The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-20

THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
Tie most prominent and interesting feature of
or war news to-day is the account of the Battle
Of Bonneville, Mo-, and though the scene Of the
eight is not on the line Of the Potomac or even
near Virginia, the cause is the same, and the sue
cess Of the federal arms in one rebellious State
mora than compensates for the slaughter Of our
troops through the incompetence of their leader
at Vienna, in the chief seat Of the war, on the
same day. The injurious impression made by the
blunder of schenck is obliteraed by the brilliant
generalship Of Lyon. masked battery was
again the artful dodge, as at Big Bethel and
Vienna; but General Lyon had the tact to draw
the rebels from their hiding places, and then, with
his artillery, inflicted on them chastisement that
will be long remembered in Missouri, and will prob
ably break the backbone of secession in that State.
Three hundred lay dead and the remainder fed,
leaving their arms behind on the field. It is stated
that the rebel General Price became sick and fed,
AID Governor jackson, who surveyed the battle
from distant hill, also took to his heels. The
fN''' pnu SueA ~ Va pOuCioA LYNN NOuIaSV
ably with the conduct of some of our Generals
In Virginia, and show what can be done with the
federal troops when properly handled. Our latest
rews about the Vienna affair renders the con-
duct Of General Schenck still more in.
excusable than at first appeared Now
that the federal troops have occupied the place in
force, tbe Confederates do not appear to have any
relish for an encounter. They want to fight only
behind masked batteries.
We learn by intelligence from Richmond, that
troops from the States further South continued to
be arrive in that city. 1t appears fourteen
regiments have arrived there recently, making
5000 in all at that point all we'll
armed, some of them with European muskets, and
well commanded either by West Point graduates
or men who have been students in the Southern
military academies. We are also informed that in
addition to the new intrenchments eight miles
northwest of Richmond the city is to be defended
from attack on the western side by works at still
greater distance, in pursuance of surveys just
made by military engineers The survey
does not extend beyond the Blue Ridge,
for it is calculated by General Beauregard
that the disposition of the Confederate forces
along the Manassas Gap Railroad, and particularly
southwest of Strasburg as far as Harrisonburg,
twenty miles from Staunton, and in the counties
OF Shenandoah and Rockingham, will protect Ma.
nassas Junction and Richmond from any attack
from the West. 1t is stated, however, that the
bulk Of McClelland's force is coming up the Ka.
nawha, from the Ohio, in several boats, and will
menace Manassas junction and Richmond In the
rear II probably to guard against this that ex.
Governor Wise is posted with guerrillas at Co.
vington.,
All this does not look very like an attask on
Washington. Yet there appears to be alarm at
that city. Our dispatches inform us that the War
Department is of opinion that the rebel force in
Virginia is stronger than ours and better com.
manded, and that-our wisest military leaders en-
tertain small hopes of victory, in case battle is
precptated before the federal army is reinforced.
It is estimated that $50, 900 men will be required
S1 NPlh1VA euoAVu Wy thO iSoAuSAe ouu OVuSidl
Scott. Mr. Lincoln, in bis message to Congress,
which he is now preparing, will not call for
new loan, but propose to issue Treasury notes
to the amount of 5000 900 900 or $500 900 900,
ranging from twenty dollars upwards This
appeal to the people is on the plan of Louis Napo
leon and is resorted to on account of symptoms of
revolt in Wall street. The President will openly
ayow his reasons for disregarding the require.
ments of the constitution, and will call on Con.
gress to endorse his acts
The movements of General Johnston since he
eyacuated Harpers Ferry have been shrouded in
myatcry He is evidently out Of the reach of the
telegraph, From the best information we possess,
part Of his force proceeded westward, part to
Manassas Junction, and part still remains in the
vicinity of Harper's Ferry. He has fortified Shir-
Iey's Hill, at Charlestown, five miles south of the
Fry, and placed in battery twenty heavy
guns taken from the Maryland Heights
I: Is the point Of intersection Of the