The New York herald., 1862-01-10
New York, Friday, January 10, 1854.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The most important feature of the news is that
which relates to the concentration of troops at
two important points, northeast and northwest of
rebeldom, for the purpose of marching upon the
supporters of that doctrine en- masse. One of
these advances is to take place from the depart
ment of the Missouri as may be gathered from the
important intelligence received from St. Louis A
special despatch had been received at that city
from Cairo to the effect that 25 900 troops were
concentrating at the latter point and when all had
arrived, a column of from sixty to seventy thou
sand strong would move to Paducah, under Gen.
Grant. The destination of the force is said to be
Nashville, where they will unite with Gen. Buell's
column. The united forces will then proceed in
sosthery direction towards New Orleans. This
movement was expected to take place within six
days.
Another movement has already begun in drec-
ton nearly opposite to that just mentioned. Half
OF Gen. Burnsides expedition sailed only yester-
day morning, and the other half was ready to de-
part by three o'clock in the afternoon. This force
will rendezvous in Hampton Roads, after which it
will sail for some at present unknown Southern
port Several thousand men will move upon the
rebels in this direction.
The navigation of the Potomac river has been
somewhat impeded by floating ice, but communira-
tion has been kept open by the steamer King
Philip. The Stepping Stones passed the rebel
batteries without molestation on her way from
the lower to the upper Hotilla. 1t was thought
probable that the rebels withheld their fire for the
purpose of attacking the Pensacola when she
went to sea.
From Fortress Monroe we learn that the rebel
batteries at Craney Island had been practicing
their artillery during the whole Of Wednesday
Big Bethel was reported to be again in the posses
sion of the rebel forces. The steamers Connecti-
cut and Phenx had sailed for Port Royal and the
Rancogas for Hatteras. The remainder of the
news was unimportant.
The newspapers in the whole State of Missouri
have been. by order of the Provost Marshal Gene
raj, placed under military inspection, and news
paper publishers not sending a copy of each issue
to the Provost Marshal's headquarters, at st.
Louis, will render their journals liable to suppress
sion. The city papers of st. Louis do not come
under the restrictive order.
The Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis had be.
come divided in consequence of trouble existing
between the Union and secession members. The
former retired yesterday and formed new corpo
Independent of the old body.
Our Baltimore correspondence gives us an i'm
portant piece of information relative to prisoners
taken from on board privateers. By that it would
appear that the Cabinet are opposed to any punish.
ment being inflicted upon the rebel privateersmen,
or their receiving any different treatment from
that of other prisoners Of war.
It further appears that all the demonstrations
made by the rebels opposite Hancock are merely
to prevent the Union troops rebuilding the Balt
more and Ohio Railroad between Harper's Ferry
and Hancock.
1t has been reported by q gentleman from Gal.
weston. Texas, that cotton has been transported
through the extreme Southern States to Browns
vile, in that State and from thence shipped to
Matamoras, in Mexico. II is further stated that
the said Mexican port has been made an English
military and naval station. If SO, Great Britain
could, without apparently infringing on the block
sde obtain all the cotton she might want from the
South. We give the statement for what it is
worth, reminding our readers that the means Of
transit from other parts Of the South to Browns
vile are anything but efficient, convenient or
expeditious.