The New York herald., 1862-01-20

New York. Monday, January 40, 1884.
THE SITUATION.
The President and General Mcclellan had an in.
terview yesterday, and it is stated on excellent
authority that they are both perfectly satisfied
with the condition of our military and naval affairs.
There has been no movement of Importance in
the Army of the Potomac.
The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac lose
no opportunity Of firing upon the Union vessels
which attempt to run the mock blockade. On
Friday the propeller E. Chamberlain, of Philadel.
phia, loaded with hay, ran the gauntlet from the
batteries at Evansport and Shipping Point, and
although no less than hundred shot and shell
were fred at her, not single one took effect.
From Kentucky we have no reliable news, ex.
cspt 50 far ss that contained in despatch to the
st. Louis Democrat of the 18th can be so con.
sidered, which is to the effect that large body
Of rebels, under JEFF Thompson, numbering
six thousand, advanced upon>a federal detachment
of eight hundred troops under Colonel Mills, at q
distance Of about twentythree miles from Ironton,
and gsve. them battle. desperate conflict is
said to have ensued resulting in the loss Of many
killed and wounded on both sides. The Union
troops, overpowered by numbers, had, at latest
accounts, fallen back distance Of eight miles.
leaving quantity Of baggage in the hands Of the
enemy. and were still retreating towards Pilot
Knob, where some alarm existed. and Colonel Car
Lin was making every preparation for the impsnd-
ing struggle at that point
This news, however, needs confirmation. A de.
spstch from Cincinnati also states that Gen. Buell. is
concentrating large force of Union troops at Green
river. and is preparing for an advance. The rebels
in the vicinity Of Bowling Green are said to be de-
stroying the railroad laying trees on the track and
otherwise obstructing the advance Of the Union
troops; but it is further reported that they are
making preparations to abandon their strong posi-
tion at Bowling Green on the approach of the
Union forces.
A personal interview between one of our re-
porters and Captain Pray of the brig Mountain
Eagle, leaves no room to doubt the fact that
Messrs Mason and slidel arrived at Saint Georges,
Bermuda, on the 9th instant, on board the British
war steamer Rnaldo, as stated in the HERALD
last Friday. After the Rinaldo had coaled she
sailed for Saint Thomas, where the rebel agents
would wait passage to England in the regular
British West India mail steamer.
We publish to-day another copious and interest.
ing selection of news from late Southern papers.
These extracts give good index of the progress
of the rebellion in the South. The general tone Of
the rebel press continues to be bitter against the
Union, and mendacity and sarcasm are resorted to
in order to bolster up bad cause and mislead
those who are blndly lending their means and aid
to add fuel to the fame Of rebellion. Fraud and
extorticn are patronized by the bogus government.
The news which we publish to-day will be found
highly important to the readers Of the HERALD.
MIscELLANEoUs NEWS
The Cunard steamship Africa, hence, arrived at
Liverpool the I'd inst, and not on the 7th as pre-
viously reported.
Ine NOrtn CerOilna state convention will meet
again to-day.
The Tennessee Legislature, which adjourned on
the 2lst Of December, will reassemble to-day in
Nashville.
An election win be held to-day In the First dis
frict Of Kentucky TO choose member Of Congress
TO the seat in the House of Representatives made
vacant by the expulsion Of Henry c. Burnett,
rebel.
Delegates duly chosen will assemble to-day in
Great Salt Lake City to draft and adopt State
constitution for Utah, and set in motion provi.
sional State government. The constitution will be
submitted to the people for their adoption or re-
lection.
BY the arrival of the steamship Cleator at this
port yesterday, we have aavices from the West
Indies, dated at Kingston, Jamaica, on the 9Th of
January. The news il very meagre. The Mer.
contils Inteuigencer Of latest date says variety
Of circumstances have tended To restrict business
in that market. The anticipation Of q war with
America, and the limited stocks In importers,
hands, have made holders rather disnclined 70
sell, while the expected arrival Of large cargo
and the intervening holidays have, in great mea.
sure, affected the demand. The absence of any
arrivals from Halifax has also increased the dull
pssss Of anAiss. Beyond III inactivity there b