The New York herald., 1862-12-03
THE SITUATION.

Ii H Si1tJ
We have received the reports of the National
Departments in Washington, excepting that Of the
Secretary of the Treasury. We have on hand:-
1.-The War Report.
2.-The Naval Report.
3.-The Interior Report.
4.-The Post Office Report.
5.-The Indian Report.
6.-The Land Office report.
These reports, embracing history OF the events
Of the past year. contain only information that has
already been given in the columns Of the HERALD.
derived from our special correspondents; but as
matters Of record, and bearing an official stamp, we
intend to give them. as space permits, till they are
ell published The Presidents message indicated
the policy and measures of the government
The Secretary of War in his report states that
e3at portion of the United States which is now
- has been during the last year, the scene OF mill
Ary operations, is confined within ten military de.
eartmonts; that the armies operating in those de-
psrtments. according to recent official returns,
constitute Q force of seven hundred and seventy
five thousand three hundred and thirty-six officers
and privates, fully armed and equipped: that
since the date Of the returns this number has
been increased to over eight hundred thousand;
that when the quotas are filed up IT will number
million OF men; and that the valor Of our troops
has been displayed on many occasions, and the
skill and gaantry Of their officers have been dis
tnguished at Yorktown, williamsburg. Fair Oaks,
Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill. Cross Keys, Cedar Noun.
South Mountain are included, probably, in Mr.
Stauton's "other places.''
In connection with these documents we give TO.
day a summary Of General Halleck's report to
Secretary Stanton concerning the progress Of the
war. which also forms portion Of contemporary
history. though not comprised in the regular re.
ports Of the departments.
reconnaissance was made on Sunday by Gen.
Averiils cavalry up the Rappshannock as far as
Barreu's Ford. but saw no enemy. The batteries
have been silent for the last two days, but the
works OF the enemy continue to be increased day
by day. and everything indicates that the rebels
intend 10 maintain their position at Fredercks.
burg.
A portion OF General Banks expedition left this
port yesterday for "ths South" The vessels con-
sisted Of the United States transports New Bruins.
wick Illinois, Northern Light, North Star, J. s..
Green, Haze, Sslvor and others, with troops and
provisions.
Our news from the West is not important It Ia
stated on the authority Of Washington journal
that General Mcneil, who ordered the execution
Of The Confederate prisoners at Palmyra, Mo-, some
time since, and whose surrender Is now demanded
by JEFF. Davis, is responsible for his action to the
Missouri State authorities, under whom he holds
his commission. The Lesvenworth Enquirer or
November u states that he has been surrendered
10 the rebel authorities, frs, having been put in
Irons, but the statement is probably premature.
We give to-day an interesting resume Of South.
ern news. embracing extracts from the journals OF
Georgia, South Carolina. Alabama and other
Btates. Governor Brown, of Georgia, is very un.
easy lest The negroes employed on the public
works al Savannah should overrun the State, and
bas issued special message to the Assembly on
That question. The rebel government has with
gfexn these negroes from the authority Of General
Mercer. who is in command there, and the Senate
ofGeorgis has passed . resolution authorizing
Governor Brown 70 impress sufficient number q
hegroes TO complete the dcfences Of Savannah.
coNGREss.
Ia t'e Senate yesterday, resolution wa. saon,.
sssaiaaS on tue Secretary Of the Navy Tor copie,