The New York herald., 1862-03-14
THE SITUATION.


New York, Friday. March IA, Is6a.
THE SITUATION.
Everything continues quiet in the vicinity of Ma
nassas. masked battery, mounting three guns
was discovered on Wednesday, on the warrenton
rebels, it appears, resorted to the vandalism of
poisoning the wells before their departure Two
men. attached to 9 Wisconsin regiment, of General
Smiths division, were poisoned yesterday by par
taking of the water Orders have accordingly
been issued prohibiting soldiers from using the old
W Ills in the vicinity, and new ones are being
dug.
The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac con-
tinue to be examined by our officers, and the guns
not destroyed by the enemy are being disabled as
far az possible.
By our intelligence from Winchester there is
little doubt that the rebel forces under jackson
have retired to Strasburg, in which direction
heavy firing was heard at noon yestesday, indi-
eating that the fugitives were blowing up the
stone bridge over Cedar creek to prevent pursuit.
1t was reported by some prisoners that the rebels
intended to make a stand at Strasburg, but it was
stated by others that jackson will post off for
Richmond, when the news of the evacuation of
Manassas reaches him.
Our troops were received with the utmost enthu-
siasm by the people of Winchester. The regi-
ments as they entered the town were loudly
cheered from the houses, and they replied warmly
to the greeting.
The accounts Of the late naval achievement at
Newport's News, which we give to-day together
with map Of the battle ground, will be found
highly interesting. They comprise the official re-
ports of Captain Van Brunt, of the Minnesota, and
Captain Watson, of the gunboat Dragon. The
rebel story of the fight, as furnished by the rebel
journals, and the editorial comments thereon, we
give in another column, and they will be read
with considerable interest. The Monitor is repre-
sented as disabled, which we know is not the fact,
and the disasters to the Yankee" feet are paint
ed in terms Of horror quite congenial to the rebel
mind.
Our dispatches from Fortress Monroe yesterday,
state that the Merrimac is afoat at the Norfolk Ma
Wy Yard, and large force of workmen is employed
in repairing her. Serious damage was done to
one of her prongs, and the forward part of the
vessel was stove in.
BY despatch from Cairo we learn that the pro-
lection Of Memphis seems to engage the serious
attention of the rebels. General Bragg has arrived
there from Pensacola, with force of 10000 men,
and it was thought that they were sent forward
to reinforce New Madrid and Island No. 10, ut
which latter point all the rebel gunboats are
concentrated under the famous Captain Holins.
Generals Bragg and Besuregard were said to be
at Jackson. Tennessee, where they are erecting
strong Notifications. Memphis IL reported in
state of anarchy. The citizens are flying from
there, and cotton, moasses, sugar, and other
merchandise were being shipped South. Such
the nsubordinaton of the citizens that martial
law was proclaimed in Memphis on Monday last, in
order to compel the people to turn out and fight.
We give sketches to-day of the Union officers
engaged in the late battle at Paris, Tenn, where
our forces defeated the rebels six hundred strong
and took possession Of the town on the morning of
the 18th inst. General Halleck's official report OF
the battle puts down the loss Of the enemy at one
hundred killed. wounded and prisoners General
Halleck also reports the defeat Of one Of Prices
guerrilla parties near Lebanon, NO., in which the
rebel commander, General Campbell, and one
hundred others were captured, thirteen killed and
five wounded.
The schooner A. Fl. Manchester, Capt. Nicker.
son. arrived at this port last evening, from Pope
creek, S. c., and Port Royal, making the passage
in six days. She brings 5000 bales Of cotton and
sixty-seycn hides, consigned to Hiram Barney Esq,
Collector at this port. Her news is unimportant.
Nothing OF any moment had transpired since the
sailing Of the Philadelphia and Oriental, whose
news we predicted few days ago. Everything
remained quiet, and the condition of the troops
was about the same, being in good health and
fine spirits.
We give to-day full particulars Of the battle near
Fort Craig, New Mexico, on the 2lst February, the
results Of which we published several days ago,