The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-08 00:00:00

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, Friday.

The North German Lloyd screw steamship Arne.
rica, Captain IL Wessels, from New York on the
24th ult., arrived off Cowes at half-past 10 last night
and went on to Bremen after transhipping mails,
&c., for this port. She brings 25 passengers for
Southampton and Havre, and 125 for Bremen ;
150,000 dole. in specie for England, 2,000 dole. for
Bremen, and 1,100 tons of cargo, including 140 tons
of butter and cheese for England. His Excellency
the Marquis de Corio, Ambassador to Belgium of his
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Mexico, was a
passenger by the America.
During the first part of the voyage strong westerly
winds were experienced, and the latter part strong
easterly winds. On the 29th ult., in lat. 47 4 N.,
long. 43 45 W., the America spoke the English ship
Conway Castle; and on the 3d inst., in lat. 49 31
N., long. 18 19 W., the English ship Prudhoe—both
bound east.

The Royal Mail steamer Persia, from Liverpool,
arrived out at New York on the 21st ult.
The following official despatches report General
Sheridan's continued pursuit of General Early in
the Shenandoah Valley, and a defeat of the Confe-
derate forces on the 22d ult. at Fisher's-hill :

" "War Department, Washington,
Sept. 21, 10.15 a.m.

"This department has just received the following
telegraph announcing the continued pursuit of the
rebels by General Sheridan. Cedar Creek, which
General Sheridan was crossing yesterday at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon, is a short distance this side of
Strasburg, He had pursued the rebels over 30 miles
from the point where he attacked them at daylight
on Monday :

Harper's Ferry, Sept. 21.
Reliable news from the front states that our
army was crossing Cedar Creek yesterday at 3 p.m.
There was no fighting. The following list of rebel
generals killed and wounded is correct—Generals
Rhodes, Ramseur, Gordon, Perry, Good win, Bradley
T. Johnson, and Fitzhugh Lee. From all I can
learn the number of prisoners will approximate to
5,000. The indications are that the rebels will not
make a stand short of Staunton. They are evis
dently too mach demoralized to make a fight.
" JNO. D. STEVENSON, Brigadiers General.

" ' Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.'

"Ganeral Grant transmits the following eztrait
from the Richmond Sentinel of yesterday (the
20tb):—

A slight ripple of excitement was produced
here yesterday by the report that a raiding party
was advancing on Gordonsville and was within a
few miles of that place. The result of all our in-
quiries on this head is that this report originated in'
the fact that early yesterday a party of Yankee
raiders, whose numbers are not known, visited
Rapidan bridge, and after destroying it proceeded
to Liberty Mills, five or six miles above, which
they also destroyed. From this latter place they
are believed to have gone back to Culpepper.'
" The operation alluded to by the _Richmond
Sentinel was by a force sent out previous to the
battle of Monday.

" EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

"Major-General John A. Dix." -
"War Department, Washington, Sept. 22, 9,30 p.m

"Despatches down to 9 o'clock last night have
been received from General-&-eridan. A portion of
the rebel cavalry, having turned off to Front Royal,
were pursued, attacked, and driven by our cavalry,
which were still pursuing the enemy. The rebel
infantry made a stand at Flint-hill, a strongly in-
trenched pusition beyond Strasburg, which was
attacked by our forces last evening and the crest
carried and held by our troops. There is reason to
believe that later despatches were captured last
night by Mosby, near Winchester. General
Stevenson reports that Sheridan's supply trains
arrived safely at Winchester last night.
" EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
" To Major-General Dix, New York."

"War Department, We shington, Sept. 23, 3 p.m.
"The following telegram, announcing another
victory of General Sheridan over Early, has just
been received :

" Ibrper's Ferry, Sept. 23.
" Sheridan has again beaten the enemy at
Fisher's Hill, capturing 16 guns and many prisoners.
This is, in all prolythility, the finale of Gen. Early.
" J. D. STEVENSON, Brigadier• General.
" Hon. E. M. Stanton.'

" The Surgeon-General this morning reported
that our wounded were all cared for at Winchester,
with adequate arrangements and supplies. The
number of our wounded prior to the battle of yes-
terday was estimated not to exceed 2,000.
"E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
d Major-General Dix."
" War D.partment, Washington,
Sept. 23, 3 30 p.m.

"Sheridan's victory proves to be signal end coma
plete. Nothing but the coming night saved even a
remnant of Early's army. The following despatch
of General Stevenson and Major-General Sheridan's
official report to General Grant give all the particu-
lars thus far received :

" Harper's Ferry, Sept. 23.
" The military telegraph line is down. The
aff.tir is complete and overwhelming.—Respectfully,
" ' J. D. STEVENSON, Brigadier General.
" To Hon. E. M. Stanton.'
" GENERAL SHERIDAN'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

" Headquarters, Middle Military Division,
six miles from Woodstock, September
22, 11 30 p.m.
" I have the honour to announce that I achieved
a most signal victory over the army of Gen. Early
at Fisher's Hill to-day. I found the rebel army
posted with its right resting on the north fork of
the Shenandoah, and extending across the Strasburg
valley westward to North Mountain, occupying a
position which appeared almost impregnable. After
a great deal of mance wring during the day, Gen.
Craok's command was transferred to the extreme
right of the line on North Mountain, and he furi-
ously attacked the left of the enemy's line, carrying
everything before him. While Crook was driving
the enemy in the greatest confusion and sweeping
down behind their breastworks the 6th and 19th
Corps attacked the rebel works in front, and the
whole army appeared to be broken up. They fled
in the utmost confusion, Sixteen pieces of artillery
were captured ; also a great many caissons, artil-
lery horses, &c. lam to-night pushing on up the
valley. I cannot say how many prisoners I have
captured, nor do I know either my own or the
enemy's casualties. Only darkness has saved the
whole of Early's army from total destruction. My
attack could not be made till four o'clock in the
evening, which left but little daylight to operatein.
The Ist and 3d cavalry divisions went down the
Luray Valley to day, and if they push on vigorously
to the main valley the result of this day's engage-
ment will be still more signal. The victory was
very complete. A more detailed report will be
made as soon as I can obtain the necessary data.
"P. H. SHERIDAN,
" Major-General Commanding.
" Lieutenant-General Gran t, comman ding armies
of the United States, City Point.'
"It will be remembered that Early's command
embraced the ' Stonewall Brigade,' and the troops
constituting ' Stonewall' Jackson corps, and was
the elite of the rebel army.
" E M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

" Major.Goneral John A, Dix."
The news of the Federal victory at Opequan
Creek on the 19th nit. was read to the troops of the
Army of the Potomac on the afternoon of the 20th,
and was received with unbounded enthusiasm and
repeated cheering. A salute of 100 guns was fired
on the morning of the 21st, at daylight, in honour
of the event. Deserters reported that the Con-
federate troops wore receiviag rations of fresh beef
from the drove c%pturcd from the Federals the
previous week. They state that it was Hampton's
cavalry which accomplished the feat; that they took
250 prisoners and captured 2,500 head of cattle
besides trains, horses, guns, &e. ,

General Fremont had formally 'withdrawn his
name as a candidate for the Presidency in the fol.
lowing htter:—

S
" Boston, Sept. 21.
" Gentlemen,—l feel it my duty to mike one step

more in the direction indicated by my letter of the
25th of August, and withdraw my name from the
list of candidates. The Presidential question has in
effect been entered upon in such a way that the union
of the Republican party has become a paramount
necessity. The policy of the Democratic party sig.
nifies either separation or re-establishment with
slavery. The Chicago platform is simply separation.
General M'Clellan's letter of acceptance is re•estab.
lishment with slavery. The Republican candidate,
on the contrary, is pledged to the re-establishment
of the Union without slavery; and however hesitat-
ing his policy may be, the pressure of his party will,
we may hope, force him to it. Between these issues,
I think no man of the Liberal party can remain in
doubt ; and I believe I am consistent with my ante-
cedents in withdrawing, not to aid in the triumph
of Mr Lincoln, but to do my part towards prevent-
ing the election of the Democratic candidate. In
respect to Mr Lincoln, I continue to hold exactly the
sentiments contained in my letter of acceptance. I
consider that his Administration has been politically,
militarily, and financially, a failure, and that its
necessary continuance is a cause of regret for the
country. There never was a greater unanimity in a
country than was exhibited here at the fall of Sumter,
and the South was powerless in the face of it. But Mr
Lincoln completely paralysed this generous feeling.
He destroyed the strength of the position and divided
the North when he declared to the South that
slavery should be protected. He has built up for the
South a strength which otherwise thz-'y would have
never attained ; and this has given them an advo-
cate on the Chicago platform. The Cleveland Con-
vention was to have been the open avowal of that
oondemnation which men had been freely express.
ing to each other foe the past two years, and which
had been made fully known to the President. But
in the uncertain condition of affairs leading men
were not found willing to make public a dissatis-
faction and condemnation which could have ren-
dered Mr Lincoln's nomination impossible; and their
continued silence and support established for him a
character among the people which leaves now no
choice. United, the Republican party is reasonably
sure of success; divided, the result of the Presiden-
tial election is, at the least doubtful.

"I am, gentlemen, very truly yours,

"J. C. FREMONT.
"To Mesars George L. Stearns and others, a corn.
mittee, &e."

The following is another letter from General Fre.
mont, in which he gives his reasons for withdrawing
more fully :

"Nahant, Sept. 17.
" Gentlemen,—l enclose you my letter of reply
to an invitation from some of my Republican
friends to meet them at Faneuil-hall. In declining
their invitation I have informed them of my inten-
tion to stand aside from the Presidential 'canvass,
and assigned my reasons for doing so. To avoid
repetition I enclose you the letter in communicating
to you now officially my desire to withdraw my
name from the list of Presidential candidates. In
this decision I have the approval of such of our
friends as 1 have been able to consult. Urged by
the near approach of the election, I have thought
it not prudent to incur the longer delay of
consulting others. But I have reason to believe
that they will unite with me fully upon
the propriety of the step I have taken.
But in withdrawing from the post of candid
date I do not in any way intend to withdraw from
my share in the labour which we jointly undertook
to secure the triumph of the ideas represented by
the Radical democracy. Whatever the next Ad-
ministration may be, we owe it to ourselves to form
a phalanx, compact and capable by its thorough
unity of exercising a pressure strong enough to ins
sure the eventful success of the principles for which
we have been contending—the re-establishment of
the Union, the abolition of slavery, and practical
respect for liberty. In the present composition of
parties it is indispensable that earnest men should
devote themselves to watching theprogress and in-
Baring the success of these issues, regardless of men
and parties. Mr. Lincoln says he does not lead, but
follows the will of the people. It remains, then,
for the people, in the event of his re-election, vigi-
lantly to require this following at his hands ; and,
further, to require that in the execution of his

duties he keep scrupulously within the constitution

and the laws; to make him recognise that he holds
his place and his power, not as belonging to him.
self, to be used at his pleasure, but as a really faith.
ful servant of the people. This is the important
duty which we have now to perform. Althongb,
as representatives of the Cleveland movement, we
surrender our functions, the duty of watching party
politics in the interests of liberty and the Constitu-
tion remains. What steps are necessary in the per-
formance of that duty mist be the subject for future
consultation.—l am, gentlemen, respectfully and
truly yours, "J. C. FREMONT.
" To Messrs. Worthington G. Snethen and
others, a committee, &c."

General Cochrane had also issued the following
address, withdrawing from his nomination by the
Cleveland Convention for the Vice-Presidency :
" To the War Democrats of the United States :
A convention of men of various political tenets
assembled at Cleveland on the 31st day of May last,
for the purpose of discharging from the suppres-
sion of the rebellion the infraction of the rights of
both individuals and States which attended it.
The presence of a large number of War Democrats
unexpectedly contributed to my nomination by the
convention for the Vice-Presidency, precedel by
that of John C. Fremont for President. The prin-
ciples which dictated my acceptance of the nomina.
tion approved themselves at the time to very gene-
ral regard, and have since, in my opinion, lost none
of their original virtue or vigour, Their practical
assertion was required, it was thought, by the suc-
cess with which personal liberty had been assailed,
and the extremities to which constitutional freedom
had been reduced. Not the least inducement, how-
ever, was the consideration that the redress of
grievances in the manner proposed could not inter-
rupt, but would entirely consort with, a vigorous
prosecution of the war. It certainly was not con-
templated that the success of the candidates should
in any degree impair or endanger that most impor-
tant part of the platform which resolved that the
rebellion must be suppressed by force of arms and
without compromise. Instead of the Democratic
party, as was then hoped and expected, co•operat.
ing at this point, they flouted the war at Chicago,
and pronounced for unconditional peace. When, to
exhaust the resources of statesmanship,' and to
allow the 'spirit of conciliation and compromise to
prevail,' Gen. M.Clellan virtually asserts that there
should be a cessation of hostilities,' he is in agree-
ment with the convention which nominated him.
When, however, he proposes, in the alternative of
war, that the rebellious States shall be restored to
precisely their former condition in the Union, with
precisely the same political representation as when
they departed from it, he rejects a convention of
States, on which, as the peaceable means, the Chi-
cago Convention evidently relied for reconstructing
the:union out of States physically debilitated and
politically shorn. While, therefore, General
M'Clellan resolves upon an impossible union as it
it was, through war, the convention resolves upon
an impossible union as it should be, through peace.
That the candidate does not stand erect on his plat-
form, though admitting a question whether, if
elected, he would negotiate a peace, permits none
that, if elected, he could not effectively prosecute

the war. The success of the Chicago nominees
would therefore, at the best, but place in power a
party of divided counsels, of uncertain policy and
of indecisive action. Clearly, such an event would
be at the furthest from ' a suppression of the rebel-
lion by force of arms and without compromise.' The
Baltimore platform, however objectionable at other
points, is unimpeachable at this, and, while it fails
to vindicate personal rights, and the rights of free
speech and the press, it does not fail to refer to the
re-establishment of constitutional liberty and the
restoration of the union to the arbitrament of arms,
in which, and in which alone, the national safety is
to be found. 'We stand within view of a rebellion
suppressed—within hail of a country reunited and
saved. War lifts the curtain and discloses the pro.
speck. War has given us Atlanta, and war offers to
us Richmond. Shall we exchange the proffered
victory for a cessation of hostilities ? No.
As we fought at the beginning we should fight to
_1