The New York herald., 1862-02-06

Nothing Of importance occurred in the Army of
the Potomac yesterday. The only exciting event
was the assumption Of his command by Genera
I. T. Meagher, who, accompanied by General
Shields and . brilliant staff, formally took com.
0and Of the Irish Brigade. amidst great enthusiasm
and much rejoicing from officers and men. Gene.
raj Shields addressed the troops in most effective
terms on the occasion.
The Commissioners to the South, Messrs Fish
and Ames, arrived at Fortress Monroe on Tuesday
where they were cordially received by General
Wool. flag of truce was at once sent to the
rebel General Huger, at Craney Island, announcing
their arrival who, it was expected, would forward
them to Richmond; but we have the positive an.
hority Of the Richmond Examiner, in an article
which we publish to-day, that the rebel govern.
ment tsi4 not receiue them. The Examiner de.
sares their mission insulting refers to the political
sntecedents Of Mr.. Fish persistent abolitionst,
and pronounces them both spies. The Dispatch
sso states that the rebel government has resolved
hot to sanction their mission, but will, on the con.
Eary. exercise Q rigid surveillance over ell the
communications that may be made with the North.
.rn States.
Our news from Tennessee to-day important
General Grant, with his gunboat expedition from
Cairo. has got up the Tennessee river within four
miles of Fort Henry, the only fortified post of the
'ebels on that river which presents any formidable
features 1t will be remembered that Fort Henry
was the subject of successful reconnaissance of
the gunboat Lexington on the 2lst ult, when she
threw shell into the works, and fred on three
rebel craft lying in the river. The fort returned
the fire on that occasion, but the shot fell short
Gen. Grants new in the vicinity with strong force
and will undoubtedly reduce the fort. We give
to-day map of the fort and its neighborhood.
We publish to-day the long looked for official
report of General Beauregard Of the battle of
Manassas. 1t is a full and deliberately detailed
document, graphically written, and presenting on
the whole, fine picture Of that memorable con-
Dict, as seen from the rebel side. It will, no
doubt, be read with intense interest even at this
late hour.
General Beauregard has left his command at
Manassas, as was before stated, probably to take
charge Of the army at Columbus, KY. The Rich.
mond Dispatch. however, throws some doubt upon
the destination Of the rebel General for, in an.
nouneing hs departure on Friday last, it says that
be may have gone to Columbus, to New Orleans,
Or elsewhere.
Some doubt is also thrown upon the reports that
Che firing from the Burnside feet was heard in the
direction of Roanoke Island, from the fact that it
Is stated in the Richmond Dispatch that rebel
steamer, which went down the Sound on Saturday
TO roconnotre, reported on her return that no
ships Of the Burnside feet were then visible and it
Was thought that they had all sailed from HATTIE.
ras. The probability would thus seem to be that
The firing heard was in the direction of Beaufort
and Newbern rather than Roanoke Island.
Our sdvices from Europe are dated to the Path
Of January and 20 far as the news relates to the
position Of American affairs in England and France.
It is Of an important character.
Mr.. Massey, member of Parliament for Stafford
borough, in England, made address to his con.
stituents the 2lst Of January In which he treat.
I'd Of the American question to the exclusion OF
all other topics-even that Of reform Of Paria.
inont-by their particular desire. Stafford is one
OF the most radical towns In Great Britain and the
audience was made up almost entirely Of cotton
operatives. who are now suffering much distress in
consequence Of the want of that staple. To
these men Mr.. Massey stated that Eng
lands best policy was an immediate armed inter.
vention in the affairs Of the United States, with
view to the raising Of the blockade Of the Southern
ports, and the saving Of the workingmen both of
England and France from starvation thereby. A
thsrs are twentysevcn thousand cotton factory
lands completely idle in and around Maneb.,to,
Snd one hundred and sixty one thousand otl.re