The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-08 00:00:00

VICTORIOUS ADVANCE OF GEN. THOMAS' CAMP.

The diN isions of Brannan and Baird having been
rallied, General Thomas ordered a general advance
of the right, and soon the tide of battle was deci-
dedly turned in our favour. With cheers our line
advanced, halting only at times to shatter the
enemy with musketry. Several times the latter's
retreating line stopped and vainly tried to retain
their gained ground ; but stsadily they were driven
from position co position, and by four o'clock all the
ground lost was nearly recovered. Several batte-
ries belonging to Gens. Baird's and Brannan's Di-
visions, whose horses had been killed and supports
were swept away, were retaken, and several hun-
dred prisoners captured. The enemy left all their
dead and nearly all their wounded on the field.
There were at least 500 of the former. The rebel
troops engaging Thomas belonged to Bucknee's
and Longbtreet's commands.

REBEL ATTACK ON OUR CENTRE..--THEIR REPULSE
BY REYNOLDS' DIVISION.

At the time the struggle was turning in our
favour on the left, Bragg's army proper, consisting
of the corps of Polk and Hill (formerly Hardee's)
moved to a most determined well executed attack
upon Palmer's and Van Cleve's divisions in the
centre. Its object was obviously to relieve the de-
feated rebel right. Palmer and Van Cleve soon
found themselves overpowered and their divisions
breaking. Their complete rout was imminent, when
Davis' division came to their support on Van Cleve's
right. The timely reinforcements at first had the
effect of checking the enemy ar.d restoring our line ;
but the rebel attack was speedily renewed with
greater numbers, and the centre again compelled to
yield. Davis was forced to the right and Van Cleve
to the left, and the enemy advanced through the
opening made in our line, threatening to take the
centre and right by their flanks, as they had done
on the left. At this critical juncture Sheridan's
division appeared, and was at once thrown upon
the enemy. It stood its ground gallantly for a while,
but becoming soon exposed to a destructive flank
fire, was also compelled to fall back. .Fortunately,
the divisions of Gene. Wood and Negley, that had
been early withdrawn from Gordon's Mills when
the rebel attack on the left threatened to be suc-
cessful, now came to the rescue. After a brief con-
test the rebels found themselves at last matched,
and commenced giving way in their turn, Reynolds
having also been sent to the assistance of the centre.

After the repulse of the rebel right an advance
was ordered, and the original position regained
about sunset.

FINALE OF SATURDAY'S BATTLE.

About dark the enemy made another demonstra-
tion, with a heavy artillery and musketry fire upon
the centre, but eliciting a lively response, they soon
abandoned this last effort of the day. Thus ended
the battle of the 18th. It had been a defensive one
on our part, and although we lost no ground, and
probably less men and material than the enemy, its
result could hardly be claimed as a triumph of
Union arms. No substantial advantage had been
won, and a large portion of the army was badly
shattered. That the enemy, with his numerical
superiority, would be able to offer again battle on
the following day, could well be supposed. Gen.
Rosencranz anticipated a renewal of the struggle,
and prepared for it.
THE WORK OF THE NIGHT.--OUR NEW LINES OF