The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-27 00:00:00

mouth of the Warwick, and the other about south-
west from. Mulberry Point.
" The upper battery on Hardin's or Mother
Linee's Bluff has heavy rifled pieces. Between the
batteries lay the Jamestown and Yorktown.
" Commander Rogers offered battle, but the gun-
boats moved off. He silenced one battery and ran
past the other.
" G. B. MCLELLAN, Major-Gen. Commanding.
" Hon. E. M. Stanton."

On the 7th a somewhat severe engagement took
place near West Point, between the Federals under
Gen. Franklin, and the Confederates under Lee and
Magruder, the latter attempting to drive back the
enemy. The conflict raged with varied success, until
the fire of the Federal artillery caused the Confede-
rates to retire.

Advices from Cairo contain the following intelli-
gence from Corinth :
" The steamers Courier and City of Alton arrived
this afternoon from Pittsburg Landing, with news
to noon of Saturday, up to which time no general
engagement had taken place. On Thursday, the 2d,
a battalion of the 7th Illinois Cavalry, under com-
mand of Major Applington, accompanied General
Paine from Farmington on a reconnaissance of the
enemy's position. When about two miles out the
scouts, who had been sent in advance, came back,
and reported a force of rebel infantry in ambush in
the woods on both sides of the road leading from
Farmington to Corinth. After a cOnsultation the
Federal forces advanced for the purpose of ascer-
taining the rebel strength, and were surrounded,
but cut their way through the rebels, who had
formed on tke road, and made their way back to
camp, bringing off the body of a major, who was
killed. Four of them were wounded. A deserter
who came in subsequently says the rebels lost 49
killed, wounded, and missing, of whom a lieutenant-
colonel and captain were killed. On Friday the rebel
Gen. Bragg's division attacked Gen. Paine's divi-
sion, in position two miles beyond Farmington. A
sharp engagement followed, our men fighting
bravely, and made several bayonet charges on the
enemy, who were repulsed with great slaughter.
Large reinforcements of rebels having arrived, our
troops returned to Farmington. We lost nearly 200
in killed, wounded, and missing. No particulars
are received.".

" Monterey, May 10.

" Deserters from the Louisiana regiment, who
were in the skirmish yesterday, have just arrived.
The force of the rebels was 55,000 strong, under
Bragg, Van Dorn, Hardee, and Price, with 30 pieces
of artillery. Their purpose was to overwhelm and
drive our left into the Tennessee. Their loss was
very heavy both in officers and men. Oar loss was
30 killed and about 70 wounded. All is quiet in
front. The weather is pleasant, and our army is
pushing ahead slowly."
" Pittsburg Landing, May it
"The following has just been received at the head
quarters of the army of the Mississippi :
" Near Farmington, May 9, p.m.

" To Major-General Halleck—The enemy, 20,000
strong, drove in our pickets beyond Farmington,
and advanced upon the brigade occupying the other
side of the creek in front of the camp. The brigade
held on for five hours, until finding them heavily
pressed in front and on the flank, and that I could
not sustain them without passing the creek with my
whole force, which would have been contrary to
your orders, and would have drawn on a general
engagement, I withdrew them to this side in good
order. The conduct of the troops was excellent, and
the withdrawal was made by them very reluctantly.
The enemy made a demonstration to cross, but
abandoned the movement. Our loss is considerable,
though I cannot tell how great. The enemy, being
much exposed, suffered very severely—one of his
batteries being completely disabled, and his infantry
line having been driven back several miles. My
command are eager for the advance.
" JOHN POPE, Major-General."
The following is a special from Cairo to the
Times :

" The steamer Meteor, from Pittsburg Landing,
Sunday morning, has arrived here. There has
been no general engagement, although the situation
of the two armies is much more threatening than
at any previous time. There had been several severe
skirmishes, which, 'without producing any change,
served to show the intention of the contesting
forces. It was definitely ascertained that, so far
front the reports of the evacuation being true, the
enemy is strengthening all his defence for the defeat
of our army. Instead of abandoning his own en-
trenchments, an innumerable force of negroes was
at work felling trees, forming abattis, and strength-
ening earthworks. It is now known that Lovell
reached Corinth with an army of 30,000 men. It
can no longer be a matter of doubt that Beauregard
is preparing hie army for a desperate struggle. Our
reconnoitring parties invariably meet the enemy,
go where they will, on hills, in the woods, and along
the roads. The rebels seem present in everwhelm-
ing strength. Preparations for battle are being
made on a grand scale. Roads are cut through the
woods to facilitate the movements of the different
divisions. Siege guns are mounted in great num-
bers, and nothing is wanting on our part to win the
contest."

The following is a despatch from Gen. Halleck :
gg Monerey, Tennessee, May 10.

" To lion. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

" The enemy yesterday at tacked Gen. Pope's out-
post near Farmington, and drove it back on its main
line, which was in position to receive an attack,
but the enemy, after a short skirmish in front, re-
treated to Corinth. Deserters this morning report
heavy losses. Gen. Pope's loss is not yet ascertained.
"H. W. HALLECK, Major-Gen. Commanding."

Advices from Pensacola to the 24th ult. report
that the place was still in possession of the Confe-
derates. General Arnold was awaiting the arrival
of some Federal gunboats to attack the place.

From the Mountain Department we learn that
on the 7th skirmishing on a somewhat extended
scale took place between the Federal forces, under
Generals Milroy and Schenck, and the Confederates,
under Generals Johnson, Jackson, and Ewell. A
body of organised guerillas had been driven out of
Parkersburgh.

An official report, dated the 10th of May, from
the flagship Benton, above Fort Pillow, Mississippi
River, states that the naval engagement for which
the Confederates had been preparing took place that
morning. The Confederate fleet, consisting of eight
iron-clad gunboats, four of which were fitted with
rams, came up handsomely. The action lasted one
hour. Two of the Confederate gunboats were blown
up and one sunk, when the enemy retired precipi-
tately under the guns of the fort. Only six vessels
of the Federal squadron were engaged. The Cin-
cinnati sustained some injury from the rams, but
would be in fighting condition it was expected next
day. Capt. Stemble distinguished himself, and was
seriously wounded. The Benton was uninjured.
Mortarboat No. 16, in charge of Second Master
Gregory, behaved with great spirit. The Confede-
rate squadron was supposed to be commanded by
Commodore Itcliins.

A refugee from Memphis, who had arrived at
Cairo, reported that the Provost Marshal com-
menced burning the cotton about the 7th, and that
most of the sugar and molasses had been thrown
into the river. An unofficial account of the en-
gagement at Fort Pillow says :
" The desperation of the rebel cause in the Mis-
sissippi culminated yesterday in an attack on the
flotilla. Early on Saturday morning eight of their
gunboats came round the point above the fort and
boldly attacked our fleet, The Cincinnati, which
was stationed at the point where the rebels came
up to on
Friday, did not attract them until the fleet
had passed above her. As soon as she was seen a
simultaneous attack from the whole of their gun-
boats was made upon her, but with little effect, as
the guns were poorly aimed. The Cincinnati in the
meantimohad hauled into the stream, when an iron
clad ram,
supposed to be the Mallory, advanced in
the face of the continued broadsides from the
former until within 40 yards, and being a faster
sxeceeded in mooring between the Cincin-
nati and their right hand, when men appeared upon
her decks preparing to board, with 'grapnels
thrown out, which design was frustrated by throw-
ing hot water from the steam batteries of the
Cincinnati. In the meantime, the rest of our gun- I

boats had arrived on the scene of action and engaged
the rebel fleet. •owded
" The Mallory, undaunted by her failure,
Cm-
on a full head of steam, and came towards the
cinnati, evidently intending to run her down. C.apt-
Stembel, in command of the latter, waited until ,the
rebel monster was within 20 yards, when he
a broadside into her from L:l5 Parrot guns Which
did fearful execution. The two brats were so close
together by this time that it was ilnyossib_le for the
gunners of the Cincinnati to swab 0.'..1t
the gums,
and it was only by bringing the steam bt: tteries t o
play upon her again that the Mallory was coml. elled
to haul off. Capt. Stembel shot her pilot with h..'s
revolver, and was himself wounded by a pistol.sbot
fired by the pilot's mate of the Mallory. While
the engagement between the Mallory and the Cin-
cinnati was in progress, our shots exploded the
boilers of one of the rebel gunboats and set fire to
another, burning her to the water's edge. The air
was very heavy, and under cover of the dense smoke
which hung over the river the rebel fleet retired,
but were pursued until they gained shelter under
the guns of Fort Wright. None of our boats were
injured except the Cincinnati. The damage to her
is so slight that she can be repaired in 24 hours.
Four men were wounded on her, including the
master's mate. No other casualties ate mentioned.
When the smoke cleared away, a broadside from
the flagship Benton was sent after the Mallory, and
shortly after she was seen to careen, and went down
with all on board."

" CAIRO, May 13.—Hon. Gideon Welles, Secre-
tary of the Navy.—News from the fleet is just re-
ceived. The Mound City was injured on the star-
board bow by a ram, and is now on her way to Cairo
for repairs. The Cincinnati was injured on her star-
board bow, and sunk in 12 feet of water.
" She will be raised and sent here for repairs,
which will be done with all possible despatch. Com-
mander Stembel is here at the Naval Depot, doing
well. Fourth Master Reynolds, of the Cincinnati,
was mortally wounded. Two of the Cincinnat's
crew were slightly wounded. There were no other
casualties. Commander Stembal fought his ship
splendidly.

" A. W. PENN OCK,
" Commanding and Fleet Captain."

From New Orleans we lave important advices.
The Federal pickets had been extended as far as the
crossing of the Jefferson and Jackson Railroads.
Gunboats had been despatched to Baton Rouge.
All the newspapers were still published, though a
Federal censor was placed over every office, to ex-
amine all matters and exclude whatever may prove
inimical to the Federal cause. A proclamation of
General Butler was handed into all the offices and
refused publication. When the guard came to the
True Delta office and were refused, they took pos-
session, sent for Northern printers, set it up, and
worked it off in the edition.

President Davis had issued the following pro-
clamation :

"BY THE PRESIDENT.

"To THE PEOPLE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF

AMERICA.

"An enemy, waging war in a manner violative
of the usages of civilized nations, has invaded our
country. With presumptuous reliance on superior
numbers, he has declared his purpose to reduce us
to submission. We struggle to preserve our birth-
right of constitutional freedom. Our trust is in
the justice of our cause and the protection of our
God.

" Recent disaster has spread gloom over the land,
and sorrow sits at the hearthstones of our country-
men : but a people conscious of rectitude and faith-
fully relying on their Father in Heaven may be
cast down, but cannot be dismayed. They may
mourn the loss of the martyrs whose lives have been
sacrificed in their defence, but they receive this
dispensation of Divine Providence with humble
submission and reverent faith. And now that our
hosts are again going forth to battle, and loving
hearts at home are filled with anxious solicitude for
their safety, it is meet that the whole people should
turn imploringly to their Almighty Father and be-
seech His all-powerful protection.
" To this end, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, Pre-
sident of the Confederate States of America, do
issue my proclamation, inviting all the people to
unite at their several places of worship on Friday,
the 16th day of the present month of May, in
humble supplication to Almighty God that He will
vouchsafe His blessings on our beloved country;
that he will strengthen and protect our armies ;
that Ho will watch over and protect our people
from the machinations of their enemies; and that
He will, in His own good time, restore to us the
blessings of peace and security under his sheltering
care.

" Given under my hand, and the seal of the Con-
federate States, at Richmond, on the 3d day of
May, A.D., 1862.

" JEFFERSON DAVIS."

TUE MURDERS AT MA J 7 CHESTER.

Taylor and his wife, who are charged with the
murder of the late Mr. Evan Mailer and of the three
children of the male prisoner, at Manchester, were
brought before the magistrates again on remand
yesterday. An immense crowd of people clamoured
about the doors of the Court-house for admission
long after it had been filled, and the excitement
arising out of the desire to get a sight of the mur-
derers was intense. Mr. Ellison presided as chair-
man of the bench of magistrates, of whom a consi-
derable number were present. Mr. Austin, assistant
town clerk, who was present by request of Captain
Palin, suggested that the evidence of Mr. Hudson,
analytical chymist, and of the surgeons, should be
reserved till Prof. Taylor could be present.
Mr. Pope was present as counsel for the prisoner.
One of the most singular features about the pro-
ceedings, as far as the public was concerned, was to
see many hundreds of people enduring all the heat
and crush of the court for hours, in places where
there was not the slightest chance of seeing the
prisoners, or of hearing the proceedings.
Sergeant Bateman, having been sworn, produced
a quantity of children's clothing, which had been
found in pawn, belonging to the prisoners.
John Maclean, sheriff's officer, who made the last
distraint on the prisoners, proved that considerable
damage had since been done to the fittings of the
house. In cross-examination he said he went with
the execution on the 30th April, and Taylor ejected
him. Ho then broke open an outside, and an inside
door. Taylor opposed the execution on the ground
that he had a claim for compensation, arising out of
the boiler explosion in his house. Witness and his
assistants stripped the house of everything except a
chair and some food.

John Galloway Meller was the next witness. He
appeared to be rather faint, and was accommodated
with a chair. He kept his face averted from the
prisoners. He said—l am the son of Mr. Meller,
and was his partner. lam not aware of any differ-
ence between my father and the prisoners, except as
to business. We never got any rent from the pri-
soners. The male prisoner had Always complained
that no compensation had been allowed him after
the boiler explosion. In leaving the office he always
used to mutter something which we could never
catch. I never heard any distinct threats.

Cross-examined by Mr. Pope—The prisoners
agreed upon terms with us on Ist Oct., 1861, as to
tenancy of the house in Britannia-buildings. Taylor
then paid us 10 guineas for the fixtures, after a
great deal of bargaining. He paid it on the 2d Oc-
tober. The rent was payable quarterly, not in ad-
vance. Shortly after he had been a tenant of the
house, he called to complain of the river having
flooded the cellars during an overflow up the sewers.
[Mr. Pope—Did he call many times P] He called
once about that. I remember the explosion of the
kitchen boiler. On Dec. 20th he called to complain
that the water-pipes in the kitchen leaked. I have
looked at the call book, but I remember the date
distinctly, as I have looked at it so many times. I
did not know at the time it was in connection with
the beiler. I sent a clerk at onto to got a plumber to
go down the same afternoon. It was a new clerk, i
and I wanted him to become acquainted with all our
property. They went down, and the pipe was re-
paired. The plumber will state--[Mr. Pope objected
to the statement being given by the witness.] The
prisoner did not call a few days afterwards to say
the pipe was still leaking. He called a few days
after to introduce a new tenant, and, in going out