The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-16
THB SITUATION.


L------
THU SITUATION.
Another decisive victory has marked the course
OF the Union army in Western Virginia. The rebel
forces, under General Robert 8. Garrett, native
OF Virginia, and formerly Major in the United
States Army, while retreating from Laurel Hill to
st. George, as stated in the dispatches of General
Mcclellan, published yesterday, were overtaken
on Sunday by General Morris, with the Four.
teenth Ohio and the Seventh and Ninth Indiana
regiments. When within eight miles Of st.
George, at place called Carrick's Ford,
the rebels made q stand. a brisk fight ensued and
Ehsy were completely routed and scattered by the
troops of General Morris. While General Garrett
fas attempting to rally his men he was struck
through the spine with rife ball, and fell dead on
me road. Two hundred of the rebels are said to
have been killed in the recent actions in
his quarter, large number wounded. and
more prisoners secured than their oaptors
ban take care Of The fight Of the re.
bSls ID represented as q most disastrous
eeut They fed up the Horseshoe Valley, where
Il u expected that General Hill will meet them
and cut them off, Forty loads Of provisions, all
their horses, wagons and guns fell into the
hands Of the victors.
IN his Official despatch General Mcclellan de.
bdrlbes this battle, which cost him only thirteen
killed and forty wounded and the utter annihila
Zion Of the enemy in Western Virginia; and if Gen.
Hhl only fulfls his commanders expressed
expectations as faithfully as General Nor.
ris has done, there can be very little
doubt that the result ia as he describes It, 1t will
be seen by the official bulletins of General McClel.
Ian for the past three or four days-which we give
In another column-that his programme has been
carried out precisely according to his calculations.
1t is said that no rebel forces now remain within
General MoClellan's district. The body of Gene.
raj Garnet had been embalmed and sent on by
train to Grafton, to be delivered to his friends.
The movement of the troops around Washing
ton although not very fully promulgated for the
past few days-doubtless for good reasons-pretty
clearly indicates an approaching conflict in the
direction of Manassas Continual endorsements
have been added to General McDowell's
command for the last three or four days,
and no less than eight regiments passed
over to the Virginia side of the Potomac
yesterday, together with one powerful bat.
tery. Day and night the city of Washington
has resounded, for some days past, with the tramp
of infantry, cavalry, artillery and ambulances,
pushing on towards the Virginia side. The great
est activity has been observed in the War Depart
mont, and the President, Secretary of State and
other high officials, have been continually passing
from point to point.
With regard to the prizes taken by the privateer
Sumter, we have intelligence from Havana that
lhe Captain General has ordered the privateer to
withdraw at once from Cienfuegos, and retains the
prize vessels, which were laden with Spanish car.
goes, subject to the action of the government at
Madrid. From another source, however we learn
That he had released them, and that they were to
have sailed ON the 18th Instant but as they would
thus be exposed to recapture, it is more probable
that they have been held under Spanish authority
for future disposition.
The British Consul at Richmond has laid before
the British Minister, Lord Lyons official documents
respecting recent cases where the blockade Of the
Chesapeake had been broken by private indivdu-
ais by permission Of the government. 1t appears,
from the alleged facts communicated by the British
Consul, that passes have been issued by General
Butler permitting private individuals and vessels
TO pass through the blockade. Copies of these
passes, purporting to bear General Buffers sigma.
fure, were taken from the parties, and are among
che documents communicated.
Lord Lyons it is understood, has called the at
feaMaon Of the government to these facts, and re.
quests an explanation. The questions involved are
of the highest Importance. 1t appears that the
British agents at the several ports at the South are
keeping most vig1ant watch respecting the block.
AIDED ports, and 1t Ia quite probable they may give
us trouble whenever any pretext or opportunity
may occur.
Our news from Europe Is not very important.
The saxonis brings MS files Of the Sd Of July, con.
ksinins some oommsuts On the latest war new