The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-03
THE SITUATION.

THE STU ALTON.
Our news from Yorktown to-day is interesting
Yesterday morning the rebels opened fire on our
batteries with o rifed sixty-eigh. pound column
bad from the heights. Our battery of one
hundred and two hundred-pounder Parrot guns
gun exploded on the twenty-third discharge,
scattering destruction among the enemy on
The paSapet. This accident seemed to put the
battery completely hors du combat while
our fire continued, throwing shells into the
town. rebel steamer made On attempt to
land some troops at Yorktown, but our Parrot
guns prevented her from accomplishing her pur
pose. Deserters from Yorktown report that Gene.
rals Johnston and Magruder made speeches last
week to all their troops, calling on them TO use
every exertion to defeat the Northern invaders;
that thsy.should never surrender SO long as there
was man left; that if they were defeated at York
town the cause Of the confederacy was gone, as
they were determined to rest their cause on this
their last battle.
Landing TO the effect that important operations
are going on there, which, however, we are not
permitted to publish, and hence we shall enter
into no speculation upon the nature Of the pro-
ceedings progressing in that vicinity.
A despatch from General Mitchell to the War De-
partnent yesterday, from Huntsville, Ala, an
nounces that his troops on Wednesday last crossed
from the island to the main land and captured two
sixpounder cannon and their ammunition. The
Inhabitants reported tho enemy to have retreated
In great confusion on bis approach.
The Chicago Ti,nes has taken great pains to cir
culsss . report through their special correspond
ents to the effect that zone half Of General Hal
leck's army are on bed of Sickness" and that
out Of the whole force not more than "ten regi-
ments could muster six hundred effective men, and
that these were weak and lily prepared to combat
with the enemy" In contradiction 70 this. We
have the Official report Of the principal medical
officer under General Halleck, that "all the sick
and wounded have been removed from the field,
with the exception Of about two hundred, who
are in the reginental hospitals, and are expected
30 take up arms in a few days at latest
The particulars Of the capture Of Fort Macon by
General Burnside's force ere given to-day. The
Tor. stood heavy bombardment Of eleven hours
on Friday last -Four hundred prisoners were
taken. Colonel White, the commandans of the
fort and all his officers, were permitted to leave
e.
ceptsd subject to these conditions-no doubt be-
cause General Burnside had important work be
fore him, In connection with other combinations,
which did not admit Of any delay more than was
absolutely necessary for the immediate occupation
Of Fort Macon. The occupation OF Wilmington
by Gen. Burnside is announced by the rebel jour
nal, the Petersburg Express but we have no con
frmation Of the fact from any other source.
From other Southern papers received at Fortres
Monroe yesterday we learn that Commodore Far
regut's propositions 70 surrender New Orleans
had been accepted by the Mayor, Mr.. Monroe, and
tho city Of New Orleans was at last accounts held
b. . battalion Of marines from the squadron. The
come authority states tina. Gen. Buffers forces
we're within few miles Of the city, having landed
on Lake Pontchartrsin.
Rumors were in circulation In the South tina,
Beauregard was evscuating Memphis and Corinth
consequent, most probably, upon the information
OF the fell Of New Orleans. IL may be that he has
frade for the Grand Junction at the intersection
% he Memphis and Charleston Railroad with the
Grand Trunk road to New Orleans, with the hop,
Of making q connection with General Lowell,
~. Our map on another page will give goot
s. Of the localities In question.
The inhabitants Of Memphis at the last account,
were in momsntsry expectation Of en- attack b,
cur asst, and II was decided at public meeting
to destroy the city BY Ore rather than Il SHOULD
tall into the hands Of the Union forces.
Commodore Foote'S bombMdmsnt Of Fort wrigh,
continues 70 progress. and general attack was ia
contemplation. was expected that the rsbe
cunbosts would have made an attack on roo,e',
fotills on Tuesday, and the asst was drawn M IN
line Of battle 70 meet them, but they made no
6emonstratIou.
A despatch received - Chicago yesterday ssy,