The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-04
New York, Wednesday, September 4, 1851


THE SITUATION.
With the exception of few outpost skirmishes
near Baileys Cross Roads everything is quiet
around Washington. The report of the death of
Jefferson Davis appears to gain credence among
many there. A negro, who arrived from Manassas
yesterday, states that he died at seven o'clock
on Saturday morning, and several of his
friends in Washington say that his ply
sicians pronounced his case very critical
some time ago-expressing the opinion that in
the event Of any great mental excitement he
would most probably expire suddenly There is
no confirmation of his decease, however, from
other quarters, beyond the statement via Louis
Vile which we published yesterday.
The Secretary Of the Navy has issued an order
congratnlating Commodore stringham on the
victory of the squadron at Hatteras Inlet.
With regard to the rebel troops in Western vir.
ginia, the Baltimore american states that there
are no troops at Winchester but that three or four
regiments were at Leesburg, one at Waterford and
one at Goose. The rebel soldiers at Richmond are
reported to be in a miserable plight for want of
clothing and Shoes For the latter article they
emptied tannery at Hillsboro of the hides half
green and dripping from the watts.
Official dispatches were received at the War De-
partment yesterday, from General Rosencrans,
stating that his army was all safe and well, and
that the rumors of their being surrounded, or like
ly to be, were all untrue.
From Frankfort we learn that the Kentucky
Legislature, now in session, will go strongly for
the Union, and that Governor Magofin has private
ly notified to certain members his intention to
sustain the action of the Legislature, whatever it
may be. If this be true Kentucky may be con-
sidered safe.
The prisoners taken at Fort Hatteras, and now
on board the frgate Minnesota in this harbor, are
to be transferred, by order Of the Navy Depart
ment, to the frigate Brandywine, lying at Brook
lyn Navy Yard. When the Minnesota has do
posted her captured cargo she will return to her
post in the blockading squadron.
In connection with his proclamation Of marital
Jaw in Missouri General Fremont has issued an or
der to his army commanding prudence and for
bearance in their dealings with the persons and
property of citizens on the part Of the soldiers
We learn by way of Richmond that the privateer
JEFF. Davis had been wrecked on the bar of st.
Augustine, Florida, and that the crew had arrived
at Fernandina, and were received with great hos
pitality by the citizens.
by the Arago we received Mr.. Russell's letter of
August s, dated at Washington, to the London
Times. The Especial Correspondent" is still, or
pretents to be, very doubtful of the ultimate
triumph OF the Union army. He gives praise to
Gen. Mcclellan for his efforts to reorganize and
discipline the great Union force but then attempts
to sneer away the value of his efforts. Mr. Russell
evidently endeavors to impress the readers
of the Times with the idea that the Union
will never be restored. Most of the Lon.
don papers still oppose the idea Of
money loan to the government in Washington,
and express the conviction that our war expenses
will far exceed the means and libcrality of the
people. The London Pcst-governmen organ
has an important editorial on the subject of the re-
Ggous schism likely to be produced in the Pro.
testant Episcopal church Of the United States by
the secession of the Southern section of the body
from the parent foundation and head at the North
and in ENGLAND