The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-01 00:00:00

" Flag officer Foote attacked the rebel position at
Island No. 10, in the Mississippi River, between
Hickraann and New Madrid, on Sunday, and at the
date of the last despatches received from Cairo (four
p.m. on Sunday), the fight was still progressing.
The flotilla left Cairo at 5.30 in the morning, and
at nine o'clock rounded to about three miles above
the island and prepared for action. The rebel posi-
tion was found to be a very strong one, with a large
number of guns mounted, and in addition a float-
ing battery and several gunboats. A battery above
the island was first shelled by the mortar-boats,
and the enemy were compelled to leave it several
times, but returned to it again. Shells could be
thrown into the fortifications on the island easily,
and the place would, doubtless, soon be rendered un-
tenable. The rebels, however, would most likely
make a desperate fight, from the fact that General
Pope was below them at New Madrid in full com-
mand of the river, with heavy artillery, and in pos-
session of the fortifications deserted by the rebels on
Thursday night. The rebel force was estimated at
from 15,000 to 20,000 men.
" The late successes of the Federal forces in the
South has rendered n - '
including South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida. Major-General Hunter has
been assigned to its command, with his headquarters
at Beaufort.

" Under the recent order prohibiting the publica-
tion of war news calculated to give information to
the enemy, issued by Secretary Stanton, the print-
ing office of the Washington Sunday Gkronicle was
yesterday seized, and its editor placed under arrest,
by order of the military governor of the district.
On being brought before tits authorities, however,
the editor explained that the prohibited news for
the publication of which he was arrested crept into
the paper without his knowledge, and he was
allowed to go on giving assurance that no such cir-
cumstance should again occur.
" The Senate yesterday took final action on the
Supplementary Treasury Bill by concurring in the
amendments as agreed to in committee of conference
on Friday. The house had previously concurred,
aitd the bill now goes to the President for his ap-
proval. It authorises the Secretary to pay out his
twelvemonths 6 per cent. certificates to the public
creditors, to purchase coin to pay the public interest
when required with any of the bonds of the Govern-
ment now authorised by law to be issued, or with
the United States notes, and to receive on deposit,
at not over 5 per cent. interest, any part of
50,000,000 dots., in place of 25,000,000 dots., as in
the Act of Feb. 5.

" Our advice; from Winchester render it proba-
ble that the rebel army under Jackson has not
stopped at Strasburg, as at first supposed, but has
continued its retreat up the Valley of Shenandoah,
in the direction of Harrisonburg and Staunton, from
which latter point Jackson doubtless intends to
make his way by railroad to Gordonsville, less than
30 miles distant.

" Telegraphic communication between Fortress
Monroe and Washington has not yet been restored,
and our latest advices from that point are conse-
quently only to Sunday afternoon. At that time
everything was quiet. The steamer Suwannee had
arrived from Roanoke Island and Hatteras Inlet
with mails and passengers, but brought no intelli-
gence of importance, at least none which is divulged.
" General Fremont yesterday had an interview
with the President, to settle the preliminaries to
taking command of the Mountain Department, for
which he will start as soon as possible. His staff
will be determined upon at an early day.

" Letters from Cumberland Ford as late as March
6, make it certain that the rebels were in possession
of the Gap at that date. They had been reinforced
by seven regiments. Colonel Carter, in command
of the national forces, w rites, under date of March 6 :
The proclamation of I. G: Harris, rebel Gover-
nor of Tennessee, drafting everybody, has caused a
tremendous influx of East Tennessee Union men
anxious to enlist. Over 800 men arrived in camp
yesterday, and large numbers aro arriving every
day., 7,