The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-21 00:00:00

SttN, LO {)UN, TIIMISDAY

place the slightest confidence in Federal military
figures. Judging by the analogy between former
Federal accounts, and the facts which have afterwards
transpired, POPE'S advanced corps met with a
thorough defeat. Such is the interpretation to be
naturally pat on the facts stated, that the battle
lasted from three p.m. till dark—that the result
was the retirement of the Federals beyond the
range of the Confederate guns, and their leaving
two of their own guns with the latter, while the
corps are represented as being " badly cut up." If
we interpret such Northern statements as but a
small part of the worst truth, Mr. STANTON and his
system with the telegraph and press must bear the
blame. That later reports represent the Confede-
rates as 'recrossing the Rapiddan River, their
loss heavy in the fight, that but one gun was lost,
and that the Federals were pursuing, does not alter
our impression from the first, probably more honest,
telegrams. The action is not one probably of much
military importance, but it sustains the prestige of
Southern generalship and Southern fighting. The
other encounters near Richmond ere both less in-
telligible and less important

is, that the temper of both
ya
rsraevlsa gbee.t
wTeheen vvtehlol-sken
wo whno
quarrel, are appearing in full
feelings evoked by
factnqgul
sidle'shbeemcoomstespainincrfuebal
vigour. We read of a Federal General being
ought never to
assassinated in Alabama, where the inhabitants
thought he had little right to be. The cowardly
act is revenged by hanging seventeen civilians for
the murder of one soldier, and wasting the country
round for miles with fire and sword ! General
POPE'S orders to adopt the cruel policy of the first
NAPOLEON, of making the invaded country bear the
cost of war, and to plunder from private individuals
such supplies as the army might require, has called
forth, and quite reasonably, a retaliatory order
from JEFFERSON DAVIS. It applies to Pon's
army only, and not even to his privates, as they are
but men acting under orders; the Generals Po?E
and STEINWEHR, and all commissioned officers
under their command, are not to be considered
soldiers, or entitled to the benefit of cartel, if taksn
prisoners. They are, if captured, to be confined, so
that if any unarmed Southern citizens are mu -
dered under any pretext by the Federals, they may
be shot, in retaliation, by the Confederate Genera:-
in-Chief. There seems every probability that tfe
longer the war lasts the more savage it will be-
come. American commanders are, above all others,
headstrong; and what Mr. LINCOLN, both from
disposition and policy, would never sanction, these
men at a distance from home will glory in doing as
their own acts.

From the South-West there is not much infor-
mation. The brave little Arkansas, we are in-
formed, has shared the fate of its greater predecessor
the Merrimac, it has been blown up. The siege of
Vicksburg has to be finally abandoned, and General
BUTLER at New Orleans is said to be in danger,
and, like all the Federal Generals, is demanding re-
inforcements. Indeed, on these the vigorous prose-
cution of the war by the Federals seems altogether
to depend. How they will be supplied is the gruel
question. Some States have furnished their quota,
but nearly everywhere they hang back. When
they are obtained they must at first be but ineffi-
cient soldiers ; and Americans, if procured by
dreughting against their will, must prove the most
inefficient of all men. Sovereigns do not understand
coercion and fighting their battles in person.
Altogether things look a shade darker for the Fede-
rals. Their conscription terrifies aliens, puts to
flight all who can make off, and arouses resistance
to ite demand°, while the military movements, so
far as we can learn the truth, seem to be most
favourable to the South.