The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-13 00:00:00

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, AUG. 1 (Evening).
(Per North America, via Quebec and Londonderry.)
The present position of General M'Clellan's army
is said to be good for defence, but neither favour-
able for offensive purposes nor for a retreat.
The Confederates maintain their lines south of
the Cbickahoukiny, in M'Clellan's rear, and are
massing bodies of troops on the opposite side of
James River. They also hold the line of the river
between the Federals and Richmond, and have
erected strong batteries on both sides of the river,
which they likewise hold for some distance below
General M'Clellan's position.

General Jackson is reported to be preparing to
attack General M'Clellan or Pope, but nothing defi-
nite can be ascertained of their movements.
The Confederates opened fire on the 31st ult. with
light artillery, from the opposite bank of the James
River, on the Federal mail-boats and shipping and
the encampment near Harrison's Landing, killing
and wounding several Federals. The Federal bat-
teries replied, and silenced the Confederates.

Seven vessels of Porter's mortar fleet have arrived
at Hampton Roads, and five more are expected.
It is supposed that they will be employed to re-
duce Fort Darling.
A new Merrimac and another ram, built at Rich-
mond, have appeared in the James River, and come
down as far as the Turkey Bend. The Federal gun-
boats took up a position in line of battle, but no
engagement ensued.

General Pope has advanced to beyond Warren-
town. His army is said to be very strong in num-
bers. The Confederates are reported in heavy force
at Gordonsville.

They have several rams and steamers up the
Yazoo River, and have erected batteries to prevent
the ascent of any hostile force.

It is reported from Cairo that 10 iron-clad gun-
boats, purchased by the Confederates in England,
have forcibly broken the Mobile blockade, and that
Mobile is now open. The report is not credited, but
nevertheless causes immense excitement.

The Governor of Kentucky has convened the
Legislature to consider the military situation in
Kentucky, as also the late action of the Confede-
rates (?) touching slavery, and to provide for the
safety of Kentucky institutions.
Guerilla conflicts are active all over the Border
States.

It is generally supposed that drafting will com-
mence in the State of New York in the middle of
August.
Several persons have been arrested in the streets
of New York for speaking unfavourably of war, and
declaring that they could not suffer drafting.
The news of the withdrawal of Mr. Lindsay's
motion for intervention in the English House of
Commons was favourably received here.
Great sickness prevails on board the Federal
fleet before Vicksburg. More than half the crews
are unfit for duty. It is rumoured that the fleet
will return to Memphis.

TURIN, AUG. 13.

A circular issued by the Emancipation Society
of Genoa, provocative of civil war, has been seized.
The Discussione of to-day publishes intelligence
from Palermo, stating that the embarkation of
Garibaldians who intended to pass through the
Straits of Messina had been prevented by cruisers.
The official Gazette contains despatches from
Palermo, stating that the public mind in that
island continued tranquil_

Demonstrations had been made in some dis
tricts, but were not favoured by the population.
The troops which were arriving at Palermo
were well received.

The royal troops who marched through the
streets after the failure of the attempted demons-
tration in that city were loudly cheered.

NAPLES, AUG. 12.

A demonstration has taken place in the Via To-
ledo, at which cries were raised of " Rome or
death!" " Garibaldi for ever !" The crowd dispersed
upon being warned by the police.

REGGIO, AUG. 12.
The royal princes have arrived here, and were
enthusiastically received.

CATANIA, AUG. 12.

The municipality of this town, the working men's
associations, and many of the leading citizens have
sent a deputation to Garibaldi declaring that Cata-
nia desired to remain faithful to the constitution of
the monarchy, and that if Garibaldi entertained
other sentiments than these he would not find a
party favourable to his views in Catania.
TURIN, AUG. 12, Evening.
In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the bill was
agreed to, granting the concession for constructing
railways in the Island of Sardinia to the firm of
Semenza in London.

The Chamber also approved the works for the
improvement of the port of Ancona, and granted a
subsidy for instituting experiments upon the inven-
tion of Signor Agulio for ascending the gradients
of railways with ordinary trains.

ST. NAZAIRE, AUG. 12.
The mail steamer Florida, from Vera Cruz, on
the 15th ult., arrived here to-day.
The sanatory condition of Mexico, the Havana,
and Martinique was good.

PARIS, AUG. 12.

The papers of this evening publish intelligence
from Orizaba, stating that the French troops had
repulsed several attacks.

The P► esse says that an Italian squadron has
been ordered to concentrate at Ancona for the pur-
pose of watching the shores of the Adriatic.