The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1862.

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMP TON, SATURDAY.
The North German Lloyd screw steamer Hansa,
Capt. H. J. Von Santen, arrived off Cowes at 2 30
p.m., from New York, bringing advices of the 29th
ult., three days later than those previously to hand.
She had 36 passengers for this port and Havre,and
91 for Bremen ; and on freight 29,800 dols for Eng-
land, 176,600 dols for Havre, and 500 dols for Bre-
men, with 1,200 tons of merchandise, of which 70 is
for England. The Hansa proceeded on to Bremen
after transhipping mails, &c., for this port.
On the 30th ult. the Hansa passed the steamship
Caledonia at 1 30 a.m., and the City of Glasgow at
10 30 a.m., both bound from New York to England.
The Glasgow steamer, from Liverpool, arrived
out at New York on the 24th; the Hansa, from

Southampton, at 4 p.m., on the 24th ; the Edin-
burgh, from Liverpool, on the 25th; the China,
from Liverpool, on the 26th ; and the Saxonia, from
Southampton, on the evening of the 27th. The
Saxonia was four days three hours in the ice, during

which period she was in a position of great peril, and
could make but very slow progress. She reports
that she could only make three miles on the 22d,
and during the four days a distance of about 200
miles only was made.
It appears from the latest accounts from Fortress
Monroe that the reported burning of the Nashville
steamer by the Confederates at Beaufort and the
later rumours of her having been captured by the
Federals are alike untrue. She has once more made
her escape, having succeeded in running out of
Beaufort harbour on the night of the 18th ult.,
safely passing the blockading steamer Cambridge
and the sailing bark Gemsbok. The blockading
vessels had news of the capture of Newbern, and
were on the lookout for the Nashville, but they
were not numerous enough to prevent her escape.
The Gemsbok first saw the Nashville, and immedi-
ately telegraphed to the Cambridge that she was
coming out. The Cambridge followed the Nashville
and fired a number of shots at her with the hope of
getting her into a fight, but the superior speed of
the Nashville soon put her at a safe distance. Two
of the shots from the Cambridge were supposed to
have struck the Nashville. It appears from the
accounts received from the scene of action that
there are three channels to guard, and on this occa-
sion but two vessels—the Cambridge and Gemsbok
thealatter a sailing vessel—were there to perform
the duty. The extreme distance between the
mouths of the three channels is five miles. The
Swash channel (by which the Nashville so success-
fully entered the harbour) ran the distance of only
a third of a mile, when it connected with the main

ship channel, whose mouth was at another point
a few miles distant. The Gemsbok lay as
near as she could, so as not to be in the
range of Fort Macon, which is situate on Bogue
Bank. The Bogue and Shackleford banks are
sandy, and the main land is plainly visible over
and beyond them. The depot wharf and buildings
are situate on the swampy low land ; the Bogue
banks, however, somewhat hide the view from the
sea. The shoal grounds outside the three chan-
nels (or seaward) do not dry at low water, but are
covered in the calmest weather with breakers along
the whole extent. The purser of the Cambridge,
which vessel arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 25th
from Beaufort, gives the following account of the
Nashville's escape :
" On the night of the 17th inst., the sky being
very dark, the Cambridge and the Gemsbok were
the only Union vessels blockading Beaufort. They
were in constant anticipation that the Nashville
would attempt to make her escape. Accordingly,
the Cambridge took up a position to command one
of the three channels leading from Beaufort to the
sea. The Gemsbok guarded another, thus leaving
one channel open. For several days prior, and on
the night of the 17th inst., bright lookouts were
kept for the Nashville, the Cambridge under a full
head of steam all the time. At balf-past 7 o'clock
in the evening a rocket was sent up from the Gems-
bok—a preconcerted signal that the Nashville was
coming. The crew of the Cambridge were imme-
diately beat to quarters. The Gemsbok soon after
opened fire at the fugitive craft, firing several
rounds. The officers on the Cambridge endea-
voured, but in vain, to see the object against
which the Gemsbok was directing her fire.
They therefore concluded to fire in the same
direction the Gemsbok did. The Cambridge in a
few minutes after slipped her anchor and steamed
in the direction of the third and unguarded chan-
nel, hoping to cut the rebel craft off. But after
some time the chase was given up, and the Cambridge
returned to her original position. The Cambridge
being the flagship, Captain Cavendy, of the
Gemsbok, came on board and reported to Captain
Parker. He said he distinguished the outline of the
Nashville from first observing moving lights as the
vessel progressed in her escape. The Nashville
steamed very fast, and was soon.out of range of the
Gemsbok; but Capt. Cavendy is positive that the
shot from his vessel hit her several times, no doubt
doing some damage. It was deemed futile by Capt.
Parker, of the Cambridge, to give chase to the
Nashville, as his vessel can steam only 8 knots an
hour, while the Nashville, it is said, can:steam 14 or
15. It is thought that the Nashville will go to
Nassau, New Providence, there to be sold on the
rebels' account.

The barque Glen, which has been blockaded in the
harbour of Beaufort for some time, was set on fire
by the rebels on the 23d, and was still burning when
the Cambridge left in the evening. The Glen was
supposed to be fitting out as a privateer. The burn-
ing of this vessel was, doubtless, preparatory to an
evacuation of the place. Fort Macon had not been
blown up by the rebels at the last accounts. The
barque Gemsbok and the steamer State of Georgia
were left at the station by the Cambridge.
The New York papers are very furious at the fact
of the Nashville having again made her escape, and
attack the Secretary of the Navy in unmeasured
terms. Witness the following extracts from three
of the journals. The New York Times says ,
" The fact that, under the circumstances, this
vessel was allowed to escape to sea is another of the
long series of national disgraces which we owe, not
to our navy, but to the administration of our Navy
Department. They have followed each other in such
quick succession that one has been forgotten only
to make room for another. It has become useless to
lay complaints about the past before the Depart-
ment, and of no avail to attempt to put it on its
guard against impending dangers in the future."
Next comes the World:—

"The report that the Nashville had escaped from
Beaufort harbour is, we are inclined to believe, a
canard, invented by the enemies of the venerable
and amiable gentleman who presides over the desti-
nies of the Navy Department. It is simply incre-
dible. The whole country is a witness to the fact
that this dangerous steamer was in Beaufort har-
bour; and to charge the Navy Department with
placing one slow sailing vessel and one steamship
not much faster as guard over her—one of the
swiftest vessels of the kind ever built—is a clear
case of scandal and defamation. Besides, if it were
true, Mr. Lincoln would by this time have furnished
the country with a new secretary of the Navy ; as
this has not been done, we incline to the belief that
the Nashville is still in Beaufort, or burnt perhaps."
Whatrebel h as
Thirdly, the Herald:—
`°rt some
ri(aVne
into
Weller toB esaauyfo?
the
steamer Mr. When
weeks ago, past our blockading ships, we all NSaeschrevtiallrey
con-
cluded that that was the last of her. The means
were in the possession of the Secretary of the Navy
to prevent her escape under any circumstances.
How then is he to justify himself in permitting that
vessel again to run to sea ? The Chamber of Com-
merce of New York could have provided against
her escape, and would have done it, pith the Pre-
sident's permission, had they supposed the duty
would have been neglected by Mr. Welke. We

hope that Mr. Hale, chairman of the naval com-
mittee of the Senate, will at once move an inquiry
into this bad piece of business."

Another fight was expected to take place imme-
diately between the Merrimac and the Monitor.
The following despatches give the latest intelligence
received relative to the rival ironsides :
" Baltimore, March 26.

" The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Bal-
iinzore American gives a report of two intelligent
contrabands relative to the condition of the Merri-
mac. She returned to Norfolk leaky and six feet
of water in her. Six steamers towed her up, and
it was feared at first she would go down before
extra pumps could be rigged on board to relieve
her. Her fires were extinguished shortly after
hauling off from the Monitor. These contrabands
also positively assert not only the death of Bucha-
nan, but of the lieutenant in command on Sunday,
with seven seamen, and a number of wounded.
They positively assert the death and burial of both.
Possibly Lieutenant Minor, her second officer, and
not Jones, is meant by them. It is rumoured that
Yorktown, or a considerable portion of it, is burnt.
A large fire was visible in that direction Sunday
night, which was thought to be something more
than burning brush. A large fire was also seen to-
day in the neighbourhood of New Market Bridge,
which seemed to be quite extensive. Heavy volumes
of smoke rose for several hours. It was beyond the
Union lines, and its character could not be ascer-
tained. Forts Macon Pry, Beaufort are still in pos-
session of the rebels. On Sunday night the Sawyer
guns at the Rip Raps made some capital shots at
Sewall's Point. Tuesday morning one shell, filled
with new liquid fire, exploded in the midst of the
rebel parade ground. It is believed it did consider-
able damage. The rebels have brought the cannon
heretofore commanding the channel at Sewall's
Point around the point facing the Rip Raps. They
fired at the Rip Raps, but the ball fell short about
50 yards. It was a good line shot, but the calibre
was insufficient."

" Fortress Monroe, March 26.
" Contrabands state that the rebel steamer Mer-
rimac, having been fully repaired, was brought out
ot' the
dockplaced
on board, on
andMondaymorning
that her crew
had that
he was ready
for action. Several new guns of a heavier metal
than she had before had been placed on board of
her. The rebel steamers Jamestown and Yorktown
have also been greatly strengthened, and are fully
prepared for action, and will accompany the Men.
rimac. The flag of the Yorktown, with the commo-
dore's pennant, was flying when the contrabands
left. Three deserters arrived here to-day in a boat
from the south side of James river. They belonged
to a North Carolina regiment, and report that
the rebel steamer Merrimac has been daily ex-
pected to come out and attack the Monitor for the
past three days. The rebel gunboat Jamestown
armyre on account of the
made a reconnaissance to-day, coming down some
distance below Craney Island. The deserters repre-
sentrank thatana
file
thereeof th
was
therebelrumours of Union victories. The Monitor, Lieut.
Jeffries commander, stands out in the Roads
at panic among the
a g

this side of Sewall's Point, with steam up, ready for
action. The greatest confidence is felt in the re-
sult. She is in fine condition, and ready at a
moment's warning. The newspapers are carefully
kept from the rebel soldiers, and they have been so
often imposed upon by false statements of rebel vic-
tories that they are much dissatisfied. The deser-
ters say that during the excitement that prevailed
in Norfolk immediately after the fall of Roanoke
Island it was believed that if a demand had been
made on General Huger he would have capitulated.
A flag of truce was sent to Norfolk to take up the
Commodore of the French ship Catinat. No news
or papers were brought back. A bundle .of
letters from the Union prisoners at Richmond
was received, as also despatches from General
Huger to General Wool. The steamer Con-
stitution arrived from Ship island last night.
She sailed from there on the 15th inst. The
French steamer Catinat arrived yesterday afternoon
from Havana, and she and the Gassendi have
taken a position within 200 yards of the Monitor,
for the purpose of obtaining a good view of the ex-
pected battle. Two drummers of one of the regi-
ments in Hampton strayed out to Back river yester-
day, and were taken prisoners by the enemy's
cavalry."

A despatch received at Washington from Fortress
Monroe, dated 4 p.m. on the 27th, says :
" There was a reconnaissance this morning ex-
tending to Big Bethel, which was occupied by about
1,500 rebels, who fled on the approach of our forces
without any hostile demonstrations. Our troops
now occupy the place."
Two deserters from the Confederate army at Pig
Point, James river, arrived in New York on the
28th. They are both natives of the State of New
York, born in St. Lawrence county, and were en-
gaged in business in North Carolina, and shortly
after the breaking out of the rebellion they were
impressed into the Confederate service. These gen-
tlemen say that they were never at any time willing
to fight against the Union, but under the circum-
stances in which they were placed they were
compelled to join a regiment. They were at Pig
Point on the occasion of the battle between the
Merrimac and Monitor, and felt pained beyond
measure when they saw the two frigates destroyed.
The Merrimac on her return to Norfolk looked as if
she had been very much used up, and evidently had
the worst of the fight. At Norfolk and Richmond
they say it was admitted that the Merrimac had
found her match in the Monitor. The Confederate
vessel was all ready to come out again, and when
they left it was generally expected she would show
herself within a very few days. The Southern
troops were becoming more despondent every
day, and the Union sentiment of the army,
especially among the North Carolina troops, was
made more evident daily. The Confederates had
issued an order that the commander of each
company should find out whether his men intended
to re-enlist at the expiration of their term, and
report to the commander thirty days in advance.
This was for the purpose of preventing any diminu-
tion of the army. Every one who refused to re-
enlist would be impressed into the service, and
passes should be
should be kept
"one-year" regiments
ogrrdueurtsedh,abdubtetehnutgaivuenthtehartegniommenortse
they enlisted wtoiltlhoeoiur
conclude
eqtuhootat.ormAlflorthewhio h
be-
tween the 25th of April and the 25th of May, and
nearly all of the regiments there are "one-year"
volunteers. The Confederates were extending their
fortifications at Pig Point, so that it might be made
to mount 40 guns of heavy calibre, being ten more
than the work now mounts. There are seven forts
between Pig Point and Richmond, Pig Point being
the principal one, garrisoned by about 18,000 men.
They are well fed and cared for. At Norfolk every-
thing sold at a most unreasonable price. Salt had
gone up to 25 cents per lb. Calicoes were 50 cents
a o yard,udbring As for flannel, it
w
price. North Carolina
could not supply her quota of troops. She was
would
a nd very scarce
ana y t
i that.
called upon to turn out 20,000 men for garrison
; but they found
most stringent mea-
impt uarnupytot seiner sleyna
even
impossible
s, Obs
iOybOl
usingo forfo ther t
he
this fieldstate to supply so

sures. •
Latest despatches from Island No. 10 do not indi-
cate much progress made. Heavy and rapid can-
nonading was heard in the direction of Point Plea-
sant on the night of the 26th, indicating that the
Confederate steamers were again attempting to run
A balloon reconnaisance
Professor Steiner, accom-
General Pope's blockade.
was made on the 27th by
shells had been
Captain Maynadier,
pwahni icehd
ebsyt
aCob
ilsohneedl Bt uhfeo rfda
ct and
that
thrown at too great a range to be sufficiently effec-
tive against the Confederate batteries. This defect
in 'mortar practice had since been remedied.
We learn from the Lower Potomac that a cool-

derable body of Confederate cavalry were still in the
vicinity of Shipping Point, and that a large number
of Confederate troops were concentrating on the
Rappahannock, probably at Frederickburg, to
make a stand there. Two boats' crews from the
gunboat Yankee had landed at Shipping Point, to
take possession of the artillery abandoned by the
Confederates, but a squadron of their cavalry made
its appearance, and the men only succeeded in
securing two guns--one a 9-inch Dahlgren and the
other a long 32-pounder—together with a consider-
able quantity of shells, loaded and unloaded.
A party of Texas Rangers was, on the 27th, sur-
rounded by two squadrons of the Ist New Jersey
Cavalry, near Dumfries, on the Lower Potomac, and
after a brief skirmish ten of them were captured
and taken to Washington.
From Strasburg, where General Banks was sta-
tioned with a portion of his command, we learn
that Jackson, with the remnants of his army, was
quietly established below Edinburgh. A force of
Confederates under Ashby, with four pieces of ar-
tillery, appeared near Strasburg on the 27th, and
threw several shells into the Federal camp, killing
one man and wounding another. Their position
was such that they could not be cut off. Most of
the population of Strasburg were represented to be
Unionists. Many of them had for weeks been re-
siding in the mountains, but were returning, and
from them General Banks gained much useful in-
formation.
Arrangements were nearly completed for estab-
lishing a line of steamers between Washington and
Fortress Monroe, so as to secure daily arrivals at
Washington—the trip to be made in nine hours.
The proprietor would extend facilities for carrying
the mails, and it was more than probable that the
Post-office and War Departments would encourage
the enterprise.
The divisions of Generals Franklin and King, of

the Potomac army, were reviewed on the 27th by
General 111‘Do well— General M'Clellan, Lord Lyons,
the Prince de Joinville, and several British officers
of high rank from Canada, being present on the
ground. The latter expressed themselves greatly
surprised at the superior drill, stature, and disci-
pline of the troops.
Secretary Stanton had forwarded a highly compli-
mentary despatch to General Shields, thanking
him and his troops for their victory at the battle of
Winchester. He says that the wounds, as well as
the success of General Shields, proved that the di-
vision of General Lander was still bravely led, and
that wherever its standard was, displayed the Con-
federates would be routed and pursued.
Secretary Welles had addressed a letter to the
Senate Committee on Naval Affairs, in which he
proposes the construction of a few vessels of light
draught, great speed, and heavy armament for the
Western waters ; also a class of vessels for harbour
defence, and to operate upon the Atlantic coast and
in the Gulf of Mexico, to be as far as possible in-
vulnerable, and armed with 15-inch guns ; also an
ocean steamer armed with guns of 20-inch calibre
He asks an appropriation of 30,000,000 dols. for
these purposes.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company an-
nounce that all the bridges on their road are com-
pleted, and that the last rail to re-connect Balti-
more, Washington, and the Eastern cities with the
West would be laid on the 31st ult.

The Secretary of the Treasury had issued special
licences for commercial intercourse with certain
localities in the South; the licences do not extend
further than Nashville. No article shipped under
the licence is to be disposed of to persons in arms
against the United States, or to any persons fur-
nishing them aid and comfort;
In the Senate on the 27th ult., several petitions
in favour of the emancipation of slaves were pre-
sented. The Naval Committee were instructed to
inquire whether there was any laxity on the part
of the officers of the blockading squadron on the
coast, especially at Charleston, and whether there
was any foundation for the statement of the
British Consul at that port that armed troop-
ships of the Confederate States have been
allowed to go in and out of the port of Charles-
ton and no attempts have been made to stop them.
The joint resolution in favour of extending pecu-
niary aid to the States that may emancipate their
slaves was taken up, and Mr. Henderson, of Mis-
souri, made a speech in its favour. The Financial
Committee reported a Bill to allow arms, ordered
by the States to aid in suppressing the rebellion, to
be imported free of duty. The Naval Appropria-
tion Bill was then taken up. Dlr. Hale, from the
Naval Committee, offered an amendment, appro-
priating 783,294 dols. for the completion of the
Stevens floating battery. Debate ensued, but with-
out taking the question the Senate went into execu-
tive session, and subsequently adjourned. On the
28th, a bill to prevent the allowance of pensions to
widows and children of Revolutionary soldiers, un-
less their claims are established, was passed. Mr.
Wright, of Indiana, introduced another bill pro-
viding for the abolition of slavery in the District '
of Columbia. A motion to take up the resolution
declaring that no more brigadier generals should be
appointed, unless for gallantry in action, led to a
discussion, in which it was stated that there were a
less number of officers in the present army, in pro-
portion, than during the Mexican or Revolutionary
war. The motion was disagreed to. The Naval
Appropriation Bill was then taken up, the question
being on an amendment appropriating 783,294 dols.
for the completion of the Stevens floating battery,
which was adopted, with the condition that Mr.
Stevens should not be repaid the money he had ex-
pended on the battery unless she proved successful,
and also that the appropriation was not be used
unless the Secretary of the Navy was of the opinion
that it would secure to the public service an efficient
steam battery. An amendment appropriating
13,000,000 dols. for the construction of iron-clad
vessels of war was adopted; also an amendment
appropriating 250,000 dols. for casting heavy ord-
nance at the Washington Navy Yard. The bill
was then passed, and the Senate adjourned.

The House of Representatives was occupied on
the 27th in discussing the Tax Bill in committee of
the whole. Among the amendments adopted was
one taxing anthracite coal 15 cents. per ton, and
cotton 1 cent. per lb., after the lst of May next. On
the 28th the Naval Committee reported a joint re-
solution of thanks to Captain John Ericsson, for the
enterprise, skill, energy, and tact displayed by him
in constructing the iron-clad steamer Monitor, and
the great service rendered by her to the country in
Hampton Roads. The resolution was adopted. In
answer to an inquiry, the chairman of the Com-
mittee on Invalid Pensions stated that a bill had
already bean reported providing pensions on ac-
count of deceased officers and soldiers of the present
war. The consideration of the Tax Bill was then
resumed in Committee of the Whole, and a specified
assessment levied upon gas, coal oil, ground mus-
tard, sugar, gunpowder, printing ink, &c. The tax
upon crude coal oil, rock oil,and tar was struck out,
and a reduction was made on coffee and certain de-
scriptions of tobacco ; the tax on other varieties of
tobacco was increased. The tax on iron was fixed
at from 1 dol 50c to 2 dols per ton, according to its
condition of manufacture. Ready made clothing,
hats, caps, hoop skirts, &c., are taxed three per
cent. ad valorem, and umbrellas and parasols five
per cent.
General Cadwallader was on the 28th nominated
by the President as Major-General of Volunteers,
and he was expected to take the field immediately.
It is stated from 'Washington that cars were run-
ning to Manassas, and that the railroad was open
four miles beyond that point.
Advices from Havannah to the 22d ult, were re-
ceived at New York by the steamship Columbia.
A letter of that date says,—

"By the Forfait (French), five days from Vera
Cruz, which came in on the 17th, we hear that a
frightful explosion has taken place within eight
leagues of Orizaba, at a town where the Mexican