The New York herald., 1862-10-18
THE SITUATION.


THE SITUATION.
No general advance movement has been made
by General McCleilal's army into Virginia since
last advices. The new position assumed by the
forward move Of our army, however, is very likely
80 compel the enemy to fight. Another battle
may therefore be expected ere long if Lee does
not make good his retreat to Richmond The
force Of General Humphrey. which crossed the
river at Blackfords Ford, opposite Sheph ardss-
town, it appears encountered r.pretty large force
Of the enemys cavalry. with two pieces OF art
lery. General Humphrey instead of retreating,
as before stated returned the fire, and q
brisk artlv-y duel ensued Gen. Woo ibury's
same time and took the road to Smthfeld, village
midway between Bunker Hill and Charlestown
and after encamping for the night, seven miles
from Smithfeld, pushed on next morning and made
q junction with General Hancock's division. hav
ing met the enemy in large force on his way,
though he found but slight resistance from the
pickets.
General sigel's reconnaissance towards Lees
burg, which we noticed yesterday, discovered no
rebels within forty miles Of our lines in that dr &C.
tion. portion o: Stuart's cavalry occupied
Leesburg, as before stated.
despatch from Fortress Monroe states that
battle was fought at Blackwater on Tuesday last;
but our correspondent at Norfolk. writing two
days later, makes no mention Of the fact
: The continued insults offered to the soldiers aud
officers of the Union army in Norfok-principal
by the female population-have compelled the
Military Governor, Brigadier General viele, to is
sue order to seize the houses Of all parties who
may be guilty Of this offence, and appropriate them
20 the purposes Of the government either for hospi
tails or quarters.
The reports which reached Louisville on Thurs
day night, to the effect that Nashville was sur
rounded by the rebels, that General Negley had
been asked by the rebel General to surrender the
Gown and declined, have not received any later
confirmation, our communication with Nashville
For some time being very imperfect. The garr-
son, under General Negley, is said to number
fifteen thousand-an ample force for the defence Of
She city.
The news from Kentucky is not important.
General Granger occupied Lexington with his
cavalry yesterday. The enemy evacuated it the
day before. No decisive battle has occurred since
sbe brilliant victory near Perryville.
Rv lafa a5vicea from Now Drleaua and Havana
by the steamer Saxon which arrived at this port
last night, we learn that it confidently asserted
In Havana that fourteen rebel war vessels, among
them the $780," were at Mobile. The where.
more satisfactorily accounted for by her re-
cent exploits on the ocean. The steamer
Matanzas which left Havana seven days previous
TO the Saxon, has not been since heard from. She
bad large amount Of specie on board for this CITY,
Great fears are entertained for her safety as q
heavy gale set in soon after her departure. Her
capture by the rebel pirates, however, is no,
Improbable.
Mr.. Mason. the rebel envoy In London, has
,ritten an important letter on the subject Of the
tcognition OF the Southern States by the European
overs. The communication, which appears in
-, HERALD to-day, 10 addressed to Mr..
William Boon, secretary Of meeting lately
held in Staleybridgc, England, having for
Its object "thc promotion Of the recognition Of the
Confederate States Of North America as an inde.
pendent nationality" by petitioning the Queen
and Parliament Of England. The Mayor Of the town
presided over the organization. Mr.. Mason having
been invited TO offer his opinion on the subject
does so by letter. After recapitulating the seces
sion arguments, Mr.. Mason declares that the "sepa
ration from the United States is ansl and for ever
aud that "in no possible contingency--evcn coul,
Che war be continued TO their extermnation-
they (the Southern Statss) ever be restored TO tn
rcpudatod Union.''
We may here remark that at the meeting in Staley
bridge the speakers endeavored to pass resolu
fon decerng that the suferings Of the British ope
ra,ves were caused by the action ofthe Union gov
rrnmcDt IL continuing 10 make war on the rebels
but the tradosmen and spinners present at ono
rejected the proposition, and resolved that tbei
misery Was produced by the existence Of Q re
bcllion against the American constitution
We publish The article in which the Paris Pot,i
tu,imstes tba. Eugland wiIl soon entertain IN
recog iion ,es.ion o. matter fss Cabinet dc
ihess .icr d concert wisi Tfspcs.