The New York herald., 1862-02-15


THE SITUATION.
The brilliant success of the Union arms at Ro-
anoke Island forms the principal point of news
to-day. We give in the minutest detail the entire
history of the expedition of General Burnside to.
gether with q highly graphic account of the affair
ct Roanoke Island, accompanied by two maps,
which show the whole topography of the country
in that vicinity. Our account to-day occupies no
less than eighteen columns of our space.
In Importance this victory in the waters of Pam.
leo and Albemarle Sounds has not been equalled
by anything which our armies have yet achieved,
and taken in connection with the victory in Ten
nessee, at Fort Henry, the surrounding of Fort
Donelson, and the evacuation of Springfield NO.,
by the rebels-below referred to more particular
ly-au of which have been accomplished within
few days, the affair at Roanoke Island acquires
double value.
The battle was desperate one; but from the
beginning. when our troops were landed at Ashly's
Harbor. on Friday afternoon, the 7th instant,
success seemed to attend them. The rebels were
intrenched in the centre of the island but by the
galIantry Of our men they were dislodged at the
point Of the bayonet, and driven towards the
northern end Of the island, where those who were
not killed or wounded surrendered. Our loss is said
to be about fifty killed-thirty of the army and
twenty of the naval force. Our wounded
number about one hundred and forty. We refer
readers to the detailed account in our columns
to-day for complete information of this most sue
General Burnside, which was received by General
Mcclellan yesterday evening. General Burnside's
despatch ID short, soldierly and comprehensive.
He states in a few words that the army has gained
decisive victory. that they have captured
six forts, forty guns, over two thousand
prisoners, and three thousand small arms.
Among the prisoners was Captain o. Jcn-
nings Wise, who soon expired from wounds re-
ceived while attempting TO escape in small
boat. General Burnside says that the men,
both soldiers and sailors, fought most gallantly,
they endured the hardshps of desperate fight in
swamps and thickets. He does all honor to Gene
rails Foster, Reno and Parks, to whose bravery the
glory of the day is due: He further announces
that Commodore Goldsborough has been entirely
successful in his attack on Elizabeth City and the
rebel feet of gunboats. Commodore Goldsbo-
rough tells his own story cOncisely in our columns
to-day.
despatch from the camp in front Of Fort
Donelson, on the Cumberland river, dated on the
18th inst informs of the important fact that the
fort was completely beleaguered by Generals
Grant, Smith and McClernand, who surround it
with an army of nearly 10000 men. They
commenced the bombardment on Wednesday, and
the fight ragged with great vigor on both sides
throughout the day, and will be continued until the
rebels either are driven out or surrender. There
are said to be eleven thousapd men in the fort
together with Generals Pillow, Floyd, Johnston
and Buckner. Our gunboats we're acting gailantly'
The account we give to-day shows that the action
was formidable one and the firing was very de-
structive. Our troops made several charges ON
the intrenchments, reaching sometimes within a
very short distance Of them.
An expedition under Colonel higgins, of General
Grants stat, advanced as far as the railroad
bridge on the 1lth inst, and released the rebel
steamer Evansport which was lying against one Of
the piers. Proceeding to the Big Sandy river, the
expedition seized contraband goods valued at
SIS 900, including tobacco, wheat and corn.
0The rebel papers are most desponding in their
comments upon the state Of affairs in Tennessee
and the Union feeling existing there, the extent Of
which they are compelled to admit. They al
most acknowledge that Tennessee is now lost tc
the rebel cause.
Our news from Missouri brings us intelligence O
another splendid success. An Official despatch
was received by General Mcclellan yesterday fror,
General Haeckf announcing that the rebel Genera
Price, with his whole army, evacuated Springfield
on Wednesday night upon the approach of on,
troops towards Wilson's creek. Our cavalr,
pursued them, while the main body n
our army took possession Of the town and bo;s,ea :
tas "old dag" on the Court House. A laru,