The New York herald., 1862-04-19
THE SITUATION.

beW York. Saturday, April 19, 1864.
THE SITUATION.
The arrival of the United States steamers Nc
Clsllan and the Star Of the South puts Us in pos
session Of the fullest particulars Of the lombard
ment and capture Of Fort Pulaski. We present
our readers this morning with highly interesting
selection from our correspondence letters relative
to the engagement, embracing the order of firing,
and the terms Of capitulation.
Onioial intelligence has been received that Gene
raj Banks had occupied Newmarket and captured
many prisoners. An unimportant artillery duel
took place between the contending forces; but
caused no loss of Life on our side.
The news from Martinsburg is very interesting.
There is every prospect that the railroad between
Winchester and the Potomac river will soon be in
good running order, and that during the present
month splendid iron bridge will be thrown across
the river at Harper's Ferry.
The troops before Yorktown under Gen. W. F.
Smith were attacked by the rebels about haf-past
twelve o'clock yesterday morning, but without
any serious results to our forces, who boldly re
pulsed the enemy. The progress of the siege is
favorable to our cause.
We have received the details of the affair at Lea's
Mills, Va, between the Vermont brigade and Il e
rebels, who were at one time entirely routed, at
the point of the bayonet. by the "Green Mountain
boys" These troops have further added to their
isurels during this engagement. There was also
some heavy artillery firing during the contest. Our
loss is thirty-two killed and ninety wounded.
1t has been reported by rebel deserters that JeG
Davis had arrived at the rebel camp near York
town, and was about to take command. They
represent the enemy to be concentrated in great
force and reinforcsments constantly arriving.
The mails Of the Canada complete our European
aIss to the 9th of April.
The London journals contain full reports of the
debates which took place In both houses of the
British Parliament the inutility ofland ferti6ca-
lions and wooden ships for purposes of coast de-
fenos and war, as well as the necessity Of an i'm
mediate reconstruction Of the British navy, so as
70 put her in possession Of an iron. n.armored feet
The speeches of Lord Hardwicke, practical sea-
man. the Duke Of Somerset, First Lord Of the Ad-
miralty; Lord Palmerston, Sir John Pakington,
and other prominent men, show that they are
greatly alarmed at the position in which their
country ia placed by the issue of the conflict
between the Merrimac and Monitor. Tho press
&C. choes the sentiment; the London Times as
suring its readers that England must not allow to
'any other nation q moments start" in obtaining
the greatest force of nvulnerable vessels" and
that "all other things are secondary to. this"
Commander Cowper Coles, r. n. in letter TO
the London Times, claims that the invention Of
iron war vessels of the class Of the Monitor is OK
English origin" and that the honor of it belongs
10 himself. The Duke of Somerset, during the
warfare, asserted the same thing. and
described the Monitor as an American blunder''
of an English design. Mr.. Coles letter to the
London Time is now before US, and, although he
puts forward his demand for acknowledgment
very cautiously we learn from it the exact period
Of time at which he brought forward his models Of
two "iron rafts"-now said to be identical with
the Nonitor-for the navigation OF shallow waters
under . heavy armament. He proposed his
drawing Of vessel" to the Lords Of the Admiralty
In the year 1856, some time about the month Of
November. This fact Ct date we think, dlsposes
Of his claim TO priority over Mr.. Ericsson, for that
gentleman laid his drawings Of an iron war vessel
such the Monitor, before the Emperor OF France,
oil complete, in the year 1854, twelve months be-
fore Commander Coles had drafted of his "raft,'
or had availed himself Of the "aid' of Mr.. Brunes
drsughtsmen in making bis calculations and lines
Tho Paris aud London papers reveal the fact
that the relations Of the late trpartite Allies
against Mexico are now particularly inharmonious
towards each other on the question of future
operations in that country. France is opposed TO
the policy OF England and Spain, while England
objects to the course and plans both of France
end Spain, and fears that Napoleon and Queen
Isabella may form new treaty looking 60 the AT.
tsinment Of spscisl objects Of their own.
ThO Chancellor Of the Exchequer, in his speech
oo the English budget, stated that the exports TO
America had fallen of in the year 1891 10 the ex.
tent Of sss o4s 900 as compared with the value for
1890. He also made the important scknowIedg.
mont that the United States blockade Of the rebe
coast during the last year was zone Of the most
srtensive, most stringent and effcscious ever In.
stituted."
coHGRRss.
In the Senate yesterday, the bill establishing Q
land once in Colorado Territory was passed. The
ss'sot committee appointed to inquire into the
circumstances attending sAs surrender Of the Pen.