The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-09


THE SITUATION.
The news from General McClellan's army is full
Of hope for the Union, Of glory for the young
General himself. and is pregnant with ruin to the
rebel cause. The occupation of Yorktown, with
al its immense Notifications on Sunday, so rapidly
followed by the attack upon and the capture of
williamsburg on Tuesday, has eventuatsd in
rapid pursuit Of the enemy which has forced them
across the Chickahominy, upon the left bank Of
which, at latest accounts, General Mcclellan had
halted his army for . temporary rest previous
to pressing on. The rebels had succeeded in
destroying the bridges; but a. there are two fords
easy 70 be crossed, our troops viii find no difficult
~ in continuing the pursuit. and, II necessary,
driving the rebels from any intrenched position
they may take up there-f, indeed, 1t be their in
tention to make stand At that point. The graphic
account Of the fight at Williamsburg from our spe.
oial correspondent, which We give to-day. viii be
read with intense interest. Hancock's celebrated
bayonet charge, the electric effect Of General Nc
and the daring charge Of bsdy Of rebel infantry
lcross an open plain. form striking incidents in the
description.
In addition to the active operations Of our land
brees. We learn that tho iron-clsd gunboats at
Fortress Monroe are by this time participating in
che affair on the Chickshominy. Tho Galena,
Aroostook and Port Royal started up the James
river yesterday morning, ct six O'Clock, to cut of
thc river communication with the rebels on the
Chickshominy. They had passed Days Point be
fore seven o'clock, and heavy firing was heard at
that time. Meantime Sewalls Point was being
evacuated by the rebels, and the Monitor, Manga.
suck and feet Of gunbosts had left Fortress Mon
roe to take possession Of the rebel stronghold on
the Point.
battle Of Williamsburg, as far as we have been
able to obtain the names up to this time.
despatch reached Fredericksburg, now in
possession OF General Mcdowell, yesterday, to the
effect that the rebels had evacuated Norfolk.
Thus it would appear that evacuation is the order
of the day in all quarters,
The official repsst Of Commodore Porter, recount
ing the capture Of New Orleans and the reduction
Of Forts Jackson and st. Philip is given in another
column, together with tho official despatch Of Cap.
cain Theodorus Bailey, announcing the victory,
and, as its result, in the glorious fact that "the
way is clear and the rebel defences destroyed from
the Gulf to Baton Rouge and probably to Mem
phis." From this II might be inferred that Com
modore Farragut has gone up the river towards
che latter city.
The news from the Southwest is important.
despatch from Cairo yesterday says that three
brigades Of General Buell's army had seized the
portion Of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
between Corinth aad the Grand Junction, cutting
of all communication between the two points. II
they hold thissection OF the road they will COM
pletely divide the forces Of General Beureesrd
and render his position still more dangerous than
before, Il not utterly hopeless.
Some parties recently arrived from New Orleans
announce that immense quantities Of cotton and
tobacco, sugar and molasses were being destroyed
oil along the river country, from that point TO
Memphis. both by the planters and the officers Of
Che rebel government, who were running up the
river in steamboats,, aiding in the destruction Of
these staples.
COMGRESs.
In tho Senate yesterday, tho House bill sppro.
priatng $50 ,oos 900 for the pay Of the army for
the year ending June 30, 1869, was passed. The
House bill making Port Royal, s. c., port of
pntry was also passed. Mossrs Foster, Doolittle
pnd Davis, were appointed . select. committee, 70
which was referred the House resolution relative
Do the impeachment Of Judge Humphreys, Of Ten.
pessee. The bill limiting TIE number OF Major
end Brgadisr Generals was passed. Il limits the
hsmber ofkaJor Generals TO thirty, and Of I,rioa.
diers 10 two hundred. Mr.. Sumner offered a ,oso.
Jrtion which lies over, declaring that il IL nexn.
dent to inscribe on the colors Of regiments
Che victories won over our own citizens
The bill establishing q Department Of Ae.
Ficuliure was passed. The bin providing for
Ee collection VI taxes " aads ia insurssctionAry
h.