The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-29 00:00:00

AMERICA.

The Canadian screw steamer Norwegian, Capt.
M'Master, from Quebec on the 16th inst., arrived
at Liverpool about two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
By her we receive New York journals of the 14th,
Boston and Portland of the 15th, and Quebec of
the 16th inst.

The Washington Star of the 13th says it has rea-
son to believe there is no truth in the story that
General Halleck intends to take the field in person
in the next movement of the army of the Potomac.
The Secretary of War has directed that while the
army of the Potomac remains in its present position
no passes shall be granted to persons to visit it with
the view of obtaining the bodies of deceased friends.

A Washington telegram of the 14th May says
it is stated positively in diplomatic circles that the
entente cordiale is perfect between Mr. Seward and
the British and French Ministers, and that Secre-
tary Chase received official adviees from the Hon.
Robert J. Walker to the effect that he would pro-
bably negotiate within a week 160,000,000 dollars
on satisfactory terme, interest payable in London.

The New York lribune of the 14th has direct
advices from the army of the Potomac to the 12th.
All reporcs of movements since Hooker crossed to
the north side of the Rappahannock are unfounded.
The army occupied its old camps. The troops were
in good spirits. There was dome disappointment
among the ranks at the retreat, though no demo-
ralisation. Stoneman's raid had been overrated,
The Richmond and Fredericksburg road was so little
damaged that it was repaired in 24 hours. The
Federal losses exceed it is said 17,000 men, while
Gen. Lee is said to admit the loss of 18,000.

Gen. Lee has detained all nurses and surgeons
who accompanied ambulance trains across the river
and placed guns in position at the U.S. Ford and
Bank's Ford, from which it is supposed he intended
to assume the offensive, and cross the river to attack
the Federal forces. It is alleged that Gen. Hooker
ordered a portion of the army across the river, but
that the plan was disproved by Gen. Halleck, who
countermanded the movement.

A special despatch from Washington to the
New York 7imes says that the President has re-
ceived from the headquarters of the army of the
Potomac an original letter of Jefferson Davis, ad-
dressed to one of his colonels, in which the writer
speaks despondingly of affairs in the south-west
and the Rappahannock. The letter was found in a
Confederate camp at Fredericksburg, and is dated
May 2.
A short time ago a number of slaves belonging to
John Minors Botts came within the Federal lines at
Union Mills. Mr. Botts requested the commander of
the post to return them, as he was a loyal man. The
commander telegraphed to Gen. Heintzelman to
know what to do. Col. Lathrop, of the general's
staff, replied that they were free the moment they
entered the Federal lines, and could not be sent
back to slavery.
The advices as to the movements of General
Grant's forces in the south-west are conflicting and
obscure. A Cairo despatch of May 14 says—
Our troops, all the way from Memphis to Young's
Point, are moving to reinforce Gen. Grant. Judge
Killogg, who left Grant's headquarters on Sunday
last, says the report of a fight at Clinton, Missis-
sippi, is untrue. Gen. Grant will endeavour to cut
the railroad between Vicksburg and Jackson, and a
battle is expected in the vicinity of the Black River
Bridge. Grant's advance was reported to be 15
miles from Edward's Station, which was 18 miles
east of Vicksburg. Grant had not got possession of
any part of the railroad between Vicksburg and
Jackson. Ten negro regiments had been formed,
and it was thought 10 more would be raised.
From Southern sources Vicksburg advices are to
the 9th instant. The Federals were then landing
troops at Young's Point, destined, it was supposed,
to reinforce Grant. The Federals were represented
as "using their spades" on the other side of Big
Black River. Their cavalry was reported to be
about Cayuga.
General Banks had published an order in New
Orleans, requiring all registered enemies by the Ist
of May to take the oath of allegiance or prepare to
leave the Federal lines by that date. The oath will,
it is said, subject all who take it to the conscription.
An act had passed the Confederate Congress,
establishing that the flag be as follows :—The field
to be white, length double the width, with the
anion now used as the battle flag to be a square of
two-thirds of the width of the flag, having the
ground red, thereon a broad stripe of blue bordered
with white and emblazoned with mullets or five
pointed stars, corresponding to the number of the
Confederate States.