The New York herald., 1862-03-18
TRIPLE SHEET.
New York. Tuesday, March IS, lses.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
News Of two more victories in the West reached
a. last night. Island No. 10, on the Mississippi
river. 10 ours. and the rebels are thus virtually
swept from our inland seas, and the water route
TO New Orleans may be considered open to our
brave armies of the Southwest This cheering
intelligence was communicated last night by
General Haleck to the citizens of St.
Louis, in speech from the balcony of the
Planters Hotel, in few brief words announcing
that "lslsnd No. 10 is ours, with all the ammuni-
ton and transports the enemy had there" He
also announced that we had won another victory
In Arkansas. in which three rebel colonies were
captured The Western lines of telegraph having
eiosed immediately upon the transmission of this
Dews We are not in possession Of the details of
Other aaair. The announcement, however, is
0nsush for to-day.
The reconnaissance Of General stoneman's force
on the track Of the rebels from Manassas extended
several miles on the Orange and Alexandria Rail-
road to Cedar creek, and fell in with retreating
force Of the rebels-csvalry, infantry and battery
OF artillery-which they drew across the creek.
The appearance of the road indicated thorough
rout Of the enemy. Our troops suffered somewhat
from the severe snow storm of Saturday, some Of
the soldiers being drowned by the flooding of the
creeks. The greatest activity prevails at Gene
raj McClelian's headquarters, and every antcipa-
Ia euko as al thax
struck by his magnificent army against some
point on the enemy's lines.
In our correspondence to-day will be found
some very interesting details of the late capture
by our troops, under Commodore Dupont of Fer.
nandina. on the Florida coast Two excellent
maps illustrate the position of the port of Fernan-
dina and Fort Cinch, together with the city of st.
Msrys, Georgia.
Nothing of importance reaches us from Winches-
Ter. few skirmishes took place yesterday with
some struggling parties Of rebels, who seem to be
still hanging around that nsighborhood.
coMaRxss.
In the Senate yesterday, q petition was pre-
sented from this city asking Congress to cease
sgitsting the slavery question; one was also pre-.
sented asking for the emancipation Of the slaves
The Military Committee reported bill for the or
ganization Of the army corps stats. resolution
was adopted that the Territorial Committee in.
qure into the expediency Of having the Indian
serrtory included within the limits Of the State of
Kansas. The Committee Of Conference on the bill
for the purchase Of coin made q report, which was
agreed 10. A resolution that the Naval Committee
report on the expediency Of an appropriation for
testing u-claddng for vessels ofwsr was adopt.
ed. The Joint resolution giving the President
power 70 assign officers to military commands
without regard TO seniority was discussed and sent
hack TO the Military Committee. The Post Office
Appropratou bill was considered, and amend.
ments agreed to authorizing more frequent than
semi monthly mail between San Francisco and
Crescent City; that all American vessels shall
carry 10 foreign ports such mails as the Postmaster
General may deliver on board and that vessels
coming from foreign ports shall receive any mail
matter from Consus. the compensation for which
service not TO be more than the usual postage.
The bill was then passed The proposition for the
abolition Of slavery in the District Of Columbia
was taken up, but postponed till today. The Ju-
dietary Committee reported back the House bill
TO facilitate judicial proceedings in cases of cap.
tured property. The Senate then held an execu-
tive session and adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives the Senate joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary of War to re-
ceive moneys appropriated by States for the pay
ment Of the volunteers Of such States was adopted
The Conference Committees report on the bill
regulating army suffers was concurred in. A
resolpusa Of inquiry Of the Secretary Of War q