The New York herald., 1862-03-29

| neighborhood. and on Thursday threw sovera
shells into our camp. General Shields is so fai
improved to be able to attend 10 the business oi
his brigade.
The news from Island No. 10 is not very i'm
portant. A balloon reconnaissance resulted in'the
discovery that the shells from our mortars had
fallen beyond the enemy's batteries. the elevation
Of the mortars being too high. This. however.
will at once be remedied.
The rebels still continue to make occasional de-
monstrations on the Lower Potomac. On Monday
last two boats crews from the Yankee landed at
Shipping Point to remove the guns left by the
rebsls but while so engaged q squadron Of rebel
cavalry. numbering 500 men. made their appear
ance on the hill. and our men pulled of after
securing two guns-one . nine-inoh Dahlgren.
and the other . long thirty-two-pounder. The
Yankee fell out into the stream ON the appearance
of the enemy and turned her guns upon them; but
they retired and kept out of range. In addition to
these guns the Yankee secured one hundred and
sixty nine-inch shells, loaded, and four hundred
six-inoh shells. unloaded. which were taken from
the rebel batteries. At Evansport the rebels have
left the sawmil untouched, and there is sufficient
timber at the mill to make quarters for several
| thousand men.
We give to-day map of the new seat Of mill
tary operations; showing the movements going on
in the Southwest. the strategica points at Corinth
| Mississippi, and Decatur. Alabama, where the
rebel Gd SD. Johnston and Beauregard, are con-
csntratid sr forces.
Another map which ws also give In another
column will show clearly the route taken by the
Nashville when she made her escape from Beau
fort, and the positions at that time held by the
federal vessels. There are three channels to
guard, and on this occasion but two vessels-the
Cambridge and Gemsbok. the latter sailing ves
sel-were there to perform the duty. The extreme
distance between the mouths Of the three channels
is five miles. The swash channel (by which the
Nashville 80 successfully entered the harbor)
ran the distance of only third Of q mile, when
it connected with the main ship channel, whose
mouth was at another point few miles distant.
The Gemsbok lay as near as she could so as not to
be in the range of Fort Macon, which is situated
on Bogue Bank. The fort was not evacuated at
last advices-viz: March "a, five P. M. The Bogue
and Shackleford banks are sandy, and the main
land is plainly visible over and beyond them. The
depot wharf and buildings are situated on the
swampy low land; the Bogue banks, however,
grounds outside the three channels Cor seaward)
do not dry at low water, but are covered in the
calmest weather with breakers along the whole
extent.
CONGRESS-.
| In theeSenate yesterday, bill to prevent the
allowance Of pensions to widows and children of
Revolutionary soldiers unless their claims are es-
tabished was passed. Mr.. Wright, of Indiana,
introduced another bill providing for the abolition
| of slavery in the District of Columbia. motion
to take up the resolution declaring that no more
brigadier generals shall be appointed, unless for
gallantry in action led to discussion in which it
was stated that there are less number Of officers in
the present army in proportion, than we had in
the Mexican or Revolutionary war. The motion
was disagreed to. The Naval Appropriation bill
| was then taken up, the question being on an
amendment appropriating $7ss, ,294 for the com
pleton of the Stevens floating battery, which was
adopted, with the condition that Mr.. Stevens shall
not be repaid the money he has expended on the
battery unless she prove successful and also that
the appropriation is not to be used unless the Sc.
cretary of the Navy i. of the opinion that it will
secure to the public service an efficient steam
battery. An amendment approprlating slS 900, 900
for the construction Of iron-cad vessels of war
was adopted; also an amendment appropriating
$25o,000 for casting heavy ordnance at the Wash.
ington Navy Yard. The bill was then passed, and
the Senate adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, the Naval Com.
nittee reported a joint resolution of thanks to
Ca&tain John Ericsson, for the enterprise, skill,
energy and tact, displayed by him in constructing
the iron-clad steamer Monitor, and the great SER
vice rendered by her to the country recently in
Hampton Roads. The resolution was adopted.
In answer 10 an inquiry, the Chairman Of the Com
uisiee on Invalid Pensions stated that bill had
already been reported providing pensions on ac-
count Of deceased officers and soldiers of the pre-
sentwar. The consideration of the Iax bill was
then resumed in Committee Of The Whole.
Both houses adjourned till Monday.
MIeCELLANEOUS NEwD.
In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday,