The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-04 00:00:00

" THE CAPTURE OF ELIZABETH CITY.

"FLAG OFFICER GOLDSBOROTJGH TO SECRETARY WELLES.
" United States Steamer Philadelphia, Off
Roanoke, Feb 10, 1862.

" Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy :

" Sir,—Jtist as T closed my despatch to you of yesterday
I received reliable Information that the rebel steamers
which escaped from here had gone to Elizabeth City, and
thereupon I immediately ordered Commander Rowan to
take 13 of our steamers under his command and go in pur-
suit of them, and also, if practicable, to execute another
service, viz., the destruction up the north river of a link of
the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. He dashed off with
a whole heart at his work, and the way he has already ac-
complished the first part of it his own preliminary report (a
copy of which I have herewith to enclose) will inform you.
"I have decided to send the Stars and Stripes off to
Hampton Roads to-morrow, to bring me ammunition from
there without delay.
" Mr. Van Brunt, my Secretary, will go in her and pro-
ceed to Washing ton to deliver to you my despatches and
two of the rebel flags we have taken.
" I am respectfully, your obedient servant,
" L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH, Flag Officer, &c."
‘• COMMANDER ROWAN TO FLAG OFFICER GOLI?S-
BOROUGLt.

" United States steamer Delaware, off Elizabeth City,
Feb. 10, 1862.
" Sir,—l have the happiness to report that I met the
enemy off this place this morning, at nine o'clock, and
after a very sharp engagement succeeded in destroying or
capturing his entire naval force, and silencing and de-
stroying his battery on Cobb's Point.
" The only vessel saved from destruction is the Ellis,
Captain J. M. Cook, who is wounded and a prisoner cn
board this ship. I have other prisoners.
" I am happy to say that our casualties are few, consi-
dering the warmth of the enemy's fire—say, two or three
killed, and some wounded.
" I send the Ellis to you, under command of Acting-
Master Chase, of this ship, who I hope you will confirm
in the command.
" The conduct of the gallant men I have the honour to
command is worthy of all praise.
"A detailed account will be furnished when I have time.
" I am happy to say that none of our vessels are severely
injured.
" 1 shall leave here a small force, and visit the canals and
take a look into the other places before I return.—l have
the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant
" J. C. ROWAN, Commander United States Navy,"

14 ORDER OF THE DAY.

" THANKS OF SECRETARY WELLS TO PLA,G.OFFICER

GOLDSBOROUGH, OFFICERS, AND CREWS.

"Navy Espartin ent, Feb. 14, 1862.
44 sir,—Your despatches of the 9th and 10th instant by
the hands of your private secretary, communicating the
great success that has thus far attended the expedition into
the waters of North Carolina, were received this morning,
and I hasten, in the name of the President, to thank you
for the service you and the brave men connected with you
have rendered the country.

These successful achievements of our navy and army
in North Carolina come to swell the current of cheering

lowir.g:—

tidings that reach us from the West, where the gallant
Foote, with his flotilla, has co-operated with the army in
successful demonstration against the rebel forces in Ten-
nessee. Our brave and patriotic men on the coast and in
the interior are earning a debt of lasting gratitude from
their country. The hearts and best wishes of the nation
have been with you through the long trials you have endured
—and most sincerely do we rejoice with you on the success
which you have obtained.
" In congratulating you and the officers and men of your
command, the department would • also extend congratula-
tions to General Burnside and the army.
"I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
" GIDEON WELLES.
"To Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough, commanding North

Atlantic Blockading Squadron."

From Missouri we have intelligence of another
success for the Federal cause. The details had not
been received, but the result of it rendered Missouri
almost clear of the armed hosts of the Confede-
rates, General Halleck's official announcement by
telegraph says : _ _

" ST. Louis, Feb. 14.

" The following despatch was forwarded from head-
quarters this morning to General M'Clellan, at Washing-
ton .

" The flag of the Union floats over the Court-house in
Springfield. The enemy retreated after a short engage-
ment, leaving a large amount of stores and equipage, which
was captured by General Curtis. Our cavalry are in close
pursuit. " H. W. HALLECK."
_ .

" Springfield, Mo., Feb. 13, via Boar Creek, Feb. 14.
" Our troops are at Springfield.
" The enemy retreated last night with great haste to-
wards Ozark and W ilson's Creek without accepting battle."
" ST. LOUIS, FEB. 14.
" A special despatch to the St. Louis Democrat, dated
Springfield Mo., 13th, via Bear Creek, to-day, says :
" Our troops took possession of Springfield to-day with-
out firing a gun. _ _

" General Price evacuated the place yesterday afternoon,
marching out on the Fayetteville-road."

The New York Times, of the 16th, has the fol-

" Bowling-green, the rebel stronghold of the west, has
been
.evacuated, and the place is now occupied by the
national forces. This gratifying news was telegraphed to
General M'Clellan by General Buell. General Mitchell's
division, by a forced march, reached the Big Barren River,
at Bowling-green, yesterday morning, but could nct cross
immediately, as the rebels, at 1 o'clock in the morning, had
burled the railroad bridge, and our troops were forced to
build a bridge for their passage. The rebels were evacuat-
ing the place when General Mitchell arrived.
" No report of the second day's fighting at Fort Donelson
had reached us at half-past 1 o'clock this morning. There
is no doubt whatever about the final reduction of the place,
as it is surrounded, according to a despatch from General
Halleck received at the War Department, with 50,000
troops, besides the gunboats under the command of Flag-
officer Foote. It was reported at Norfolk on Friday that
it had already been taken.
"No doubt is entertained in Washington, according to
the despatch of our special correspondent, that the fate of
the rebellion is sealed. Manassas it is believed by military
men will soon, be evacuated, as Bowling Green has been.
The late flag of truce from the rebels it is intimated covered
a proposition to refer all questions in dispute to the arbitra-
tion of foreign Powers, the object being to get the proposi-
tion.abroad through northern newspapers and steamers.
Government made no reply to the message, however, but is
arbitrating the questions to suit itself."

A joint order was issued from Washington on
the 15th, from Secretaries Stanton and Welles,
thanking in the name of the President the whole
of the officers and forces under their command, of
both the naval and military services, for their gal-
lant achievements in the capture of Fort Henry
and atßoanoke

The Southern papers are beginning to assume a
desponding tone as to the position of the Confede-
rate cause.

The f%'orfolk Day Book publishes the following
despatches:—

"MEMPHIS, Fn. 12, 1862.
" The latest advices from Tennesse River report that
General Pillow has the Union force hemmed in near Fort
Donelson.
" The river is still rising.
"Fort Henry is submerged, and has been abandoned by
the Unionists.

" One Union gunboat returned up the Tennessee river to
the bridge yesterday.
"The bridge is guarded by 500 Unionists. There is a
large Confederate cavalry force between them and Paris.
"The Union men were cheering for Lincoln.
"The people of Paris were preparing to leave.
" The latest advices from Paducah say that boats are
constantly arriving with forces from Tennessee river.
Fourteen have already gone towards Fort Donnelson with
troops.

" Heavy firing was heard in that direction on Taesday.
" The Confederate loss at Fort Henry was five killed and
10 wounded. General Tilghman was taken prisoner.
" The Federal loss was 100.
" CHATTANOGA, Feb. 12, 1862.

" Several Federal gunboats have again come down the
Tennessee River.

"RICHMOND, Feb. 12.

" Congress has passed, and the President approved, an
act authorising the construction of the railway between
Danville, Va., and Greensboro, N.C., on the ground of its
being a military necessity.
" SAVANNAH, Feb. 12.
" There is considerable activity among the Federal ves-
sels below the city.