The New York herald., 1862-01-31
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
We are able to record to-day information of the
highest Importance, which reaches us from rebel
sources, by way of Richmond, from Savannah. It
appears by dispatches received by the Richmond
papers from Savannah, that the naval expedition
from Port Royal, under Commodore Dupont and
General Sherman, has succeeded in getting to the
rear of Fort Pulaski, by going round little Tybee
Island, and has thus kcut of all connec-
tion between the fort and the city of
Savannah. In some of their dispatches thirteen
of our vessels are reported to have got behind
Fort Pulaski, while others state that six of our
vessels have got to the north end of Wilmington
lsland. which they shelled in passing. Commo.
dore Tatnall's rebel feet was said to be at Thun-
derbolt, when the Union vessels made their
appearance, but they Immediately pushed on to
Savannah. The Richmond Dispatch of Wednes-
day makes show of denying the import
ance of the point gained by our feet, and
says that even when it gets to Savannah it
ting that Savannah is lost to the rebels. Our feet
may burn Savannah, it adds, but what then, 1t is
not place of much Importance; has no cotton
nor specie, and in fact, sis not as big as New
York" Nevertheless, the possession of Savannah
or the disabling of Fort Pulaski by Duponts feet
is undoubtedly feat greatly to be rejoiced over.
We give to-day map Of the scene of operations
in the vicinity, which will enable our readers to
comprehend the value of the position that Dupont
and Sherman have attained.
We publish in to-day's HERALD another batch of
interesting news from the rebel confederacy from
late Southern papers. We would call the atten-
tion of the readers particularly to the editorial of
the Richmond Enquirer of the 9th inst. 1t is par
ticulary interesting its tone betrays the strait
TO which the rebels coming and the futility of
their unholy cause. The rebels indirectly admit
that our Napoleonic Mcclellan has been placing a
military Gordon around them which, by simulta-
neous constrction--as the anaconda crushes its
victim-will, unless promptly checked, deprive
them Of their military and political life. The rebel
editor, with this horoscope before him, makes the
best of it, by stating that The very difficulties
with which our enemies hope-the very danger
with which they urge on every side, will add to
the heroism Of our fighting and the energy Of our
movements" He continues his article by insist
ing that the army of Scott in Mexico was nothing
but " forlorn hope,' and at all points they had
but the hard alternatives of victory or death, sue.
victorious. He thinks the rebels are now in the
position that that forlorn hope" was under Scott;
and this fact will Z" add vigor to their blows and
endurance to their courage that will make every
man count double' He concludes that the war
spirit must be revived. They want war speeches
at the court houses and cross roads. The rebels
should organize as one man. and prepare for the
most determined war.
Apart from the highly important intelligence re-
lative to Savannah the rebel accounts of the Burn
side expedition, which we give to-day from late
Southern journals, under date of Tuesday and We'd
nesday, will be found most interesting, and, with
the official knowledge of facts now in our posses
sion are not little amusing. The disaster is, Of
course greatly exaggerated by the rebel writers,
amounting, indeed in some stories, to the total
destruction Of the fleet and the surrender Of the
Union army at Hatteras. The official despatch Of
Commander Goldsborough to the Navy Department
yesterday Is in itself cheerful assurance that the
prospects Of the Burnside expedition are all that
we could wish under the circumstances.
Our news from the Potomac is not very i'm.
portant General Heintzelman, it is said, is to be
placed In command of o new grand expedition tc
the South, the details Of which are as yet kept
secret.
The President and General Mcclellan are IL
hourly expectation of news Of important military
movements in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri
which may greatly facilitate the progress Of thu
war.
The City Of Washington and Anglo.Saxon bring
important news from Europe, dated on the l7tf
inst BY these arrivals we are enabled to publish
to-day the reply Of Lord John EarD Russell to
Mr.. Scwards despatch announcing the surrender
of Mason and slidell to Lord Lyons, with other
official communications from the Secretary Of Fo.
reign Affairs in London 10 the English Minister in
Washington, instructing him how to conduct his
negotiations with the American government pre-.