The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-15
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The balloon reconnaissance made yesterday at
Washington developed the fact that not only had
the rebels who made the dash upon the Union
pickets near the Chain Bridge fallen back, but
that also very large portion of their main force
had done likewise from the positions formerly
occupied by them. There are various reasons
given for this movement on the part of the rebels
some asserting that it is for the purpose of draw
Ing the Union forces from their intrenchments:
Others that, seeing the bold front shown by the
Union troops, the rebels were afraid to attack
them, and retired, preferring being attacked in
stead; and still others, that the movement was
feint to attract the attention of Gen. Mcclellan at
that one point, while the rebels made a more
powerful advance higher up the river 1t is, how.
ever. certain that, from present indications, any
serious attack by the rebels before Washington
cannot well take place to-day.
The letter from the President to General Ere.
mont has been published and confirms the particu
lars given yesterday. The only clause objec-
tionsble in the Generals proclamation, is that re-
ferrtng to the liberation of the slaves belonging to
rebels, and at the apparent request of General
Fremont, the President has made an open order
that the clause "shall be SO modified, held, and
construed as to conform with and not to transcend
the provisions on the same subject contained in
the act of Congress on that subject, approved
August 6, 1861"
Intelligence has been received at st. Louis of
'attlc fought at Bonneville, resulting in victory
br the Union. The rebels 200 strong, were
driven back by the Home Guard, with loss of
twelve killed and thirty wounded. The Union loss
WAS only one killed and four wounded. Among the
rebels killed were Colonel Brown and Captain
Brown, both virulent secessionists
The news from Western Missouri is far from en-
couragng. st. Joseph is still held by the rebels
who detain and doubtless confscate the mails
seize the stores and appropriate their contents,
and have either driven out or forced the Union men
to leave. The rebels and Union men in the neigh
hourly expected. Large bodies are marching from
various sources to join General Prices army.
From special correspondence from northeastern
Missouri it appears that General Fremont, having
secured the safety of St. Louis and the southeast.
ern part of the State is directing his attention
to Martin Green and his rebel forces General
Hurlburt has been removed from the district bor-
dering upon the Hannibal and st. Joseph Railroad,
and ordered to report at st. Louis. General Pope
will doubtless take command of this neghborhood.
General Hardee is reported as having again oc.
cupied Greenville, southeast Missouri with 500 re-
bels, and had threatened to march upon -Ironton.
This report, however, needs confirmation.
General Prices advance guard of rebels is said
to have been at Warrensburg on Tuesday last,
and the main body, making in all sixteen thousand
men, not far behind. The report states that the
destination of these troops is Lexington. General
Price reports that he had, with General Raines,
caused the Kansas Volunteers to retreat from Fort
Scott, which they had abandoned and gone north
ward, but not wishing to invade their State he had
not foll)wed them in their fight. He, however,
threatens the Kanzas citizens with total destruc
ton Of their cities and towns II they provoke him
further. The report of his victories in Kansas il
much doubted by the Unionists, and his threats
are not much feared
Major French, the United States commanding
officer at Key West, Florida, has issued and pro-
mulgated an order, bearing date September G, that
all residents Of the island who have taken the oath
Of allegiance to the United States shall register
their names at headquarters within ten DAYS. and
all who have not shall take the oath within thirty
days. Sixty days are allowed for persons who are
not inclined to comply with the above, to make IN
their minds, and If they still refuse to abide by the
order they will be removed from the island. These
orders apply equally to the families of those who
may have already left Key West to join the rebels
as those who remain there.
Four vessels two from the British provinces, but
all sailing under British colors, have been NIGEL,
entrapped at Hatteras Inlet and taken possession
Il by the government war steamers stationed
sere. Captain Rowans report Of the transaction
t'vsry interesting. These, doubtless, will not be
ne only prizes taken, as those vessels which were
~ sea before the capture of the forts will doubt