The New York herald., 1862-02-20
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
While no official intelligence of the capture of
Savannah has been received, all the news that
continues to reach US from different quarters espe-
ciaay from the Southern papers, whose statements
upon the subject are fully referred to below,
indicate that attack by our troops is progress
ing in that vicinity. Our news from Port Royal to
che 18th instant reports that our expedition with
Savannah. Later dates to the 18th Sunday last),
srought yesterday by the United States gunboat
Connecticut, inform that the capture of Savan-
nah was expected within two days. that our
troops had taken possession of Island de Florian,
in the Savannah river, where the rebels had for
dfcation; that our gunboats had completely cut
Oh all communication between the city of Savan-
nah and Fort Pulaski. and that one of Commodore
Tatnali's rebel feet had been taken.
Our details of the Fort Donelson battle continue
to be highly interesting. Two more rebel regi-
ments were captured outside the intrenchments on
Tuesday. Six thousand prisoners have already
been sent to Chicago. and it is said that two.
thirds OF all those taken are anxious to return to
their allegiance, and acknowledge that they have
been duped into taking up arms against the
government. Numbers of soldiers in the vicinity
of Fort Donelson came in and delivered themselves
up voluntarily.
A despatch from the Cumberland river, received
at Cairo last night, announces that the rebels
evacuating Clarksville yesterday, and retiring TO
Nashville. If this news should prove true-and it
is exceedingly probable-the next grand battle
may be looked for at the latter place, which ap-
pears to be the great point of concentration Cor
the retreating rebel armies in the Southwest.
A accommodating party, under Col. Buford, which
went down the river towards Columbus yesterday,
heard heavy cannonading and observed large
volume of smoke when within four miles OF Colum.
bus. Col. Buford was Of opinion that the rebels
were blowing up their magazines aud dismounting
their guns, preparatory to evacuatng the place
The significant language used by Mr.. Faulkner
at Martinsburg, on the Upper Potomac. receives
confirmation BY later dispatches, and il is said his
opinions were heartily endorsed by his audience
Mr.. Faulkner said that the best blood of the South
and a vast amount Of its property would be sacr
feed ia vain; that he not in favor of the con-
nne-tcnths Of the people Of the Upper Potomac
agreed with him. It was reported in Frederick
yesterday. in connection with these statements of
Mr.. Faulkner, that between three and four hundred
Of the rebel militia of Berkley county, Va had de-
serted in a body, and were on their way TO cross
the Potomac and join the ranks Of the Union
army.
The Z" old flag" Of the Union waves over another
rebel State, thus leaving Texas and Alabama the
only States in which the familiar emblem Of the
nation il not acknowledged. General Curtis has
driven the flying rebel army from Springfield clear
into Arkansas, sixty.fve miles south of Springfield.
and on Sunday night the Stars and Stripes were
Huttering over the soil Of Arkansas. General
Halleck telegraphcd to Washington yesterday that
Brgadier General Price, brother of the rebel chief.
snd several officers of his staff, we're captured
General Curtis is pressing hotly on the track Of
General Price and the main body of his army
Our squadron in the Gulf is actively engaged in
preserving the blockade, we learn from our
Key West correspondence. party Of officers
from the De Soto captured the schooner Barbour
On her way from Havana with a cargo of coffee
and other valuables While the United States
barks Midnight and Rachel Seaman were sailing
on the coast near Brazos, shot was fred at them
from fort on shore. They returned the fire and
completely shelled out the rebel garrison, who
took to fight precipitately
We received another collection Of late Southern
papers last night, from which we CLEAN much
valuable information.
The rebel Provisional Congress adjourned sine
die on the 18th inst Resolutions complimentary
u H9aeIl Cobb we're adopted before the close OF