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 chancy of being as
successful now as they were before is scarcely ad-
missible, judging, not from any qualities in the
saen, or any accidents of generalship, but from the
actual superiority in materiel, and, perhaps, in
Tien, 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 sterp Northerner
admit that he was bullied at "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 hardworking, 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
report 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 oat 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 fiats.
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 from the right, resting on the river
above and behind Lewinsville, to the left below
Alexandria, forming a complete sweep round
%Vashington, with a chain of forts, abattis, para-
pets, and earthworks, supported by strong divisions
behind them. At night there was heavy Bring
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 consor is 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 had been seen or suspected.

A long ride to OCTOBER 16.
- dna lalong the front from Arling-
ton by Munson's
at ,Gand round by Ball's Cross-
yof
interest to
roads to the Perry
me with matter failed to furnish
European. readers.
wee
mita()
people here
All the details of camp
picket skirmishing
which naturally excite n
in their own
country, undergoing the horrors of
war and with
its scenes brought home to their doors, would would fall
fiat and stale on the ears of those
who
pmpiaher are
either
iersi curio sit
only
,
looking on from afar with philosohe
at
speculative indifference,lor with ay
aroused by the greater movements and 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-
slated 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
M'Dowell assists the young friend and former com-
rade who has been placed over his head mark the
generous nature of the officer who, in rising
above a justifiable military jealousy, has achieved
a rare 'llq.aerst
the innate
ve over a soldier's nature and over
talltst 003ealces of his profession. I have
144 u% that th.o General will

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 themselyes, 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
him some injustice in reference to the order which
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-
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 ?
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. But 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 James 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 dingier, 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. Mare has sent in an
explanation of the circumstances which excited Mr.
Seward's displeasure that will no doubt be quite
satisfactory. There was a skirmish at Harper's
Ferry yesterday, and the newsboys are calling out
" Another great battle !"
torrents. The rain is falling in

gi,v,e
the OzetTaoitEßoflBt.he
"Battle at Harper
The morning pa
ve.rthon Bolivar Heights,
on Wednesday. Col.
,ap;rs
Geary's force across
men t he'. Ferry"
consisting of 450
attacked by 2,500 infantry's" three guns, was
and 500 cavalry
seven guns. The fight lasted eight hours. with
Colonel
Geary lost four killed, nine wounded, one missing;
l)
killed 150 Confederates and took three ri
soners, and one 32-pounder, the latter by a
bayonet 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 ie rather remarkable