The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-17
THE SITUATION.


The grand advance movement of the Union army
into Virginia has at length taken place. General
Mcdowell with his staff, left Arlington yesterday
afternoon, with nearly his whole force of some
10000 men, at haIfpast three o'clock and
when our correspondent visited the spot, and
Forts Corcoran and Runyon at half.past
four. the line was almost deserted, few
troops only being left The brigade of Gene
raj Louis Blcnker comprising the Eighth and
Twenty-ninth regiments New York Volunteers,
the Garibald Guard, and the Twenty fourth regi-
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, formed the ad-
tance column of the grand army, and we're at
Hunting Creek, ten miles from Washington last
night. The destination of the army was of course
not permitted to transpire but there can be
little doubt that Manassas Junction is the first
point of attack, where general engagement
may be expected to-day, provided that the rebels
make stand there and do not fall back before the
advancing army of the Union, and retreat to Rich
mond The spirit of our troops on moving may
be inferred from the fact that when the orders to
march were given, the hospitals gave up their sick;
she invads leaped from their beds, and fastened
TO join their comrades in the field.
We are enabled to give to-day very full details
Of the route of General Garnetts forces at Carricks
ford by General Norris 1t was complete disas-
concentration of their troops at any point in that
quarter Of Western Virginia impossible. The
few who escaped death or capture have
scattered in small parties through the
woods in that wild and mountainous district,
and may never DO met with in q combined body
again. The affair was evidently a running fight,
General Morris pursuing and General Garrett
making an occasional stand with his men at the
different fords of the river until he was shot down
at Carricksford, and his army becoming imme-
diately disorganized, fed in all directions,
leaving their guns and cquipage behind them.
The position OF General Johnston at Winchester,
If. indeed, he be still there, is now
most precarious one, and there seems nothing left
for him but rapid fall back on Manassas, and
bined movement of Generals Patterson and McClel-
Ian should cut him off which is not at all impro.
bable; and should he succeed, he may find hot
work to do with General McDowells magnificent
corps da,n,ee which will be at the Junction before
him.
Reports from Arizona and New Mexico state that
the secession feeling in those Territories is very
strong, the inhabitants being mainly settlers
from Texas, and that it will be necessary to send
force of United States troops to Fort Bliss to re-
press the rebellious sentiment prevailing to dan
gerous extent.
The news from Missouri brings us no.
thing Of an exciting character. The re-
bells are said to be actively moving in
the vicinity of Jefferson City, with view to
join General Harris and the other leaders. Harris
is in Galloway county, but his position is not likely
to be long maintained, as Colonel McNeil's reg
nent Of Union troops marched into that county
yesterday, and Colonel Smiths Zouaves, part Of
Colonel Borenstein's and Colonel Hammers regi.
tnents and the Illinois troops, under Colonels Smith
and Palmer, are advancing from different points
and will thus completely surround General Harris
Ehe rebel forces in the southwestern portion of the
Htate, concentrated at Neosha, are said to number
between eight and ten thousand, and principally
composed Of Arkansas and Missouri troops
In addition to q large number of war vessels
ordered by the Navy Department to start in search
Of the priyateer Sumter, intelligence reached US
from Fors Pickens yesterday that the frigac Mag.
era had also gone in pursuitof her.
Congress is vigorously Strengthening the hands
OF the administration in its crusade against rebel
lion, os the country expected it would do. Both
houses have passed the Loan bill and the Volunteer
, bill, thus placing both men aud money at the dis
posal Of the President.