The New York herald., 1862-10-31
THE SITUATION.

News from the headquarters of the Army of the
Potomac reports everything quiet at the front yes
terday.
The rebel Generals Jackson and Longstreet were
said by certain contrabands who came within our
lines, to be moving towards Berryville, from the
direction of Charlestown. The enemy were be-
eved to be still in considerable force directly in
front Of our army. They were observed on Wednes-
day night signalling from mountain near Snick-
ersvlle 1t was reported at headquarters last night
that our cavalry captured an officer of Gen. Long
streets staff, with the rank Of colonel and that
Longstreet, who was reconnoitering with a small
escort, narrowly escaped.
The rebel pickets under General Walker, at Up
perville, were driven from that place on Wednes-
day. The infantry were said to have marched to
Snickersville, their intention being to escape to
the Blue Ridge Mountains by way of Smokers
Gap.
1t said that General Burnside has advanced
along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, and
made junction with Sigel's corps, their pickets
actually joining-a movement which may have
compelled General Walker to vacate Upperville.
Advices received at Baltimore from Gen. Kelly
state that the rebels have completed the destruc-
ton of Back creek bridge, on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad and that there are one thoasandtwo
hundred rebel cavalry at Hedgesville. This bridge
is ten miles west Of Martinsburg and twenty-five
f.nu UaU faat dnor nd
one hundred feet long.
Brigadicr General Kelley reports from Comber-
land, Nd, that he sent . force forward, COM
manded by Lieutenant Colonel Quick, of the
Twenty-third Illinois, supported by Rourke's bat
fery and Ringold's cavalry. in pursuit Of the re-
bels who carried off the cattle in Hardy county
the other day. Col. Quick overlook them, and
captured one hundred and seventy head Of cattle
sixteen prisoners and twenty horses.
According to the statement Of desertsr from
Richmond, who had opportunities of observing the
progress of the rebel ram Merrimac No. 2, that
vessel is now completed, with the exception of
two guns yet to be furnished her, and is looked
upon by the rebels as great success, and as cer-
tain to do terrible destruction to our gunboats
when she makes q hostile demonstration. Her
movements up to this time have been confined to
trial trips to Fort Darling. in which it is said her
machinery worked admirably.
The difficulty between General Wool and the
loyal citizens of Baltimore who had been arrested
and sent 70 Fort Delaware by the Generals order,
appears to be settled by order for the uncon-
ditional release Of the arrested parties, issued by
the President yesterday. The probable res:gna
tion of General Wool, under these circumstances,
was regarded with much consideration IN Wash.
ington yesterday.
Our troops continue their successes in Arkansas.
On Tuesday last Brigadicr General Heron, with a
force Of thousand men, attacked rebel camp
at q point four miles east Of Fayetteville, which
was occupied by three thousand rebels under Col
onel Cravcns, and after an hours fight totally re-
pulsed them, and followed them for several miles
into the Boston Mountains. All the camp cquipage
and wagons Of the enemy were abandoned.
We have some interesting intelligence from Ber-
. ida to the 21st inst. The action of Rear "a.
nrsl Wilkes, United States Navy, in closely
Vatcling and intercepting the trade Of the rebels
with England, by way Of Bermuda, has excited
the inhabitants Of the island in no small degree
against that officer and the Union. Some OF the
journals affect TO say that our cruisers have insti-
tated blockade Of the English colonial depend.
cncy-the steamers Tiogs and sonoma maintaining
svigisnt guard Of its ports Of entry and depar-
furc. The English vessels Alert, James and
Gladiator were hailed and brought to lately by
order Of Admiral Wilkes. Her British Msjesty's
steamer Ployer, just arrived from Halifax, took
OF dispatches from the Governor of Bermuda TO
Admiral Wilkes, and the man who acted as pilot
10 the Union vessels had returned TO the
SHORE \ Notwithstanding the vigilance Of our
gurbcats, We ind that the British steamers
Ji$Aiator, Mimic and Ouchits, all laden with cot.
ton from the South, had run out Of port at Bermuda
Cor England. False signals were thrown out from
tie shore in order to decoy the Union vessels from
tier station Just as the Mimic sailed. They had
tle efe 4 desired by the English sympathizers and
raiders with the rebels The steamer Herald a
regular trader 70 Charleston, had Just arrived a,
Bermuda with cargo Of cotton for England The
H~ald did not see the United State, vessels.
MISCELLANEOUS HEws
The stcamshp Hibernian, from Ionaon,o,..
cbe i!th instant, passed Cape Race las, we6ao,