The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-26 00:00:00

Advices from Louisville to the 12th are as follows

The rebel General Lyon crossed the Cumberland River
with his command, day before yesterday, at Yellow Creek,
about 20 miles below Clarksville. His force is reported to
be about 2,500. When last heard from he was moving
towards Hopkinsvllle, Kentucky, and threatening that
place. If he attack, the garrison being small, it will be com-
pelled to fall back to a stronger and more proximate point.
Breckinridge's position seems to be in doubt. A loyal gen-
tleman, whose trustworthiness is vouched for, says he is at
Sparta, Tenessee, with about 10,000 men. This gentleman
speaks of what he knows, and the facts indicate that Breck-
inridge intends to reinforce Hood, and, if possible, to reach
the main rebel army, but the position of our troops under
Stoneman and Burnbridge indicates that he will have
difficulty in forming a junction with Hood.

The following despatch from the head-quarters
of the Army of the Potomac gives an account of the
recent movements by those forces :
The movements in this department, which have been in
course of execution tho past few days, have finally been de-
veloped, and now the objects intended to be accomplished
may be given to the public, as well as the results attained.
It was known that the enemy were procuring large supplies
for their troops by way of the Weldon Railroad to Stony
creek, whence they are waggoned to Petersburg, The
cavalry force sent there some ten days ago not being able
to effectually stop the rebel operations, the sth Corps, with
Gregg's cavalry and the third division of the 2d Corps were
detailed to effectually put a stop to it by destroying the
railroad as far south as Hicksfcrd, and if possible that sta-
tion also. At daylight on Wednesday morning the column
started south on the Jerusalem-road, the cavalry taking the
advance, On arriving at a point 19 miles from Peters-
burg, they diverged from the road about a mile to the
right, where they reached the Nottaway River, and the
command at once commenced crossing. They bivouacked
on the south side for the night, At half-past 7 o'clock on
Thursday morning the pontoons were taken up, and the
column started, leaving a cavalry detachment to pick
up stragglers and return with them, On reaching a point
two miles beyond Sussex Courthouse, some cavalry were
encountered and driven back to where the Weldon Rail-
road crosses the Mattawan, About noon a small force
of the enemy made a dash in between our cavalry and
the advance of the infantry, but were soon routed with
slight loss on both sides. There a cavalryman was
found who had evidently been murdered and stripped of
everything, even to his boots. The advance then com-
menced the destruction of the railroad by burning the,
bridge across the Nottaway, and continued on to Jarrett 's
station, bivouacking at that place on Thursday night, On
Friday morning an early start was made, and in the after-
noon the advance reached a point near Hickford, where
the enemy were found to be in some force, and having a
battery in position, with strong works on both sides of
the Meherrin river. After the position had been examined
an attack was deemed impracticable, on account of the
strength of the works, and the difficulty of approaching
them, particularly with artillery. Therefore it was deter-
mined to carry the line of works on this side and destroy
the depot, which was successfully done. During the charge
Col. Sargeant, of the Ist Massachusetts, is said to have
been killed. Troops were seen moving into position at
this point as though they had just arrived, and the fire
from the rebel batteries soon after showed that they had
been reinforced. It now got dark, and began raining,
snowing, and freezing. The troops camped in the vicinity
for the night, and in the morning started on their return,
reaching Sussex Court-house, and halting there on Sa•
turday night. The rebel cavalry and a small body of

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ee
e - infantry fol lowed , and en ci ea vow eiff•-t
rear guard, but each time they were driiepehaek vititiat*.e
loss. This afternoon the Nottaway River
.reaelted
and the entire command crossed in safety, wcere tCy S
found a part of the 9th corps, who had started to their
aid, in case of an engagement. To-morrow they will be
back in their old position in front of Petersburg, ready for
the next move against the enemy, in whatevir direction
the Commander in Chief may deem most effectual. The
move maz be considered ono of the most successful of
the campaign, and reflects the highest honour not only
on the originator of it, but also upon thou) to whom its
execution was intrusted, A most effective blow has been
dealt the enemy by the destruction of some 15 miles of the
railroad which they were using, some 100 cars passing over
it every day loaded with supplies. The track was torn up
and the tiles piled in heaps with dry wood from the adjacent
fences and set on fire. The rails were placed on the top of the
fire, bending and twisting them into every chaps. All the de •
pots clung the route were burnt, as a ell as numerous mills,
barns, and dwellings front which the occupants had fled, or
from the cover of which guerillas had fired on our temps.
One guerilla was caught with a
gun near where a shot had
just been fired, and it is said the troops hung him near the
Nottaway River. Our loss in the entire trip will not ex-
ceed 40 or 50 in killed or wounded, besides a few stragglers
who were captured. The severity of the weather was the
principal difficulty the troops had to encounter, but, as
there was considerable wood on the line of march, and
plenty of work for them to do, they managed to keep them-
selves from suffering severely on this account. Nothing
has transpired in front of Petersburg to-day worthy of in-
terest. All is quiet. The weather to-night has changed,
and a cold wind storm prevails. Two men, named Edward
Rowse and Daniel Smith, members of the 179th New Yot k
Volunteers, second division, 9th corps, were executed yes-.
terday for the crime of desertion. They were hardened
criminals, not seeming to care in the least for themselves or
anyone else. One of them mounted the scaffold smoking a
cigar, and taking hold of the rope with the most perfect
nonchalance gave it a pull to see if it was strong enough to
hold him. Such a lesson it is hoped will have its proper
effect on that class of men who enlist for the mere purpose
of getting the bounty with the idea that they can desert to
the enemy with impunity.
A_ despatch to the New 37ork, World recounts the
movement of the Army of the James:—
The enemy have been demonstrating against our lines on
this the north side of the James pretty constantly during
yesterday. About seven o'clock yesterday morning four
regiments of the enemy, in line, preceded by skirmishers,
attacked and drove in our cavalry pickets- from the Derby-
town-road to the James River, near Deep Bottom. Bodies
of infantry from the 24th and 25th corps wereasent to the
assistance of our cavalry, when the enemy halted, and
evinced a disposition to remain where he was, Our troops
immediately commenced skirmishing with him, but made
no attempt to force him to retrace his steps. Meanwhile
another skirmishing party of the enemy passed across the
fields to a point where the Kingsland and Newmarket roads
form a junction, and opened a skirmish with the troops des
fendieg one of four forts at that point. At the time I write
it is not known whether the enemy has retired, or whether
he will not stop and engage us again. The unfavourable
condition of the road induces the belief that he will retire
during the night, having learnt by reconnaissance that we
were still in his front in force. At about the same hour the
above-mentioned attack was made the enemy advanced in
line against the pickets on the left of Fort Burnham and
forced them to retire. A subsequent attack was made on our
part, and the enemy were driven back and our pickets esta-
blished far in advance of the original line. The artillery in
several of our flanking bastions were very lightly engaged.
General Terry had sole command of our entire force and
directed all their movements. Judging from the utter quiet
and total absence of bustle which usually characterise many
headquarters under like circumstances, a person ignorant
of the facts would scarcely have believed that a strong
column of the enemy was in such close proximity. Aids
mounted their horses and flew to execute orders which
placed our men quickly in a position to assume such an at-
titude, offensive or defensive, as developments should ne-
cessitate, and so we stand. Our loss will probably reach
about 15, all told, including two officers, one of whom was
a brigade officer of the day, whose name I have been un-
able to get. From a lieutenant captured we learn that the
attacking force is Field's division. The ground is covered
with a coating of snow and hail, making pedestrianism ex-
tremely disagreeable and field manceuvering hazardous.
The _Richmond Sentinel of the 9th says :

A heavy column of the enemy, composed of infantry,
cavalry, and artillery, left the front at Petersburg on Tues-
day night, and moved out on the Jerusalem plank road.
Wednesday morning they were reported at Proctor's, 20
miles from Petersburg, and yesterday at Jarrett's, 30 miles
from Petersburg on the "Weldon road. This move is probably
intended as a diversion to draw attention from more impar..
tmt demonstrations against Richmond, which it is believed
Grant contemplates making. Tho indications are that the
enemy, if :hey canuse the canal at Dutch Gap, will make a
combined land and naval attack on the fortifications protect-
ing the water approaches to Richmond. There is no part of
our lines where we are better prepared to meet them, and we
feel very confident the result will be favourable to the Con-
federate cause. We have heard nothing from Pickett's front.
It is supposed the enemy took advantage of the fog to search
for torpedoes, of which they have a wholesome dread, and
that the number of barges and men were greatly exagge..
rated. -Pertrene teem the front, .both north and south of the
James, report that the usual quiet prevails along the whole
lino.

Railway Traffic Returns for the Week.

Railways.

Miles Opened. Receipts.
1864. 1863. 1864. 1863.
£ .0
Belfast and N, Counties . 136 136 1,901 2.140
Belfast and County Down.... 49 49 670 642
Blyth and Tyne 2O 13 1,951 1,255
Bristol and Exeter l2ll 1214 6,387 5,324
Caledonian 2Bll £62} 19,0; 9 17,768
Cambrian
Cockermouth& Workington Bl 81 311 267
Cork and Bandon 2O 20 326 352
Cork, Blaarock, & Passage 321 27 110 129
Cork and Youghal 64 61 374 879
Cornwall 651 654 1,431 1.350
Deeside l7 17 298 218
Dublin & Belfast Junction 63 63 1,3.11 1.441
Dublin and Drogheda 75 75 1,570 1,691
Dublin and Meath
Dub. & Wicklow and Wexid 9l} 911 2,155 2,074
Furness, &c 5O 6') 2,983 2,826
Glasgow & South-Western
Gt. Eastern,Nrfk.,&E.Union
Great Northern 387 353 33,362 33,262
Great North of Scotland 6B 58 1,625 1.336
Gt. Northn. & Westn. (Irel.) 7ll 711 446 550
r/t.Southn. & Westn.(lrind.) 3B7} 3734 7,530 7,774
Great Western 12221 1169 64,975 61,039
Hull and llurnsea l3 - ' 96 -
Inverness & Aberdeen June ll7l 1061 1,248 1,036
Inverness & Perth Junction 1191 119} 1,431 1,093
Irish North-Western 145 145 1,631 1,692
Kent Coast 27 27 790 235
Lancashire & Yorkshire 403 403 34,240 35,624
Limerick and Ennis... 241 241 155 154
Limerick and Foynes 261 261 163 134
Llanelly 464 461 502 495
Llynvi Valley
London & North-Western
London and Blackwall 5l 51 1,709 1,652
London & South-Western
Lond. Brighton, &S. Coast 2671 2611 16,530 15,854
London, Chatham, & Dover 72} 724 4,718 4,713
Do. Metropolitan Extension 111 101 1,200 875
Lon., Tilbury, & Southend
Ildan.,Sheffield,&Lincolnsh .. 2424 2124 17,047 17,487
Ranch. S. J un. & Altrincham.. 9} 9} 1,297 1,231
Haryport and Carlisle
Metropolitan
Midland (incl. N.-Western) 6511 641 46,420 42,428
Midland Gt.Westn. of hind- 262 2591 4,562 4,652
Monkland 7ll 714 1,641 1.687
Monmouthsh. Rail. & Canal 44 44 2,966 2,675
North British, Edin., Perth
and Dundee . 615}
N-Eastern and Stock. & DarL 1095
North London 9
North Staffordshire 254
Rhymney 194
Scottish Central
Scottish North-Eastern l3B
Somerset and Dorset 66
South Devon ..... 791
South-Eastern 306
Taff Vale 57
Ulster
Vale of Clwyd.
Vale of Neath 431
Waterford and Kilkenny 3l
Waterford and Limerick 77
West Cornwall 274
W.Hartlepool Harbr.&RaiL
W'haven,Cleator,& Egrmnt lO
Whitehaven Junction l2
Whitehaven & Furness Jun 35
FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.
Austrian B2B
Bahia and San Francisco
Belgian Eastern Junction 261
Bombay, Baroda, & Cen. India 1854
Detroit and Milwaukie lB9
Dutch Rhenish
Eastern of France. •• • • 1175
110
Eastern Bengal .•"""'
1105
East Indian
1335
threatGGG
Greatrrrceaaanttd S Central Trunk
Indianr
Southern Luxembourg
ofnCanada
iaam 1 : ..
: 21527359043
Madras
Madrid, seasr:o.
or n ofss a Canada....Ai 3
icant.. 5(384753
Northern of Canada ..
Northern of France ......
Norwegian Trunk
Ottoman
Paris, Lyons, & Mediterrn 1967
Paris and Orleans 1616
Pernambuco 774
Scinde.
Do. Punjab, Sze 32
South Austrian
Southern of France •• • • 623
Victoria
Welland .. .
West Flanders
West &N- Westn of France lOll

5831
1095

251
lgi
1131
134
66
75i
306

1051
10
43}
31

19,561 19,313
59,355 54,08
3,145 3,060
8,513 8,33

906 950
5,454 5,179
4,845 4,823

828 .658
3,593 3,596
19,932 19,388
5,310 6,C06
2,513 2,404
147 135
2,727 2.320
453 302
1,188 1,141
734 738
4,310 3,705
565 552

987 932
894 948

37,048 32,219

_ -
345 822

G,361 6,360
5,356 3,861
68,475 65,221

25,966 25,864
6,594 6,316

4,561 3,807
527 512
12,367 12,975
6,392 4,500
17,185 17,22
1,830 1,088
60,184 57,0.4
1,059 888

48}
1784
1611
77i
105

546 345
139,088 136,682
67,418 68.160

669 .518
2,01,0 1,533
291 215
5,901 48,183
28,239 27,381
10,184 8,013

155
770
796

1,021 969
4e,062 38,158

Three Spaniards have just been tried at Lyons
fora series of robberies at the shops of jewellers,
watchmakers, and others in the city. These men appear
to have followed no regular occupation, but went about
from town to town plundering tradespeople. Their system
was to enter the shops together, and while one was bargain..
ing for some article the others laid hands on what they
could steal. A number of watches, earrings, bracelets, rings,
and other objects of value were found in their possession.
Only one of them could speak French, the others being
examined by an interpreter. They at first pretended to be
strangers to each other, bat their railway luggage tickets
showed that they had travelled together, and they after.
wards made an entire confession. They were each con-
demned to five years' imprisonment and five years' sure
veillance.