The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-13


Washington, Dec 12-Ietters received a, thu
Navy ysId state thai on the 9th instant, Com
maudef Rodgers left Tybec Roads before dav-
light with the steamers Ottawa, SENECA and
penbiDa, and crossed the bar Of Warsaw
Sound at half tide. The u. y forces approached
the + n on Warsaw Island within a mite, and
8, nj Lieut.. Ba'nes 10 il with flag Of truce, who
found il entirely deserted. The fort consisted
Of an enclosed octagoral work with plitfor ms
for ltlt guns ON the wa or faces The guns had
h'er rem owed, the platforms cut up and mag.
azine blown NJ. Commander Rodgers states
that everything had tho appearance Of being
very recently deserted.
Tie letter also says. From the mouth of
Wilmington river we observed battery bear
ing from VA about NV. by W, one half w
and distant three miles. L. is on the river and
just above house with red cupOla which is
one Of the coast survey points Of ,riangula-
ton, snd is about 10 miles f,om Savannah.
We counted five guns, apparently Of large cali.
bfe, on the face Of the battery towards Us. We
could only see one gun upon the outer face, but
there may have been more. We were near
enough TO see the men on the ramparts, and the
glisteniDE of their bayonets
The highest point reached 10y Commodore
Rodgers wa about ten miles from Savannah.
The strong forces which have cen sent ar Al INST
the Texans in the Mesill, Valley have driven
the ei envy fer back into Texas
Senator Sumner Intends pressing TO a con-
summation the measure which he introduced
ten yeas ago icr a ella sication and coifi
ton Of the statutes Of the United States.
Congress has, since the organization of the
Government, enacted some 3 900 &C 20 and Joint
resolutions, which fill more than {, 900 closely
printed page, and are scattered through many
volumes. bill for the purpose mentioned has
l., en- introduced in the House.
The Yiceroy Of Egypt has again shown bis
good will TO the United States 10y directing the
Captain Of the port Of Alexandria to exclude
oil vessels from bearing an unrecognzed tiag
within the hafbors OF Egypt and all priva'cefs
Of the r,bel states the facilities for obtaining
Egyptian cotton. Our manufacturers are placed
or an equal footing with those Of Great Britain.
II appears from a private letter that our gums
arc now but ten miles from Savannah, the
stccplcs Of which are plainly Visible from u o
decks Ct our chips a. they ride at anchor. It
seems 10 be unders'o God that in addition to our
occupation Of Beaufort, Gen. viele was at once
TO be sent with a considerable force to occupy
the n ost important point in the new approaches
to Savannah, and that another force will 90
about the same time on a similar errand in the
direction Of Charleston, TO hold certain strategic
points.
There are indications of COM vulnerable body
Of the enemy in the vicinity Of Occoquan Creek,
numerous camps being visible from tho decks OF
steamers on the Potomac.
Two privates belonging TO the 49th Pennsyl-
yanis Regiment, who we're performing picket
duty irem Gen. Smiths division, yesterday,
having strayed beyond our lines, attempted TO
return this morning when on being ordered to
halt by the guard, they turned aud run. One
was shot by tho guard in two PLACES, and has
since died, and the other was taken prisoner by
them. As the guard had been changed dnring
the absence Of these pickets, they evidently
supposed them to he enemies.
A rebel, deserted from Leesburg, who left
there about ten days ago, states that at that
town there are altogether upwards of 5000
men, Gen. Evans commanding.