The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-02
New York, Tuesday, July ., 1861.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
Our intelligence from Washington received last
night puts us in possession of the fact that the
general movement of the whole Union army
southwards is decided to take place on the 4th
of July, if circumstances do not compel an ad-
vance at an earlier moment Orders were issued
yesterday to serve out six days extra ratons to all
the regiments on the line of the Potomac. The West
Point officers recently distributed among the voun.
teer regiments as drillmasters, have been recalled
from that duty, and apportioned to the staff of the
different commanding generals in the field. A
sufficient supply of wagons for transportation
has been received, and everything is in readiness
FOR grand advance movement. The ditoriness
of General Patterson, it is said, is the only
obstacle to instant action, and that has
now been removed, as Major General John c.
Fremont is ordered to supersede him and
take command Of his division. General Scott is
sued peremptory order from headquarters yes.
terday that no person shall henceforth be permitted
to pass the lines Of the United States Army except
those provided with passports countersgned by
himself or a commander of some of the military
geographical departments. This order has been
confirmed by the Secretary of State. All these
facts undo ubtedly indicate that an important and
probably decisive movement is about to take
place at once.
The government appears to be abundantly sup
piled with arms and munitions of war. 1t is ascer-
stand of arms have already been issued, leaving
100 000 at least, still on hand, with others being
constantly manufactured. These arms are adli.
tional to those furnished by State authorities.
None have been ordered from abroad through the
Ordnance Bureau. Hence the recent importations,
whatever they may amount to- must be on State
or private account. Ordnance and all the other
machinery of war are said to be also at the com.
mand of the government in quantities sufficient for
ahe equipment of all the troops that may be called
into the field.
Gen. Banks continues to carry out his vigorous
programme in Baltimore for the suppression of
The conspiracy on the part Of the police
authorities against the government. He ar
rested yesterday the whole of the Police
Commissioners, with the exception Of Mayor
Brown, and sent them to Fort McHenry,
where Marshal Kane is held in durance. Bodies
of infantry and artillery have been posted in diff
ferent quarters of the city, ready to meet any
rioters who may show themselves. The admins
tration thoroughly endorse the action of Major
General Banks, and have sent him renforcements
of cavalry and artillery, of which he stood in much
need.
The rebels have succeeded by a coup de main
in seizing and carrying of a Baltimore steamer
the st. Nicholas--wbie on her way from that city
laden with cargo and passengers to different
points on the Potomac. 1t appears evident that
a plot was concocted ia Baltimore to put band
of rebels on board as passengers, who seized the
vessel and ran her into the Rappahannock river,
intelligence to that effect having reached the Navy
Department yesterday.
Four deserters from the Louisiana zouaves came
into the Union camp at Newport News on Sunday
and reported that an attack by the rebel forces on
Abe camp and on Fortress Monroe was decided
upon to take place on Friday night, and was only
prevented by the incessant rain.
We learn from Grafton, Va, that skirmish
took place on Saturday, at a point twelve miles
from Cheat River Bridge, between portions of the
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Ohio, and First Virginia
regiments and a company of the rebel cavalry,
which resulted in the defeat Of the latter with con-
siderable loss, including the lieutenant of the com
pany. Several horses were captu ed in the ARRAY
Only one of the Union men was killed.
The news from Eorope by the Etna is very i'm
portant in regard to American affairs.
most significant article, published simulta
neously in the Paris PC1,'ie and Monie,o'-the
semi-oHicial and official organs Of Napoleon-fore.
hadows the coming recognition of the rebel States
If the South as an independent Power by the EN-.
'eror. His hajesty announces, both for himself
md the other great Powers of Europe that the
coniederacy will be acknowledged, as the new
Kingdom Of Italy is now ackuowlsdgea-Gleu it