The New York herald., 1862-01-18

THE SITUATION.

New York, Saturday, January IS, 1864.
THE SITUATION.
There is nothing new to report from the army of
the Potomac. The severity of the weather still
precudes drilling the troops in large force but the
evening parades are kept up in the different regi-
ments.
Some Of the remaining vessels of the Burnside
expedition left Hampton Roads on Thursday
They comprised the bark John Trucks, with the
O'Epineuil Zouaves on board; the schooner Colo
mol slatterly with the Signal corps; the hospital
ship attached to the expedition, and several other
vessels.
Colonel Harvey Brown opened fire from Fort
Pickens on the 1st inst upon the rebel steamer
Times, while loading stores at the Pensacola Navy
Yard. He was provoked to adopt this course by
the fact that the rebel batteries at Pensacola had
been firing for some days previous at our small
craft. The rebels returned the fire, several of
their shells bursting within Fort Pickens, but
wounding only one man. The firing was continued
nntl evening, when the last shot came from Colo
mel Browns guns. One of the shots from Fort
Pickens made breach in Fort Barrancas, and
during the day the town of Warrington was set on
6rs by our shells, and continued to burn untA the
night of the I'd, when the Rhode Island left.
With regard to the expedition at Ship Island in
the Mississippi Sound, we learn, by way Of For
tress Monroe, that the gunboats st. Louis, New
London and Water Witch had proceeded towards
Box, on the 3lst ult, and that at latest accounts
the New London was returning with three schooners
IN tow, evidently prizes taken from the rebels.
The steamer Rhode Island, from Galveston, which
broeght this news to Fortress Monroe, captured
the rebel schooner Venus, off Galveston, bound for
Franklin, Louisiana, with Q cargo of tin, lead,
copper and wood, from Port Isabel, valued at
$4,000. She was sent to Ship Island.
The expedition down the Mississippi river from
Cairo is being rapidly reinforced, but no skirmsh
with the rebels had taken place up to last night
The columns Of Generals McClernand Cooke,
Paine and Grant have all united ct point twelve
miles from Columbus.
1t Is stated in the Louisville Journal on the au
thorty of its correspondent in Munfordsville, KY,
that the rebels were destroying all the ponds and
wells in that vicinity by throwing dead cattle into
them, in order to deprive the Union troops of
water suitable for drinking.
The movement Of troops from St. Louis to Cairo
y considerably retarded by the ice, which prevents
the ferry boats from crossing the river. The
weather was moderating yesterday, however, and
prospect of the breaking up of the ice was pre-
scented.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr. Jacob NJ. Howard,
Senator elect from Michigan in place Of Mr.. Bing-
hsm, deceased, was qualified and took his seat.
The Joint resolution from the House, declaratory
OF the purpose of Congress to impose taxes which
win yield $50 900 of revenue, was adopted,
Or. Powell alone voting against it. The House
bill allowing sailors and marines to send letters
through the mails, without prepayment Of postage,
was passed. A bill providing for the better or
gaaizaton Of the artillery Of the army was referred
A resolution to allow Mr.. Stanton, the unsuccess-
ful competitor of Senator Lane, of Kansas, the
usual compensation, was adopted. A resolution
appropristing 81 900 for the funeral expenses Of
che late Senator Baker, was referred. bill
having reference TO the volunteer service in any
particular State was introduced. The Committee
ON Public Buildings reported o resolution
ordering che removal Of the army bakeries from
Che Capitol Mr.. Trumbull presented petition
from Mr.. G. L. Sanford, who represents himself
as Q contractor with Messrs. Cummings and
Tucker, in which he says that he received informa
tion from the War Department that they Cummings
and Tucker) were authorized to act, but is now
surprised to learn that Mr.. Cameron says, that
the heads Of the bureaus made all the contracts"
Mr.. sandford asks the passage Of law to legalize
che contrscts made, a. to prevent lossto honest
contractors. The petition was referred. The
Senate held an executive session, confirmed the
appointment Of Mr.. Cameron to the Russian Mis-
sion, and afterwards adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, q bill trans
ferring the Penitentiary building to the War De-
partment for the use of the arsenal was referred.
More than one hundred bills from the Court of
Claims were referred to the Committee on Claims.
In the Pennsylvania contested election case the
House declared Mr.. Lehman, the sitting member.
entitled to his seat. A bill authorizing the estab.
1shrncnt of branch post Offices in cities was passed
ard tha genate's amendments TO the Dead Letter
pnice bin were concured in. The District oil
Columbia Committee made a report regarding Mar
aha Lannon's jail regulations, TO the eject that