The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-29
TIE SITUATION.

TIE STU ALTON.
The flying hotiila on the Potomac. which has
done so much service in keeping that important
water Highway open for the government, has had
another skirmish with rebel ambuscade at
Eauia Creek and we regret to say with the loss
OF an experienced and valiant naval officer
Captain Ward, of the gunboat Freeborn
who commanded the fotia. This affair,
daring and unfortunate as it was, 10
admirably described in detail in our columns
to-day By The special correspondent of
the HERALD who participated in the action, and
whose very full account we received by telegraph
last night. 1t appears that Capt. Ward found it
necessary to clear away the woods which fur
nished safe point of attack for the rebels at
Matthias Poi0t and for this purpose he sent
for force OF men from the Pawnee, who
Immediately joined him on Wednesday evening
10 cutters. BE then landed his men at the
point, covering the boats by the guns of
the Free born throwing shot and shell all over the
heights from which any resistance might be ex-
pected. The men proceeded to the summit of the
bank, and then commenced to erect battery of
sand bags, but while thus engaged heavy fire
was suddenly opened on them by a concealed
body ofrebels from the woods, supposed to mum.
Der from 500 to 1000 men. The Union troops
were compelled 70 retreat to their boats, many of
the N tsking to the water and swimming among
ah1m was Lieutenant Chaplin who commanded
the men from the Pawnee. Captain Ward,
meantime, kept up raking fire on
tbe rebels from the guns of the Freedom, but
unbappily, making himselftoo conspicuous, he was
picked off by a rebel sharpshooter while sighting
his gun. rifle ball entered his abdomen and
came out at his back. He fell into the arms Of
the man who was pulling the trigger of the gun
which the gallant officer had just sighted, and died
IL less than an hour after receiving the fatal
wound. It was said that the rebels soon after
took possession of the defences erected by the
men from the Freedom and Pawnee during their
short sojourn on the point.
The State Department at Washington was
closely engaged all day yesterday with foreign
affairs. and the ambiguous position Of England
towards the United States government was con-
s;dered far from satisfactory. II ia said that in
consequence of the conclusions come to by the
Secretary of State, fresh instructions have been
Sen. to the commanders of the blockading
squadron and that in the event Of any interference
by British chips, on any pretext whatever they
will be taught severe lesson by our feet.
The report of the Secretary of War, now in pre-.
paratiop, viii show that there are not less than
500 900 men now in the aela 10 support of the
Union.
1t is said that Major General John c. Fremont,
who arrived in Washington yesterday, will be APP
pointed to the Department Of Virginia, now com.
handed by Brigadier General Mcdowell. This we
believe has not been definitely decided upon; but
it appears that in any event, General Dix will not
supersede General Mcdowell, but will be other.
wise provided for
A part of Colonel Wallace's Indiana zouaves at
Cumberland, while scouting in that vicinity on
Wednesday night. encountered about forty mount
ed rebels, and routed then after brisk skirmish.
II is reported that seventeen Of the rebels were
killed and several wounded and q o9d many
horses taken. Further than this we have no intel.
hgence OF consequence from this direction. Colo
mel Stone is still at Point of Rocks and General
Patterson has not advanced to Harpers Ferry.
The rebels are reported TO be in possession of
Harrisburg.
The coup d'etdt Of Maj. Gen. Banks in Baltimore
is being followed up by seizure of large guam
titles Of arms, concealed for the use of the rebel
faction in that city, not only in the house of Mar
shal Kane and several other localities, thereby
proving the existence Of al extensive conspiracy
against the government, which it is to be hoped
the vigor and timely frmness Of Gen. Banks has
Crushed out.
The movements in the West are not very i'm
'rortant We learn from Cairo that large bodies
II Missourians are assembling on the Arkansas
ronter, where they are receiving arms from the
,outh, 1t Is expected that they will be joined by
large reinforcements from Tennessee, Arkansas
and Mississippi, and they expect to be then in a
eesl.isa TO 0Vegrua Missouri. From the previous