The New York herald., 1862-01-11
THE SITlYATIoN


The quiet of the lines along the army of the Po
tomac was yesterday slightly disturbed by skir.
msh with the enemy near Pohiok church 1t an.
pears that the Fifth Michigan Volunteers were on
picket duty in front of General Heintzelman's dyi
sion. when Company H went out from the main
body on scouting expedition. On reaching the
bank near Pohick run the detachment was fred on
by small force of rebel infantry concealed in the
woods: The fire was instantly returned with effect
The rebels finding they were being worsted re.
treated rapidly.
From the Potomac correspondent of the HERALD
m announcement has been received of attacks
made on the rebel batteries at Aqua creek and
Boyd's Hole, also further particulars of the en-.
gagement with the Yankee on the I'd inst The
Potomac is still fl of ice enough to impede nayi-
cation, which is not at all improved by the fog
skirmish has taken place at Bath, Va, be-
Sfcen the advance guard of General Jackson's
0bes, 5000 strong, and small brigade of General
Eyclly's troops, under Captain Russell The
Union infantry was placed in dense wood, as
pkirmishers, when the Union cavalry decoyed the
rebels into the ambush. The maneuvre is pro-
pounced at Washington being one of great
brilliancy, and Captain Russell has been praised
therefor on that account.
Tho news from Cairo and Chicago is to the effect
that the advance of the great expedition had com.
menced a southwark movement, and the main body
Of the troops had embarked preparatory to leav.
ing. They were expected to start carly this morn
ing. The various brigades were to be placed un.
der the command Of Generals Paine, McClernand,
Smith and Wallace.
General Palmer, in Missouri, reports. from Otter
vile, to General Halleck that an engagement took
place on Silver creek, between a battalion of
Union troops and the rebels under Poindexter
numbering about thirteen hundred men. The re.
bels were totally routed, with great loss in wound
ed and prisoners and seven killed. The Union loss
was four. The rebel camp was destroyed and
large number of horses and teams secured
BY the Oriental, from Port Royal, full details Of
fhe engagement at Port Royal Ferry with drawings
Of the line of march, &C., have been received.
Both details and sketch published in to-dsy's
HERALD. 1t had been asserted by despatch from
Charleston, circulated through the rebel States
that on the Sd instant the Union soldiers were
driven at the point Of the bayonet from their posi-.
Sion by the rebel troops. The Oriental left on the
9th. and no Sch repulse had taken place, General
6tevens being able to hold his own.
From Boston intelligence has been received that
Ahc troops Of General Buffers division that were
embarked on the Constitution have been again or.
Aered on shore, but no reason for the movement
mas been assigned. 1t is, however, positively
pcred that the expedition has not been abandoned.
The mails by the Canada betoken far different
feeling in Great Britain than has heretofore been
OF the seizure Of the rebel emssaries The
hot blooded rush to arms has cooled down, and the
dread of the horrors Of war and dangers to COM
merce are making themselves manifest, while
somc are considering the chances Of "no war at
all" and begin to count the cost Of their hostile
demonstration. 1t is asserted that the money
expended would have reaid the Atlantic cable, by
which means so vast waste Of cash would have
been saved. Deputations from several rel-
gious bodies, peace societies and other corpo.
rations have waited on the Premier and
memorials have been presented to induce him,
if possible to refrain from war, and arbitration If
mot recommended. is broadly limited at. England
s very anxiousy awaiting the arrival of the answer
from this country relative to Mason and slidel to
relieve thsm Of an intolerable suspense, and decide
n question Of either peace or war between En-
slsad snd America,
Aw fsyk ssrespoudeut has forwarded us q Sc.