The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-01 00:00:00

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

(From the Special Correspondent of the Times.)
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 15.
Although there are some who suppose the Con-
federates will retire, as they are pushed, until they
take up a position behind Manassas, and that they
will not fight better than they did in the action of
the 21st of July, there is no sound reason for
believing that they will not risk another battle, or
that they will not contest it with at least as much
spirit. But that they have chances of being as
successful now as they were before is scarcely ad-
missible, judging, not from any qualities in the
men, or any accidents of generalship, but from the
actual superiority in materiel, and, perhaps, in
men, possessed by the Federalists. Let it be
granted that the Confederates are unanimous, and
that they are as consolidated in their identity of
opinion and in their animosity to the " Yankees"
as a bar of iron ; they must soften under fire if it
be long and hot enough. The Northerners, who
have served with Southern men, admit their gal-
lantry, but do not give them credit for great en-
durance and long-continued efforts. They are of a
showy, flashy, and rather effervescent courage,
which does not keep well except in bottle, and is
apt to bubble away, they say, when exposed to the
weather. This may be true or not of the mass of
rank and file ; but the leaders have shown no lack
of temper, persistence, and fixity of purpose. It is
strange enoughto hear a placid but stern Northerner
admit that he was bullied 0 " the Academy" by
the Southerner, and that at West Point and the
great public schools and colleges the latter generally
took the lead ; and, when you inquire into the
reason, you are told that the men of the South
were generally " fiercer" and more overbear-
ing than natives of the Northern and Western
States—more hot-tempered and domineering, so
that contradiction or opposition of any sort chafed
and irritated them into quarrels, and in order
to avoid such unpleasantness they had their own
way. They were, after a manner, spoilt children
of the Union. The Northerners were actually proud
of producing such fine gentlemen, and even yet
there is a sort of sneaking regard for the elegant
and accomplished men reared in the midst of the
Slave States and educated in the North amid influ-
ences which led them to think they were really better
than those around them. It may readily be imagined
how these young gentlemen, full of warm blood and
pride, despising labour and all . base mechanical
arts, lorded it over the hard-working, plodding off-
spring of manufacturers, commercial men, and
traders who were studying by their sides. Cradled
among slaves, growing up in the exercise of com-
mand, engaging in the sports of the field early in
boyhood, they became imperious, self-reliant, and
haughty, and entered upon manhood bold horsemen,
good shots, quick-eyed and strong-nerved, amid the
youth of the Northern cities, who were their fellow-
students without being their equals, or even their
associates, and for whom, as their inferiors in those
particulars, they entertained feelings not far re-
removed from pure disdain. But the Northern men
ran up alongside them in the after race in life, and,
although it is probable the Volunteers are not supe-
rior, they are surely equal to the Southern levies.
The Departments were startled to-day by the
retort that a Confederate flotilla had attacked the
blockading squadron off Ship Island, at the exit of
the Mississippi into the Delta, and had destroyed
the.Prebble, 16, and Vincennes, 20, sloops of war ;
but though there is no means of denying the report
there are grounds for thinking it is exaggerated. It
is quite certain that there is a battery of six 9-inch
guns on the island, which it would be difficult for
such a flotilla as was likely to be fitted out in New
Orleans to deal with successfully. There is no use
in speculation when a few days will settle the matter
—but it is probable that an expedition down the
river, under Captain Hollins, of the Confede-
rate (late of the United States' navy, and serving on
board the Susquehanna), did force the feeble squa-
dron, which consisted of the two vessels named
above, one of which is 35 and the other 24 years
old, a small steamer, and some transports, to retreat
under the battery, or to run in among the mud flats.
It is evident that the Confederates did not gain a
complete success, or they would not have retired till
they had possession of the ships or had burnt them.
His old comrades are inclined to think that Captain
Hollins has been indulging in a little gasconade,
to which he is said by them to be much addicted.
if the despatch be genuine, however, it is not likely
he would render himself ridiculous by statements
which could be disproved so easily. As long as the
exit is in possession of the Federalists, and is pro-
tected by batteries, such exploits, however daring
and however mischievous to the enemy, will effect
little service in opening the great river or in raising
the blockade. It is surprising the Government did
not seize upon and fortify the post long ago, and
hold it with a force able to resist any mere razzia-
like attacks or sudden raids. The rumour has caused
some agitation at all events, and in its earlier phase
was very alarming, for it amounted to the destruc-
tion of the blockading force and the actual opening
of the Mississippi for the time. The steam ram
which was used in the operation was being built at
New Orleans, or rather at Algiers, on the opposite
side of the river, when I was there, but I heard it
was a failure for want of steam power. It was a
tortoise-shaped vessel made of iron, and armed with
heavy guns just peering above the water, and was
provided with apparatus for blowing steam and hot
water over any boarding parties who attempted to
gain the arched deck, beneath which the crew were
placed in comparative security.
There has been no event of any consequence at
the south side of the Potomac beyond some desul-
tory shell firing of the outposts of Porter's division
against the Confederate pickets near Falls Church,
by which they succeeded in setting fire to a farm-
house. The positions have been advanced a little
on the right, and consolidated and connected by
the movement of different battalions, and the
Federalists are gradually getting into a solid line
of occupation frcim the right, resting on the river
above and behind Lewinsville, to the left below
Alexandria, forming a complete sweep round
Washington, with a chain of forts, abattis, para-
pets, and earthworks, supported by strong divisions
behind them. At night there was heavy firing
down the river. The Seminole, a screw war
steamer of the third class (800 tons), having been
fitted out at the Navy yard, was proceeding down
the stream to join her consorts in the naval expe-
ditionary force when she Was fired on by a Confe-
derate battery some miles below Alexandria. The
enemy thought, probably, that it was the Pawnee,
laden with marines, among which they might have
hoped to do much damage, and they therefore
opened from a battery in a place where no trace of
any work bad been seen or suspected.

A long ride to-da OCTOBER 16.
munsovsizialong the front from Arling-
ton by
Cross-
roads to the Ferryround by Ball's Cross--
at Hill, and
o iuteeorrgetown, failed to furnish
me with matter
eamp
lir to European readers.
All the details of
people here in their own
which naturally excite and picket skirmishing
country, undergoing the horrors
and with
its scenes brought home to their °df:rshalb, would. fall
flat and stale on the ears of those
looking on from afar with philosophicel°slt'
o are either
speculative indifference,lor with sympathies
aroused by the greater movements and only
events on
which the fate of the struggle and the grand prin-
ciples it involves depend. Gen. M'Dowell was in'
front of his tent at Arlington, for he prefers the
canvass to the mansion, philosophising, too, under
the shade of the fine old trees, while his wife, who
had come out from the city to spend a day with
her husband, sat knitting inside. Perhaps the
-world will not care much about that either, but the
name of the General who commanded at Bull's Run,
and who deserved a better fate than to have it asso-
ciated with defeat, is historical for ever, and at all
times the steadfast endurance of misfortune has
been considered worthy of the respect of higher
beings than man. The zeal and warmth with which
Mr 'Dowell assists the young friend and former com-
rade who has been placed over his head mark the
Ilnercus nature of the officer who, in rising
%bpVe
a justifiable military jealousy, has achieved
I,a r 2
4rte
ftnclacst over a soldier's nature and over
.... amme
the inut:ftiallices of his profession. I have
°44l"race that the General will i

justify every expectation which may have
been formed of him by his friends when
the next battle is to be fought. Here he is
now with 12 regiments under him. A few weeks
ago he commanded "the Grand Army of the Poto-
mac ; " his name was on every tongue ; a chorus of
adulation and praise went up all over the land in
his honour. Such is the steady appreciation of the
present and the disregard of the past which mark
the Republican mind. But let him get a corps, as
it is said he will, and obtain some independent suc-
cess, and he will tap that ready fountain which
flows beside the waters of Lethe, and will be covered
with its pleasant but frothy showers. As the General
is talking there appears through the trees a group
of officers more like the military men of Europe in
dress and mien than the bulk of volunteers. There
is the French kepi, gold lace banded, cocked up as
to the peak, the neat tight tunic buttoned up, the
short hair, trimmed moustache, the long riding boot,
bits and spurs and housings clean and bright. The
visitors are General Blenker and Prince of Salm-
Salm, and others of his Staff—all Germans, with a
little army of Germans to themselves, for Blenker's
corps outside, though it is a sort of Legion Etran-
gere, is composed principally of people from Deutsch-
land, of whom some 60,000 have taken up arms for
the United States. After a time they depart, and
I continue on my way and see in secluded dells vari-
ous gallant Blenkerites engaged in the consumption
of lager beer, or in the demolition of farm-houses,
for they are rather inclined to treat an enemy as an
enemy, and spoil the Philistines when they can.
There was a little pottering of musketry now and
then, but on the whole the day was quiet here.

OCTOBER 17.

There are grounds for supposing the Confederates
are holding on very lightly to their advanced posts,
notwithstanding reports of skirmishes in front.
According to the best information, there is no con•
siderable force about Winchester or Leesburg, and
the corps scattered about there, though reinforced
to-day, are rather in an attitude of insecurity, and
will probably concentrate and march off as soon as
an advance of the right takes place. General Banks
was in town to-day, very possibly to confer with the
Generals on the plan of the campaign, for though
not a soldier by profession, he has evinced such a
remarkable vigour and soundness of judgment that
he has established a position for himself which can
not be overlooked. There are little points of diffe-
rence to be adjusted before any uniform plans can
be adopted. General Scott is still Commander-in-
Chief, and his views do not always coincide with
those of the young Major-General commanding the
army of the Potomac. As I mention the veteran's
name, I am reminded that I appear to have done
L him some injustice in reference to the order which
I he published to the army on the issue of paper
money, on which he congratulated himself, as I un-
derstood, on being able to announce to the troops
that they could draw notes instead of gold. What
General Scott said was that they could draw those
' notes as well as gold if they pleased, and he pointed
out the advantages of the paper as a medium of re-
mittances. I make the correction very readily, for I
would not willingly be found among the number of
those who cast disparagement on one so eminent for
past services, high character, great courtliness of
manner, and kindness of heart. It may readily be
imagined that the acts of the junior who has leaped
so rapidly to command are not always approved by
the nominal chief, and that the limits of respective
authority are narrowly watched. The uncertainty
which prevails as to the uncertainty of the enemy
causes a multitude of plans to be ventilated. Wash-
ington is so well covered with works that 40,000
men ought to suffice for its protection. " What, then,
is the use of all the men who are around it ?" " Give
us something for our money." " Make a move."
"Save Kentucky." "Rescue Missouri." " Send men
into the West." "We have every confidence in
M'Clellan, but we would like him to make a sign"
—such are the voices from New York, working
heart and soul for the Union, which happens also
to include New York. The subscription to the na-
tional loan is progressing at an extraordinary rate.
Trade is reviving. Money is pouring in. Spite of
the New Orleans story, confidence and hope are
firm. It is probable Gen. M'Clellan will soon move
out his head quarters to Arlington House, and then
. the expectations of the capitalists will have some-
i thing to rest upon. Washington and its vicinity
is a depot from which stores may be drawn as long
as the river is open and railways work; but then
you will see that the Confederates have opened bat-
teries above Acquia Creek, and have fired on the
men-of-war going down from the Navy-yard. The
Seminole is a 3 gun screw steamer of 800 tons;
the Pocahontas is a screw of less than 700 tons, with
five guns; the Pawnee, of 1,300 tons, carries six
guns. All these were fired on the night before last
by bad artillerymen, who struck them several times,
but did no damage. Still, it is a significant sign.
The Navy are rather glad of it, for they say they
have been preaching till they are hoarse about the
necessity of sending a military force to occupy the
points where these batteries now are. What is the
use of firing at sand banks or the river shores P
There are 36,000 horses and mules here to be fed,
and five times as many men, not to count the ordi-
nary population swollen by contractors, and jobbers
and job hunters. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
so long in the hands of the Confederates, is to be
repaired and reopened. Bat little can be expected
from Western Virginia. Indeed, so exhausted is
the Valley of the Kanawha by the tramp of ma-
rauding columns and inexhaustible advances and
retreats, that Floyd on the one side, and Rosencranz
on the other, have fallen back and left the valley to
its tears. May not this process be but a precursor
of what will take place on a larger scale down
South when the big armies move ? The Federal
Governor elected at Wheeling is issuing proclama-
tions headed " Commonwealth of Virginia," fixing
the fourth Thursday in October for the election of
representatives to Congress in those districts which
" failed to elect, by reason of armed men in rebellion
against the Constitution and laws of the United
States." It will require something more than that
process to restore Virginia to the Union. Recent
English visitors to the South say the anti-Union
feeling in the State is strong and unanimous, and
that there is no sign of distress in many counties
which have been occupied, but it is unquestionable
that supplies cannot be drawn indefinitely from a
country which, rich enough, was by no means well
cultivated. Sir dames Ferguson, who was accused
of being a spy and of carrying despatches from Lord
Palmerston—two such names mingled !—to Mr.
Jefferson Davis, was injudicious enough to ad-
dress himself to the source of the calumny, and
meets with the treatment an Englishman and a
gentleman is certain to. receive in that quarter, as
we see to-night. Refuse an invitation to dinner, as
I did on arriving in New York, and you may know
what to expect. But would not starvation in com-
pany with an honest man be better than the ill-
gotten luxury and nasty companionship of such a
foul knave ? The worst of it is that, like a bloated
and rotting carcass on the surface of a stream, the
thing shows how the current flows and the tide
sets. And so there is an incessant abuse of Eng-
land and Englishmen. It is true that Americans
often blush as they read. To leave so unpleasant a •
subject, let me say that Mr. Mure has sent in an .
explanation of the circumstances which excited Mr.
Seward's displeasure that will no doubt be quite 1
sFaetrrisfyacyteosryte.rdaTy,here was a skirmish at Harper's 1
and the newsboys are calling out i
" ARother great battle !" The rain is falling in
torrents.

" Battle at rlinianrgper's OCTOBER
details o
flBt.h e
The morning •
papPeresr give the
Geary's force across the 7 " on Wednesday. Col.
men with
on Bolivar Heights,
consisting of 450
three
ecavalry with
attacked by 2,500 infantryl"atnhd
ours. Colonel
guns, was
seven guns. The fight lasted eight"h
Geary lost four killed, nine wounded,
On
killed 150 Confederates and tooktehe missing;
soners, and one 32-pounder, the latterr y b pri-
soners,
charge, described as being "terrifically
magnificent." There was a tremendous cannonade
from flank and front, and well directed attacks
of infantry and cavalry ; but impetuous bayo-
net charges repulsed the enemy, and the gun
was taken and retaken in the same manner.
There are accounts of several affairs in Missouri
and elsewhere, One of them is rather remarkable

from the fact that an officer had 32 bullet-holes
through his clothes and none in his body. But
there is no greater probability of an encounter be-
tween Fremont and Price than there was last week,
if it be true that the latter has arrived, with his re-
treating army, at Osage. As soon as this letter has
been posted I shall endeavour to ascertain how far
the reports which have come in that the whole of
the Confederate line has been withdrawn to-
wards Manassas are correct. It is doubtful, ac-
cording to these statements, whether Fairfax Cour-
thouse is occupied by any force at all. Should a
reconnaissance verify the fact, the Federalists will
advance and occupy the ground. But what if all
this time General Beauregard has been preparing
new combinations which he has concealed by a false
advance ? The occupation of Munson's Hill and of
the forward line may have been intended as a screen
to more important demonstrations in other quarters,
and we hear of considerable masses of the Confe-
derates being seen near Occognan Creek, and down
the right bank of the Potomac. You will remem-
ber all along it was a favourite theory of mine that
the Confederates would endeavour to close the river,
and to secure such a command of it that they could
pour a corps into Maryland whenever they pleased.
They have so far developed their batteries that ships
of war run the gauntlet under fire, and the usual
flotilla of small craft which were wont to ply on the
busy waters, is arrested below the newly-opened
batteries. The stoppage of water supplies will in-
convenience Washington and the great host around
it exceedingly, and the authorities must make some
attempt to destroy those works. Fuel, wood, eat-
ables of all kinds, and a very large traffic in neces-
saries were carried on by fleets of pretty little white
canvassed schooners, which are now afraid to come
up, and are accumulating in swarms in the lower
bends of the stream. The single line of railway
which runs into Washington scarcely suffices to
carry the soldiery and passengers, well managed as
it is, and is utterly inadequate to convey the provi-
sions which would required if the river navigation
were interrupted. Indeed, the more northern lines,
of which this railroad is a branch, have been obliged
to announce that they will not take freight, owing
to the enormous passenger and light traffic. The
movement on Occognan, and on the right towards
the river, may be meant to meet an expected
demonstration from the expedition which is to
sail to-day from Annapolis, and it may be a
part of a general retirement to the line of
the upper Rappahannock River, in rear of the
position at Manassas. There is an opinion that
the Confederates will not again fight at Bull's
Run ; but it is not easy for us here to see what they
can gain by retiring, unless they hope to have a
better chance of utilising their expected victory in
a long pursuit. There is much talk about" drawing
on" the army on each side to attack, but with such
great masses of men the process is neither easy nor
apt to be successful. The railroad from Acquia
Creek runs through Fredericksburg, on the Rappa-
hannock, to Richmond, and is joined some 30 miles
south of Fredericksburg by the Central Virginia
Railroad, which runs nearly parallel to the course
' of the river, north-west and south-east from the
Oran and Alexandria Railroad, the same that passes
through Manassas. There is thus formed a rude sort
of parallelogram, enclosed by railroads on the east
or left, west or right, and south or rear, and by a
river on the north, the west being further guarded
by the Blue Ridge chain, and the right resting on
the river itself at the railroad. There would be a
greater danger to Maryland than ever if such a
movement were effected, but it would at the same
time give immense relief to M'Clellan, and enable
him to debouch his columns into the plains compa-
ratively open, which lie beyond Manassas. Unless
a blow is meditated or some severe pressure is felt
by the Confederates, it appears, nevertheless, a use-
less abandonment of a fine defensive position to re-
tire from Manassas, and I am inclined to believe
they will be found there in force as soon as the
Federalists begin to feel for them, These naval ex-
peditions must cause great uneasiness, for no one
can tell where they are going, and it is but natural
' that the Confederates should strengthen their right
flank, to which they have invited attention and
attack, by endeavouring to close the river. The
i Federalists naturally suppose greater mischief is
- intended, and are despatching regulars and consider-
able reinforcements to Perryville, and other places,
in Maryland. The Southern States are preparing
for invasion—a sea-coast descent—to the best of
theirability. The States' Militia, the Home Guards,
are all in a condition of watchfulness. The people
of Georgia are very uneasy about the position of
Savannah, and, as Brunswick, on their coast, is
named as a probable point of debarkation for a
portion of the force, General Lawton is taking
steps to guard it, as well as other places. This
alarm gives a fine leverage to the authorities over
all people, and there are already ominous hints
about " lists of black sheep and renegades," who
for recusancy can be placed in the terrible position
of being " suspected of being unsound in their alle-
giance to the Confederacy." That, at least, may
mean sequestration of property. Thus things run
their course. Confiscation at the North begets se-
questration at the South. The Government of Rich-
mond is resolved that, if the Yankees get a cotton
port, they shall get no cotton. The planters are re-
quested to send none of that clarissima causa bell
to the seaboard, and in some instances bales which
had been sent to market from the plantations have
been sent back at the owners' expense by the Pro-
vost-Marshals. There is reason to think that seques-
tration of all Northern property will be followed by
confiscation of Northern debts in the South, It
must not, however, be supposed for a moment that
the Confederate authorities intend to alienate the
property altogether. Receivers are appointed, ac-
counts kept, and everything needful done properly
and in form. This is acomfort to the owners, who,
nevertheless, may not appreciate this result of the
policy of the Government of Washington. The con-
fiscation of Southern property led to evasion and
subterfuge at New York. The bankers disobeyed
the orders and fulfilled their trust. Some few ves-
sels were seized, indeed, but stocks were sold out
and the proceeds remitted to England. Exchange
rose, and finally the Government backed out of the
work which they could but imperfectly accomplish.
The history of the world cannot point out two
countries more divided now than North and South
—two Governments, two nations, two policies. Is
it possible that the broken vase can ever be re-
stored ? Thousands of able men think it can, They
have faith in blood-cement. This secession is but a
disease in the body politic, skin-deep. A little
caustic, and up grows the sound flesh and all is
healed. Mr. Seward has invited Lord Lyons to go
round the camps to-day to inspect the doctors who
are to work at this great cure, and he has already
exhibited them to the foreign Ministers, for the
Secretary of State does not forget that he was
once a colonel of militia, and the assiduous atten-
dant on drills and parades in time gone by. It is
a strange reflection that the apparatus of martial
armour on which the Great Republic prided itself
should be used for the first time in all its strength
against no foreign enemy, bat in a fierce intestine
struggle to support a house divided against itself.
Is it not divided ? See the Philadelphia elections,
—the Democrats triumphant, and the anti-Lin-
colnites put in office. If the winter closes without
a victory, and the taxes are collected next spring to
the sound of distant battle, all that we have as yet
seen will be a feeble warning of the wrath to come.

The financial letters from Paris again indicate
much dullness. The wants of the Treasury are believed
to be great, and it is therefore assumed that a new loan
cannot be long delayed, although of course every effort
will be made to avoid coming upon the market until some
restoration of tone shall have taken place. The increased
heaviness of the funds is partly attributed to the belief
that, owing to the late sales of the Bank of France, the
amount of stock to be delivered during the liquidation
which has now commenced will prove extremely large.
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