The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-25 00:00:00

THE SU-N, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1861.
_ _ _

AMERICA.

We have advices from New York to Oct. 12, con-
taining detailed accounts of the events already re-
ported on by telegraph. Of these the most striking
is the attack of the Confederates upon the Federal
forces at Hatteras Inlet, which led to their defeat
with great loss. The following account of it is from
the New York Times :
Commander Chauncey, attached to the Atlantic
blockading fleet, arrived at Washington last even-
ing, from Hatteras inlet, with highly important
intelligence. On Monday the rebels organised an
expedition to attack and recapture the forts at the
Inlet which recently fell into our hands. The ex-
pedition consisted of six steamboats and about 3,000
men, the steamers being armed with heavy rifled
cannon and mortars for throwing shells. The attack
was simultaneous and persistent, but wholly inef-
fectual, and the rebels finally retired, after suffering
fearfully. The forts answered their fire with shell,
and were assisted by our vessels stationed off the
Gulf. Two of the attacking steamers are reported
to have been sunk, and judging from their crowded
appearance, it is estimated that about 700 men were
drowned, besides a large loss sustained from our shot
and shell, as our guns were served in the most effi-
cient manner. .

The rebels on the coast of North Carolina have
been taught another lesson in the efficiency of the
naval arm of our public service which they will not
be likely to forget immediately. On Friday word
reached Hatteras Inlet that a body of rebels,
numbering twenty-five hundred, consisting of a
Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia regiment,
had crossed over the Sound from the main
land and attacked the Twentieth Indiana Regi-
ment at Chicomicomico, forcing them to retreat.
The Snsquehana immediately steamed up on the
outside, while Colonel Hawkins, with six com-
panies of his Zouaves, set out for the relief of the
Indians, who formed a junction with him during
the night—having succeeded in passing, in the dark-
ness, a large body of rebels which had been landed
to cut off his retreat. Meantime, the Monticello,
early on Saturday morning, steamed up on the in-
side, and had proceeded but a few miles when she
discovered:a body of the rebels marching down the
narrow neck of land to attack our troops, while
others were being landed from their steamers. They
were all in easy range, and the Monticello opened
upon them with shells, 218 of which she fired in
three hours and a half, doing tremendous execution.
Tae rebels sought shelter in vain, and at last broke
in every direction, and sought safety on board their
vessels. Their loss is estimated at between 200 and
300 killed and wounded, among whom was Colonel
Bartow, of the Georgia Regiment, killed. Colonel
Brown, commanding the Indiana Regiment, reports
the loss of 50 of his men, as prisoners, comprising
his sick and wounded, and 20 pickets who could not
be called in. He succeeded, however, in saving his
tents, provisions, &c., which, under the circum-
stances, may be considered a remarkable feat.
The following account is from the Baltimore
American—

From several officers of the navy who reached
Old Point by the Susquehannah we have accounts
of two engagements which took place near the en-
campment of the 20th Indiana Regiment, which is
about 30 miles from Fort Hatteras. The entire
command at that place was confided to seven com-
panies of the regiment, in charge of its colonel, the
other three not having been forwarded there by the
steamship S. R. Spaulding, which carried them
from Fortress Munroe to Hatteras. They were
encamped on a narrow peninsula, without any more
formidable weapons than muskets, and were at-
tacked by a Confederate force of nearly 3,000 men,
consisting in part of the First Georgia Regiment,
under the command of Colonel Braisted, a graduate
of the West Point Military Academy, and one
regiment each from the States of Virginia and
North Carolina.

Finding themselves somewhat hemmed in by the
attacking forces the retreat was sounded, and the
command retired rapidly before they could draw in
their videttes. The colonel of the regiment states
that his loss in killed, wounded, &c., is not less than
seventy, whilst the enemy, who pursued them for
a considerable distance, succeeded in the capture of
the military stores, a considerable number of their
arms, knapsacks, and tents.
During the retreat the party met a military com-
mand of six companies, under the direction of Col.
Hawkins, who, supposing them in danger of an
attack, was on the march to reinforce them. Learn-
ing the particulars of the case, immediate commu-
nication was had with the fleet, when it was deter-
mined to send up the United States ship Monti-
cello, under the command of Captain David L.
Braine, United States Navy; and but a short time
elapsed before the steamer was under way,
and anchored within a short distance of the
evaciated encampment of the Federal troops. After
remaining there several hours, Captain Braine,
not perceiving any of the enemy, concluded that
they had disappeared ; but in this he was soon
disappointed, for the entire Confederate force was
observed emerging from a dense wood, and march•
ing along in columns of companies to the fort. The
steamer at that time occupied such a position that
she was enabled to give the enemy a raking fire,
and for three hours a continual broadside of shot
and shell perforated their ranks.
There seems no doubt that Col. Braisted was
I killed, together with many other commissioned
officers, whilst the line was thrown into confusion
by the unexpected attack. The strip of land which
the enemy occupied was so narrow that they had
but limited means of shelter, and it is reported by
one of the escaped prisoners of the Indiana Regi-
ment, that their loss in killed and wounded was not
less than 300.

Their expedition, which steamed down Pamlico
Sound, consisted of six steam tugs, one of which
was the Fanny, the same number of schooners, and
several large flat-bottomed transports. Two of the
schooners were destroyed, whilst the force of the
Confederates soon re-embarked and left for their
rendezvous, which is Roanoake Island, about 12
miles from the scene of the action, and well fortified.
Soon as the result of the affair was known at For-
tress Monroe much rejoicing took place, and it was
determined that all exertions should be used in
order to augment the strength of the Federal forces
on the North Carolina coast.

The following official accounts of the affair at
Hatteras Inlet had been received by the Navy De-
partment :

" United States' Steamship Susquehanna,
off Hatteras Inlet, Oct. 6.
" Sir,—Late in the afternoon of the 4th inst. I
received information that the enemy had landed in
large force at Chicamicomico and• Kine Kleet, and
that the Indiana regiment posted there was in full
retreat before them. Also, that our three tugs in the
Inlet were aground or disabled. The Fanny had
been captured the day before. lat once got under
way with this ship and the Monticello, and an-
chored for the night close to the shore in Hatteras
Cove. At daylight I found our troops in and about
the lighthouse, and in distress for want of provi-
sions, which they had been without for 24 hours.
I supplied them with food, and at the request of
the commanding officer remained for their protec-
tion during th day. Learning that the enemy
were in large force at Kine Kleet I sent the Monti-
cello to drive them off, which important service
was performed by Lieutenant-Commanding Brains
with great effect and good conduct. His report is
am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,

" ' United
off
Sctacacptjoe.s 'ILIa.
tLt
eArRa, Ds
Oct l t, . C 5 a.
Steamship Monticello,
" ' To Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough, &c.
" ' Sir,—l have the ho to inform you that,
in obedience to your order of this morning, I stood
through the inner channel of Hatteras Shoals at
12 30 p.m., and stood close
bright
tes
fvlalongeo and at the same
1-,
r a l shore
sailing
vessels
to e s
st
ehl the
n
northward, keeping a
At 1 30 p.m. we discovered look out from aloft.
manysid flyingstragglers
the
ov
ae r thereb
ellVfioaogd Woodland
the
Kingem id s t
Rh,
with
time a regiment marching to thenorthward, carry-
ing
in the rear; also, two tugs in
same flag. As they came out of tehe
woods
Kine Reef we ran close in shore and of
opened
deliberate fire upon them at a distancea
of
three-quarters of a mile. At our first shel,
which fell apparently in their midst, they rolled up
their flag and scattered, moving rapidly up the
beach to the northward. We followed them,
firing
rapidly from three guns, driving them up to a clump
of woods, in which they took refuge, and abreast of
which their steamers lay. We now shelled the
woods, and could see them embarking in small boats
after their vessels, evidently in great confusion, and
suffering greatly from our fire. Their steamers
now opened fire upon us, firing, however, but three
shots, which fell short, Two boats filled with men
were struck by our shells and destroyed. Three
more steamers came down the Sound and took posi-
tion opposite the woods. We were shelling, also,
two sloops. We continued firing deliberately upon
Chow AVIA half-PUt I pp, until half-pivit_ 3 p.m.,

when two men were seen on the seabeach making
signals to us. Supposing them to be two of the
Indiana regiment, we sent an armed boat and crew
to bring them off, covering them at the same time
with our fire. Upon the boat nearing the beach
they took to the water. One of them was success-
ful in reaching the boat—Private Warren C. Haver,
Company 11, 20th Regiment of Indiana troops.
The other man, private Charles White, Company H,
20th Regiment Indiana troops, was unfortunately
drowned in the surf.
" ' Private Haver informs me that he was taken
prisoner on the morning of the 4th ; that he wit-
nessed our fire, which was very destructive. He
states that two of our shells fell into two sloops
loaded with men, blowing the vessels to pieces and
sinking them. Also, that several of the officers were
killed, and their horses seen running about the track.
He had just escaped from his captors, after shooting
the captain of one of the rebel companies. He states
that the enemy were in the greatest confusion, rush-
ing wildly into the water, striving to get off to their
vessels.

" ' Private Haver now directed me to the point
where the rebels were congregated, waiting an op-
portunity to get off. I opened fire again with suc-
cess, scattering them. We were now very close, in
three fathoms water, and the fire of the second shell
told with effect.

" Six steamers were now off the point, one of
which I recognized as the Fanny.
At 2.25 p.m. we• ceased firing, leaving the
enemy scattered along the beach for upwards of
four miles. I fired repeatedly at the enemy's
steamer with our rifled cannon, a Parrot 30-pounder,
and struck the Fanny, I think, once. I found the
range of this piece much short of what I had anti-
cipated, many of the shot turning end over end, and
not exceeding much the range of the smooth-bore
32-pounder.
I enclose herewith the memorandum of the
amount of ammunition expended to-day. I am, re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,
" D. L, BRAINE, Lieutenant, commanding
U. S. S. Monticello.'
"To Capt. J. L. Lordlier, commanding U. S. S.
Susquehanna, off Cape Hatteras, N.C."

General M'Clellan is working his way cautiously
in the direction of the rebel position. On the night
of the 9th Gen, M'Call's division crossed the Poto-
mac and occupied Langley, five miles from the Chain
Bridge. The rebels did not show themselves any-
where in considerable numbers. The New York
Tinges of the 12th says :
The intention of Gen. M'Clellan seems to be to
strengthen the position of his army as he proceeds
further:into Virginia, so that he may have entrench-
ments to fall back upon in case a retrograde move-
ment should, to any extent, become necessary.
Heavy works are being constructed at all the now
points recently taken possession of by our troops,
in which they have not been interfered with by the
rebels. The pickets of the enemy are again in
sight along our lines, but they make no hostile de-
monstration. Affairs on the Upper Potomac con-
tinue quiet. Several movements of regiments have,
place, which are supposed
b y however,
some
to
recentlybe
preliminary
of
something of more
consequence.
The New Fork Times reports that the rebels are
still suffering reverses in Western Virginia, not-
withstanding the new energy which has been at-
tempted to be infused into their operations by rein-
forcements and a change of commanders. The
Federal general, Reynolds, has succeeded in driving
the main body of Lee's army to Greenbrier Springs,
20 miles beyond Big Springs, their former rendez-
vous. In their retreat they destroyed hundreds of
e
muskets, their tents, camp equipage, &c., and several
waggons fell into the hands of the national troops.
Advices from Gen. Roseerans are also encouraging.
He is reported to be at Mountain Cave, a strong
position 25 miles beyond Gauley. It appears he made
an advance 10 miles further, to Little Sewell, but
finding the enemy too well intrenched, and too
strong at Big Sewell, he fell back again to his pre-
sent position. There is no expectation that he will
be attacked, and it is likely that when he receives
the reinforcements which are now on their way
from Ohio he will again advance and seek an en-
counter.

A despatch from Fortress Monroe states that on
the night of Oct. 10, it being very dark and stormy,
two rebel steamers ran down the James River, with
the intention of attempting to pass the blockade,
but, being discovered, put back again. It is well
understood at Old Point that the rebels have for
some time been awaiting an opportunity to get the
Yorktown to sea, and probably the Merrimac.
Both are iron-clad, and, once at sea, they might do
incalculable mischief; but it is hoped there is little
probability of their sides being able to withstand
the heavy metal which could be thrown against
them by the Federal ships of war at Newport's
News and the Fortress. The Minnesota and Cum-
berland there have rifled guns throwing a solid shot

180 pounds in weight ; and, besides, there is the
" Union" gun, mounted on the Rip Raps, throwing
a shot weighing 430 pounds.
Advices from Missouri are confirmatory of the
report that Price and his army are in full retreat
southward, without waiting to give battle to
General Fremont. A correspondent of the St.
Louis Democrat, writing from Lexington, states
that it was Price's intention, after he captured
Lexington, to remain there and operate on the
north side of the Missouri River, and that he
actually crossed over on the 28th ult. with 4,000
mounted men, for the purpose of destroying the
railroad and committing other depredations. On the
evening of that day, however, word reached him
that General Fremont was preparing to advance
against him, with a force of at least 30,000 men, and
he immediately returned with his men across the
river, and the evacuation of Lexington commenced
that night. The correspondent of the Democrat
states that the force of Price at Lexington was very
large, but that many of the men were only there
for the occasion, and have since gone to their homes.
He marched southward, with a force of only 15,000
or 18,000 men, which was likely to be still further
decreased as he proceeded. Nothing is yet known
of the movements of General Fremont's army after
leaving Jefferson on the route to Sedalia. It was
thought doubtful whether he would be able to over-
take Price, as the latter had probably too much the
start, and the advantage of a light baggage train.
It was thought likely, however, that General Fre-
mont would at least follow him to South-west Mis-
souri, reoccupy Springfield, and clear once more

that section of the State from the rebels. A scout

who had arrived at Jefferson City from Springfield
reports that there are only one thousand rebels left
there.

The news from Kentucky grows decidedly more
encoutaging for the Union cause, as the situation
of affairs becomes more thoroughly understood.
The accounts of Buckner's strength are found to
have been much exaggerated. Many of his men
are understood to be without arms and shoes, and
but few of them are uniformed. Zollicoffer, who
recently invaded the State from Tennessee, by way
of the Cumberland Gap, is known to have returned
to his position at the Gap—his original purpose
probably being only the procurement of supplies in
the section of country invaded by him. On the
other hand, the national forces aro rapidly increas-
ing, not only by the accession of regiments from
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, but by the enlistment of
the Kentuckians themselves, who, now that the
occasion calls for prompt action, are flocking to the
national standard by thousands. In a skirmish
which took place near Hillsboro', in Fleming
County, 91 miles east of Frankfort, a body of 300
rebels were attacked by 50 Home Guards, who com-
pletely routed them, and captured a number of En-
field rifles, sabres, pistols, and other articles of war.

The following semi-official notification appears
in the journals :

" WASHINGTON, 9th.—Tho policy of the Govern-
ment in regard to employing foreigners in the mili-
tary service is as follows, the statements being made
on good authority—
" First, no one has been authorised to enlist or
raise troops in Canada, as has been affirmed to be
understood there.

" Second, no Commissions have been offered or
other overtures made to military men in France or
other European States, as has been affirmed there.
" Third: the Govonwlent has not tondered the

command of the army to General Garibaldi, as has
been represented in Europe.
" What is true P—First, that every foreigner
who has come with a good character and offered
his services to the Government iu support of the
Union, has been accepted, and no other is in the
military employment of the United States.
" Second, General Garibaldi being a naturalised
citizen, it was reported to the Government by one
of our consuls that the General was contemplating
a visit to this country, and that he had intimated
conditionally a disposition to engage in the service
of the United States. He was informed that if this
was the case his services would be accepted with
pleasure, and he would receive a commission as
Brigadier-General, being the same rank which was
conferred on General Lafayette in the war of the
Revolution.

" General Garibaldi, upon consideration of the
subject, has concluded not to offer his services at
present, but thinks he may by and by visit the
United States."

The .Zcew York Times complains that the achieve-
ments of th• navy are not on a level with its old
reputation :

We have no desire to speculate on the projected
naval expeditions, and the journals, animated by
an admirable patriotism, have generally refrained
from any revelations onthat score. But it is obvious
that these movements cannot be much longer de-
layed. The seizure of the chief Southern cotton
ports is fast becoming a military necessity. The
rebels are fully alive to their danger, and are indus-
triously employing their season of grace in strength-
ening their coasts and forts. It is well known that
at the time of the Hatteras victory Fort Macon,
which commands Beaufort, N.C., was almost de-
fenceless. It is well known that they have now
168 guns mounted at that fort, with a force of some
3,000 men. It is thus extremely doubtful whether
the increased efficiency we get by delay is not more
than outweighed by the additional obstacles we
shall ultimately have to encounter. Besides, every
day brings us nearer to stormy November, when
the onshore gales make maritime or coast operations
difficult of execution and uncertain of success. Ad-
vantage should be taken of these halcyon October
days to strike a succession of telling blows on the
enemy's flank, if we would not wholly lose our
great opportunity.
The New York Chamber of Commerce had ra.
ceived a formal visit from Colonel Romanoff, of
the Imperial Russian Engineers, accompanied by
Mr. Collins, the United States commercial agent at
the Amoor River. The object of the interview
was to bring before the American public the sub-
ject of the great Russian telegraph now in course
of construction from St. Petersburg via. Eastern
Siberia and Behring Strait to Nicholisk on the
Amoor, with special reference to the project of ex-
tending the same to the United States.
Californian advices by the overland route are to
the 2d inst. from San Francisco. The steamer
Uncle Sam left on Sept. 28 for Panama with
1,115,000 dols. in specie. There was no change to
report in the markets, and the news generally from
the Northern Pacific was unimportant.

Havannah advices are to the sth inst. The health
of Havannah was much improved. The crops looked
well, and except in parts of the country where there
has been a severe tempest, they will be large.
Markets steady. Sugars, Nos. 11 and 12, at 9to
91 dols. per arroba. Stock in Havannah, 65,000
boxes. Exchange on London, 161 to 17 prem., 60
days' sight.
It was reported at Havannah that Gen. Serrano
was to leave for Spain on the 20th inst., and that
Gen. Prim is on his way to Cuba to assume the
Captain-Generalship: It was conjectured that he
would have absolute command of the expedition
against Mexico.