The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-06
New York, saturday, July 8. 1851
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
tie steamer which leaves this port to-day Tor
Eusope 1.-THE Kangaroo) will take to the Old World
some momentous news concerning the situation OF
Affair, in this country. The Presidents Message
to the extra session of Congress, asking for
400 900 men and s4OO, 100000 to SUPPRESS rebel
,ion: the reports of the Secretaries of War
ard CT The Treasury, and the positive intel
ngence of the advance Of the Union army along
its entire line from Western Virginia to Alexandria,
Wiz create as much sensation in Europe IS this
combination of Important events has excited here.
The eject upon the minds Of the statesmen and
people of Europe must be to convince the doubt
fu and wayering that the United States govern
men. i, equal to the task which traitorous
faction in one portion of the republic has imposed
upon it, and that the loyalty of the people keeps
pace with the vigor and irmness Of the admins
tyation.
The monotony which for some weeks past has
thayac rize the condition Of the vast Union army
concentrated on the Potomac-broken as it has
been only by an occasional skirmisi-is now
chaaged to an active advance movement upon
the rtbel lines in all directions, which must conf
pei the enemy either to make disastrous retreat,
or risk general engagement, the result. of which
FORCES Oh the Potomac
in the vicinity of Washington, have moved south
ward almost as far as Fairfax Court House, the ad
vance guard being within three miles Of that place.
Is u understood that the corps ddfaee under
General Mcdowell is to consist OF 40, 900 men, d.
yided into four divisions Of 10, 900 men each-the
first under General Tyler, the second under Colo.
nc. Heitzelman, and the third under Colonel
auuter the fourth to remain as reserve eorps
Each drison will comprise ten brigades of four reg.
meats Of infantry and the remainder Of the 10 900
viii be composed Of cavalry and artillery. Col.
B.enkers Eighth New York German Rife ragi.
tuent il 70 form the advance for skirmishinS, and
will teaSe its position tomorrow for tina. purpose
The general advance movement will be made
early n the ensuing week, at time to correspond
with the movement of Generals Patterson and Nc
Cieian on the western side of the line. Five thou
sand additional troops crossed the Potomac from
Washington last night and Joined the army on the
Virginia side of the river.
Meantime General Patterson's division, after
crossing the Potomac at Williamsport has ad-
vanced into Virginia as far as Martnsburg, where
bis headquarters is now established. He com.
nd of fbo limo Of Loo y
Colonel Stones command Of 5000 having joined
him from Point of Rocks. General Patterson is
within seven miles Of the rebels under General
Joe johnson, who is located at Bunker Hill, a village
between Martinsburg and Winchester, with about
twelve thousand men. Gen. Mcclellan occupies
Grafton with a force of Ohio and Indiana troops
which does not fall far short of twenty thousand
men, and before tomorrow may be increased to
thirty thousand, for learn that seven regiments
got orders to move yesterday from Camp Denni-
son, Ohio, and from Indiana, to join him. Ne
Clellan division, at last accounts, was preparing
for forward movement
Thus it appears that the general advance in
the direction of Richmond has commenced along
the e1tire line, from the northern side, while
General Buffers forces in the vicinity OF Fortress
Monroe were gradually closing up in the other
direction. 1t is not thought that General John.
ston will venture the chances Of collision with
General Pattersons superior force, par.
Italy surrounded as he is by the army of
General Mcclellan, but will fall back
80 winchester and Manassas Junction, ep rovte
for Richmond, and hence no battle may take
place in that direction. 1t may be, also that the
Ua.en troops advancing from Alexandra and
Ariiag.on Heights towards Fairfax and Manassas
may ind the rebels retreating before them, so
IA until the army Of the government reaches
Il" icinity Of Richmond-the rebel capital
ite Sighting may possibly be confined to
cat cost skirmishes and the dislodgement Of
ae3 batteries. However, now that the ad.
.si~e Of this immense army has fairly commenced,
~. 'etgihened period can elapse before general,
autitis to be hoped, decisive engagement occurs.
Iae government has now in the field force of
s.g,9t9 lsp. Of Whom 2lQ,QQQ are sworn TO servo