The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, 'tiONTIOI, MONDAY EWPI \TOT% SETTFIVIBERI,iB69II

r issued by the War Department till an examination
is made to ascertain if there are any charges or
evidence against the character, conduct, or fitness
of the appointee ; and if there should be any such
charges or evidence, a special report of the same
will be made to the President.
" By order of the Secretary of War,

"E. B. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General."
The steam ships North Star and Roanoke ar-
rived at this port yesterday with advices from New
Orleans to the 10th inst. The most important in-
telligence by these arrivals is relative to the battle
of Baton Rouge, which proves to have been of much
more importance than at first appeared from the
mangled reports which reached us through rebel
channels.
The action, which was fought on the sth, termi-
nated in a complete victory for our forces against
considerable odds. Our troops fought with the
most desperate bravery and suffered quite severely,
though the rebel losses are much the heaviest,
numbering over a thousand—including, according
to Gen. Butler's general order of congratulation,
three brigadier generals killed, wounded, and pri-
soners, and many colonels and field officers. Gen.
Williams, it appears, did not have his head shot off,
but was killed by a rifle ball through the chest
while leading a portion of his troops in a charge.
Breckenridge is reported to have lost his right arm.
A General Lovell was killed, supposed to be a
brother of Mejor General Mansfield Lovell. We
also receive an account of the last movements of the
ram Arkansas, from which it seems the finishing
touches were put upon the monster by the gunboat
Essex, commanded by Captain Porter. The Essex
engaged the ram single-handed, and after effecting
a breach in her side with nine-inch solid shot, fired
an incendiary shell into her and set her on fire. Her
officers and crew mostly escaped to the shore.
Affairs in New Orleans are progressing about as
usual.

Some little excitement was occasioned in Suffolk,
Virginia, on Saturday morning last, by an appre-
hension that the place was about to be attacked.
On the night before about 100 rebel cavalry drove
in the national pickets.
A desperate battle took place at Clarendon,
Arkansas, on Monday of last week, between the
national troops under General Hovey, and a por-
tion of the rebel General Hindman's command.
Our force consisted of six regiments of infantry,
and part of an infantry brigade. The battle re-
sulted in the defeat of the rebels and the capture of
700 prisoners. The loss of life is reported heavy
on both sides. i
Our advices from Nashville represent that the
guerillas are threatening that city on every side.
All railroad communication with the city is cut off,
though telegraphic communication continues with-
out interruption. A large rebel force, under Gen.
Stevens, is said to be between Nashville and Mur-
freesborough.
The Philadelphia Bulletin of the 19th says a
gentleman who left Fortress Monroe last evening
furnishes the following information :
"The army of the Potomac had all arrived at the
lower end of the peninsula without being molested
on the way in the slightest degree. General
M'Clellan, it was understood, was at Williamsburg
yesterday morning. General Fitz John Porter's
division, which was on the opposite side of the
James River, has also come down the peninsula.
General Burnside arrived at Fortress Monroe on
the 17th, and went up the James River as far as
the Chickahominy to see how the operations were
going on. He returned yesterday morning, and
reported everything satisfactory. The weather
was cool and delightful, and most favourable for
the operations of the troops. Most of the gun
boats have come down the river, but some remain
to guard the pontoon bridge across the Chicka-
hominy, over which the army passed on its way
clown the river."

Reports were current at Washington that General
Jackson was coming up the Shenandoah Valley to
outflank General Pope. It was th3ught, however,
very improbable.

There was some talk at Fortress Monroe of
General Burnside taking command of the army
now commanded by General M'Clellan.
The Navy Department at Washington had re-
ceived the following official reports from Admiral
Farragut of the fighting at Baton Rcuge and the
destruction of the rebel iron-clad ram Arkansas :

" Flag Ship Hartford, Baton Rouge, August 7.
" Sir,--It is one of the happiest moments of my
life that I am enabled to inform the department of
the destruction of the ram Arkansas; not because I
held this iron-clad steamer in such terror, but
because the community did. On the 4th inst.
I sent the Tennessee up to Baton Rouge with pro-
visions for Commander Porter and the gun boats
stationed at that place. On the night of the
sth she returned with information that the enemy
had made a combined attack upon Baton Rouge by
the ram and the two gunboats Webb and Music,
and calling for assistance. At daylight the Hart-
ford was under weigh for this place, with orders for
the other vessels to follow me as fast as they got
ready. I arrived here to-day, at 12 o'clock, in com-
pany with the Brooklyn, Westfield, Clifton, Jack-
son, and Sciota. I had sent the Cayuga up before,
agreeably to a request of Gen. Butler, in consequence
of guerillas firing into some transports.
" On my arrival I was informed by Commander
W. D. Porter that yesterday morning, at two o'clock,
the enemy's forces, under General Breckenridge,
attacked Gen. Williams, and drove in his pickets,
&c. Gen. Williams having had ample warning all
was prepared for him.

" The fight was continued with great energy on
both sides until 10 a.m., by which time the enemy
had been driven back two or three miles, but unfor-
tunately the gallant Gen. Williams, while cheering
on his men, received a Minie ball through the heart.
" Gen. Williams had informed Lieut. Commander
Ransom the evening before of his plans, and re-
quested him not to fire a gun until he notified him,
and when he did so our gunboats, the Kinico and
Katandin, opened with fine effect, throwing their
shell directly into the midst of the enemy, producing
great dismay and confusion among them.
" Lieut. Ransom had an office on the State House,
which overlooked the adjacent country, and could
direct the fire of every shell. As soon as the enemy
was repulsed Commander Porter with the gunboats
went up stream after the ram Arkansas, which was 1
lying about five miles above, apparently afraid to
take her share in the conflict.

"According to a preconcerted plan, as he came
within gunshot he opened on her, and probably
soon disabled some of her machinery or steering ap-
paratus, for she became unmanageable, continuing,
however, to fire her guns at the Essex.
" Cominander Porter says he took advantage of
her presenting a weak point towards him, and
loaded his guns with incendiary shells. After his
first discharge of projectiles a gush of fire came out
of her side, and from that moment it was discovered
that she was on fire, and he continued his exertions
to prevent it from being extinguished. They backed
her ashore and made a line fast, which soon burnt,
and she swung off into the river, where she eon-
tinned to burn until she blew up with a tremendous
explosion, thus ending the career of the last iron
clad ram of the Mississippi.
" There were many persons on the banks of the
river witnessing the fight, in which they antici-
cipated a Iriumph for Secessia, but on the return of
the Essex not a soul was to be seen.

" I will leave a sufficient force of gunboats to sup-
port the ermy, and will return to New Orleans, and
depimmediately for Ship Island with a light
heart I have left no bugbear to torment the
communities of the Mississippi in my absence.
-

" D• G. FARRAGIIT."

;leans, Aug. 10.
e
of prisoners from
th
" Flag
Admiral :F shipa rr a
Hartford,gut als o r eNpmeo rbwtesro:
tll pickeda..
up a nu
Of whom I have catechised
very Closely. They agree very well respecting
their • and her passing the fleets,
- exit from the Yazoo,
and they of killed and
--eY also agree as to the number
wounded on each of these occasions, making in all
a large number
18 killed and wounded.
" At Vicksb deck with iron
Vicksburg they plated the
and fortified I+ She then came
—er with cotton inside.
down in command of Limit. H. K. Stevens, with
the intention of making a combined attack with

ket.

Breckenridge upon Baton Rouge, but her port
engine broke down.
" She was repaired in the course of the day, and
went out to meet the Essex the next morning, when
they saw her coming up ; the starboard engine gave
way and they ran her ashore, she being perfectly
unmanageable.
"They say that when our gunboats were seen
coming up, and the Essex commenced firing, the
captain set the ram on fire and told the crew to get
ashore, they also state that the gunboats Webb and
Music were sent for to tow her up the stream, but
did not come."
Admiral Farragut also reports the destruction of
Donaldsonville, Louisiana, by the Brooklyn, on 1
account of attacks there made on our steamers by
guerillas.

A Union surgeon who was present on the battle-
field writes as follows:—" From 5,000 to 10,000
rebels under General Breckenridge attacked about
3,000 Union soldiers, stationed on the outskirts of
Baton Rouge, at four a.m. of the sth of August.
The fight lasted until ten, when the rebels were
repulsed, and retreated in a row. The Vermont
regiment behaved badly, except its officers ; the
colonel was killed. 21st Indiana, 30th Massachus-
setts, 9th Connecticut, and 4th Wisconsin, did most
of the fighting, and nobly too.
" Many of our officers are wounded, and our total
loss in killed, wounded, and missing is probably
about 300. The rebel loss is very great as witnessed
by myself.
" The rebel wounded report General Breckenridge
with loss of right arm, General Ruggles killed,
General Clarke taken prisoner and wounded ;
Colonel Allen, prisoner and fatally wounded ; also
Captain Chun.
" General Lovell is reported killed, but it is pro-
bably his brother, as the general is thought to be at
Richmond. One rebel told me as I was amputating
his leg, that the rebels lost nearly 800 men, which
I think is nearly correct.
" Breckenridge sent a flag of truce for permis-
sion to bury his dead."
A Washington telegram of the 19th says—
" Lieut. Roe states that the enemy aro still hover-
ing in the rear of this place (Baton Rouge) and
that information is received that to the 6,000
already in the vicinity 4,000 men are approaching
from Manchiac and others from Vicksburg. I keep
in constant communication with the commander in
chief of the troops here, and am ready to open fire
when and where he may desire."
Commander Porter says the Arkansas had a crew
of 180 men, and mounted 10 guns, six 8-inch and
four 50-pound rifles. The gun-boat Essex, com-
manded by him, mounts seven guns, and had
only 40 men on duty at the time of going into ac-
tion. The Federal loss is reported as 70 killed and
215 wounded.
The New York Commercial has a letter written
on board the Brooklyn, in the Mississippi, which
gives the following account of the bombardment of
Donaldsonville—"On the 9th the admiral sent word
to the inhabitants of Donaldsville to leave the
town, as he intended to shell it the next day. From
this place they have fired into our transports re-
peatedly with rifled pieces, and a few nights since
fired into a transport laden with wounded soldiers.
On the 10th we started down the river, stopped at
Donaldsonville, fired a broadside of five second 9-
inch shell into the town, and then sent a party on
shore and fired the town in several places. The
buildings were soon in flames, and before we left
the greater part of the town was in ashes. It seems
hard, but it is the only way to stop the scoundrels
from protecting themselves, thinking we will not
fire into the town on account of the women and
children. The guerillas dare not fire at us in the
open field."
" Another account says—" Captain Broome,"with
the marines of the Hartford, landed, and immedi-
ately proceeded in search of one Philip Landray, a
noted guerilla captain, and a very desperate cha-
racter. We came upon him as we entered the lane
leading to his house, before he had time to gallop
out of the gate. And as his horse could not jump
the fence he left his horse saddled and bridled, also
his horse, all of which we captured. We then pro-
ceeded to his house, which was handsomely fur-
nished. We burned his house, furniture, stables,
outhouses, and sugar refinery, valued at 100,000
dols. While engaged in burning his property a
party of guerillas fired on us from the bushes, but
at too great a distance to do any damage. We
suppose they immediately ran off, as we could find
nothing of them afterwards. We burnt besides
some 24 houses, including hotels, saw-mills, &c.,
destroying over half a million dollars worth of pro-
perty, and returned to the fleet without losing a
man."

A St. Louis telegram on the 19th August says :
" The city was full of vague rumours yesterday that
a fight had occurred on Friday, near Lexington,
between 800 Federals and the guerillas of Quan-
trail, Hayes, and Hughes, in which the Federals
were defeated. No official advices have yet been
received. Passengers by the Pacific Railroad,
however, report that a fight did occur on Friday,
at Lone Jack, Jackson county, about 20 miles south-
west of Lessington, between parts of Col. Philip's
and Crittenden's regiments of State troops, 800
strong, and about 3,000 rebels, under Quantrell and
guerilla chiefs, resulting in the defeat of the State
forces, with a loss of 200 in killed and wounded,
and two pieces of artillery. Official accounts are
expected to-day."

Another desnatoh of the same date, from Lexing-
ton, says :—" General Lane has reached here with
reinforcements, thus rendering this place secure
against recapture. The gunboat Werner is also
here, and will render valuable service should we be
attacked."

The Cincinnati Gazette announces that the Con-
federates have captured Somerset and Monticello,
Kentucky.

The Grenada (Mississippi) Appeal of the 13th
August states that the Federals took possession of
Bayou Sara, on the 11th, seizing all the sugar and
molasses, and quartering a garrison there ; also that
the rebels have been reinforced in Arkansas, that
their advance stores there have been increased, and
that General Holmes has command of that state.
The order of General Sherman, at Memphis, pro-
hibiting the purchase of cotton with gold, silver, or
even United States currency, has been rescinded.
Major-General Grant on the 11th, issued the an-
nexed general order :
I
the a npyu
atr s u
lavnacseh
nf
got rodne:asl
lfrreosmt r i he
teiaodn-sqouna rttheer ss
sale
l e

of cotton, and the prohibition of the payment of
gold therefor, are hereby annulled; every facility

possible will be afforded for getting cotton to mar-

" By order of Major-General U, S. GRANT.
" J. C. ItAwLiNs, A. A. General."

General Sherman accordingly caused a notice to
be published in the Memphis papers to the same
effect.

The battle of Tazewell, according to the corres-
pondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, who writes from
Cumberland Gap on the 9th, was no more than a
skirmish, and a very badly-conducted one, as he re-
presents it. The march on Tazewell from the Gap
was for the purpose of procuring forage, and this was
gained while the enemy were increasing their force
to make a dash at the foraging brigade, of which
Colonel De Cotrey, an Englishman, who has a good
reputation as a soldier, had the command. He is
represented to have blundered in having his com-
mand so scattered in the face of an enemy as to make
any united defensive movement almost impossible.
A retreat took place after the Confederates ha I
completely beaten off the Union troops going back
to the Gap, whereas they might have driven the
enemy completely, Who
were in force within'seven
miles of the Gap, on the 9th inst. De Courcy re-
ceives much blame for his proceeding. The Confe-
derate troops under
General Hindman at Little
Rock, ArkanFag, were estimated between 50,000
and 80,000 mer.

Colonel Corcoran, so long in captivity in the
South, had been released, and had arrived at Wash-
ington, where he met with a most enthusiastic re-
ception. The President had appointed Col. Cor-
coran a brigadier-general.
General Casey had issued an order to the troops
under his command, Warning them against wilful
destruction of property, and forbidding marauding,
pillaging, 64., and urging regimental commander's

to a strict enforcement of the articles of war rela-
tive thereto.

Eight hundred bales of captured cotton were sold
at New York on the 19th, and brought 166,000 dole.
The State Department had issued orders to grant
passports to persons liable to draft, who desire to
proceed abroad, on their executing a bond with
sufficient security to the United States, conditional
to perform military duty or furnish a substitute.
Brigadier General Stone, United States army,
who had been confined in Fort Lafayette for some
months, had been released.

By telegraph via Halifax commercial intelligence
have been anticipated.

The NMC York Times, speaking of volunteering
and the coming draft, says :—" Voluntary enlist
ments are plentiful, and steadily increase in num-
bers from day to day. Last week more men were
added to both old and new regiments than it would
have been considered possible to raise in the time
even in the great uprising of a year ago. But the
quotas to be supplied from the city and county
of New York and the adjoining county of King's is
of itself a small army, and great exertions will have
to be made to avoid drafting for the purpose, at
least, of filling up the rocks of the second 300,000
demanded by the President. The first :requisition
will almost certainly be satisfied before the 22d
inst. by volunteering alone, and between then
and the Ist September a considerable surplus will
be found that can be credited to the account of re-
quisition No. 2, but unless an extraordinary enthu-
siasm be in the meantime evoked there must as-
suredly remain a deficit of several thousands to be
supplied by conscription. Enlistments ran up as
high yesterday in New York and Brooklyn as 700
to 800, but they must for the next fortnight average
1,000, or drafting will be indispensable."
Forty regiments had been organised in the State
of New York under the first call, 17 of whom had
received marching orders.

FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 17.—A great number
of steamships, steamboats, and schooners are now in
this harbour loaded with disabled soldiers and com-
missary stores, camp equipage, &c.
The Harrison's Landing mail boats made their re-
gular trips yesterday, when they were hauled off.
Nothing has been heard from Gen. M'Clellan's
army to-day, but last evening they were success-
fully crossing the Chickahominy, en route to Wil-
liamsburg, where his advance had arrived, and last
night their baggage train was passing through
Yorktown toward Fortress Monroe.

To-day the old bridge across Hampton Creek was
rebuilt, and a pontoon bridge was also laid across

near it.

A force of cavalry arrived at Hampton about noon
to day.

A large number of troops are in camp about two
miles this side of Newport News to-night.
A large baggage train is now at Hampton.
_ .

Gen. Burnside is now here, and there is some talk
of his taking command of the army of General
Clellan.

That a portion of this army must remain on the
peninsula is evident, as there are between Hampton
and Yorktown 20 acres covered by hospitals, and at
Hampton a railroad is now being completed be-
tween there and Fortress Monroe.

ST. Louis, Aug. 19.--The city was full of vague
rumours yesterday that a fight had occurred on
Friday last near Lexington, between about 800
Federal troops and the guerillas of Quantrell, Hayes
and Hughes, in which the Foderals were defeated.
No official advices have yet been received. Pas•.
sengers by the Pacific Railroad, however, bring
reports that a fight did occur on Friday, at Lone
Jack, Jackson county, about 20 miles south-west of
Lexington, between parts of Colonel Philips and
Crittenden's regiments of State troops, 800 strong,
and about 3,000 rebels under Quantrell and other
guerilla chiefs, resulting in the defeat of the State
forces with a loss of 200 in killed and wounded, and
two pieces of artillery. Official accounts are ex-
pected to-day.