The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-27
New York, Wednesday, November az, 1861
THE SITUATION.


THE SITUATION.
The most interesting news which we have to re-
port to day is the bombardment Of Pensacola from
Fort Pickens, by Colonel Harvey Brown on Satur-
day last The information comes to us entirely
from rebel sources; that is to say from intelligence
brought under flag of truce from Norfolk to For
tress Monroe, and from statement in q Norfolk
and Colorado and the guns at Fort Pckens had
opened heavy fire on the rebel General Braggs for
Ces and the Pensacola Navy Yard-that the town of
Warrington was totally destroyed by the hot shot
poured upon it from Fort Pickens Gen. Bragg, how
ever p his dispatches which he has widely circula-
ted all over the South describes the affair as rebel
victory. and reports that the United States steamers
had to haul off being badly damaged by the fire of the
rebel batteries 1t is admitted that the destruction
done by the shells from the fort and ships was very
considerable, and that the Navy Yard was set on
fire three times by the hot shot from Fort Pickens
General Bragg boasts that the walls Of the fort
were preached in several places, fact which
from the calibre of the guns he had TO bring 70
bear upon it, and the immense strength Of the fort
itself. is highly improbable. The dispatches of
Bragg are evidently only in keeping with the
name Of the author We all remember the
dispatches of Captain Hollins, describing the
great "victory of the rebel feet of tugboats over
our naval squadron at New Orleans, and il is ex
ceedingiy probable that General Bragg is PLAYING
the Hollins game over again. We are the more
disposed to view it in this light from the fact that
the fight at Pensacola had been known to the SO.
cessionists in Washington and Baltimore, for the
last two days, and if it resulted in victory for
the rebel arms, they would certainly have given
it a triumphant announcement long ago. We are,
therefore, disposed to look upon the affair as
Union victory, and we think that when the facts
reach us from authentic sources we will be borne
out in this opinion.
A reconnaissance made yesterday by portion Or
General Fitzohn Porter's division towards Vienna,
turned out unfortunately. 1t appears that while
going througha defle of woods they were attacked
in the rear by calling fire from body of rebels
concealed in house near at hand, and upon push
ing on into open ground they met large force of
300 rebel cavalry, and had to receive severe fire
OF carbincs and pistols. Our troops, who were
commanded by Captain Bell of the Third Pennsyl.
vania cavalry, were Immediately thrown into con.
fusion. and fought their way for the time hand to
hand with the enemy. They finally withdrew, and
were met by Gen. Porter in person, coming up with
achievements, near Falls Church. Forty-fve Of
Captain Bells force were missing. The number of
killed and wounded is not ascertained. 1t appears
that the confusion was caused by the fact that
many Of the horses were unused to the discharge
OF musketry, and became unmanageable.
With reference to the state of affairs on the
Upper Potomac, letter from Darnestown, Nd,
dated yesterday, says that there arc no fixed
bodies or rebel picket stations from opposite the
mouth of Muddy run up to half mile south of
Goose creek. Above the creek, on the sidelinr.
they have dug rifle pits and keep up regular
system Of pickets Of considerable strength. They
still occupy the fortin view of Edwards Ferry and
on Sunday displayed full regiment in parade
lust below the fort.
General G. W. Smith, late of New York still
commands at Leesburg and surrounding country.
The reports received by General Dix from the
counties of Accomac and Northampton, in Eastern
Virginia. yesterday, are most encouraging. That
these districts have been restored to the Union is
certain. General Lockwood has issued procla.
nation enjoining all the civil magistrates to ex.
ercise their functions as usual in accordance with
the law and the constitution.
We publish to-day fine map of the city Of Nash.
wife, Tenn.-the newly selected capital of the
repeis-to which their Congress has now repaired.
Rumors were prevalent in Louisville. Kentucky
yesterday, that John G. Breckenridge with large
force OF rebels, was advancing from Green river
towards Owensburg or Henderson. but the ronor,
was not generally credited.
BY the Bohemian, at Portland, We have news If
the sailing of portion of the French expedtioo
to Mexico 1t will be seen, from an article from
the Paris De6ats, given in tie HERALD, that The
most important consequences are expected by the
European Powers from this movement to,varas
America aud the first Infringement Of the Mon
roc do:.rue.