The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-20

Our advices from New Orleans, brought by the
steamer Columbia. is to tho 18th instant, and the
news is Of importance. General Franklin's CON-
mand. which had sailed for Sabine Pass, had re.
turned to New Orleans in consequence Of the re.
pulse and capture of the gunboats Clifton and
Sachem. The corps under General Franklin left
New Orleans on the 4,h instant with the intention
Of occupying Sabine City as base for future
operations. An attack was act down
for the morning of the sth, and the
accompany ing gnnboats opened the ball with
out eliciiing reply for some time until the yes.
sells came within easy range, when the rebel bat.
tcrcs opened fire with heavy shot, and after
sharp engagement SO crippled the Sachem that she
had to lower her flag. The other gunboats then
eagagcd the batteries with some degree Of sue
cess, for the purpose Of covering the landing of
troops. until shot struck the Clifton, destroying
her boiler and making her a wreck. She was also
compelled surrender, the rest Of The boats were
withdrawn and tho expedition abandoned. Our
map sets forth the locality Of the scene OF strife.
portance If true. It is there rumored that the
rebels have evacuated Richmond and gone south
ward. completely abandoning Virginia to the
Union troops. The rumor apparently carries an
amount of probability with it, as Longstreet and
iil's fcrccs were reported in our yesterday issue
a having joined the rebels in the Southwest, and
a;,Ja h~v nao
assistance, or the whole may have concentrated
flr decisive battle with Rosecrans.
he arrival Of the steamship Mcclellan places
rs y possession Of news from Charleston hsrbor
% he 10th instant General Gilmore was very
bus, mounting heavy guns on the upper part of
fiouis Island Tor the purpose OF lombard.
~ Charleston, and, although Fort Sumter
was IN held by the rebels, the siege
wa PROGRESSING favorabiy. General Gilmore
has s~ued an eloquent congratulatory order
TO n. 'raops. and copy is to be placed in the
hands q every living officer and soldier who has
participated in the campaign on Morris Island. On
the morning o. sae 18th inst. the magazine Of one
Of the rebel batteries on Sand Point. near Fort
johnson exploded with terrific violence, destroy.
ing the battery. its magazine. guns. &c. One hun.
dred reht! PRISONERS. taken on Morris Island, came
Norih - re Mcclellan. and another hundred may
be eKp c,ted to-day.
Our special dispatches from Gen. Rosecrans'
army give the details Of the movements or thst
body to the time Of the occupation Of Chattanooga
The storm had SO disarrsnsed tho wires that up to
che time Of goingito press last night we were
without our uswisteiesraphc reports from that
region.
The equinoctisl storm has also prevented our
receiving telesraphio nows from any part Of the
West. or from the Army Of the Potomac.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The steamship City Of Cork. from Queenstown
on me 9TH inst, reached this port yesterday even.
ine Her Geographic news reports are one day
ia.ct hen the sdviccs of the Arabia.
Tic privateer Florida was victuslIing In che
French pcst at Brest. The fact IVES duly m.
no,rced in the Monitsar, and the ofHcisl declare
lion regarded as announcement that Napoleon
eonsic'r' hat the day Of neutrality in American
ara'r, fully passed"
~ ~ Globe says that n. Chsvalisr's pam
ph' oat nc kncIl Of the North AnericaA
Tn
II .a .putsuon from Mexico hsd sr.
u, vas thought, at tho latest mo-
mcr. aa you'd accept their tender
OF IT.
III cr lad accepted the Grand
i4,se IL ~n Nesican Order Of Notrc
itac ~ fr asc appointed the