The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-09 00:00:00

after a spirited interchange of shots, in which the
Cambridge sustained no particular damage.

The retreat of the Union forces under General
Schoeff from their advanced position near Cumber-
land Gap to Lancaster, was in consequence of a
report that the rebel general, Johnston, was ad-
vancing with 40,000 men, and threatening Louis-
ville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. The order to
retreat is said to have come from General Nelson,
through General Thomas, but there appears to have
been no cause for it. The retreat appears to have
been a very disastrous one, both to the men and to
the property of the Government. It is believed
that 20,000 men and 5,000,000 dols. will not now put
the campaign in Kentucky in so favourable a con-
dition as before the retreat was ordered.

It is reported from Osceola that Price has already
again crossed the Oregon River at Hoffmann's
Ferry, and that his advance guard was expected
at Osceola on Saturday last.
The—Richmond Inquirer says that the Confede-
rate Congress has passed a bill for the removal of
the capital from Richmond to Nashville, and that
the Congress will soon assemble there.
Joshua R. Giddings, Consul-General for the
British North American provincee, has accom-
plished the object of his visit to Washington,
namely, the removal of the delay and inconvenience
attending passports to British subjects on taking
passage for Europe at Portland, Maine. Hereto-
fore passports were required to be countersigned at
the State department, but that business is now to
be performed by a Government agent.
The 37th Congress convenes at Washington on
Dec. 2.

Mr. Purviance, of Pennsylvania, recently ap-
pointed Consul-General at Calcutta, has declined.
The steamship North Star, from Aspinwall,
Nov. 15, arrived at New York on the 25th with
829,807 dols. in specie. The intelligence from New
Granada is unimportant ; the foreign consuls have
been officially notified of the change of the title of
the Republic of New Granada to that of the
United States of Columbia.

The Richmond Inquirer confirms the statement
of the arrival of the steamer Fingal at Savannah.
Her Britannic Majesty's gunboat Nimble arrived
at New York on the 25th Nov.

Gen. Fremont is shortly expected at Washington.
The burning of Warsaw, Missouri, has been con-
firmed.

A deserter from the rebel camp came into Ge-
neral Blenker's camp yesterday, He reports the
rebel force about Centreville, where head-quarters
are established, as numbering 60,000 men, and as
many more all along the Potomac lines. Centre-
ville, he states, is well defended, but has no siege
guns. At Manassas, however, there are some heavy
guns. He describes the troops as being in good
spirits, pretty well fed, clothed, and armed, and
under the impression that the war is one of subju-
gation, devastation, and abolition. This impression
they receive from their officers and chaplains.
It is the intention of the Government to put all
the coast defences of the Northern States into com-
plete working order immediately for protection
against foreign foes, in case that such defence should
become necessary. The governors of the States are
authorised to carry out the work. This precaution
is highly commendable.