The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-25

THE SITUATION.
A Council of War was held at Washington yes
terday; but many of the military chiefs did moi
attend. OF course no information as to the sub
jects under deliberation has reached US, nor have
we heard of any very important military move
ments taking place in the vicinity Of the federal
capital.
The mounted pickets of the rebels in the direc-
ton of Balls Cross Roads and Falls Church are
very troublesome to the Ohio and Connecticut
regiments stationed at those points, which form
the extre me outposts Of the Union army on the
Virgins eide OF the Potomac. They make con-
slant attacks Oh the sentries, and pick Of
any Of the men who happen to stray outside the
lines. On Sunday night they succeeded in cutting
the telegraph wires which connect our outposts
with the War Department. The Ohio and. Con.
necdcut troops are compelled to sleep on their
arms every night.
The Eew York Thirty regiment, com
manded by Colonel McCunn, which left this city
on Sunday afternoon arrived in Washington in
good condition at noon yesterday, and having
taken their camp equipage with them complete
proceeded at once into camp at site little to
the north of the city where they viii probably
remain for some time until they are thoroughly
drilled and ready for action.
The operations of Gen. Lyons command in Mis-
n mt rho
a. can be seen by the direction in which both the
Union and rebel troops are fastening. The
southwestern corner of the State appears to be
the point upon which all the energies of both ar
mics are now directed, and the manifest object is
to ge. possession of the CRANKY lead mines in
that quarter, together with all the furnaces
and machinery. These are the only lead
miaes in the country which the rebels can hope to
get into their grasp, and it is matter of the high
eat importance to them to hold them. Not less
important il it to prevent such o consummation,
hence we find General Lyon, after routing the
rebels further north, at Bonneville, and driving
them from Jefferson City, the capital, is pushing
by way of Rolla, the terminus of the southwest
branch Of the Pacific Railroad. Colonel Seigel's
regiment was within three days. march of Spring
geld on Saturday, which is short distance north
of the CRANKY mines, and Colonel soloman's regi
ment was only one days march behind. Colonel
Browns regiment left Rolla on cunday morning in
the same direction, and Colonel McNeils regiment
left st. Louis for Rolla at the came time. General
Lyon himself is on bis way down from Bonneville,
marching for the same point, while General Mont
gomery is marching down with the Union troops
from Kansas. Meantime the rebel forces
are pushing in from two sides-north and
south-towards the lead mines. Governor Jackson,
OF last accounts, had got as far as Warsaw,
about half way between Bonneville and Spring
field, where be was Joined by the State (rebeD
troops, who had attacked Capt. Cooks COM
mand at Camp Cole, and the whole force was
Arkansas, under Col. McCulloch, are congre.
gated in large force at Pocahontas, Tenn; and
it is reported from Southeastern Missouri that
General Walker is organizing troops in nearly
ali The counties in that portion of the State
to cooperate with the Arkansas forces. A large
snumber of rebels from Missouri are already
congregated and arms have been taken up
White river to them from the South.
. The destination of all these troops is undeubt-
edly the CRANKY mines Thus it will be seen that
it is regular Derby for the prize of the lead
mines; each party is striving to get there first.
The vicinity of Harper's Ferry is entirely de.
serted By the rebels; the last scouting party
was seen there last Thursday. It was reported,
but there is no confirmation of the ru
NOR. that General Johnston was encamped
with four regiments within seven mless Of
Williamsport. The probability is that the whole
position has been abandoned, and that the rebels
have retired to the mountain gorges along the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from which they
will make occasional attacks on the Union troops.
Although Harpers Ferry has been evacuated for
week past it is not Jet occupied by our troops.
RspCs's Gsl Martiasbwg state that the rebels