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

AMERICA.

-s--

NEW YORK, MARCH 20.
(Per Canada, by telegraph to Halifax, and via
Queenstown.)

Athices from Port Royal to the 16th inst. report
that preparations for the reduction of Savannah are
Steadily progressing.
Gen. iturnsid, in his official report of the cap-
ture of Newborn, says :

"By this victory we have captured eight bat-
teries containing 46 heavy guns, three batteries of
light artillery, making in all 64 guns; two steam-
boats, a large quantity of ammunition, rosin, tur-
pentine, and cotton, and over 200 prisoners. The
Federal loss will amount to 91 killed and 466
wolniled, many of them mortally. The rebel loss
was severe, but not so great as the Federal loss,
they being effectually covered by their works."
The report concludes as follows:

" I beg to say to the General Commanding
M'Clellan that I have endeavoured to carry out the
very minute instructions given mo by him before
leaving Annapolis; and thus far events have been
singularly coincident with his anticipations. I
only hope that we may in future be able to carry
out in detail the remaining plans of the campaign.
The only thing I have to regret is the delay caused
by the elements."
The Confederates are reported to have evacuated
the list of the batteries they held on the Lower
Potomac, viz., those at Aequia Creek.

leeconnaissances have been made from General
Sickle's brigade to Fredericksburg. The Confede-
rates were discovered in considerable numbers in
that vicinity. . _ _

Strasburg, lately occupied by the Confederates,
is novv occupied by the advance of General Banks'

corps d' armee.
It has been discovered that the telegraph cable
between Washington and Fort Monroe was cut.
The supposed culprit has been arrested.

Gcnoral Wool has forbidden the crews of steamers
gaing to Norfolk under a flag of truce to receive
Southern newspapers. The Northern press is thus,
for the present, cut off from the usual supply of
Southern journals,
It is reported from Philadelphia, and also from
Fort Monroe, that Yancey, the Etc Confederate
commissioner to England, had been captured in a
schooner running the blockade.
The New Fork Tribune says that the Federal
Government has information that the four steam
rams now building by the Confederates—two at
Mobile and two at New Orleans—are not so for-
midable as the Merrimac.

There is a forwidabla gathering of Federal gun-
boats at Savannah.

The 'Confederates are concentrating in force at
Corinth and Decatur, in Alabama, to the number,
it is supposed, of 40,000.

The New York press is discussing the strategic
importance of the capture of Newborn, and con-
sider that Beaufort and Fort Macon will be com-
pelled to surrender to Burnside's expedition. There
is a railroad about 40 miles long from Newborn to
Beaufort.

The steamer Nashville is at present in Beaufort

harbour.

Tee trade of Newburn was principally in naval
stores, and as the town was only partially damaged,
it is supposed Government will permit the ship-
mutt of naval stores from Newburn. The naval
store market of New York is in consequence un-
settled, and prices are nominal.

The Washington correspondent of the New York
Herald says that information received in Washing-
ton leads to the belief that the Confederates are
forming a line of defence from Fredericksburg to
Gordonsville.

The southern bank of the Rappahannock river is
low at all the fords, whilst the south bank of the
Rapidan is high and defensible.
In falling back to Richmond from this line there
are no large streams to cross, and the right and left
of the situation are connected by a plank road.

Asan outer defence of Richmond-this line is the
one indicated by military strategy, and the Go-
vernment have reasons for believing that it has
been adopted by the Confederates.

The tobacco trade between Louisville and Cum-
berland is reviving. 44 hogsheads of tobacco have
been received at Louisville from Cumberland.

The Assistant-Secretary of the Federal Navy is
now in New York, it is stated, for the purpose of
providing for the immediate construction of four
steamers exactly similar to the Monitor.
The New York :tribune states that the committee
of the Senate had under consideration a proposi-
tion to transfer the appropriation made in the pre-
sent session, amounting to 7,000,000 dole. for forti-
fications, to iron-clad steam-ships.
The Washington correspondent of the New York
Tribune says it is authoritatively stated that the
daily outgoings of the Federal Treasury amount to
4,000,000 dols., and the accounting liabilities of the
several departments to 1,000,000 dole. more.

The army of the Potomac has already cost the
aivernment between two and three hundred mil.

Holm,

An Associated Press Washington despatch says
that diplomatic circles are sensibly disturbed by
authentic news received in Washington from Cuba,
indicating a serious misunderstanding between the
allied Powers in Mexico. A rupture is supposed to
have occurred between the Spanish and French
Legations.

Commodore Foote has eight gun-boats and 10
mortar boats at Island No. 10. His latest official
despatch says :—" Island No. 10 is harder to
conquer . than Columbus, as the island shores are
lincd with forts, each fort cannonading the ono
above it. lam gradually approaching the island,•
but still do not hope for much until the occurrence
of certain events:which promise success. We are
firing day and nig!it on the rebels, and we gain on
them."

The Nashville Banner, discussing President Lin-
coln's emancipation message, says that, while it
professes no unconstitutional action on the part of
the Government with reference to the institution, it
cannot but be regarded as an ill-timed and unne-
cessary, not to say impracticable, suggestion even if
any slave State should accept it, which is itself I
out of the question.

.e The New 3' ork Journal of Commerce says :
"It is natural to expect immediate results from
the rapid progress of our arms in the last few weeks.
But it is well not to be too sanguine. While we
may sometimes feel inclined to believe that over-
tures for peace are not far distant, it is the dictate of
prudence to anticipate very hard fighting, perhaps
eurpauing anything yet experienced. The leaders
of the rebellion have reason to suppose that if de-
feated their lives must pay the forfeit of their
eririmes. With all such failure involves destruction.
They
have therefore every incentive to persist in
their course; and besides these, not a few are unal-
terably committed to the scheme of a Southern
Confederacy. So long as there is a ray of hope they
will pursue this phantom with the frenzy of despair;
and as their ca,ze becomes more desperate we may
expect to meet with
a more determined resistance.
'Therefore, well, the
rebellion may at any time col-
lapse, remember is well toviolent that the death struggle
is sometimes the meet
The same journal in anotc."
Tteartiele says
It can no longer he doubted
13
strong friends in
that,
obia d that America has
cau,t.country, The com-
ity of birth, language,
v ere net forgotten wheus.4)ntis and 'eve of
e. The truth cannot be :ere' i;or will
::‘ois still look to the eoensiene.a.l.ea that
,eith England in the event of the eetZt•nua-
°f
tioo of European designs on Mexico, or in
empted or,
Any foreign • intervention shall be att "se
-res. • But as the anti-American party in
-- weaker, the anti-English senti..
a 1.30 disappear, and the future will
eflle- to both nations a grand career in their mission

bt! lIE

Ill(`fl i f

of peace and liberty to all the world.""
The comments of the English press on the Fort
Ponclson victory wore favourably received. The
New :York Herald thinks that when the news of the
continual Federal successes reaches Europe the re-
volution in public opinion, as to the possibility of a
reconstruction of the Union, will be complete.
The New York Tribune in discussing, the opinions
of
Lhe late Federal successes, says
We must all begin to see that it is better to

compel respect than clamour for sympathy. The
most effective diplomacy in time of national peril
is found in the courage of a well-armed soldiery,
and the skill and activity of an earnest leadership,"
The New Fork Evening Post gives the following
extract from a North Carolina paper:—
",By direction of the Secretary of War, all cot-
ton, tobacco, and naval stores within this depart-
ment must be removed west of the,Wilmington and
Weldon Railroad, or if distant from any railroad or
navigable stream, put in such a place of security
that they cannot be reached by the enemy. Such of
the above-mentioned products as are in exposed
positions must be removed at once, and those less
exposed removed or secured by the 25th inst, other-
wise they will be destroyed by the military autho-
rities."

The New York Evening Post makes the follow-
ing remarks on this order :
"As most of the cotton crop is in an exposed
position, the practical effect of this policy can only
be to cause its entire destruction. Assuredly if
cotton and tobacco are so necessary for the welfare
of Great Britain and France that they were urged
to violate their treaties of amity with a friendly
Power, and interpose the strong hand in its domes-
tic disputes, this wicked extinction of these commo-
dities must be regarded as a new motive for action ;
but in this case the interference must be with the
Confederates, not the United States. The rebels
are the parties which commit the wrong, and
to be consistent the journals which havo hereto-
fore insisted upon intervention must urge their
Governments to expostulate with or to threaten
Jefferson Davis. He is making war upon civilisa-
tion, and the Powers who are the peculiar guar-
dians of it must tell him at once to desist from his
efforts. The vast commercial and industrial inte-
rests of the globe cannot be perilled for the sake of
an odious insurrection in behalf of slavery."
The New Feria Evening Post in its first edition
says :
" The stock market is weak and lower, owing to
the doubt hanging over the conflict at Island No.
10.

" The delay in capturing this stronghold has
awakened some apprehension, and prices Ni ill pro-
bably not recover much until the Federal success is
announced.

" The weakness did not extend to the Govern-
ment list, which is oven firmer than yesterday, es-
pecially the Sixes of 1881,these touching Ott, being
the highest price yet obtained. The Fives of 1874
aro less active, selling at BTh, but the issue of 1871
sold at 88, a further advance."

(Per Canada, via Queenstown.)
NEW YORK, MARCH 18.

H.B.M. gunboat Landrail arrived at New York
March 17. The steamship Ariel, with 677,058 dols
in specie, arrived at New York, from Aspinwall,
March 16.

The following is the general summary of news
from the New fork Times of March 18:

" Flag officer Foote attacked the rebel position at
Island No. 10, in the Mississippi Rivcr, between
Hickmann 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 necessary the creation of a new
military department, 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 Chronicle was
yesterday seized, and its editor placed under arrest,
by order of the military governor of the district.
On being brought before tad 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,
and the bill now goes to the President for his ap-
proval. It authorises the Secretary to pay out his
twelvemonths G 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 do's., in place of 25,000,000 dots., as in
the Act of Feb. 5.

" Our advices 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.

1 " 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, writes; under date of March 6 :
—"file 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 are arriving cvery
day. "