The New York herald., 1862-02-16
New York, Sunday, February 16, 1864 i.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The military and naval record of the army of the
republic for the past week is one upon which we
it does. the brilliant victory at Roanoke Island the
capture of Elizabeth City and Edenton, the utter
discontinue of the rebel feet which was brought
into action against our forces in the waters Of
North Carolina, and the successes in the West,
which have restored the States of Tennes-
see and Kentucky to the Union, by the
capture of Fort Henry and the attack
on Fert Donelson, which threatens its de-
molition at distant period. In addition to these
satisfactory movements in the West, we have the
cheering news from General Buell., contained in
despatch to General Mcclellan yesterday, that the
rebels commenced to evacuate Bowling Green
upon the approach of troops under General
Mitchell. The bombardment of Fort Donelson
was going on all day yesterday, and from
dispatches received at Washington its re
duction seemed certain. While it is possible
that the rebels who evacuated Bowling Green
may have gone to Fort Donelson to reinforce it
Qor such is the rumor), it is still pretty certain
that our troops will be able to repulse them,
while in the meantime Nashville may be seized
by General Buell., and thus all communication be.
tween the rebels in Virginia and Tennessee be cut
of. The rebel accounts of the siege of Fort Do
nelson, which we publish tc-lay, represent every
thing in favor of their own side. Our forces are
said to have been defeated both by land and
water; but, on the other hand, our reports from
that vicinity on Friday state that the rebels were
driven into their intrenchments outside the fort
with considerable loss, and that our troops were
in possession of two of their batteries. Eight
thousand troops and five gunboats had arrived on
the previous night to reinforce the Union army.
This intelligence only refers to the first days
fight, and nothing later has reached us up to half
past two o'clock this morning.
joint order of the Secretaries Of the War and
Navy Departments was issued yesterday in the
name of the President, thanking the commanders
who have won such glorious victories for both
Services at Roanoke Island aud in Tennessee and
Kentucky. Secretary Stanton and Secretary
welles state, in the order referred to, that the
President returns thanks to Brigadier General
Burnside and Flag Officer Goldsborough, to
General Grant anu Flag Officer Foote, and
the land and naval forces under their respective
commands, for their gallant achievements in
the capture Of Fort Henry and Roanoke Island.
That while it will bc no ordinary pleasure for the
President to acknowledge and reward in q be.
coming manner the ya!T q tho living, he also
-tecoeuiac"s his duty to pay fitting honor to the
memory of the gallant dead. The charge at
Roanoke Island, like the bayonet charge at MIL
Spring. proves that the close grapple and sharp steel
ofloyal and patriotic soldiers must always put rebels
and traitors to fight. The late achievements Of
the navy show that the flag of the Union, once
borne in proud glory around the world by naval
heroes, will soon again lost over every rebel city
and stronghold and that IL shall forever be honor
ed and respected 90 the emblem of liberty and
union in every land and upon every see.
II Is but just that the War and Navy Depart
ments should combine in issuing this order, mas
much as both branches Of the service have evinced
equal bravery and endurance in achieving the VIC
tories, thus 80 properly acknowledged and COM
memorsted.
The news from Western Virginia supplies an ad-
tionai chapter to the story Of our victories. A
despatch received by Gen. Mcclellan yesterday
from Gen. Lander, dated from Pawpaw, Va, al
eight o'clock on Friday night, announces The fac
that his forces surprised rebel camp ct Bloomin,
Gap, capturing seventeen commissioned officers
some Of them Of high rank, and number o
others--in all amounting 10 seventy-dve men
Thirteen Of the rebels were killed. This affsi
opens the line Of the Baltimore and Ohio Raros,
ss far a. Hancock, and clears Gen. Lander's dc
partment Of the rebels completely.
The communication from Governor Letcher. o
Virginia, to the rebel Legislature at Richmond
which we publish in another column te.day. is full
OF terrible forebodings for the future of the rebe
cause. He urges upon every citizen Of Richmond
the necessity Of aiding in the defence Of that o,v
and applies the same argument to the inlabtsnt