The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-21

New York. Saturday, june FL, 1864.
THE SITUATION.
The rebel batteries at City Point on the James
river, below Fort Darling, opened fire on our fleet
on Tuesday, but the gunboats returned it SO brisk
ly with shell and shrapnel that the batteries were
soon silenced, and the rebels retired. Skirmish-
Ing still continued in front of General McClellans
army. The rebels are assuming threatening at
dtude, and seem disposed to provoke general
engagement.
We publish to-day very interesting account.
from our special correspondent, OF the visit Of
General Dix to Suffolk, and the opening of the
Nansemond river by our gunboats.
Late sdvices from Winchester report that Gen.
Shields has concentrated all his force at Stras-
burg. Ths rebel General Ewell was reported to be
In Luray with large body Of troops. General
Fremont was about to advance upon New Market.
General jackson with his forces is said to occupy
Harrisonburg and Port Republic.
The news from Memphis is important to-day
General Lewis Wallace is in military command Of
the city, and has taken possession of the argus
office, a notorious rebel sheet. He has placed two
competent men to supervise its future editorials.
The vicinity of the city Is infested with guerillas
many of whom are engaged in burning cotton in
the southern counties Of Mississippi and other
points. Trade in Memphis is rapidly improving
Boats going North filed to their utmost capa.
city with passengers and freight
A Paris letter, of the Sd of June, In the London
Ne,os, says:-It is stated that Count Mejan the
French Consul General at New Orleans, has sent
note to N. Mercier, French Minister at Washing
ton complaining Of. alleged acts Of violence com.
mitted by the Northern generals ct the French
Consulate.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday. motion to have the
bill recognizing the navy returned from the
House, In order to reconsider the vote whereby
the Senate agreed to the Honse amendments there.
to, was adopted. A bill granting the proceeds Of
certain lands to the Pacific Railroad Company was
referred. A resolution was adopted directing in.
quiry into the expediency Of appointing consuls at
recently opened ports on tic Black Sea. The bill
10 repeal the act Of June 2, to prevent
and punish frauds on the government, was
called up. and postponed till to-day. A
Conference Committee was ordered on the
bill defining the pay and emouments of
certain army officers. The Pacific Railroad
bill was taken up. motion to strike out the
section providing for four branch lines at the
eastern terminus, was rejected-l5 to 25-and the
bill passed by vote Of thirty-fvc against Gvs
The Senate then adjourned. with the understand.
ing that the Confiscation bill shall be the first
business In order to-day.
In the House Of Representatives the Chairman
of the Committee OF Ways and Means reported
bill increasing temporarily the duties on imports
and for other purposes. II was referred to the
Committee of the Whole, and made the special
order for Wednesday. Several private bills we're
passed, and the House adj ourned till Monday.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
We have papers from Merida In the State Of
Yucatan. Mexico, to the 2Sth of May, containing
detailed accounts Of the recent conflicts between
the French and Mexicans at Puebla. The spirit OF
the people seems to be thoroughly aroused and
the papers say that the whole French army will
either be cut to pieces or compelled to surrender
There are brief statements of another attack on
the French rear during their retreat from puebla:
but the official documents had not been received in
Yucstan. Considerable sickness prevailed at Va.
70 Cruz at latest dates.
Major II. Hawks has been chosen bv Tho Ksr.
lucky Travelling Legislature Provisional frebel,
Governor Of that State, in place of George W.
johnson. who was killed in battle at pittsburo
Landing. The rebel papers congratulate the peo.
pile Of Kentucky upon the election Of old Hawks
to the Executive chair. At last accounts he was
making tracks from Corinth, Mississippi towards
the Alabama line.
The captain OF the prise schooner Dixie, having
been discharged IN Philadelphia, has been rear
rested by order Of the governments and sent to
Fort Lafayette.
The Stars and Stripes now wave over the re.
mains OF every dead President Of the United States
except those OF James Monroe whose remains
were taken, some years since, from this city to
richmond.
The state Of New York has now 10 the lell tho
ollowiug forces--
n'anry s....s .10l regiments.
'"Nnil. .."s...s.ss....... III regiments. /
l'ufefy. ''..s.ss..ss........,. reRinleDts L
'sllnc hhheTy, s..s.............. I regiment.
IruneTy ......................... battaliona
I -'-0'y - 's''ss '..'ssss.s......s ID batteries.