The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-25 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

Our advices from Berlin are to the 23d inst. The
anniversary of the King's birthday was celebrated
on the 22d with the usual ceremonies. The King
has taken the opportunity to confer upon ex-
Minister von Auerswald, as an acknowledgment of
the services he has rendered to the State, the
Order of the Crown (first class) and the title
of Count of Marienburg (Oberburgyraf). It will
be remembered that the same title was conferred
by Frederick William IV. upon the Minister
yen Schon when he retired from office. The
dignity implies a high place at Court. M. von
Auerswald is in a very precarious state of health
He was to leave Berlin shortly for his native r;zo-
vince, and then proceed to some watering place.
The electors of Elberfeld have requested. him to
stand as candidate in the coming electilons, but he
has declined, on the plea of ill-health. Count
Schwerin proceeds on a tour with his family to
Venice. He will stand for his former constituency.
Whether M. von Patow will come forward is not
yet known. Tb.e elections will probably be fixed
for the 25th. of April.

POLAND.
(From our own Correspondent.)
WARSAW, MARCH 17, 1862.

I mentioned in my last letter the arrest of Mr.
Alexander Zamoyski, who was employed in the
Law Credit :Society. The manner in which he had
been seized upon was most brutal—the door of his
apartment, being found locked, was broken open
with a hatchet, and himself dragged out into the
fortress, where he was sentenced to receive 200
lashes. He was charged with having printed and
circulated national proclamations and an address to
the Archbishop of Warsaw, a crime which even the
recent mock pardon of the Emperor could not tole-
rate. But the work of persecution and despotism
does not seem to end in this much-oppressed coun-
try. No one is free from the tyrannical proceed-
ings of the police ; and, in spite of the new regula-
tion which permits people to walk in the streets
with a lantern till 11 o'clock at night, the arrests
continue daily, and the courts-martial are in full
operation. The Russian authorities, and especially
General Rosnow, are exhausting every possible
means to discover the authors of the clandestine
journals, and of a revolutionary conspiracy of which
no one dreams here. It is a well-known Russian
dodge always to put forward some pretext of the
kind, in order to show the Emperor how indispen-
sable it is for the public safety that the state of
siege should be further prolonged. The
most ferocious persecution rind vengeance
are levelled against the clergy, numbers of
whom are pining away in the dungeons of the
Russian fortresses. The Rev. Mr. Swistlowski,
vicar of Kertno, imprisoned in the fortress of Modlin,
has just died from the extreme humidity of the
casemate in which he was lodged. He was an excel-
lent man, a great scholar, and a most eloquent
preacher. Victim of the Muscovite cruelty and re-
venge, he leaves behind him a most cherished recol-
lection, and a name which will be inscribed in the
daily-increasing list of the martyrs of Poland. At
Lewczyca, owing to the profanation of soldiers, the
cathedral is closed, the curate, the Rev. Mr.
Zukowski, is incarcerated in the fortress of Medlin,
and the vicar, the Rev. Mr. Ruszkowski, has been
transported into the depth of Russia. The same sys-
temlreigns in the ancient Polish provinces of Podolia,
Voihynia, and the Ukraine, NN here the military
governors got up a fresh war against the national
costumes, classing them among the most dangerous
instrument of propagandism; a pair of boots called
"patriotic" by the police, if found worn, render tivd
owner liable to a fine from 6 to 7 roubles, about one
sovereign in the English coin. A much heavier
tax, varying from 25 to 40 roubles, is set on the
national costume, and the singing of a national air
subjects the amateur who indulges in this rare en-
joyment to the payment of 120 roubles into the
Czar's exhausted exchequer. It may well be ima-
gined what a golden harvest such perquisites must
be to the venal Russian functionaries, not excepting
the governor-generals themselves.

The official journal in this city confirms the re-
port circulated of the murder of the men named
Sexupak and Sisruope, committed by the Muscovite
soldiery, whose atrocious conduct becomes worse
every day ; and also that several Russian officers,
suspected of too close an intimacy with the Poles,
have been sent to the most distant part of Russia.
A number of persons have also been arrested in
consequence of the publication of a very interesting
pamphlet, entitled " One word addressed by Poland
to the Archbishop Felinski."
On the whole the country is quiet, though deter-
mined to stand up by its rights. A great impulse
has been given by the educated classes to the ele-
mentary instruction in the villages, which is eagerly
sought after both by the young and the adults.
But for the constant impediments thrown in the
way of elevating the lower strata of society, number.
less schools would have been established through-
out the land. The land proprietors spare no
expense, and would make cheefful sacrifices to
spread education among the people, and to their
efforts are due the schools now in existence.
The same spirit pervades the students, whose
numbers have greatly increased. They emulate
each other in the love of study, and the dili-
gence bestowed upon it. A good monarch and
an honest Government could take advantage of
such a disposition of the country, and render it corn-
haptpye' 13y seconding the exertions of all
community ; by restoring- to the
tphaer a
classes
vsesley s
of h
Poles the rights which have been trampled upon,
and making them feel that instead of being their
oppressors they are their friends and protectors.
Alas ! are the Muscovites capable of, or willing to
act the part of a civilised Government ?
The Archbisop Felinski becomes more popular

every day, and also more convinced of the deception
practised upon him while at St. Petersburgh re-
garding the state of things here. Since his arrival
he has displayed the greatest activity in the exer-
cise of his sacred calling. He has introduced many
useful and beneficial reforms in the study and dis-
cipline of the seminaries; he visits daily some
establishment which is under his superintendence ;
lie has sacrificed part of his salary to the further-
ance of the various improvements in the Ecclesias-
tical Academy, for which he haB given up one part
of the Palace in which be resides. Such conduct,
whilst it witi3 for hint the hearts of all the Poles,
renders him an object of suspicion to the Russians,
who see in it a palpable refutation of the erroneous
notions they endeavour to spread in Europe, in
Poland, and the Polish nation.

AMERICA.

QUEENSTOWN, MONDAY.

The Royal Mail steamship Arabia, from New
York on the 12th inst., arrived at 12.30 p.m. She
brings 24 passengers and 176,450 dols. in specie.
She landed 92 sacks of mails and two passengers,
and proceeded for Liverpool ; all well.

CONFEDERATE NAVAL VICTORY.
(PER ARABIA, via QUEENSTOWN.)
NEW YORK, MARCH 11, EVENING.
The Confederate iron-clad steamship Merrimac
and the Confederate steamers Yorktown and James-
town left Norfolk on the morning of the, Bth inst.,
and attacked the Federal sailing frigates Cumber-
land and Congress at the mouth of James River.
The Merrimac received the broadsides of the Cum-
berland and Congress at 100 yards without sustain-
ing any damage. The Merrimac then ran into the
Cumberland with her iron prow, literally laying
open her aides she then drew off, fired a broadside
into the Cumberland, and again dashed at her,
knocking in her side, and left her to sink.
The Congress, which had kept up a brisk engage-
ment with the Yorktown and the Jamestown, then
struck her colours and surrendered.
The Federal frigates Minnesota and St. Lawrence
were being towed to the assistance of the Cumber-
land and the Congress, when the Minnescita got
aground and could render no assistance. During
the following night the new Pederal icon-plated
Ericsson steamer Monitor arrived at F ortress Mon-
roe, and in the morning was attacke'd by the Merri-
mac. These two vessels fought five hours, during
which they nearly touched each_ ether, the Monitor
finally succeeding in forcing a hole in the port side
of the Merrimac, which thereupon retired with the
Confederate fleet to Norfolk. The Monitor was
uninjured. The Confederates set fire to the Con-
gress and blew her up.
Fifty ram are supposed to have been killed on
board the Congress, and 150 were killed and
we-anded on board the Cumberland.
Nobody in the Monitor was hurt.
The sides, bows, and stern of the Merrimae•were
covered with sloping iron plates, extending two feet
below the water line, and meeting above like the
roof of a house. At her bows, on her water line, were
two sharp iron points resembling prows, six or seven
feet apart. Her number of guns is stated to be 12,
which were seen projecting from long elliptical port-
holes.
The New Yorh Worldpublishes an account front
the pilot of the Cumberland, stating that the Mor"
rimac was not disabled when she retreated to Nor-
folk.
Gen. Halleck officially reports that the Feelers'
army of the South-West, under General Curtis, had
gained a victory, after three days' hard figlating, at
Sugar Greek, Arkansas, over the coml-Jined Con'
federate forces of Van Dorn, Price, ani:i M,Culloch.
Guns, flags, and provisions were captured in large
quantities. The Federal cavalry vr, ere pursuing the
enemy. The Federal loss is e stimated at 1,000
killed and wounded. The eneuxy's loss is stated to
be larger.
Commodore Dupont's ne.val expedition, which left
Port Royal, captured and occv.pied Brunswick. The
expedition then proer,o(lPd to Cumberland Sound'
the entrance to the harbour of Fernandina, Florida,
and took possession of Fort Clinch, which the Con-
federates had evacuated.
• The Federals captured 12 large guns. They also
occupied Fernando and St. Mary's, the male inhabi-
tants having left.
The Confederates are supposed and reported to be'
making a grand stand at Chavenoon, Tennessee,
place of great natural strength, at the junction of
four railroads.
The Senate has passed a bill that no Federal
officer or soldier shall return fugitives.
The New York Times thinks the abandonment
of Manassas is a confession by the rebels that the
war is ended.
President Lincoln, as Commander-i'd-Chief, bad
issued a War Order, No. 1, saying that on the 22d
of March a general movement of the Federal
forces at Fort Monroe and the forces on the
Potomac and in Western Virginia shalt take
place, and that the naval force in the Gulf of
Mexico shall be ready for movement on that d ay.
The order directs Major-General M'Clellan, com-
manding the army of the Potomac, to proceed to
organise that part of the army for active operations.
General Fremont has received a command.
The British. gunboat Rinaldo arrived at Fort
Monroe on the 10th inst.

ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL ARMY.
(Per Arabia,by Telegrap'n from Roche'B Point, neat
QUe enstown.)
NEW YORK, MARCH 12, MORNING.
The Federal army made an advance towartig
Manassas on the 10th inst. 3,000 troops proceeded
to Centreville, which was found deserted. libel
thence Droceeded to Manassas, which the Confede-
raters had entirely abandoned, after burning and
d'estroying all they could not carry away.
They have also destroyed all the railway bridge°
in the neighbourhood, and have left nothing but
desolation behind them.

The evacuation of Manassas by the Confeder ates
is reported to have commenced on the 7th or Bth.
It is rumoured that they have fallen hack ore Gor
donsville.

It is supposed that the only point where they Bari
make a stand is at the junction of the Fredeyicl
and Potomac, on the Central Virginia Railmarl.
General M‘Clellan has established his bead'
quarters at Fairfax Courthouse.

The evacuation of Manassas by the Confe derateB
has caused great rejoicing throughout the N( there
States.

I The Federals have destroyed and abang 1004
their batteries on the Potomac, and burnt the Con'
federate steamer Page. They have also oc:Ampied
Cockpit and other points deserted by the C onfede.'
rates.
The Potomac is now open.
The Federal Colonel Grey has occupied Leesbur g I
which the Confederates had abandoned.
An official despatch from Gen. Curtis eon frrto
the news of the battle at Sugar Creek. Gen. Curti.°
says that Gen. M'Culloch was killed.
The House of Representatives has passed a reF cr
lution concerning pecuniary compensation to Stal ;e:
abolishing slavery, in accordance with Preside 0'
Lincoln's suggestion, by 88 against 31 votes.
It is reported that the Confederates are fortif
ing Island No.lo in the Mississippi, below Columbl 16
Beauregard has set out to take the comma° t
there.

The Federals have occupied Jeiquin (11, on the
Lower Potomac, which had been about
oned by tbg
Confederates. i

A call of the Governor of Virginia for 10,00
militia was read:in the streets of Jeiquin (?). Nearii
all the able-bodied belonging to that place Woe
with the Confederate army.

The Day Book admits that the Monitor is a for'
midable vessel.

Batesby Jones commanded the Merrimac.
The same journal states that some slight repo ii
will be necessary to the Merrimac.
The Norfolk Day Book compliments the crev r cif
the Cumberland for their bravery, and says I OAt
some shots from the Cumberland entered the or"