The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-27

THE SITUATION.
We have to announce to-day an important
change in the military command in Western vir-
gnia, proving that our predictions as to the OBJ
ject of the Presidents visit 20 West Point were
perfectly accurate General Pope has received
the supreme command of affairs in the Shenan-
doah Valley, and will now be pitted against the
rebel Storewall Jackson The forces under
Major Generals Fremont, Banks and Mellow ell
have been consolidated into one army. called
3'the Army of Virginia." and Major Gene
cal Pope has been especially assigned by
the President to the chief command. The
forces under General Fremont constitute the
drst army corps, to be commanded by Gene
Gal Fremont. The forces under General Banks
constitute the second army corps, and are to be
commanded by him. The forces under General
Mcdowell constitute the third army corps, to be
commanded by him.
General Pope enters upon his new command with
the prestige Of former successes in the Mississippi
Valley and in Missouri surrounding his name which
no doubt will be host in itself with the army of
the Shenandoah, recently involved in a somewhat
snuddeid condition of affairs, under the manage.
ment Of the political generals. soldier
of great dash. combining . capacity for
Instant action with fine strategcal power, as
his conduct at Shawnee Mound, New Madrid and
Island No. 10 evinced, General Pope is just thu
man for the position assigned to him. His ap-
prompt manner by which it was accomplished is
another evidence of the frmness, sagacity and in
dependence of Mr.. Lincoln and will insure renewed
confidence on the part of the whole North-rabd
sbolitionists Of course excepted-in his capacity
10 bring the country safely through its present
difficulty, and that speedily, too. We may look
out now for some stirring times in Western Viz
ginia. and the expulsion Of Jackson from that
region.
In connection with the appointment of General
Pope we give to-day brief sketch of the gallant
Pr
We are in posse,,.on Of some further particu-
1ars-wbicb we publish-of the ssirmish in front
Of Richmond. on Wednesday The ground contend
ed for wasa swamp, scattered over. with clumps OF
brushwood with an open country in front. The
main object Of the advance appears to have been
20 obtain dry and healthy location for that por-
ton Of our army then encamped in swampy and
sickly region. In this General Mcclellan proved
antirely successful, as but little more ground
has e be gained n 9sasg 70 pac. our men beyond
The effects OF their previous unpleasant position.
The rebel camps in front of General Hooker's d.
vision are now occupied by our troops. Our total
loss in killed and wounded in the action Of Wednes-
day did not amount to over two hundred-the
killed being exceedingly small--while that Of the
enemy was much greater. General Mcclellan con-
Quoted the affair in person, and his presence slim
ulated the valor of the men engaged. We publish
to-day very interesting and comprehensive map
Of the rebel defenccs and positions Of their forces
in front Of General McClellan's army previous to
the late affair.
A despatch received u the War Department
yesterday afternoon from General Mcclellan,
states that the affair Of yesterday was perfectly
successful that we hold the new picket line un-
disturbed. and that all Is very quiet on the banks
of the Chickahominy. On Wednesday evening one
OF our gunboats moved up and shelled the rebels
on the Petersburg road, but without any casualties
on the side Of the rebels, according to their own
account OF the affair.
The Official lists Of the rebel losses at the battle
OF Fair Oaks have been published. Eghty.nve
regiments and battaions in oil were engaged, sus-
tanning loss Of killed, wounded and missing of
Eve thousand, eight hundred and nnety-seven.
with the exception Of some details Of the recent
expedition up the White river in Arkansas, and an
engagement o. our gunboats near Grand Gulf on
the Mississi x, between Natchez and vicks-
burg, there ohng important to report from
the West to-day.
According TO tho Charleston Mercury every.
thing Was quiet at James Island on Sunday, but IL
can that our troops were busly engaged in throw.
- = snrshvoriv there. Its reported hat the