The New York herald., 1862-06-20

NEW hOTks ETIuay, June ~, AoOWs
THE SITUATION.
Beyond the fact that continual skirmishing is
going on along the whole line of General Nc
Clellan's army, there is not much very late news
from that direction. The weather is very fine and
the roads are in pretty good condition. General
Mcclellan is biding his time. AT present general
engagement is hardly possible. When the hour
comes, however, it will doubtless prove o san
culinary affair. Our army correspondence from
the field before Richmond, which we publish in
another column will be found full Of interest.
The news from East Tennessee is important
The Secretary of War received despatch yester-
day from General George w. Morgan, dated at
camp near Cumberland Gap, June Is, eight O'Clock
in the evening, which states that his army COM
menced its march at one o'clock that morning, to
attack the enemy at Cumberland Gap; but on their
arrival it was found he had evacuated that very
important position, his guard having left only
about four hours before the arrival of advance.
Gen. Morgan praises the conduct Of his DIVISION in
its arduous march through an extremely difficult
country, and says that his cannon were dragged up
the precipitous sides of the Pine and Cumberland
mountains by the aid of block and tackle, two
hundred men being employed ON the ropes Of q
single piece. In his progress considerable skr-
mshing with the enemy had taken place; but
without any loss on our side This important posi-
tion, which has been held by the rebels since
the beginning OF the war, is now in possession Of
our troops.
We present to our readers to-day further ac-
count of the state of afairsin New Orleans, which
shows that the loyal sentiment in that city Is in
creasng. 1t shows, further, that General Butler
is truly the right man in the right place. His
orders with regard to the treatment Of the poor,
who have been reduced to the lowest stage Of des.
tituton by the rebellion and his reply to the petit
tion in behalf of the rebel soldiers under sentence
of death, whereby he delivers them from the ex-
treme penalty, are examples of humanity, justice
and wisdom worthy Of Christian and soldier.
The news from Arkansas via St. Louis, dated
the 18th inst, reports that an expedition Of our
gunboats had been made down the White river,
which resulted in the capture of the rebel steamer
Clara Dobson, with a cargo Of cotton on board
worth SEQ ,OO0. She was taken to Memphis, with a
prize crew on board.
c0NGREss.
In the Senate yesterday, the House bill to change
the port Of entry Of Brunswick, Ca, was passed.
motion to take up the resolution fixing the time
for the final adjournment Of Congress was disagreed
to by vote Of fourteen against twenty-five. The
bill fixing the pay and emoluments Of officers Of
the army was taken up, and the House amendment,
striking on. the section deducting ten per cent
from the pay Of ell military and civil officers Of
the government during the war, and reducing the
mileage of Congressman fifty per cent, was con-
Cured in by vote Of twenty nine to twelve. The
consideration Of the Pacific Railroad bill was then
resumed, and continued till the adjournment.
In the House Of Representatives, Mr.. Lehman
rendered to the government, as free gift, on be-
half of the city Of Philadelphia, League Island,
site for . navy yard. The property cost
100000. A resolution that Congress finally ad-
journ on the 3oth inst. was adopted by vote Of
103 against "a. The select Committee on the De-
fence Of the Northern Lakes reported bill estab-
fishing o national foundry at Chicago, and naval
depots and yards on Lakes Erie Michigan and On
tar.o. II was referred to the Committee Of the
Whole. The House then proceeded to the consi-
deraton of the bill relating TO claims for the loss
and detention Of property belonging to loyal citi-
zens, and damage done thereto by the troops Of
the United States, during the present rebellion,
but adjourned without taking action on the sub.
ject. . -
The steamship Columbia, from Havana, brings
m six days later news from the capital Of vene.
zuela. Notwithstanding we have been hearing
from time TO time, through the government organs
Of the triumphs Of the government over the fede
rasts and the utter rout and annhilation Of these
latter, il appears they have still plenty Of vitality
and are by no means subdued. BY the news jus,
received we learn that tho 21s ut. these rebels
attacked the town of Petare, very short dstanc,
rom the capital, where they were, however, re
pulsed after o bloody and obstinate ight. LASTING
from sunrise till noon, in which both sides los
heavily. The rebels gave no quarter, killing th;
wounded who fell into their hands. The letter
which gives the above account says that sotiilo
the very one who lately pretended su h friendship
eor Paes, had routed the governments forces In
EagSslepA Another leader, named Acosa, had