The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-05 00:00:00

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

Lee's army is estimated at from 50,000

60,000 strong.

absence.

The 13th Fedsral army corps, lately operating in
the Teche country, embarked at Brashear, city of
Texas, by way of Bur wick Bay.

The Northern press urge the reinforcement o:
Banks on the Rio Grande.

Some excitement still exists at points along the
Federal frontier for fear of a Confederate excursion

"rom Canada.

The draft for 3,000 men is progressing in Ba

more.

The steamer Banshee, captured on the 21st Nov.,
has arrived at New York,
Admiral Lessofski, with several vessels of the
Russian fleet, has left for Washington.
The movement among the labouring classes for
higher wages continues.
General Bragg, under date of the 23d inst.,
officially notified to General Cooper that the Con-
federates held all the roads leading to Knoxville
excepting the one between Charleston and Broad
French rivers, which he believed would be also
speedily close 1.
General Wheeler had captured a Federal (rain
between Cumberland Gap and Knoxville.

•••••.•••••••,....

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Nov. 24, Evening.
Gold opened yesterday at 53i, and has declined to
NI under more favourable military advices.
Exchange on Landon, 165.
Apprehensions of increased tightness in the
money market have depressed Stocks. The closing
quotations to-day are New York Central, 1321,
Illinois, 124 ; Erie, 107 f.
The steamer Constitution left San Francisco on
the 23d November, with over 1,000,000 dole, in
specie for England.

The following telegram, although landed at
Roche's Point early this morning, was only de-
livered by the Electric Telegraph Company at Mr.
Reuter's office at I's p.m. to-day.
(Per the Asia.)
By Telegraph to Halifax.
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, Evening.
A rumour is current that Charleston was shelled
on the 22d inst., and is now on fire.
Grant reports as follows from Chattanooga on
the evening of the 24th inst.
"Sherman carried the end of Missionary Ridge

his
Troops from Lookout
to-day. His right is now at the tunnel, and left
at Chickamauga Creek. Val-
ley carried the point of the mountain, and hold the
eastern slope and the point high up.
"Hooker reports 2,000 prisoners taken, besides a
small number fallen into our hands from Missionary
Ridge?
General Thomas confirms this report.

Cincinnati despatches to-day state that Knoxville
is closely invested on the north side, but the south
side is open. General Burnside is confident of
success. General Bragg
reports on the 19th inst.
that Wheeler's cavalry drove the Federal cavalry
into Knoxville, capturing 300 prisoners. The
Cor.federate infantry was c!ose up to the city.

Mobile despatches of the 19th assert that Gen.
Taylor had defeated Franklin's forces near Alex-
andria, Luishina, and Weitzel's division near
(place omitted), with heavy loss.
The Federal Government adhere to its determina-
tion to refuse exchanges of prisoners until the Con-
federates agree to exchange coloured troops. The
Confederates decline to comply with this demand.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (Evening).
Gold opened this morning at 491, and declined
rapidly under the military news. The closing
quotation to-day is 474. Money very active.
Exchange on Paris, 3.36. Stocks heavy. New
York Central, 136 ; Illinois, 121=2- ; Erie, 107 i ;
6 per Cent. U.S. Bonds, 108.
Cotton steady. Middling Upland, 84 to 84.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.
NEW YORK, Nov. 23 (EvENING).
(Per the Asia,)
Cincinnatti despatches assert that firing at
Knoxville was heard on the 22d inst. at Cumber-
land Gap.
Knoxville is not completely invested, the Con-
federates having withdrawn from the south side of
the river.

Burnside has orders from Grant to hold Knox-
ville, and has informed the inhabitants that he
should do so.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24.

Advices from Charleston to the 20th inst. state
that the sea wall of Fort Sumter had been
destroyed, and that the Confederates were con-
structing bomb proofs on the ruins.
General Gilmore's batteries threw 21 shells into
, and 15 on the 19th.
Charleston on the 17th

The monitor Lehigh grounded, bat was got off
considerably damaged.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 (Evening).
Cincinnatti despatches to-day represent that
firing was still heard at Knozsville.
Advices from Ciattanooga, to the 233 inst. an-

nounce that two divisions under Granger had made

a reconnaissance to ascertain the Confederate posi
tion and obtain possession of two elevations in fron

of the Federal left, half-way between the Federal
lines and Missionary Ride. The Federal guns
commanding the position. Only one battery was
taken into action. Granger moved forward at one
o'clock in the afternoon, and remained in line of
battle for three quarters of an hour in view of the
Confederates. He then engaged the Confederates
whilst the artillery in the Federal ports opened
upon the Confederate rifle pits and camps behind the
line of fighting. The Confederates did not reply,
having no artillery at that part of their entrench-
ments. Granger then occupied the elevations, upon
which he directed his attack, carried the rifle pits

in front, and moved through the forest before him,
driving in the Confederate pickets. Ile baited his
advance on reaching further rifle pits in his front,
where the Confederates awaited an attack, which
he did not make, his object being to obtain the
heights on the Federal left, which will secure from
a flank attack any column moving to turn Mis-
sionary Ridge. A battle was imminent on the 24th
unless Bragg retired. Deserters reported that he
was falling back to the rear of Chickamauga Station.
Meade's army was reported to be prepared to
attempt the passage of the Rapidan immediately if
the condition of the roads permitted. The rivers
are, however, much swollen by the rain.

Lee is strengthening his works on the Rapidan
.n anticipation of an attack.

General Forster has temporarily superseded
General Burnside, who retires on a short leave of

It is rumoured that Sherman's corps has been
detached frcm General Thomas's army, in order to
operate against Longstreet.
It is reported that the Governor of Maryland will
refuse to grant commissions to the newly-elected
Congressmen.