The New York herald., 1862-01-05


The army of the Potomac has not made any
movement, nor has anything of Importance oc-
Cured along the lines within the past twenty-four
hours. Gen. Mcclellan continues to improve so
rapidly from his late slight ndispostion as to war
rant the expectation that he will soon be in robust
health and able to his arduous labors in the
Geld.
From Port Royal we have intelligence of two
battles having taken place-one on the lst and
the other on the I'd inst. 1t appears that Com
mander Dupont landed 800 men on the mainland,
near Port Royal ferry, the 1st, and repulsed
by the rebels. On the next day, however, the
attack was renewed, and the rebels were driven
back, with heavy loss.
1t is said that the rebels at Big Bethel had been
attacked and defeated by the Union troops, and
that Bethel was abandoned by the rebels, and is
low in possession of the Union forces.
A rumor was published in the Richmond Dis
batch of Friday last that General Butler had made
6vances from Ship Island, in the Mississippi
Sound. to Biloxi, small town on the coast, where
and that the Union troops would soon occupy all the
towns and villages in that vicinity, and intend to
push on to Jackson. Such is the rebel account of
the progress of General Buffers expedition.
Two hundred and forty Union prisoners were
brought to Fortress Monroe on Friday, who were
released from Richmond They were brought
down the James river by the rebel steamer North
ampton, and pu. on board the steamboat George
Washington. They were soon after forwarded to
Baltimore. We publish to-day correct list of the
released prisoners, most OF whom were captured
at Bull run.
1t is stated on the authority of the Richmond
papers Of Friday, and by the assurance of gentle
men who arrived at Baltimore from that city yes
terday, that the rebel steamer Ella Warley (for
merly the Isabe), which arrived at Nassau
N. p, recently reported, the block
ade OF Charleston at daylight on Thursday
the ID inst, and entered that port with a
cargo of small arms cannon, ammunition
succeeded in running the blockade remains to be
shown. 1t il also said that the rebel vessel had on
board a Mr.. Brisbie, bearer of dispatches from
Mr.. Yancey to the rebel government
II IL reported BY dispatches to the Southern pa
pers from Pensacola, that Colonel Harvey Brown
opened fire from Fort Pickens on New Years day
on rebel steamer while going to the Navy Yard
and that the fire was responded to, and continued
No damage, however, is said 10 have been done.
General Bragg renewed the fire on the "a, but
the guns from Fort Piokens did not respond, and
the fire from Bragg's batteries was consequently
suspended.
MIscELLkEEoUs NEWS.
The steamship Northern Light from Aspinwal,
with the mails and passengers and s7lO,s42 in spe-
Gle which left San Francisco on the l1th ult, ar
rived at this port yesterday morning. Among the
passengers by the Northern Light is Gen. james
Shields, who distinguished himself in the war with
Mexico. He comes to the North to accept the po.
Fuon Of Brigadier General, to which he was some
time ago appointed. He will proceed to Washing
ton Immediately.
The Northern Light brought three hundred regu.
lar troops from California, consisting of two COM
panies of the First cavalry, two companies Of the
Fourth infantry and one company Of the Sixth in
fantry. Two additional companies were TO leave
by the next steamer, which were all the troops to
come until further orders. There are thirteen
compsnies-nine Of infantry and four Of artillery
stil in California. The troops left for Washington
by the New Jersey Railroad yesterday afternoon.
The news from Central and South America which
We publish to-day is interesting, though not i'm.
portsnt The condition of Venezuela is anything
put satisfactory, and the other South American re.
bublics are oil passing through an ordeal Of trial
end suffering. The recent frauds on the Peruvian
government had produced great excitement
ltrepshout the country. The elections for the