The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-13
THE SITUATION.


THE SITUATION.
The news from Western Virginia is highly impor-
tant. General Rosecranz succeeded in engaging
the rebel forces under General Floyd on Tuesday
last, and after giving them battle caused them to
follow the same course as that pursued by Wise
namely: to make rapid Hight-which they did
under the cover of darkness. The engagement
OF position, and also of greater numbers both
Of men and artillery. The Union loss
ts fifteen killed and seventy wounded
The rebel loss Of men cannot he ascertaincd. A.
they removed their dead and wounded, but their
loss of material and baggage was heavy, all of
which fell into the hands Of General Benham's
brigade. Twenty-Five of the prisoners, taken at
the time that Colonel Tyler's force was attacked
at Cross Lane have been recaptured Floyds
forces ore said to be entirely driven from their
stronghold and routed.
The intelligence received relative to the pirate
Sumter seems to be conclusive as to its destruc
ton Further particulars have been elected from
one Of the escaped crew Of the rebel craft, of
nature to confirm the report of Capt. Atkinson
The sailors statement is to the effect that plot
had been concocted to run the vessel ashore 80 as
to cause her total wreck. This borne out by the
news received from Venezuela, gives a great
amount Of probability to the reports. The vessel
was wrecked on the coast of Trinidad, West In.
dies, about August %.
The movements of the rebel army before Wash.
ington, and all matters in connection Herewith,
are Of the Utmost Importance at the present stage
of military affairs Reliable information has been
received Of change in the command of the rebel
forces. General A. S. Johnston has been appointed
to the chief command of the rebels in the Missis.
sppi valley, to act against General Fremont The
command of the troops before Washington, there
fore, devolves upon General JOS Johnston Gene
raj Beauregard takes command of the main column
Of this force and all movements are to be made
after consultation between these two generals,
both actually, if not nominally, acting in concert
The rebel reports show the force in Virginia to be
very large indeed, the men in good spirits antici-
pating fight at an early day.
some'littlc alarm was yesterday raised in Wash
ington in consequence of the report of artillery
having been heard in the neghborhood of the
Chain Bridge. The firing was, however, only
caused by artillery practice.
Generals Lander and Burnside have been an.
pointed upon some important mission, the nature
of which has not TRANSFERRED. A good report Is,
however, expected from them quickly.
II is reported from Southern source that four
Union navy vessels had been seen off Fort Macon.
Beaufort, North Carolina, on the 10th inst.
Fortress Monroe is to be made an important sta.
ton, both in a military and naval point of view,
and large forces of each branch of the service will
be concentrated there. Further expeditions
against the rebels expected soon to start from
this point.
The tidings from Missouri continue to portray
the wretched state of society in that neighborhood.
Vandalism prevails to an alarming extent, and at.
tempted destruction of hundreds of lives by pre-
cipitating train down an embankment, or half
burning railroad bridge, is almost of daily occur
renee. The rules of civilized warfare is entirely
set at naught by the rebel bands Of marauders.
The first case Of manumittng the slaves of a
rebel took place in st. Louis, Mo-. Yesterday.
Thomas A. Snead having been convicted of taking
reasonable action against the government, two !,
negroes have been declared free and their pape,s
made out. This action goes to prove that General
Fremont is determined to carry out his proclama.
ton to the letter.
DR.. Jamison, the noted Kansas Jayhawker, or.
ganized small force of daring men from that
State, who have succeeded in routing the rebel
forces in Pettis county, Mo-, $500 strong) under
the well known DR.. Staples. The rebel leader was
killed.
1t is reported that Colonel Marshall's First Hi.
aois cavalry surrounded the rebel troops under
Captain Shelby, at their camp, near Lexington,
Mo-, taking the whole force prisoners.
General Fremont has organized military sani.
tary commission, with power to act.