The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-04 00:00:00

pidity of the march that the citizens of the very few
houses to be found were taken by surp:-ise, not
dreaming of an advance of our forces. Gen. Lee
telegraphed to the citizens of Fredericksburg yes-
terday that we were coming in two co moans. He
was mistaken, as we came in three, w,th the artil-
lery on the road making the fourth."
A despatch to the Associated Press from the
head-quarters of the army, dated 11 p.m., the 21st,
says :
" Gen. Patrick, Provost-Marshal-General of the Army,
this morning crossed the river to Fredericksburg under a
flag of truce, conveying to the civil authorities of that city
the following letter, demanding its surrender
" To the Mayor and Common Council of Fredericksburg.
" Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, Friday, Nov. 21.
" ' Gentlemen,—Under cover of the houses of your city,
shots have been fired upon the troops of my command.
Your mills and manufactories are furnishing provisions
and the material for clothing for armed bodies in re-
bellion against the Government of the United States.
Your railroads and other means of transportation are
removing supplies to the depots of such troops. This con-
dition of things must terminate, and, by direction of General
Burnside, I accordingly demand the surrender of the city
into my hands, as the representative of the United States,
at or before 5 o'clock this afternoon. Failing an affirmative
reply to this demand by the hour indicated, 16 hours will
be permitted to elapse for the removal from the city of all
women and children, the sick and wounded, and aged, &c.;
which period having expired, I shall proceed to shell the
town. Upon obtaining possession of the city, every neces-
sary means will be taken to preserve order and secure the
protective operation of the laws and policy of the United
States' Government.

1 ,
" ' I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"'E. V. SUMNER, Brevet Major-General, United
States' Army, Commanding Right Grand Division.'
"On arrival on the opposite side of the river, General
Patrick was conveyed to the guard-house by the military,
where he was detained until the reply was ready. In the
meantime, his communication was conveyed to General
Longstreet, whose troops are encamped a short distance out-
side of the city. As the demand was made upon the civil
authorities, the Mayor sent an answer, which was evi-
dently written at the dictation of General Longstreet, to the
effect that the namt,1.4.4-^ ----'-' d"'""" De remedied
so far as firing on our pickets and furnishing supplies and
material to the Confederate army was concerned; also that
the rebels would dispute the occupying the city by the
Government forces. He complained of the short space of
time allowed for the removal of the women, children, and
sick soldiers. The giving of any more time, as requested,
is now under consideration. Permission has been given the
citizens to run one train from the city, but only for the
conveying of women and children."

A special despatch to the New York Tribune,
dated Acquia Creek, the 21st, says:—

" The almost continuous rain of the last few days has
rendered the condition of the roads very precarious. A
large force is at work repairing the pier at this point and
the railroad to Falmouth, and the transportation by rail of
supplies of provisions and forage will be practicable within
a very short time. The rebels have still possession of Fre-
dericksburg. Their force, until yesterday, was small, but
it is believed today that they have been reinforced from
Richmond. Yesterday our artillery exchanged a number
of shots with theirs. The pickets are in sight of each other
on the banks of the river. No attempt to cross has as yet
been made by any portion of our army."