Vallandigham's arrest.
The resolutions also state that the conduct of
foreign affairs by the Administration had placed
the country in a position "where even England
dares to bully her."
While deprecating civil war, the Democracy de-
mands that the Administration shall no longer sub-
mit to insult from England, and pledges every man
and every dollar to resist that insult.
NEW YORK, 9TH MAY, MORNING.
The Secretary of War has issued an official state-
ment announcing that General Hooker's operations
failed, but without serious disaster to the organisa
tion and efficiency of the army. There was no loss
in crossing the Rappahannock. We-third only o
General Hooket's forces were engaged.
General Halleck says, in conclusion, that Genera
Hooker's army will speedily resume offensive opera.
lions.

A portion of General Stoneman's cavalry arrived
at Gloucester Point opposite York River. After
burning the bridges over the Chickahominy,
destroyed the ferries over the Pamunkey and
Mallaponey, and scoured the country in all direc-
tions.

It is rumoured that General Heintzelman wi
supersede General Hooker.
The Democratic journals urge General M'Cle
lan's appointment to the command-in•chief.

Admiral Porter reports that he had taken pos-
session of Grand Gulf, Mississippi, which the
enemy had abandoned after blowing up their am-
munition and spiking their guns. The forts were
torn to pieces by the fire from the Federal fleet.
Gold opened at 60 on the news of Hooker's defeat,
and closed at 55.