The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-22 00:00:00

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)
NEW YORK, June 9.

The attack on Port Hudson and its consequences
seem to be but a repetition of the story of Vicksburg.
Brave onslaught, obstinate resistance, immense loss
of life, and a conviction on the part of the assailant
that the assailed place is impregnable, unless by the
starvation of the garrison, or the slow process of sap,
mine, and old-fashioned siege. Both fortresses hold
out vigorously. Every day the public is informed
by the wise men of Washington all goes well, that
the Mississippi will 'be cleared of obstruction in 20
hours at furthest ; that the Confederacy will thus be
split in twain, and the "backbone of the rebellion
broken " in real, unmistakeable earnest. But the
day comes ; the hope is not fulfilled ; a new predic-
tion is made; and lying stories of sham deserters
are pftraded in the journals, to show the weakness
of the enemy, and prove that ho is desperate, de-
moralised, and famished. But still the enemy holds
his own, and efficient Generals who have been re-
lieved of their command by the inefficient Govern-
ment work out for themselves the problem of the
Mississippi by a study of the map, and an investiga-
tion of all circumstances on both sides, coming re-
luctantly to the'cenclusion that Gen. Grant at Vicks-
burg is in a critical position, but may escape without
much loss either of prestige or men ; but that Gen.
Banks at Port Hudson is in " a very tight place."
The whereabouts of Gen. Joseph Johnstone con-
tinues up to the time of the despatch of this letter
to be suspected rather than known, Every one,
however, expects to hear stirring news from him
shortly, especially the military men, who know his
genius and calculate on his opportunities.
Gold, contrary to all the known laws that regu-
late its price, has fallen five per cent. within the
last seven days. There has been no news from
any of the numerous seats of war to justify the
depression. On the contrary, there have been cir-
cumstances ugly enough to warrant the belief that
the Federal armies would be defeated at more
points than one, and that the Confederates would
successfully invade Maryland and Pennsylvania, if
they did not strike at still bolder game, and make
a dash at the Federal capital. Yet gold has fallen.
People ask, why is this ? One reason is that gold is
no longer a favourite object of speculation ; that
brokers and stock jobbers hare a wider range for
gambling in the price of railway and other stocks
than in gold and Government securities; that, con-
sequently, a smaller number of people are engaged
in it, and that these are people of larger means than
those who formerly hoped to make speedy fortunes
out of the rapid fluctuations in the price of the com-
modity. Another explanation is that Mr. Chase can
successfully " bear" the gold market whenever he
thinks proper. He has possession of so large a stock
of gold as to be able, to the extent of 4 or 5 per cent.,
to raise or depress the price, as the supposed policy
of the Government may recommend. Whenever the
Government is in possession of very bad news, the
publication of which is certain to send up the price,
Mr. Chase's confidential agents offer to sell gold in
excess of the legitimate demands of commerce, and
the price goes down. When the bad news is pub-
lished the price goes up again, but not, it is sup.
posed, to so high a mark as it might have done had
the price remained uninfluenced by the delicate
manipulation of the Secretary of the Treasury. It
is supposed to be Mr. Chase's opinion that the fair
premium on gold ht the present time is only 20 per
cent., and that every dollar above that is due to fac-
tious, disloyal, and illegitimate influences operating
in the market. In other words,he thinks the mistrust
of the American people in his financial system, and
the ability of the Government to carry on the war,
are measurable by an insurance risk of 20 per cent.,
and that as soon as the risk is measured by 25 or 50
per cent, there is disloyalty at work rather than the
natural and ineradicable suspicion and jealousy of
commerce and banking, acting on and by their own
laws. How far this notion is a fact, and in how
much it is the dream of a sanguine theorist and an
uncompromising partisan, the sound heads that
govern the monetary affairs of the world will be at
no loss to determine.

Yesterday and for three days preceding, the_Sranam-
day excepted, New York has made holiday. From
spire and housetop in the long length
in
eßroadway
the star-spangled banner has flauntede wom n then, bright
in the
sunshine; and crowds of people—the
forming
full exuberance of silk, satin, andcrinoline,
the majority—have encumbered the side walks, and
filled window and balcony as far as the eye of the
passing spectator could reach. At every tree and
lamp-post on the line the little ragged boys have
clambered to bough or cross-iron to catch a view of
the numerous regiments of militia, preceded by
bands of music, that have marched to and fro all
day playing
"Yankee Doodle," " Hail Columbia,"
" See the Conquering Hero comes," and other well-
known airs. At intervals the whole ordinary traffic
of the crowded streets (and for business purposes
Broadway may be said to be the only street in New
York) has been turned off into the side avenues to
allow_the processions to monopolise the pavement,
bells have rung merry peals, guns have been fired,
and all the paraphernalia and pride of a great mili-
tary gala have been exhibited to the delighted crowd.
Sometimes a mere fragment of a regiment that had
seen service in the war, and whose members had
resumed at the beginning of last month their usual
places in the ranks of trade and industry, gathered
together _their scattered comrades, donned once
again the old uniform, and with drums beating, or

•

bugle sounding in their front, preceded or followed
the militia, bearing with them the smoke-begrimed
and tattered remnants of the flag under which they
had marched to sanguinary defeat under Pope, Burn-
side, or Hooker, or to fruitless victory under M'Clel-
Jan. And what, it may be asked, made New York
so jubilant and brought all these crowds iato the
streets ? Nothing but the return of several other
regiments from the Army of the Potomac—who had
borne the brunt of the battles of Virginia, and were
determined to fight no more—regiments which,
like the Irish Brigade, had lost as many as three-
fourths or seven-eighths of their men iu struggles
with the camp fever, the enemy's bullets, and the
blundering and igneza.nt surgery of a:drown medical
officers, and whom all New York intended to honour
by a grand public reception. It was this which
brought the motley population into the highway s
rejoicing ; it was this which day after day excited
their expectation and their enthusiasm, and seemed
to drive the female portion of the spectators well
nigh frantic with delight. The great bulk of these
returning braves having been detained at Phila-
delphia longer than was expected, did not arrive in
New York on Saturday in time to receive the
obstreperous welcome which awaited them, and
passed noiselessly through the city near midnight.
Under the circumstances the " ovation," as it was
called, was postponed until yesterday afternoon,
when New York turned out once again the immense
mass of its pleasure-seeking population. As the
ragged and sunburnt heroes marched along in their
picturesque raggedness, the men shouted at every
corner, the boys from every tree-top and lamp-post,
while the women at window and balcony waved
their handkerchiefs, white as flags of trace, but
symbolizing no such blessed meaning. Amid a
hurricane of welcome such as these, the 37th and
38th Regiments—or such poor fragments as war
had left of them—toiled up the long road from the
City-hall to the Fifth Avenue Hotel, where,
stationed at a balcony overlooking Madison-square,
was their old commander, General M'Clellan.
It was now the turn of the soldiers to cheer, and
as soon as they caught sight of " Little Mac,"
such wild hurrahs arose as threw into com-
parative whisperings all the previous shouts of the
day, and, being swollen by the sympathizing re-
sponses of the crowd of onlookers, gradually deep-
ened into that loud and long-continued roar of an
excited people, which is one of the sublimest sounds,
in nature. General M'Clellan acknowledged by
gestures alone, the cordial greeting of his former
comrades, who passed in review before him, and
persisted in keeping silence, though the multitude
vociferously demanded that he should make a
speech. In the evening a banquet was given
to the soldiers, at which only 150 were pre-
sent and about 1,000 citizens. Genera. M'Clellan
did not appear, but his name may be said to have
presided over the festivities. Mr. Opdyke, the Mayor
of New York, was in the chair, and in the little ap-
propriate speech which he made was constantly in-
terrupted by cheers for M'Clellan again and again
renewed, and always led off by the soldiers. There
being loud calls for Judge M'Cunn, a prominent
member of the Mozart-hall Democracy, and formerly
colonel of the 37th Regiment, that gentleman arose,
complimented his old comrades on their bravery,
deplored how very few of them were left out of the
1,000 who composed it, advised them to take care of
their money, and wound up by declaring that though
once as enthusiastic for the war as any of his coun-
trymen, he was now for peace, and hoped it would
speedily dawn upon the land. This sentiment was
loudly cheered by the soldiers, but it was too much
for the chairman of the evening--a civilian, who had
never mingled in a battle, or smelt gunpowder, ex-
cept when fired as a harmless salute, and who had
besides a fat contract from the Government for the
supply of army clothing. Rising hurriedly, and in
a state of considerable excitement, Mayor Opdyke
exclaimed, " When a city judge stands up before me
and cries Peace! peace !' when there is no peace ;
it is time for me to say' War ! war to the bitter end.'"
Immediately there was a tumult which threatened to
become a fight. Judge I\l'Cunn, who was pushed off
the platform into the body of the crowd by some one,
perhaps an indignant contractor, but not the Mayor,
was evidently the favourite of the soldiers, a party
of whom, excited by the whiskey-punch served out
to them, seized their ex-Colonel as he fell, and bore
him in triumph on their shoulders high above the
crowd, shouting vigoroasly meanwhile for M'Cunn
and M'Clellan. The mayor in vain endeavoured to
restore order, and ultimately proclaimed the meet-
ing adjourned, and retired in disgust. The heroes
had become, if not positively drunk, a little too
much heated by liquor and speeches to be altogether
responsible for their behaviour, and it required a
good deal of patience on the part of the auditors,
and of mingled suavity and firmness on the
part of the police to preserve order. Ultimately,
however, all went well. The judge rescued himself
from his triumphal but uneasy seat, and after a few
more speeches and sentiments, and a vehement out-
burst of enthusiasm for M'Clellan, the proceedings
were brought to a close without the indiscriminate
battle a la Donnybrook.

The reception and review of the soldiers were all
very well, but the banquet was a mistake, which is
not likely to be repeated. After all, the occasion
was one for sorrow rather than for joy. These re-
turning regiments were as precious as drops of blood
oozing from the heart of the Republic in the hour of
its greatest need ; a hemorrhage that, if long con-
tinued, may become fatal, Had the original enthu-
siasm of these men not been cooled down by time and
mismanagement, it would have required but small
persuasion on the part of the Government to induce
them to remain in the ranks; but all persuasion
failed. The lions had had enough of the asses.
They had lost faith, if not in the cause, most cer-
tainly in the men by whom it was conducted, and
had returned home with the determination to take
no further part in the war, unless in common with
others of their age and condition, it should fall to
their lot to become the victims of the conscription.
Meanwhile, the conscription lags. The enrolment.
has commenced, but makes small and slow progreF,s;
and even if the Government, in spite of the we.rn-
ings it has received that New York and other Stutes
swarm with secret societies of working men pledged
to resist the draught, individually and collectively,
should determine to carry out the Act of Congress
and call for 300,000 fresh levies, the very lowest
number with which it can hope during the summer
to carry up its armies to the numerical standard of
last year—it is scarcely possible to complete the
arrangement for a draught under a couple of
months, by which time the summer will have
well nigh passed away, and not at all probable
that half the number can be trained and brought
into a:proper state of efficiency before the winter.
So urgent is the need of men, and so dilatory or
so timid is the Government in the matter of the
conscription, as almost to warrant the suspicion that
it has became hopeless of final success, and has corn-
' witted the management of affairs to chance and cir-
cumstance, hoping for the best, but quite resigned
for the worst that may befall. Great, however,
must have been the previous sins of this nation if it
be justly punished with a Lincoln for a President
and a Hooker for a General.
0

JPENING OF A NEW CATHOLIC CHAPEL AT
TIUNOOL—On Thursday St. Mun's Catholic Chapel
was opened here for public worship by the Right Rev. Dr.
Murdoch of Glasgow, bishop of the diocese, with pontifical
high mass. A large number of priests took part in the ser-
vices. The choir sang a mass specially composed for the
occasion. The Catholics at Dunoon, Kirn, Kilmun, and
Innellan, numbering about 200 in the winter and 300 dur..
ing the summer season, had no place of worship in the
Cowal district until about twelve months ago, wimp, the
Rev. Joseph Small was appointed to take charge of them.
Having purchased a site at the corner of Albert and Ed-
ward-street, or nearly between Dunoon and Kirn, Mr.
Small has succeeded in erecting the present chapel at a cost
of £4OO. The building is a very handp,ome edifice in the
modern Gothic style. It was designed and completed by
Mr. John Philip, and is, though plain, substantially and
neatly finished throughout. There are sittings for about
250 persona. The apse for the altar is beautifully orna-
mented, and has:a vestry on each side. Along with the
chapel has also been secured a considerable space of grouul,
with a house for the clergyman.—Scotsman.
According to La Nation the forthcoming work
of the Emperor of the French the " Vie de Cesar"
is now going through the press at the Imperial printing-
office. There will be three volumes. The first is ready for
publication, while the second is in hand ; both will appear
together. The third volume will be Issued by itself, at a
somewhat later period.

THE PRUSSIAN KING'S FAUX PAS-
The Right Hon. Spencer Hot atio Viral,_:ole, M.P.—The
Song of the Polish Scythe, &c. &c.. in FUN THIS WEEK.
One Penny.

THAY NIARKE'I.
H.EATRE t As_,
L '3stice. Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, a new Farce, entitled AN UNLUCKY
MORTAL.
After which, 30th t ime, a new and criginal comedy, entitled
FINESSE ; or, Spy Itnd Counter-Spy : Mr. Buckstone, Mr.
Howe, Mr. ChipPen,dale, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, and
Miss Louisa Angel.
Followed by (10th tf me), a new Farce, EASY SHAVING:
Mews. Compton, W. Gordon, Rogers ; Miss Louise Keeley,
Miss Fanny Wright-
To conclude with THE STAR OF ANDALUSIA.
Commence at 7.

TH E DUKE'S MOTTO.
HUNDRED .A.Zil) THIRTY-THIRD NIGHT.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.-
Under the Sole Management of Mr. FE CHTE R.
- • '

THIS EVENING, to commence with an OriAnal iketch,
entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden,
H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee.

After which, at a Quarter-past Eight, the Romantic
Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logue, entitled THE
DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham.
The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter,
aanported by Messrs. J. G. Shore, G Jordan, J. Brougham,
H. iddi3ombe, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, Dawson ;
Misses Sophy Henrade, Kate Terry, E. [Avenue, and
Elsworthy. Doors open at 7, commence at half-past.
Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. G. Vining.
THIS EVENING, the grand new Drama, entitled COURT
AND CAMP : Messrs. G. Vining, C. Verner, H. Marston,
G. Belmore, G. Murray, and Warde ; Miss Murray, Miss L.
Laidlaw, and Miss Lydia Thompson.
To be preceded by the new Comedietta, entitled COUSIN
TOM.
And followed by A CHARMING PAIR. Mr. Roxby, Mrs
Marston, and Miss Jones.

NEW THE ATRE-R0 YAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Ml'. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, HOW TO PAY THE RENT. Mr. C.
Stephenson, Miss K. Kelly.
After which at Eight o'clock, a new drama, entitled THE
HAUNTED MAN; OR, T E GHOST'S BARGAIN, in
which will be exhibited Professor Pepper's adaptat!on of
the Great Spectral Illusion. Messrs. J. L. Toole, R. Phi. lips,
Steart, Billing,ton, C. J. Smith; Mrs. A ltred Mellon and Miss
H. Simms.

Followed by a new Burlesque, ent'lled ILL-TREATED
IL TROVATORE. Mt ssrs. Toole. P. Bedford, R. Phillips,
Xburne, C. J. Smith, Romer ; the Sisters Nelson, Carry and
Sara, and Miss K. Kelly.

Commence at 7.

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
1 Containing' the Latest SPORTING ECTELLIGENCE,
can be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

The Weather—Sun Office, June 22, 1863.

THERMOMETER.

This morning ..
This day at Two o'clock 72
Barometer-30.07.
Wind—S.-W. ; light and fine, but cloudy.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tins DAY.—Morning, sh, 40m.—Afternoon, sh. 59m.
To-gox.Row.-Morning, 6h. 20m.—Afternoon, 6h. 40m.