The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-13 00:00:00

AMERICA

QuEENsTowN, Sunday.

The Royal Mail steamship Europa, from Boston
on the Ist and Halifax on the 3d inst,, arrived
here at 4.15 p.m. to-day. She brings 65 passengers
and 363,900 dols. in specie. The Europa landed
her mails and passengers, and proceeded at 4.40
p.m. for Liverpool. All well.
NEW YORK, March 31, Evening.

Federal accounts from New Orleans state that
the movement by Gen. Banks upon Port Hudson
was not intended as the prelude to a direct assault
upon that stronghold, but was merely meant to
divert the attention of the Confederates whilst Com-
modore Farragut's fleet attempted to pass the bat-
teries and gain the control of the Mississippi be-
tween Port Hudson and Vicksburg, as well as of the
Red River and the region from which the Confede-
rates in the Mississippi Valley obtained their sup-

plies.
General Banks's movement, however, failed ma-
terially to divert the attention of the Confederates,
as Commodore Farragut's fleet attempted to pass
the batteries just before dark on the evening of the
14th, but only two of his vessels succeeded in safely
effecting the passage.
The Hartford, with Commodore Farragut on
board, accompanied by the Albatross, advanced to
the attack, followed by five other steamers, and
attempted the passage. The Port Hudson batteries
then opened upon them, and a terrific engagement
ensued, lasting from 10 o'clock on Saturday night
until daybreak on Sunday. The flagship Hartford
and the Albatross passed safely. All the other ves-
sels were driven back, except the steamer Missis-
sippi, which grounded immediately opposite Port
Hudson, and was blown up by order of her com-
mander. Sixty of her crew were killed or missing.
Upon the other vessels ten men, including Com-
mander Cumming, were killed, and 30 wounded.

Gen. Banks's movement consisted of advancing
with his army to Springfield, within seven miles of
Port Hudson, whence he sent out reconnoitring
parties, who returned after slight skirmishing.
After remaining one night at Springfield, the army
returned to Baton Rouge. There was no general
engagement, and only one or two casualties.
After his return to Baton Rouge General Banks
issued an order stating that the object of the ad-
vance was accomplished, and that the expedition
was an entire success,
The expedition from New Orleans up the Teche
was abandoned, as all the troops were required to
co-operate with Banks.
Negro troops had arrived at Baton Rouge, caus-
ing some excitement, but they were sent to throw
up entrenchments outside the city.
The Southern sympathisers in New Orleans ex-
pect an early Confederate attack upon Baton Rouge.
The Hartford and the Albatross are cruising at
the mouth of the Red River to cut off the Confe-
derate supplies.
The Navy Department has received a report from
Commodore Farragut that he saw the wreck of the
steamer Indianola ten miles above Grand Gulf, She
was much shattered by the explosion.
Federal accounts from Memphis assert that a
large force, under General Sherman, has reached
Yazoo River safely through the Sunflower River,
and landed above Haines Bluff, a mile and a quarter
from the Confederate fortifications. Southern re-
ports state, however, that the Federals, whilst at-
tempting to flank Haines Bluff, were repulsed at
the junction of Deep Creek and the Sunflower
River, three of their gunboats were destroyed, and
the remainder driven back. Attempts were mak-
ing to cut off their retreat. It is impossible to say
which account is true.

Southern reports state that the Fed6rals, with
reinforcements, have again advanced upon the Ye zoo
River, and that the Confederates are making every
effort to repulse them.
The Confederate General Pemberton officially
reports that two Federal gunboats attempted to
run down the Mississippi past the Vicksburg bat•
teries, and that one was sunk with all on board,
and the other disabled.

Mobile despatches assert that the Fedcrals have
evacuated Pensacola, and now occupy only the
Navy Yard and the Forts of Barrancas and Hya-
cinth. The garrison of the town was sent to rein-
force General Banks.

All the Federal Monitors, with several gunboats,
left Hilton Head on the 25th. Troops are also re•
ported to have embarked upon the transports. The
steamer Ericsson has arrived with a machine to
clear the channels of torpedoes.
The Confederates at Charleston have refitted the
steamer Isaec Smith, lately captured, and it was
reported that General Beauregard had made a de-
mand for the delivery of the steamers Mereedita
and Keystone State, which he alleges surrendered
during the late raid of the Confederates against the
blockading squadron.
The steamer Antonica entered Charleston on the
17th inst.
Cincinnati despatches assert that the Confederate
invasion of Kentucky w.as a failure.
Fifteen thousand Federals were at Savannah,
Tennessee, and the Federals also occupied Granada.
General Grant's army was surrounding Vicks-
burg.
The Federals have reoccupied Danville, Ken-

tucky.
Frankfort and Lexington, Kentucky, are under
martial law.
The Confederates are concentrated at Tullahoma,
ftnnessee. A portion of them have made a diver-
sion into Eist Tennessee, hoping to draw away some
of General Rosecranz's forces.
General Van Dorn, with eight thousand cavalry,
moved to strike Cumberland river below Clarkes-
ville, and intercept the navigation.
The Confederates have attacked Williamsburg,
Virginia, and were repulsed. They also attacked
Wingfield, North Carolina, but were unsuccessful.

The condition of General Hooker's army is re-
ported much improved.
The Confederates have made a cavalry raid, and
have captured eight Federals on the roads between
Dumfries and Occoquan.

The Federals have made an expedition toNorthern
Neck, and have captured some supplies.
Rumours are still rife of the removal of the Con.

federate M Government from Richmond ; but the
strength of the Confederate army fronting General
Hooker is said not to be diminished, Some Confe•
derates remain in the Shenandoah Valley collecting
supplies.
The Governor of Georgia, in view of the ecarcity
of provisions, recommends the restriction of cotton
planting.
The steamer Bio Bio has been burnt at her wharf
at New Orleans. The destruction of the steamer
bee
Georgina by the Federals at Charleston has
confirmed. The steamer Granite, captured o;
Eleuthera, Bahamas, has arrived at New
York.

Aril 2 (Evening).
advanced within miles
The Confederates NEwhaY:t • • 19
of Murfreesboro, Tennesse
ee. .s
I generally un-
The news fromiell_ierale.
Inquirer asserts that General
favourable
he
pht tie° dt:hipe h:
send
dainthste Portland
nt. anotherwhich
movement
was
to
Banks 11" made
Egi.cuet.7l:o
past
thepoorbtj eHudson, to assist Commodore Far-
One Federal brigade started in four transports,
but the Confederates had cut the levee at the bend
of the river, and the transports grounded, and were
with difficulty got off. Some troops landed seven
miles below Port Hudson, but the Confederates
again cut the levee, compelling the troops to re-
embark, and the attempt was then abandoned.
General Sharman's expedition to the rear of
Haines Bluff, by way of Sunflower River, is re-
ported to have proved a failure, and the expedition
has returned toYoung's Point. Obstructions in the
river, and sharpshooters along the shores, rendered
an advance impra3ticable.
A conflicting report that General Sherman was
in
eprnopssheis vi
ssiontaoeftt li.n.aines Bluff was published by the
There
Fort Pemberton.isnothingdefinite from the exp
against edition
The reported sinking of one Federal steamer,

and the disabling of another, by the Vicksburg h

teries, is confirmed.
At the Grand Gulf the steamers Hartford and
Albatross have encountered formidable batteries,
and both have received some damage.
The Federal General Gilmore officially reports
from Somerset, Kentucky, March 31, that he en-
countered a force of 2,600 Confederates, under Gen.
Pegram, and that they out-numbered him two to
one, but he attacked them, and after five hours
fighting, drove them in confusion across into Cum-
berland. He intimates that the Confederates suf-
fered a loss of 500, including 400 prisoners, whilo
that of the Federals was 30.
The Confederates have made a raid into Williams-
burg, Virginia. They left, after driving a small
Federal force out of the town.

The Confederates, 20,000 strong, are since re-
ported in front of Williamsburg, threatening an
immediate
reports
teattack,
Vague
continue to be received of an in-
tended evacuation of Richmond.
Considerable excitement exists at San Francisco
from the report of a threatened demonstration by a
I body of Secessionists to capture the Mare Island
Navy Yard and the Venetia Arsenal. No danger
is, however, apprehended, as the number of the Se-
cessionists is but small. The entire Republican
Union ticket for the Governor, members for Con-
gress, and the Legislature has been elected in Rhode
Island.
President Lincoln has appointed the 30th of April
as a day of fasting and prayer.
The New York Legislature has passed a bill pro-
viding that only foreign creditors should receive in-
terest ou the State debt in coin ; others will be paid

in currency.
The Republican journals denounce Lord Lyons'
official correspondence as showing his sympathies
with the Secession party.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, March 31, Evening.
Money easy. Gold has taken a strong up ward
turn yesterday and to-day, and is now quotcd 491
per cent. premium. The rise in gold has caused all
other markets to advance. Exchange on London,
bankers' bills, 164. Stocks improving; New York
Centrals, 113 k; Illinois, 89; Erie, 761.
A statement published by the Erie Railroad Com-
pany for the three months ending March shows
that, after paying the interest on the moz tgage debt
and preferred stock, as well as all working and other
expenses, there is a balance of 311,000 dols., which
is equal to 1,200,000 dols. per annum, applicable for
the dividend on the common stock.
NEW YORK, April 1, Evening.

Money easy. Gold was much excited all day,
with a strong upward tendency. The last quotation
was 591 per cent premium.
NEW YORK, April 2,Evening.
Money easy. The price of gold is fluctuating
violently, it advanced 9 per cent. yesterday, and
fell about 6 per cent. to-day, closing at 54 per cent.
premium. Exchange on London, bankers' bills, 170.
Stocks heavy; New York Central, 1121 ; Illinois,
89,1 ; Erie, 761. Cotton quiet ; middling Upland,
75c. Flour dull. Wheat and corn quiet. Provi-
sions quiet. Coffee steady. Sugar improving. Mo-
lasses quiet.

MEXICO.

NEW YORK, March 31 (Evening).

The New York papers publish news from the city
of Mexico, via San Francisco, to the 10th inst.:—
" The French, with three months' provisions,
have advanced within eight miles of Puebla. Some
skirmishing has occurred. The Mexicans arc daily
expecting an attack."
NEw YORK, April 2 (Evening).

The New York papers say—" It is reported from
Mexico, via Havana, that no operations against
Puebla have taken place up to the 19th of March.
The French have captured Bamons."