The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-26 00:00:00

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On Saturday evening the great but methodicr.l Jenksion
of the streets was disturbed by the cry of fire. The doi.-11-
yard was confidently stated to be on fire : and, as may be
easily supposed, the probability of a vast destruction of na-
tional property caused great tetror. This, howevrir, happily
proved not to be a fact, although at one time it appeared
fearfully t,,co probable. But sill the conflagration was a
great one, and has scarcely ever been equalled in the• dis-
trict with the exception of the burning of the Royal li-utel
and Theatre at Plymouth.
In order clearly to understand the spot where the firms
broke out it may be necessary to give a brief description of
the premises. Running out of the north side of Fore-
street, near to the Royal Hotel, is a street called Tavistiek-
street, which on that side numbers some five or half dozen
houses on each side, and then joins Prinees• street, on the
opposite side of which the thoroughfare is continued under
the name of Marlborough-Street. At the corner of Tavis-
lock-street and Princes-street. was a grocery and provi!,ion
shop, kept. by Mr. Emmet. Business was there, going' on
br slily, as is usual on a Saturday night, un!il about
half-past eight o'clock, about which time thc assi,tant,
Soundy, cline hi if a round of goods di,
livury, and common. ed lag for al:othor.
so engaged collie customer came in for a (11111; tit y of CaZO-
I int: of the products of petroleum—and Mr. Emiaet,
rather than call the assirtant from his work, went
down into the store ullar to obtain the oil. ScaTc2ly had ho
disappeared from the shop when a terrific explosion occurred,
which shook the house and those adjoining to their founda-
tions, and a streak of flame rushed up through a small pump
hole in the shop floor which communicated with the cedar.
Following the flames were ,great clouds and vapours of
smoke, and all the gaslights were simultaneously extin-
guished. In this state of terror and darkness Soundy at-
tempted to got down into the cellar adjoining that in which
the explosion occurred, and obtained the key of the water
cellar, but he was driven back by the flames, and utterly
unable to ascertain the fate of his master, who was never
more seen alive.

PRICE..... ...4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

The Great Battles of the Rappahannock.

(From the Richmond Inquirer of May 7.)
The details of the great battles which were fought on
the Rappahannock on Saturday mut Sunday—or more pro-
perly the battle which continued through these two days—
come to us only in that confused, but exhilarating fashion
which usually attends a victory, the glow of which obscures
the picture of its strategic and mechanical effects. From
amidst this confusion we are only enabled to give the line
of the battle, which extended from Chancellorsville to
Wilderness Swamp, in Spotts)lvania, cutting across the
Orange Plank road at an acute angle, our troops, of course,
occupying the southern ground, and, after the two days'
fight, driving the enemy, by front and re ,r gee, across
the river in the ne;ghbourhood of Fredericksburg. An
) ifert was made by the enemy to drive our army from its
position and Mary's Bill on Saturday evening, which suc •
ceeded for the night, but the position, with the prisoners
and guns, was recovered on the following morning.
The battle is considered one of the most desperate evsr
fought, as the slaughter on both sides will attest. During
the enemy's retreat our artillery had a fair sweep of them
while crossing a ford, and added greatly to their disaster.
Our entire loss is estimated from eight to ten thousand—
that of the enemy from twenty-five to thirty thousand, in-
eluding eight thousand prisoners.
Many reports have doubtless reached you of the fight at
Wilderness Church yesterday, which, in many respects,
was one of the bloodiest of the war. Our loss is heavy,
both in officers and men ; but, through the aid of a merci-
ful Providence, victory once more perches upon the banners
of the South.
The battle commenced in the neighbourhood of Chancel-
lorsville, on the plank road from Fredericksburg to Orange
CCohuurrtehH, oeiniseth,
eanedamexetreenadde.d tTo
haepeoninetmkynohwand
tahsrlaVwilndeurpniens:
trenchments end constructed abatis, which, after severe
fighting, were carried by our troops. Early in the day their
lines were broken, and in confusion their defeated forces
left the field. Many prisoners wore captured, some :1,000
of whom have reached this point. Among them is Briga-
dier-General Hays, who commanded a brigade in General
Couch's corps, and his Aid-de camp, Captain Echols. The
prisoners brought here represent some 40 different regiments,
and, as usual, are mostly men of foreign birth.
Among the officers whose names 1 have heard mentioned
as killed are General Paxton, of Stonewall's brigade; Col
Walker, of the Tenth Virginia, and Col. Mallory, of the
Fifty fifth Virginia. The country will lament the misfor-
tune which has befallen our army in the severe wounding of
Lieut.-General Jackson, who lost his left arm. General
A. P. Hill was also slightly wounded in the leg.
On the lower end of the line, where Major-General Early
commanded, there was some hard fighting yesterday morn-
ing. In the afternoon Marey's Heights were carried by
the enemy, and several hundred of our men, belonging to
a Mississippi regiment, captured. Five or six pieces of the
Washington Artillery were taken at the same time. This
morning General Early was reinforced by Generals
M'Lsws and Anderson, and the fight renewed, when the
heights were retaken and the pieces recaptured, with a
number of others.

There are no back premises to these buildings, and the
water supply is kept underground, so that communication
with the cellars being cut off all chance of immediately sub-
duing the flames was destroyed. Soundy remained on the
scene of the catastrophe; but all his efforts of a remedial
nature were unavailing, for the the shot rapidlr up from the
cellar and through the shop floor, winged its way along the
cornices, and took possession of one floor after another, un-
til having a complete draught of air from top to bottom, it
roared and flamed like a veritable blast furnace. Alarm had
already' been given, and in a few minutes the borough, dock-
3d, and gunwharfwere neatly all compelled to remain helpless spectators of
the flames for about half an hour in consequence of want of
dock-
yard, engines were on the spot ; but they
water. Meanwhile the adjoining property caught fire, and
then for four succeeding hours did the fire lick up the
streams of water,
as if in mocking scorn, shooting up its
flames each time higher as if in gay derision. Clouds of
fire were carried away, and some of them landed in the dock-
yard, causing intense alarm ; others fell upon neighbouring
houses, setting chimneys on fire and scorching roofs, but still
the great body of fire was confined to the one corner house
of Emmet's, and there doubtless it might have remained
had water been at hand. Municipal management, however,
had not so ordained it, and consequently
crowds of ready
and willing workers were kept idle, while house after house
was ignited, until five were to be seen flaming away together,
and then the water came, but came too late. Nearly every
ship of war in the harbour sent its quota of officers and men
on shore, who were untiring throughout the night in their
humane and sometimes very hazardous labours.
At the dockyard news of the fire was received at about 20
minutes to nine, and immediately Sergeant Sandercock rang
the alarm bell, the engines were got cut, and a large number
of the artisans speedily assembled, who, with the metropo-
litan police, rendered every necessary aid possible. While
some of the engines were sent out to the scene of the fire
two were worked in the yard, water being obtained from the
reservoir and the dockyard main, and carried by means of

In the fight on the upper line yesterday, in addition to

the prisoners mentioned, some two thousand others were
captured, and five batteries of field artillery. From this
fact some idea may be formed of the character of the
fight and the extent of our triumph. It is stated that Gen.
Lee regards it as one of the most satisfactory victories of
the whole war. There is a report that General Stuart had
sucueded in destroying the pontoons of the enemy last
night, thus cutting off their retreat.
I sent you a letter yesterday which I presume the cap.

11 lengths of hose up Fore-street and round into Tavistock-
street. This mode of obtaining water was very fortunately
available, or else the whole of two or three streets would
inevitably have been on fire, for the powerful West of Eng-
land and other engines present at one time had only ono
hose playing between them. From the gun wharf also an
engine was sent, with men to work it, and as they met with
the general difficulty—lack of water—they dug a hole in
Princes-street, near the Robin Hood public house, allowed
water from a private house close by to run into the hole, and
so fixed their suction pipes, fur there were no plugs handy
to which they could atix the hose. Some of the marines
did great service at this time by carrying the hose through
some of the adjoining houses, and playing on the back of
the burning pile. In the midst of this terrible scene brave
companies of men-of-war's menand soldiers brought ladders,
placed them against those points to which the wind carried
the flames, and literally swarming up them—at imminent
risk of their lives— they dir-eted streams of water on to the
roofs of the houses adjoining, and by keeping them cool pre-
vented the further progre:sof the flames, The Royal H 3tel in
Fore-street was at one time considered as a likely sacrifice,
and the most intense alarm existed amongst the lady and
other visitors stopping there, for the sparks were carried on
to the roof, and some of them, falling down, went through
the broken skylight of an outhouse immediately behind the
hotel, and set fire to some old lumber. This, however, was
speedily extinguished and safety restored.
By half-past 10 o'clock it was clearly impossible to save
Mr. Emmet's house, and consequently attention was paid
to the adjoining, property, and all possible means resorted
to for the purpose of cutting off the fire, but without suc-
cess, for the flames continued to rise until nearly 2 o'clock,
when they were for the first time got under control. The
scene of devastation then presented was something terrible
to behold; five houses were smouldering in ruins, and a
great body of fire was still concealed under immense clouds
of vapour. Water was continually poured on to this dan-
gerous heap throughout the night, and the West of England
engine—one of the most serviceable at the fim—continued
doing so at intervals throughout the whole of yesterday.
Having extinguished the fire, a party of Sappers com-
menced about 4 o'clock on Sunday morning to search in the
ruins for the body of Mr. Emmet, about whose fate doubt
had long before ceased to exist. When found one hand and
one foot were entirely missing, and the whole of the body
was charred, rather than burnt.

tire of the train at Ashford prevented your reading. I hope

this note, hastily written, will be more fortunate. You will
hear from me again to-morrow, It is believed that the fight
is for the present nearly ended, though there is tolerably
heavy cannonading going on now at Fredericksburg.
Killed, in the battle near Wilderness Church, on Sunday
morning last, Sergeant Uolphine S. Rawlins, of Company
A, Second Virginia Regiment.

Two trains, bearing 700 wounded and 200 sick soldiers,
reached this city yesterday morning from Guinea's station
on the Fredericksburg-road. From wounded officers who
came down on the train we have some interesting but scant
facts of the recent sanguinary battles. On Thursday Hooker's
right wing had reached a point near Spottsylvania Court
House, his left resting on the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, and
his centre on Chancellorsville, two miles southwest of
Fredericksburg. The hostile lines were at this time in
close proximity and skirmishes were frequent. On Friday
evening, about 6 o'clock, Gen. Jackson attacked the enemy's
right flank, and the first general battle ensued. Gen. Rhodes,
commanding D. 11. Hill's old division, being on cur ex-
trerce left, began the fight. Tho enemy had, during
Thursday night, thrown up formidable breastworks to
resist an attack from the direction of Fredericksburg,
but our forces advancing from a nearly opposite direc-
tion, they were, of course, worthless. The enemy
finding himself outflanked, deserted his works with-
cut resistance, and fled towards Chancellorsville
Night coming on the pursuit was discontinued. During
Saturday Jackson continued to press the enemy's right,
whilst General Leo assailed him in front. On Sunday
morning, snortly after midnight, the hostile armies occupy-
ing lines directly parallel with the plank road leading from
Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, the enemy ad-
vanced and delivered battle. At this critical juncture Gen.
Jackson received his wound in the manner detailed by us
yesterday. After one of the most desperate and bloody
battles of the war, which lasted until ten o'clock on Sunday
morning, Hooker was beaten at all points, and fell back
towards the Rapidan at its confluence with the Rappahan-
nock, some sixteen miles above Fredericksburg. This was
the battle of Chancellorsville. While it was raging, Sedg-
wick, with an overwhelming force, advanced from the Ra-
pahannock, below Fredericksburg, upon Gen. Early, who,
with one division, had the heights of Fredericksburg. After
a short but desperate resistance Early was ccmpelled t) re-
tire towards Chancellorsville, and Sedgwick took possession
of the long coveted heights. In this fight the enemy cap•
tured a number of prisoners and five guns of the Washing-
ton artillery battalion. It is said that two entire companies
of the Washington artillery were taken, but we think the
report doubtful. When a reverse overtakes us a scape goat
is never wanting. In this case, it is said, we could have
held our position but for the pusilanimous conduct of some
infantry regiments. We, however, believe our defeat at
this point to have been solely due to the immense odds
brought against us.

Among the killed we have heard of Gen. Paxton, of the
Stonewall brigade ; Col. Walker (Warren ?), of the 10th
Virginia; Col. Mallory, of the 55th Virginia; Major Miles
Selden, aide to Gen. Heth; Capt. Greenlee Davidson, Let-
cher battery; Capt. Edward Branch, of Richmond Grays,
and Capt. Banks, of the Petersburg Grays. Major Chan-
ning Price, of Gen. Stuart's staff, was killed on Thursday,
near Spottsylvania Court-house.
Our victory on the Rappahannock has cost us dear in the
severe wounds unfortunately received by the great and good
General Jackson. His left arm has been amputated above
the elbow ; a bullet has passed through his right hand.
His condition is now, we learn, as favourable as could pos-
sibly be expeoted, and he will doubtless recover, and is not,
we trust, lost to active service. We could better spare a
brigade or a division. It would be grievous to think that
his banner will never more flash out upon the Yankee rear'
and throw them at its first gleam into headlong rout, with,
the sudden outcry, " Jackson's coming l"—that the stern
eye of the hero will never more lighten with a warrior's joy
as he launches brigade after brigade upon the stubborn foe,
until the hated flag stoops, and the cwlumns reel, and
break, and fly, with the vengeful Confederate cheer ringing
in their ears.
Our base foe will exult in the disaster to Jackson ; yet
the accursed bullet that brought him down was nevere
moulded by a Yankee. Through a cruel mistake, in in
ownh
confusion, the hero received two balls from some of
men who would all have died for him.
The official despatch of GeneraldeLree,
great victory which our arms,
of
thon death of Brigadier-
Generalwith, also gives the intelligence Goda:inwoeurnecibnlegssthede
succeeded General Jackson, y
Bade. He
victories gained by that indo-
mitable Frank Paxton, in command of
uthoenSwtohnoeswe
satlal
ffbrhie-
when was various
Jacksonappointed
wtaos thepro
mcoonterndl.anduoef
his men intF:ceatslipteti
captured
hraeitdcekdse sa3t.t
had served in all the
d
tmhiet able
Stonewall chieftain,
b rbrigade
aadned
to gallantly fell on theofinehl,
their
way
ohfalstVheelii ablyogshfit tine filled
andahl pieceselP:si tin leading
dn g
artillery,nul
etta
We also captured nearly 10,000 prisoners, 7,000 of when'
are said to be at Guinea's station,
Rich-
mond. Our loss in killed and V
6,000 or 7,0',0,

"LOST AND SAVED." By the Hon. Mrs. No-tOll.
--A second edition of Mrs. Norton's remarkable work haf,
just been issued by Messrs. Hurst and Blackett. " Lost
and Saved," says the Examiner, " is a novel of rare excel-
lencP, fresh in its thought, artistic in its grouping, and
balancirgs of lights and shades, shrewd and subtle in its
character• painting, and with a brave soul speaking through
it. It is Mrs. Norton's best prose work ; and distinctively
original, as every work of true get,is
beside the best contemporary fiction."u trust be, its place is
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Dragnet Can any one answer the question, What is a gnet 1)
We only know some of its marvellous andadmireeffects,tobene
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and their magnetics' action." most perfect brushes
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