The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-10 00:00:00

(TELEGRAPH NEWS ASSOCIATION,)

Sherman's cavalry attempted to cross the Oconee
River, but were repulsed. Up to the 24th it was
still on this side. It is thought this will be the first
line of Confederate defence, Macon has not been
captured. The Federals abandoned their line of
march upon Macon, and moved upon Gordon and
Griswoldville, which they occupied. The Confedes
rates evacuated Milledgeville, after removing
archieves and other valuable property. The Fedo.
rals then entered the city and destroyed it. The
Governor of South Carolina has ordered the State
militia and reserves to assemble at Hamburg on the
Savannah River, en route for Augusta. The gars
risons at Charleston and Savannah have also been
ordered to that point. Beauregard, Hardee, Taylor,
and Wheeler, were at Macon on the 22J. It is
understood that Beauregard took with him Taylor's
corps, 10,000 strong, for Corinth.

Other accounts state he took 25,000 men, leaving
Hood 20,000 to operate in Tennessee in conjunc-
don with Breckenridge. The World believes the
Confederates can concentrate a force of 89,000 to
confront Sherman between Macon and the see..
The News thinks he will be compelled to turn to..
wards the Gulf of Mexico to escape disaster. It
intimates that the Confederate forces under Beau-
regard number 40,000. It is now believed that
Sherman will avoid Augusta, and endeavour to
reach Savannah, to open up communication with
the fleet, At last accounts the two Federal columns
were 40 miles apart, with trains eight miles lorig.
Richmond papers report that Sherman was repulsed
20 miles from Augusta, and assert that the situ a..
tion is regarded in official circles as decidedly 0134
couraging. There is no truth in the reported Eby.
ration of Federal prison(rs. The exchange has been
stopped by the destruction of the railroad to S
vannah. Hood, in conjunction with Breckenridge,
is believed to bo marching cn Knoxville, where
Gillem was, at the last accounts, cut off from
reinforcements. It is reported that Burnside has
been ordered there with 10,000 men. Thomas has
evacuated Franklin, Tennessee. It also rumoured
that he has abandoned Athens and Decatur. Hood
is vaguely reported driven back from Columbia,
but no details are given. The Talahassee and
Chickamanga are both safe at Wilmington. The
Talisman and Armstrong arrived at Bermuda with
1,100 bales of cotton. Governor Seymour has de.
dined to receive the British peace address, but re-
ferred Mr Barker to Secretary Seward, who also
declined it, and likewise refused him an interview
with Mr Lincoln. Barker now proposes presenting
the address to Congress. The Florida was run into
and sunk on Sunday last week. It was privately
rumoured she would be accidentally burnt. The
Express regards it as a strange and curious affair,
and thinks it will add to the existing complies..
cations. The World says the pretence of
an accident is too transparent to deceive anybody.
The News thinks she was sunk designedly, and
adds that the sinking does not cancel the duty
of indemnity. The Government should procure
another Florida, and restore her to Brazilian waters.
The Times says the question is open as regards the
right or wrong of the seizure, but contends that
thus far there is no ground for complaint. Ad%
miral Buchanan and the officers of the Florida
have been sent to Fort 'Warren.

Nearly all the journals concur in regarding the
recent fires ha a Confederate plot—though many
people regard it as a manoeuvre of the Administra-
tion to further exasperate Northern feeling against
the South, and to furnish a pretext for martial,
law, which the Tribune demands. That journal
ssjs—" The rebels are active, dangerous, and di s.
perate throughout the city, and nothing but mar.
tial law will suffice.' Several arrests have been
made, but names and particulars are kept private.
Hotel keepers offer 20,000 dollars' reward, and
Major Gunther recommends that the Council offer
25.000 more. General Dix issued two orders doe
clearing all rebel emissaries spies, who, if det cctud
shall be summarily hung.

The editors of Southern journals are indignant
because they are included in the conscription, and
have called a convention to protest.
The Richmond ExaminEr believes that Sherman's
reign will purify Georgia, and cement the peep:e
more thoroughly in support of the Government.
The Federal gunboat Pontiac was fired into
with shells in Charleston harbour. Six of the
crew we,:e killed, and the boat badly injured.
General Lee reports that Sheridan's second re,
cognisance with two brigades of cavalry was de.,
feated, and his dead and wounded left behind. The
Fight lasted four hours.
The steamer Gieyhonnd, With Admiral Portcr
and General Butler on board, was totally burned in
James River on Sunday last.
lianceck has been ordered to raise a new
corps of 20,000 one year men,

Early will 'winter in the valley, but two divi-
sions of his army ht.ve sent to Petersburg to
take the piece of A. P. Hill's corps, sent south,
supposed to join Brecheuride or oppose S'iiernaan.