The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-27 00:00:00

Charleston road, near Blue House, and opened with
their artillery, but made no impression on the Con-
federate lines.

The Federals have crossed the river at Bennakers,
and were moving on Edisto. The Times says this
doubtless means that the Federals are moving in
force on the Edisto Island. Blue House is on the
Charleston and Savannah road, in the direct line
of march pursued by the right wing towards Charles-
ton. It would appear that movements in flank and
rear are being made on Charleston, in co-operation
with the advance from James Island.

Charleston despatches also state that the Federals
landed at Little Britain and Secret Post, and after
advancing to King's Creek, retired. The object of
this movement was probably to form a base near
Charleston for the use of the right wing of the
Federals advancing along the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad.

Sharp firing was heard off Charleston on Satur-
day.

The Richmond Whig of the 13th inst. states that
Sherman had crossed the South Edisto, flanking
Branchville on the west, and advanced to Orange-
burg on the Columbia and Branchville-road, 16
miles west of the latter.

Richmond papers of yesterday announce that
the communications with Charleston had been cut,
and think that Sherman's cavalry are operating on
the railroad via Raleigh, Wilmington, severing the
last line of communication between Virginia and
the South.

The Richmond Examiner states that Beauregard
was on the Edisto and the line of the South Caro-
lin railroad with the army of the Tennessee, ready
to offer Sherman battle. It is reported that Wade
and Hampden's, cavalry have reinforced Beaure-
gard, and the Governor of South Carolina has called
the whole population, including foreigners, to arms,
and those refusing to serve must leave the State.
The army and navy made an initiatory movement
preparatory to a general attack against Wilming-
ton on Saturday. The main body of the army on
the peninsula, and troops west of the river, made a
general advance against Fort Anderson, while
simultaneously on the west Admiral Porter bom-
barded the fort, occasionally shelling the Confede-
rate entrenched line.

Ames commauded the right extending to the
beach, and Pain occupied the left. The advance of
the skirmishing line drove the Confederates into the
main works. The Federals pressed forward and
captured the rifle pits, thereby keeping the Confe-
rates within their breastworks. Terry ordered the
reserve to advance along the strip of land between
Myrtle Sound and the sea. By the last account
they were moving forward. The Federals had lost
70 men, and captured 100 prisoneis.
The correspondent of the New York Herald re-
asserts the evacuation of Mobile, and says prepara-
tions had been made to burn the city of Atlanta.
Lee issued orders on Saturday morning offering
an amnesty to all deserters returning to their duty.
The general says that the resources of the Confede-
racy, wisely and vigorously employed, are ample,
and that with a brave army, sustained by a united
people, success cannot be doubtful. The advantages
possessed by the enemy are of little value if not
permitted to impair the Confederate resolution.
Lee appealed to Georgia for supplies. Freshets had
interrupted the supplies, except from that State.

The New York Herald asserts that the people
throughout Georgia are agitating in favour of a
convention for reconstruction.

It is expected that the draft will be immediately
enforced in New York.

The North American had arrived out, and the
Asia at Halifax.

The House of Representatives has altered the
prospective duty on cotton from 6 cents. per lb. in
corn to 6 cents. in greenbacks.
A despatch from San Francisco to the 14th inst.
states that by order of Gen. M'Dowell, passengers
to Mexico must obtain permits from the Provost-
Marshal. No citizen of the United States will re-
ceive a permit without evidence being given of his
peaceful intentions. Doubtful persons must take
the oath of allegiance, and aliens must produce
satisfactory proof of their nationality. The object
of this order is to prevent the increase of bands of
persons inimical to the United States now as-
sembling at Sonora with hostile intentions to the
frontier population and the military post of the
United States.

Richmond papers of yesterday announce that
Sherman's advance cavalry are as far north as

Florence.

Three vessels laden with cotton have arrived at
New York from Savannah.

The subscriptions to the 7.30 loan since Monday
amount to over 17 millions.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

At the evening board to-day gold was quoted
2041. Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 115 ;
Illinois, 113 i ; Erie, 76; ; 5-20 Bonds, 1141 ; New
issue, 1101.
The advices from Europe by the North American
have caused an advance in Government securities.
NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 11.30 A.M.
Gold, 2034.