The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-05

THE SITUATION.

Il
Some activity marks tho course OF General Nc
Clellans army since the firing upon eur mail boat
landing by tho rebel batteries from the south side
of the James river. Osr troops occupying that
shore made reconnaissance to within fourteen
miles Of Petersburg on Sunday. At Cox's mills,
five miles back, they met the Thirteenth Virginia
cavalry in line. Our men charged on them, when
they broke and ran. They drove them to their
encampment at Sycamore church, two and
half miles further, where they again
formed. but were put to fight, leaving behind
all their tents, camp equipage and commssary
stores which our troops gathered together and
burnt. The rebels had two horses killed, six men
wounded and two taken prisoners. Our loss was
one horse killed. After securing the country
short distance further they returned to the river.
There is no further evidence of rebel gunboats
on the river below Fort Darling.
Two of our gunboats were Smelling the shore
above City Point on Sunday afternoon The health
OF General McClellan's army is excellent, and has
been improved since the receipt of the vegetables
recently sent to them.
Major General Pope has pushed accommodating
column as far as Orange Court House and defeated
two cavalry regiments OF the enemy, under Gen.
Robertson. In his official despatch he describes
the affair in these words:-"The accommodating
column. under Gen. Crawford, crossed the Rapidan
and pushed forward to Orange Court House yester-
A..
cupied by two regiments OF the enemy's cavalry
under Gen. Robertson. Eleven Of the enemy were
killed and ffty.two taken prisoners; among the
latter are one major, two captains and two lieu
tenants. Our loss was two killed and three
wounded. The enemy retired in such haste as to
leave their wounded in our hands. The railroad
and telegraph line between Orange Court House
and Gordonsville were destroyed"
Intelligence from General Pope's headquarters,
partially confirmed by reports prevalent and be-
leved In Washington, states that the rebels are
really evacuating Richmond and taking up their
position on the south bank Of the James river
Other reports were abroad that their object in
abandoning the rebel capital was to make an i'm
mediate march on Washington.
The Secretary OF War has issued an order cali
ing for draft Of the militia on the 18TH inst, to
Gil up the number OF soldiers required by the
Presidents recent proclamation. In another
column we give all the details connected with the
law governing the drafting system and the mode
upon which it is to be conducted.
Upon an offer being made to the President yes.
terday Of two negro regiments, he peremptorily
fused to accept ,htm--declining to put the negro
on an equality with the white man in the army Of
the republic, which is engaged in restoring the in
tegrity Of the Union and the constitution erected
for the benefit Of the white race. Mr.. Lincoln's
resolution not to degrade the gallant and patriotic
volunteers now in arms for the government. by
compelling them to associate with negroes as CON-
rades in an honorable csuse, win still more en-
dear him to the honest portion OF the com.
munity.
The Illinois officers have compiled each list Of
the absentees from their respective commands The
Chicago papers are officially publishing the same
hsNS. AttHOuSu tnc uOSuLcut uao = iOIuiudDic
sppsarancc-the list Of some twenty regiments
occupying eight lengthy columns-yet such papers
are interesting to the friends Of those concerned,
especially az each individual named is notified 10
return or be reported deserter.n
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
The Aspinwal mail steamer Northern Light
Captain Tinklepaugh commanding, arrived at this
port yesterday morning. She brings nearly a
million iD treasure from California, and very in.
teresting news from Central and South America
Great excitement was created in the city Of Pana.
ma on the 23d Of July by order Of the Bishop to
take all the valuable ornaments and jewels from
he churches and deposit them In some safe place
10 prevent their falling into the hands Of General
Mosqucra, should he issue an order for their con.
6scatiou. Senior Jovane had akeady removed
these vauablcs from some Of the churches but,
on its being known outside the city that he
intended taking those from the church of
Santa Ana, there was general outcry among
the outsiders, and hundreds OF women
crowded Into the square. determined 10 rcshi
their removal The rioters prevailed in the end.
sssauting the priest and the eartmen, and thus
preventing the removal Of the sacred yexscia,
There ID famine in many towns Of Nicaragua and