The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-18 00:00:00

Scientific Balloon Ascent.

Coxwell's balloon started with Mr. Glaisher and
his assistant from the Crystal Palace grounds at a
quarter past one o'clock this day (Saturday), the
direction taken being south by east. The balloon
immediately attained a great altitude, when its
direction seemed then to change.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE,

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.

FAILURE OF THE YA ZOO AND T ALLA-
HATCHIE EXPEDITION.
CAPTURE OF THE CONFEDERATE GUN-

BOAT VICKSBURG.

NEW YORK, APRIL 5, EVENING.

A severe gale and snow storm prevailed on the
Rappahanock yesterday. There is nothing new
transpiring there, Generals H4mpton and Fitzhugh
Lee, are said to be at Culpepper with a Confederate
force of 2,500 men.

The news from Vicksburg is Lot encouraging.
The movement on Haine's Bluff proved a failure,
and the Federal fleet and transports had returned
to Young's point.
General Grant had succeeded in placing a bat-
tery of 84-pounder Parrott's beyond the levee, in
a position to easily reach Vicksburg, and was
about to open the bombardment on the 27th when
it was postponed in consequence of a storm.
The attack on Fort Pemberton recommenced on
the 27th by the gunboats Baron Dekalib and Chil-
licothe. The result is not known.
Indications point to the abandonment of the
Yazoo Pass expedition. A fleet of 12 transports,
just out of the Pass, were ordered to return empty.
There are 300 boats now at Young's Point.

A despatch from Cairo, of the 4tb, says the water
still continues to pour the "Cut" at Lake Provi-
dence, nearly all the town is submerged.
The troops have been compelled to move their
encampments further up the river. The health
of the troops is good, but the "buffalo gnats" are
said to be killing large numbers of the Government
horses.

It is now believed that all tho expeditions, in-
cluding the one down the Yazoo Pass, have returned
to Young's Point.
The bulletin says that the Federal battery oppo-
site Vicksburg has silenced a rebel battery on the
opposite shore.

A St. Louis despatch says that the rebels have
withdrawn a large Dart of their force from thefront
to the rear of Vicksburg, anticipating that the Fe •
derals will attack them via Yazoo Pass, or Haines
Bluff. Yazoo City and Greenwood have been
strengthened by the rebels, who have moved their
guns from the river front to the rear of Vicksburg.
During the high wind the rebel gunboat Vicks-
burg broke from her moorings, floated down the
stream, and was captured by Farragut's vessel.
Despatches from General Curtis, St. Louis, state
that a band of rebel guerillas captured the boats
Murdock and Sam Catty, and that Colonel King
pursued the enemy, and, after two engagements,
completely routed them. _

The Federal forces succeeded in breaking up a
rebel camp, with 600 men, near Woodburg, on the
Ist inst. The rebels were dispersed and fled over
the hills. A number were killed and wounded, 30
were captured, together with 50 horses, a number of
mules, 4 waggons, and the rebel camp.
The enemy are gathering in large force on the
Tennessee River above Florence, and are building
floats to cross the river, with a view probably to
reinforce the enemy at Vicksburg.
It is understood that no further efforts will be
made to raise negro regiments in the free States.
A mass convention of the Union Leagues of New
Jersey will be held in Trenton on the 16th inst.
No business of importance was transacted in either
branch of the Legislature yesterday. Both houses
adjourned early in the day.
Gold was not very active yesterday, but was
firmer, selling up to 155, and closing at 155 bid.
Stocks were generally better, with some irregularity
in the movement, Exchange was about 170 at the
close. Money was extremely easy-5 to 6 per cent.
for call loans.

SOUTHAMPTON, APRIL 18.

The Hamburg and American Company's steam-
ship Saxonia, Captain Ehers, has arrived off Cowes
on her way to Hamburg. She left New York at 6
2.m. on the morning of the 6th inst. She brings
12 passengers for Southampton, 28 for Havre, and
103 for Hamburg. On freight she has specie-
-114,000 dols. for England, 13,000 dols. for France,
and 4,655 dols. for Havre. She encountered severe
weather the first three days of her passage, and in
lat. 43.39 N., long. 48.18 W,, saw several large
icebergs.

SPAIN.
THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.

MADRID, APRIL 17 (Evening).

In to-day's sitting of the Congress the debate
upon the Ministerial programme was resumed.
General Concha stated that the Ministry de
clined to submit to tutelage from any quarter,
but will accept the support of all parties.

The Ministry has resolved to submit the Budget
to the discussion of the Chambers.

THE RUSSIAN AMNESTY.
WARSAW, APRIL 16.

The text of the Imperial decree, granting an
amnesty, has been officially published here. It is
not in conformity with the text given by the St.
Petersburg journals.
The amnesty is to be extended to those only who
have been drawn into the movement, so that the
leaders are excluded.

DEPARTURE OF THE SULTAN FROM
ALEXANDRIA.
ALEXANDRIA, APRIL 17, Evening.
The Sultan left here to•day at 3 p.m. on his re-
turn to Constantinople.
Ismail Pucha retrained on board the Imperial
yacht till the last morning, and the parting was
most cordial.