The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-23 00:00:00

LONDON, WHONESD F.,VENING, APRIL 23. 1862.

THE SUN'

In New York the effect of the news is not very ex-
hilarating. "Do you know the news ? Have you
seen the -- Beauregard has lost an arm, and
Johnston is killed." Stuff. I don't believe a word
of it. You know how the lies." This brief
dialogue expresses with tolerable accuracy the pub-
lic opinion with regard to the uncorroborated reports
of some of the New York papers. Indeed, so far
does this incredulity operate that the fall of No. 10
was not believed in New York till the papers pub-
lished the official despatches. Henceforth, it must
be remembered that the Government of Washington
or Mr. Stanton is the sole newsagent in the United
States. The papers are only permitted to publish
what is given to them ; the telegraph is in its
hands, and there is at least one flagrant instance of
its being used by authority to disseminate an un-
truth as to matters of fact. No Federal reverse, if
there be any, will ever be heard of till long after it
has occurred. The world must bear these things
in mind, and remember, too, that everything is
considered fair in "the War for the Union."
The important and exciting intelligence from the
West hes meantime cast the movements of the
Grand Army of the Potomac into the shade, and
rendered them for the time of inferior importance.
But I am able to assure you that for the present
Gen. M'Clellan's advance is checked by the formid-
able position of the enemy in front of Yorktown ;
nor is it too much to say that the expedition against
New Orleans has as yet made no progress, and has,
indeed, met with a reverse, instead of capturingthe
city, which was confidently predicted for the close
of last month. There are no longer any positive
assurances that Charleston or even Savannah is
doomed in a few days, and by the latest accounts
Burnside, so far from being in a position to advance
against Goldsborough, was apprehensive of being
attacked at Newbern.
Let me briefly recapitulate what has been
done by the great expedition under the command
of General M'Clellan. On Tuesday, the Ist of
April, General M'Clellan and his staff embarked on
board the Commodore, and steamed from Alex-
andria down the Potomac to Fortress Monroe,
where they arrived on Wednesday. Thursday was
occupied in arranging for the advance, and at day-
light on Friday morning the troops around For-
tress Monroe struck their tents, and commenced
their march up the peninsula towards Richmond.
The peninsula, at the northern base line of which
stands the Confederate capital, is formed by the
York River on the left, and by the James River on
the right, and stretches between them about 70
miles as the crow flies, narrowing towards its
southern extremity, at the base of which are New-
port News and Fortress Monroe. At Yorktown,
which is situated on the York River, about 20
miles from Fortress Monroe, the peninsula is little
more than six miles across in a direct line to the
James River. The main, if not the only road to
Richmond, beginning at the village of Hampton,
near Fortress Monroe, runs through Great Bethel
to Yorktown, and thence, striking to the centre of
the peninsula, proceeds through Williamsburg and
Chiswell to Richmond, which it enters north of
James River, here much contracted. The penin-
sula is thinly populated, and badly cultivated,
much of the land being exhausted, and it is deeply
indented by swampy creeks on both sides, is
watered by many small brackish streams, and by
one more considerable tributary, the Chickaho-
maney river, which rises north of Richmond and
falls into James River. The latter, which is a
broad estuary at its outflow, carries deep water
within 20 miles or so of Richmond, where it sud-
denly contracts, and loses the peculiar Solway-like
character which marks the Chesapeake and its
affluent rivers. The York River is still broader an d
deeper, but the channel generally trends by the
southern shore, within range of the woods which
fringe it, and the stream turns away to the north
from Richmond before it assumes a new name by
which it is known in Central Virginia. It must
be
,remembered that Virginia is now invaded
by three Federal armies—that of Banks,
which is operating in the valley of the Shenandoah;
that of M'Dowell, which is now advancing from
Manassas towards the line of Fredericksburg and
the Rappahannock; and the great army under
M'Clellan. Heintzelman, as yeu were informed
some time ago, led the advance of M'Clellan's army,
and, moving off his ground on the morning of the
4th of April, found the deserted cantonments of the
Confederates at Great Bethel and other places along
the road in good order. The farmers who remained
in their houses did what is called " expressing Union
sentiments." Soon after 12 o'clock the first sign of
the enemy's presence was given by the appearance
of cavalry videttes and skirmishers on a ridge
beyond the miserable village called " Half-way
House" (not the place marked on the maps). They
fell back before the Pennsylvanian cavalry, which
covered the Federal advance. From a fieldwork
below this ridge the Confederates opened fire with
some light guns, which were engaged by the Massa-
chusetts battery and a regular United States battery,
and by two companies of sharpshooters. The enemy
retired their guns, the Federals gained the top of
the ridge, and beheld thence a series of earthworks,
intrenchments, and batteries extending from the
York River away to the left as far as the eye could
reach. The sight was anything but pleasing, for,
notwithstanding the prevalence of " Union senti-
ments," the Federals had no information of the
existence of such " formidable" works. A recon -
naissance was made, and it was resolved to halt the
troops for the night in the deserted Confederate
cantonments, which were named " Camp Misery,"
not because of the badness of the quarters, which.
are eulogised as being well floored and lighted log-
houses, with windows, as comfortable as city houses,
but because of the rain and of the mud through
which the Federals struggled to reach it. The houses
were full of children left behind by their parents,
the males of whom had gone off to fight for " Seces-
sion." Several Federals were killed and wounded
in the advance, which was made in regular order or,
a wide front—Sedgwick being on the right, Porter
in the centre, Hamilton and Smith on the left. It
was soon obvious that the earthworks were not of
a character to be faced by the Federal infantry.
The generals reconnoitred in vain, and the whole day
was spent in a useless long-range cannonade by
field artillery " at three-quarters of a mile," and by
" sharpshooters at half a mile." The flotilla which
moved up the York River did not encounter any
opposition, and the Confederates abandoned their
works at Ship Point, on the Pognosin river below
Yorktown, which was immediately occupied by the
Federals. It was at one time contemplated to send
a division of gunboats up the James River, but since
the appearance of the Virginia (Merrimac) and her
consorts off Craney Island nothing has been heard
of that operation. Ship Point is seven or eight miles

below Yorktown, and affords some facilities for

landing trcops, and three or four battalions were sen

up there by General Wool on Sunday. Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday passed without any attempt
to face or turn the enemy, who are reported to be
25,000 or 30,000 strong, but preparations were being
made to reduce the works by guns of position and

vertical fire. This may prove such tedious work

that the expectations entertained in Washington
that " M'Clellan will be in Richmond on Thursday"
(April 10) may not be realized any more than the

prophecies were that he would be in Yorktown on
Sunday night. On Monday (the 7th) the Merrimac

made her appearance out of Norfolk once more;
but by latest accounts she was lying off Craney

Island along with tho Yorktown, Jamestown, and

four tugs.

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SPORTING .1N lELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING.—TUESDAY.
A large increase on the attendance of yesterday plainly
indicated the interest taken in the appearance of Old Cala-
bar as a three-year old, the second appearance this season of
Caractacus, and the Newmarket Handicap. At an early
hour the town was in a bustle, and by 11 o'clock the High-
street was full of sightseers, racing men, and market people.
Ten events stood on the list for decision, the first being fixed
for a quarter past 12, and the Great Handicap at a quarter
past 3. The sunshine vanished, and rain set in at the mo-
ment of the sport commencing, and the showers continued
with little intermission for three hours. Old Calabar dis-
posed of his only opponent with the greatest ease ; but the
bookmakers did not afterwards like him for the Derby. The
Newmarket Handicap produced an interesting race, with a
large field, and the Biennial showed 11 3-yr-olds ready to
test the quality of Caractacus. He was easily defeated by
Duke Rollo, who was immediately inquired after for the
Derby, but did not reach any short price. The weather had
cleare 1 up before the last two races were run, and rendered
the closing scene quite agreeable.
A Free Handicap of 25 sovs each, 10 ft., for 3-yr-olds.
Winners extra. The highest weight accepting being 7st
51b, it was raised to Sst 121 b, and the others in proportion.
TN. C. Five subs.
Lord Glasgow's hr f Coalition, 7st 71b (W. Bottom) 1
Mr. R. Ten Broeck's Olive Branch, Bst 51b (G. Fordham) 2
Lord Uxbridge's Marble Hill, Bst 12113 .... (S. Rogers) 3
Mr. Payno's Traveller, Bst
Betting-7 to 4 agst Olive Branch, 2to 1 agst Marble
Hill, and 4 to 1 apt the Coalition filly.
Olive Branch jumped away with a slight lead, waited on
by the Coalition filly and Marble Hill, Traveller lying wide
on their left. On entering the cords Marble Hill dropped
back, leaving the two leaders to finish the race home; Lord
Glasgow's filly getting up within a few strides of the chair,
and winning by a short head, the favourite beating Marble
Hill by three lengths for second.
Sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, for 2-yr-olds, colts, Bst 71b
fillies, Sat 51b, with selling allowances. First half Ab M.
Three subs.
Mr. R. Ten Broeck's Vivid (£5O) 7st 121 b (G. Fordham) 1
Count F. de Lagrange's Attrapez-qui-pent (£,50), Bst
(H. Grimshaw) 2
Mr. C. Alexander's Bceotia (X5O), 7st 121 b (W. Cotton) 0
Betting-5 to 4 agst Vivid, and 6to 4 agst Attrapez-qui-
pout.

Immediately the flag was lowered, Bcootia jumped round
and was left behind. The Frenchman was the first off, and
made the running at a fair pace into the cords, where ho was
joined by the favourite, who waited until a short distance
from home, when he went in front, and won very cleverly
by three parts of a length.
The Twenty-sixth Tuesday Riddlesworth Stakes of 200
sous each, h ft ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b ; with cer-
tain allowances. D.M. Three subs.
Lord Uxbridge's b c Langhing-stock, Bst 71b (S. Rogers) 1
Mr, Merry's b c Costa (31b), Bst 41b (Custanco) 2
Betting-11 to 10 on Laughing-stock.
Costa made the running at a good pace, having Laughing-
stock at his girths. In this way they ran into the cords,
where Rogers drew away and won very cleverly.
Sweepstakes of 100 soya each, h ft, ;for 3-yr-olds, colts, Bst
71b each, with certain allowances. D.M. Six subs.
Sir R. Bulkeley's Old Calabar (W. Boyce) 1
Mr. Merry's b c Lord Clyde (41b), (Custance) 2
Betting-6 to lon Old Calabar.
The favourite having been saddled some time prior to that
set down on the card for starting, enabled the cognoscenti
to have an uninterrupted inspection of him, his levee at the
ditch and stables being attended by hundreds. On the flag
falling the pair cantered for the first quarter of a mile, when
the favourite went to the front, was never after ap-
proached, and won literally in a canter by four lengths,
Boyce easing him some distance from home.
Sweepstakes of 10 sous each. Weights for age, with

optional selling weights. Seven subs.
Count F. Lagrange's Absinthe, 3 yrs, sst 111 b, £4O
(Hunter) 1
Mr. Fleming's Knightsbridge, 4 yrs, Bst, £100(liorman) 2
Mr. It. Stephenson's Peneus, 3 yrs, 6st 21b, £7O
(T. French) 3
The following also ran :—The Norman, Thunderstorm,
Madge Wildfire, and Anxiety filly.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Absinthe, 4to 1 agst Madge Wild-
fire, 5 to l agst The Norman, and 8 to 1 agst the Anxiety
filly.

Peneus cut out the work, closely attended by Knights-
bridge, the Anxiety filly, and Absinthe, the others lying
closer to the foot of the hill, where the French representa-
tive drew slightly in advance, followed by Knightsbridge
and Peneus, the three running some two or three lengths
in advance of the ruck and finishing a fine race home, Ab-
sinthe winning cleverly at last by a head; half a length
separating the second and third. Norman was fourth, close
up ; Thunderstorm fifth ; and Anxiety filly fifth.
Mr. Fleming claimed Absinthe.
Renewal of the Sweepstakes of 50 sovs each, for colts, Bst

HEALTH OF LONDON DURLYG THE WEEK,

(From the Registrar-General's Weekly Return.)

The weekly return of the Registrar-General states
that in the week that ended last Saturday the deaths
registered in London were 1,331. The average
number for corresponding weeks in ten years 1852-
61 (corrected) is 1,249. The present return exhibits
an excess of 82 over the average.

The births were more numerous last week than
the deaths in the same period, by 585.
Measles and scarlatina show an increase in the
returns of last week. The deaths from the former
rose to 37, those from the latter to 75. A large ma-
jority of the cases of measles occurred in the east
districts—there were 5 in the subdistrict of St.
Mary St. George-in-the-East, the same number in
Bow, and 4in Poplar. Out of the 75 deaths from
scarlatina, 41 occurred in the south districts; 4 were
returned in the sub-district Lambeth Church, first,
and as many as 11 in Lambeth Church, second.
There were also 4 from scarlatina in Rotherhithe,
and 8 in St. Paul Deptford, 4 in Fulham, 4 in Ken-
tish Town, 4in Islington West. No less than 42
deaths from scarlatina have occurred in Lambeth
Church, second, in the last three weeks. Of 79
deaths from typhus 12 were returned by the Lon-
don Fever Hospital, 5 by the workhouse, Mile-end
New Tow n. The deaths from phthisis were nume-
rous; they rose to 174. A washerwoman, aged 40
years, died in the workhouse, Mile-end New Town,
from privation and asthma. A woman died in Guy's
Hospital from " vaginal fistula; chloroform; fatty
heart." A spinster died at 1, Alpha-road, Deptford,
at the great age (as reported) of 102 years. Mr.
Simpson, the registrar of North St. Giles, registered
no death from any cause in the week, a eireumstasee
which has not occurred to him before during a pe-
riod of 16 years in which he has held his office.
Last week the births of 955 boy and 961 girls, in
all 1,916 children, were registered in London. In
the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1852-61
the average number (corrected) was 1,943.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
height of the barometer in the week was 29.861 in.
The reading of the barometer rose to 30.09 in. on
Sunday (the 13th), and fell to 29.68 in. on Satur-
day. The mean temperature of the air in the week
was 43.5 deg., which is 2.5 deg. below the average
of the same week in 43 years (as determined by
Mr, Glaisher). The mean daily temperature was
below the average on the first four days; on the
first two the amount of depression was 9 deg. and
8 deg, ; on Saturday there was an excess of mean
temperature equal to 5.8 deg. The lowest night
temperature occurred on Sunday, and was 26.7
deg. The highest temperature was 58.6 deg. on
Saturday. The range of the thermometer in the
week was therefore 31.9 deg. The mean daily
range was 17.6 deg. The difference between the
mean dew-point temperature and air temperature
was 7.4 deg. ; on Thursday it was 11.4 deg. The
mean degree of humidity of the air was 78, com-
plete saturation being represented by 100. The
wind was generally in the north-east till Wednes-
day, and then in the south-west. The mean of the
highest temperatures of the water of the Thames
was 46.2 deg. ; the mean of the lowest was 44.1
deg.