The latest intelligence from America, which extends to Novem- ber
21st, is on the whole unfavourable to the Federals. General Burnside, attacked by Longstreet and a greatly superior army, has been driven in upon Knoxville, with the loss of three or four hun- dred men, and is there besieged. He reports to Washington that he considers his position impregnable, but it is obvious that unless General Grant can by a flank attack make a diversion in his favour, he runs considerable risk of being compelled to surrender or to cut his way through a superior force. On the other hand, General Banks has at length landed in Texas, and occupied Brownsville, on the Rio Grande, which the Confederates burnt as they retired, in spite of the protests of its inhabitants. A report is mentioned of some assistance offered by the Northern General to an agent of Juarez in Matamoras, but it is almost unintelligible. The proba- bility seems to be that Confederates have crossed the river, and are trying to compel the Mexican city to declare for the French, who once established in Matamoras might come into collision with General Banks' army.
