The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-29
New York, Sunday, September 80. 1861.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
Alengthy Cabinet council was held in Washington
Yesterday, at which Gen. Mcclellan was present,
but the results have not of course transpired The
rebels are in constant motion, but with what OBJ
]ect has not yet been ascertained. II was disco
vered byareconnossance of our troops of the New
York Thirty-seventh from Fort Albany yesterday
that the rebels had abandoned Munsons Hill. 1t was
evident that they also moving in large bodies
lind intelligence was obtained that Gen. Johnston
was pushing on from Lecsburg towards the Po-
tomac, probably to Point of Rocks or Harper's
Ferry. All these movements may indicate a
change of plan. or they may be merely feints to
deceive Gen. Mcclellan.
Recent observations down the Potomac have
lust resulted in the information that no rebel bat
terics are visible except those at Freestone Point
but the officers employed in the reconnaissance
Are convinced that the rebels have erected bat
teries all along the river, though they are at pre-
Bent concealed by trees. 1t is only few weeks
ago that the Richmond papers boosted that the
Potomac was closed by the rebel batteries, and
the recent attacks OAR vessels from Freestone
Point taken in connection with the threat that the
new frgate Pensacola would never be allowed to
proceed to sea from the Washington Navy Yard.
look as if the boast was not without some founda.
tion.
The news from Missouri is important General
Fremont and his staff had left ST. Louis for Jeffer-
son City on Friday. General Price was said to be
making preparations to receive him warmly at
Lexington. General Lane, with o body of Union
troops, made a forced march on Osceola, and sue
ceeded in capturing heavy train Of supplies des-
Lined for the armies of Generals Rains and Price.
together with $4,000 in money He was pushing
on to make junction with Sturges' command at
Kansas City. Some of the officers captured
at Lexington arrived at Jefferson City, hav-
Ing been released on parole, and they
state that General Price has force there of AZ 900
men. The exact whereabouts of General McCul.
iooh appears to be mystery. strong column
Of rebels was reported moving north from Lexing-
officers knew nothing of such movement.
Some disposition on the part of the rebels to
sross the Potomac, near Point of Rocks, has been
evinced within the past few days; but the vigilance
Of Colonel Geary, who commands the Union troops
pm the Maryland side, frustrated the design by
Selling the inmates of farmers house on that
shore, who were making signals to the enemy, and
40 attempt to cross the river has since been made
The arrival of the privateer Sumter Mt Surinam
on the 18th ult., which was before announced, is
confirmed by the arrival of Demarara papers,
port for coal. A nephew of jeff Davis is said to
be on board in the capacity of mdshpman.
We learn from Pensacola that the privateer
Judith was captured there on the 18th inst by a
boat expedition from the frgate Colorado. Three
of the United States men were killed in the action.
Another political prisoner was added yesterday
TO the number of those already ncarcerated at Fort
Lafayette, in the person of Mr.. John Ii. Brayne of
Chicago, who was brought to this city in charge of
an officer.
The visit Of Mr.. Chase, Secretary of the Urea
sury to this city, in connection with the new fifty
million loan has proved quite successful, our nan-
ciers having taken the full amount yesterday.
During the day Mr.. Chase took occasion to visit
the Custom House, and made minute examina.
tion of the detailed operations of every depart.
ment, in company with Collector Barney, Mr..
Dennison, the Naval Officer, and Mr.. Andrews.
the Surveyor Of the Port. He expressed himself
highly gratiicd with the workings of the Custom
House.
Intelligence has reached us that the rebel com.
missioners in England are endeavoring to procure
privateers in that quarter 1t is said that new
screw propeller had been built in Hartlepool and
sailed for Plymouth, armed with six heavy guns.
and fully manned. II was also reported that Mr..
Yancey has purchased two steamers, with lifting
screws, which are now lying in the Victoria dock
at London.