The New York herald., 1862-01-12
THE SITUATION.

The principal item Of news of an important cha
sacter is the clearing out of the rebel forces under
Humphrey Marshall in Eastern Kentucky. which
movement, If well followed up will render that
section of country as free from rebel influence as
Western Kentucky. The details have been received
by way of Cincinnati, and are to the effect that the
rebels attempted second time to invade Eastern
kentucky, but made complete failure of it. A
camp had been established about seven miles from
Paintville, but the fact becoming known to the
pnionists, Acting Brigadier General Garfield. at
the head of small brigade of Union troops, visit
ed that village en- route for the rebel camp He
was there met by flag of truce from the rebel
troops, asking for an arrangement without a fight:
but they, receiving the intelligence that an
unconditional surrender only could be &C.
cepted. The rebel general gave his command the
option Of sunrendering or disbanding The rebels.
3herefore. chose the latter destroying all their
Damp equipage, &C.. and the whole force scattered
n confusion, taking only their cannon with them.
3encral Garfield sent his cavalry in pursuit of the
routed troops, expecting to capture the cannon
hnd perhaps many Of the flying rebels Paintville
Is post village of Kentucky, and is the capital
OF johnson county. 1t is situated on Paint creek.
small branch Of the Big Sandy river, and is dis
tant about one hundred and forty miles east bv
south from Frankfort, the capital of the State 1t
has brick court house, five stores and about two
hundred inhabitants. The most important product
Of the vicinity is coal and simple minerals. The
sources.
gunboat skirmish took place yesterday morn
Ing near Cairo. 1t appears that three rebel gun
boats attacked the two Union boats, Essex and St.
Louis, lying of Fort Jefferson, but the fire being
returned the rebel boats retreated, the others fol-
lowing in hot pursuit, until the former were shell
tered by the guns of the batteries at Columbus It
Il believed one of the rebel boats was disabled
during the engagement
IL In rumored at Louisville that two rebel steam
ers laden with munitions, clothing &C., for Zolli-
co6sr'g troops. had been captured on the Cumber
land rkpr. The reports had not been confirmed a.
last advices.
The Navy Department has received the official
dispatches from Port Royal relative to the en-
gagement between the rebels and the united mill
try and naval forces under General Stevens and
Commander Rodgers. The dispatches contain
only the reports Of the naval operations. the de-
tails Of which We have already published from the
Sor..ssponasncs Of our special reporters. The
hocuments are, however, very interesting, as they
Tend 70 confirm the fret Of the brlliancy Of the
naval movements, ard the bravery Of the officers
of that branch of 1he service,
The advance Of General Bbrnside's expedition
mas arrived safely at Hampton Roads. An account
viii be found in the columns Of the HERALD.
The troops Of General Buffers division, previ-
pusly embarked on the Constitution, and after.
wards ordered again On shore, have since been re-
vrdereS to the vessel. They re-embarked yester'
aav. No reason has been made known for tie
Extraordinary movement. The Constitution ID
updsr orders 70 sail for Fortress Monroe tomorrow
morning.
The Mayor Of windsor. Canada West, in Anot'
- tho Detroit Free Press, denies that thare ar'
Sortincations Of any kind in process of erection
Windsor, and says there is no present intention
srsctipg any. He also says that neither has Sir F
". Williams or any other military ofhcsr, been o.
fhs frontier since the war in the Union commenced
s,d that no suggestions have been made .
windsor or Sandwich for laying out fcrtihcatonl
batteries or anything else.
uuCELLANH0Us NEWS.
Among the thirteen hundred rebs prisoners n
ssstly brought TO st. Louis there were sixtee
uaaves who we're taken in arms against the Cover
nsnt. These contrabsnds come directly under u
80 Osrss yspeA Angus y issA end sA'