The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-17 00:00:00

Advlces from Charleston are to the 2d inst.

At that date the situation was unchanged. The
Confederate infantry had made a sortie from Fort
Wagner, but were repulsed with considerable loss.
Heavy Federal reinforcements were arriving.

The Federal steamer Ironsides has sunk a vessel
endeavouring to run out of Charleston. It is sup-
posed that her crew and a cargo of cotton are lost,
NEW YORK, August 6 (Evening).
The Washington Republican, a semi-official organ,

says
"It there should be a slight occasion for hostili-
ties, and England and America were likely to be
involved in war, the Federal steam marine will at
once be converted into privateers, and British com-
merce will be driven from the ocean. War is not
desirable with England, but war is not the highest
of evils. A spirited nation cannot submit to injustice,
insolence, and outrage through a series of years, and
make no effort to avenge its wrongs. The course
pursued by England has alienated every American
of the loyal States. These facts indicate what the
future has in store for America."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE,
NEW YORK, August 4 (Evening).

Money abundant. Gold 281 per cent. premium.
Exchange oli London, bankers' bills, 140. Stocks
firm and advancing. New York Centrals, 132;
Illinois, 1191; Erie, 1071; 6 per Cent. United
States Bonds, 106.
NEW Yoiu, August 5 (Evening).

Money easy. Gold, 27 per cent. prem. Ex-
change on London, bankers' bills, 1403. Stocks
steady ; New York Centrals, 1301 ; Illinois, 1181 ;
Erie, 1061 ; 6 per Cent. United States Bonds, 104.
Cotton very firm—middling Upland, 660. Flour
and corn advancicg. Wheat slightly firmer. Pro-
visions inactive. Coffee and sugar quiet. Molasses
steady. Crude petroleum, 32 to 33.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
(Per the Africa.)
NEW YORK, Aug. 4.
The steamship America affived at New York,
Aug. 2, and the City of Manchesier• Aug. 4. The
steamship Arabia arrived at Halifax, Aug. 3.
The following is the " situation" froo the New
York .Herald of Aug. 4. According to tho rebel
accounts a heavy bombardment from Fort WagnC."
was commenced at daybreak on Friday, and con-
tinued until two o'clock p.m., when it ceased.

The Army of the Potomac is not making any for-
ward movement, nor is it likely to do so for a while.
Reconnoissances and skirmishes, however, continue
daily. On Friday, for instance, the 4th Pennsyl-
vania regiment encountered a company of one
hundred rebel cavalry near Little Washington,
twelve miles from Sperryville, and drove them
through the town. It was ascertained that a full
brigade of rebel cavalry are posted between Sperry-
villa and Little Washington.
Our War Correspondence from the Potomac will
be found very interesting to-day.
There is nothing very new to report from the
Mississippi Valley or Tennessee.
By the arrival of the Arabia at Halifax yester-
day, with dates from Europe to the 26th, we have
information as to the progress of the American
gucgstiou. Zn till: 11.914 c. of CQUatUcw) an the 23J,

Mr. Cobden referred to the proceedings cf the
Alabama, Florida, and Vhinia, all built in British
ports for the rebels, and ll the fact that two iron-
clad ships were now fitting out in Liverpool for the
same service, which, if &lowed to leave England,
would prove a casus belli with the United States
Government. He declared that American shipping
had become almost worthless in consequence of the
operations of the rebel cruisers. Lord Palmerston
justified the course of the Government, saying that
he did not see the difference between selling arms
to the Federals and selling ships to the Confederates.
Mr. Cobden attempted to read a letter from our
Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, but was
ruled out of order. The letter, however, was pub-
lished in the British papers as far back as April last.
The following are the latest despatches received
from Charleston. A private letter received in this
city, dated July 29, says—l went yesterday to
Block Island, and made a recognoissance from the
tallest tree there. Block Island is between James
Island and Morris Island, and distant from the

former about 1,000 yards. I saw from my elevated
position that the rebels were erecting a line of bat-
teries and building rifle pits almost the entire dis
tance from Fort Johnson to Secessionville along the
river. I could look over into Charleston and see
what was going on there quite plainly. It is the
nearest view I have yet had of Charleston, but our
brave boys will take a nearer one and astonish the
rebels.

FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 3.
The .Richmond TVltig of Aug. 1 has been received
here, and contains the following :
CHARLESTON, July 31.
Cumming's Point was severely bombarded yes-
terday morning, commencing at about 10 o'clock.
The Ironsides and two Monitors were engaged. The
bombardment lasted until 3 p.m., when the vessels
withdrew. The batteries Gregg, Simpkins, Wag-
ner, and Sumter responded to the enemy's fire.
Two men were killed and one wounded at battery
Gregg. The battery was not materially injured.
There was no firing on James Island to-day, and
very little from Fort Wagner. Beauregard visited
the James Island works to-day.