The New York herald., 1862-01-14
New York, Tuesday, January II, 1864
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The most interesting news from Washington
yesterday is the fact that Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War; had resigned, and ac-
cepted the mission to Russia, from which
Cassius M. Clay is about to retire, in order, it is
said. to take command in the army Mr.
Cameron's successor is Edwin NJ. Stanton, an
eminent lawyer from Pennsylvania, and former
ly conspicuous member of the Ohio bar. Mr.. Stan.
ton, twill be remembered, was appointed Attorney
General of the United States in December, 1860
when Judge Black was transferred to the State
Department and was of those members of
Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet who took the place of the
three trators-Floyd, Thompson and Cobb-to the
government and the Union, who resigned as pre-
lilninary step to alying themselves with the enc
mica of the country, and becoming prominent
done 80 much to foster. Mr.. Stanton did much to
save Buchanan's administration from utter ruin
We publish sketch of his life in our columns to
day. which will be found highly interesting.
The Burnside expedition, upon which so much
of the public interest has been concentrating for
some time past, sailed from Hampton Roads very
suddenly on Saturday night and Sunday morning,
leaving few vessels behind, no doubt to bring on
further reinforcements. The weather there at that
time was very pleasant, notwithstanding that il
was very foggy and disagreeabe here. 1t may be
<kott tha oc
decided upon because of the favorable weather, or
h may have been the result of some news received
by General Burnside. We give to-day an inter
ssting description of the departure of the feet
We have received the fullest particulars, how
ever. from our correspondents of the expedition of
its strength and the troops and officers comprising
the military portion of it, but inasmuch as the ex
pedition may be delayed in reaching its destna-
tion by fogs or tempestuous weather, such as have
been experienced here and on the Potomac, we
refrain. as matter of public duty, from giving
publicity to them at present lest the rebels might
gain information of which they would necessarily
avail themselves, and we hope that other journals
will be equally discreet in Withholding intelligence
upon this subject. The impression seemed to prevail
among the rebels that the destination of the expe-
dition was Norfolk, and we learn, upon good au-
thority that the rebel garrison at Roanoke Island,
ia Pamlico Sound, have refused to remain there
and meet our troops, as their time of service has
nearly expired. This is but another evidence Of
the failing strength of the rebellion wherever the
Union army presents itself in force, and should be
an encouragement to the government to push on
matters with all the speed consistent with safety.
We are enabled to give to-day further particu.
lars of the trip of the war steamer Pensacola down
the Potomac. Although it is manifest that the
rebel batteries were awaiting opportunity to
demolish her, and did their utmost towards thai
end yet she passed harmless through their fire
From Shipping Point, Evansport and Aqua creek
a number Of shot and shell were fred upon her,
but with the exception of one shell, which passed
between her main and fore rigging nothing touched
her.
We give to-day map Of Bowling Green, Ken.
lucky. and its vicinity, which will no doubt be the
scene Of most important operations. It is re-
markabe fact that Bowling Green occupies almost
precisely the same position, with regard to Nash.
vile, which may be considered the capital OF the
rebel government in the West, that Manassas does
to the present capital, Richmond, on the Atlantic
slope of virgnia-both equally well fortified by
nature, and both holding the key TO the chiee
stronghold of the rebels in these different sections
of the South Should Bowling Green and Ma.
nassas fall into possession of the Union armies,
under General Buell. in Kentucky, and General
Mcclellan ON the Potomac, it will give death
blow to the rebellion from which II is impossible
to recover.
We publish in another portion Of the HERALD
the late message Of Governor Letcher, of Virginia.
to the Legislature of that State, accompanied with
letter from Governor Brown and the joint resolu-
tions recently adopted by the Legislature Of
Georgis in which they declare that the separation
of the latter State "is final and irrevocable, and
that they will, under no circumstances, entertain
any proposition from any quarter which may have
for s object restoration or reconstruction of the
old Union on any terms or conditions whatever ?,
Governor Letcher, in his speech is ss usual, quite
-.ux.~ i..~~Iy e-<xvv. M nocls H.