The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-21

THE SITUATION.
Lord Lyons had two interviews with Secretary
Seward yesterday, and their conferences we're said
TO be OF a most cordial and friendly character
No formal written communications had passed be-
tween them relative to the Mason aud Sdcll affair
nor has any demand been made upon our govern.
ment in the matter Captain Seymour. the Queens
messenger. did not return to England by the
Africa yesterday. Further instructions for Lord
Lyons are expected by the America, and much
anxiety is felt with regard to them. 1t is
not unlikely that Lord Lyons will with.
hold his demands until the mails of Tie
America arrive. IF pcremptory demand Cor tie
release Of the rebel commissioners be made, in
volving the issue Of war, it is probable thai the
Cabinet will yield for the time in view of the pre-.
sent exigcncics of the country in its struggle with
desperate rebellion, and the condition also of
Englands maintaining an honest neutrality and on
other considerations When our difficulty al home
IL settled our accounts with England will naturally
come up for settlement at our own time, and the
fair, and many Others on record against our quasi
friend on the other side Of the water.
The report that the British gunboat Rnaldc
started from Halifax in thirty minutes after the ar
rival Of the Africa, with dispatches to the English
Admiral at Havana, was a misrepresentation It
happened that the Ripuldo had steam up at the
time the Africa arrived, and was about to star: for
this port, where she arrived yesterday to relieve
the gunboat Racer, which is to return to Halifax.
according 10 the ordinary rule Of exchanging vcs-
sells at the different ports.
brisk and successful conflict took place n,
noon yesterday on the lines in front of Washing
ton. Gen. McCall's brigade went out in the mora.
ing on foraging expedition towards nraiusville
His advance force, commanded hy General Ord
consisted of four regiments Of infantry. rcgi.
mcnt OF Pennsy vania rifles and Eas;on's battery.
Near Drainesville fire was opened on them hy the
rebels. under Colonel Forney, numbering four re.
giments OF infantry and OF cavalry, who were
concealed in the bushes. The fire was returned
from our rides and the battery. and after an hour 5
fighting the rebels fed towards Fairfax Court
House leaving $50 killed aud wounded behind them,
together with two caissons OF ammunition and a
quantity of clothing and stores General Mccall
had ordered up General Reynolds to point on The
Leesburg turnpike to supper! General Ord, in an.
tcipation of attack; bu; before Generals Icy-
nolds and Mccall reached the field Of action
the rebels had been defeated by the irresistible
fire OF Eastons batteries and the rifles of Colonel
Kane's Pennsylvania regiment. Our loss was
about ten killed and fifteen wounded. The troops
Of General Mccall returned to camp last night.
We give to-day the Generals official report OF the
action.
The map of the brilliant campaign in Western
Missouri, which appears in this mornings HERALD
will be found very interesting rs il portrays AZ
glance the locality of the whole military move
mcn.. A descriptive article accompanies thc
map. explaining positions giving lists Of field
officers &c.
Altogether, affairs in Missouri Of late bear q
post cheering aspect. In addition TO the brilliant
feat Of General Pope, near Clinton, another por
tioa OF his force under Colonel Davis, surprised q
seconl rebel camp on tho evening OF the 18th
near Milford. The rebels, who were thirteen hun
dfed strong surrendered upon finding ;hemseive.
surrounded. Among the prisoners were three
colonies, seventeen captains, i,oGo stand OF arms
1000 horses, sixty-ivc wagons, and large guam
tty OF supplies, tents aud baggage The loss Of
the enemy is not known, but the Union loss wa.
but two killed and eight wounded These two
surprises, so successfully accomplished almost AT
the same time, viii have stunning eject on the
rebel interests in Missouri. Indeed within the
!.al f-w weeks since the appointment OF General
Mcclellan 10 tbs command OF The arny OF the
Unioa, the course 1i our arms has bccu marked