The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-25 00:00:00

the rebel journals it is learned that Gen. Whiting
has been placed in command of a rebel force in
Wilmington, which point is believed to be one of
those aimed at by the expeditions fitting out by the
National Government. Union and free labour meet-
ings were being held in Nev. Bern and Beaufort.
The following are the latest telegrams published
in the Boston papers on the 13th inst.:—
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac,
Dec. 12, 10 a.m.

After occupying the river front of the city, last
night, we lost about 100 men in killed and wounded,
while driving the enemy through the city. They
fired on our men as they advanced through the
streets, while secreted in and behind houses. Not
much mercy was shown to those who were caught.
This morning a dense fog hid every thing from
view, but now it is partially passing away. The
troops commenced moving at an early hour, Gen.
Sumner's grand division leading the way over in
front of the city, to be followed by Major-Gen.
Hooker's grand division. Gen. Franklin's grand
division, which crosses nearly three miles below
the city, is almost over. At a quarter past nine the
first gun was fired, the engagement lasting about
half an hour, the rebels making a very spirited re-
ply. Information received during the night and
this morning from deserters and prisoners shows
that the rebels have two strong lines of batteries in
the rear of the city, the first one being one mile
back, and the second a mile from the first. The
whole army is in rapid motion, and well concen-
trated. The troops are in excellent spirits, and
anxious to be led upon the works.

Head-quarters, Army of Potomac,
Dec. 12, Evening.
At 10 o'clock this morning the fog began to clear
away, but 11 the air was again thick, which con-
tinued until 2, when the fog entirely disappeared.
At a quarter past 2 the rebels opened with all
their guns posted on the first ridge of hills. Their
main fire was directed upon the city, which was
filled with our troops.
Those guns which were posted on the left of the
ridge were opened on the larger body of troops,
which crossed on the two lower bridges, and had
formed in line of battle, and were moving obliquely
down the river fronting the Massaponax. Although
several of their shells exploded, none of our men
were injured.

General Bayard's cavalry, which crossed on the
lower bridge, had five men killed while endeavour-
ing to ascertain the enemy's position.

The troops which crossed below are sleeping on
their arms to-night, the advance being within three-
quarters of a mile of Massaponax Creek, their left
resting on the Rappahannock.

The enemy occupy the opposite side of the creek
in force.

The guns posted on the bank this side of the
river silenced the enemy's artillery after a duel of
half an hour. This ended the firing for the day.
The only damage done by the rebel shells thrown
into the city, was to add so much to its destruction.

Twenty-five of our men were killed last night in
the streets, while driving the enemy out.
Nearly every house'm the city has been'damaged
more or less by the firing of the past two days.
Several splendid residences have been completely
riddled, as also all the churches. The fire appeared
to be directed to the most prominent edifices.

Several cases of wanton destruction of property by
our troops occurred when they entered, property
which could be of no use to the enemy. In many
houses the furniture all remained, showing that
their occupants left in haste.

Some of our troops mistook the British flag for a
Secesh flag, and tore it from the residence of the
British consul. This morning the owner came over

o recover it, and it was returned to him.

The main body of the army is now over the river,
the remainder being in position to cross at any time.
There are no indications of the enemy evacuating.
If he remain a battle must immediately ensue.
News from Washington of the 12th instant states

that the Navy Department has received a letter
from Lieut.-Commander English, dr.ted off the coast
of Florida, stating that the boats belonging to his
vessel had captured in Marian River the English
sehooners Agnes and Ellen, and sent them to Key
West for adjudication.

In the M'Dowall case nothing of importance had
further been elicited. In the case of General Por-

ter, General M'Dowell was examined, testifying as
to orders of the 29th, directing Porter to advance,
which order was similar in effect to one he, as senior
officer, had already given to General Porter.
The steamer Kensington has captured the British
schooner Maria from Belize, and schooner Cams
from Havana, while trying to run the blockade at
Sabine Pass.

Further, diplomatic correspondence has been pub-
lished. In May last the French Ccnsul at New
Orleans wrote to M. Mercier, the French Minister
at Washington, that General Butler used " towards
the most respectable people against whom he
thought he had cause of complaint, the most extra-
ordinary language. His first words were almost
always, I will hang you,' or will send you to
Fort Jackson;