The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-19
New York, Monday, May 10, 1854.
THE SITUATION.

THE STU CATION.
Our dispatches from Washington to-day explain
the nature Of the ''repulse" of our iron gunboats
on the James river, below Richmond. 1t appears
that for some time past the rebels have been OBJ
structing the river at that point with sunken stone
Immediately under the guns of strong fort upon
bluff SO high above the river that the guns Of our
vessels cannot be elevated enough to reach it. An
these distractions. under fire from the fort, which
was able to pour its shot with accuracy down upon
them. while they could not reply with any effect
The river is now clear of distractions to
within eight miles of Richmond. At that
point there is heavy battery mounted on high
bluff and the river is temporarily closed to navi.
CATION by sunken vessels among which are said to
be the Yorktown and jamestown, and by piles and
chains. The Monitor could not elevate her guns
sufficiently to reach the high battery, which rem.
dered her useless. The banks Of the river were
filled with rifed pits, from which an ircessant fire
was poured upon the feet. part of which was
engaged at from 500 to 1000 yards from the main
battery. After an action Of four hours the feet,
finding it impracticabe under the circumstances to
silence the battery on the bluff, withdrew. Our
loss was thirteen killed and eleven wounded.
II is confidently stated that the recall Of Gene
raj Hunter is fully determined on by Mr.. Lincoln.
His proclamation will be made the subject of
communication by the President to Congress, and
in that way to the country, condemning the course
Of General Hunter and announcing very distinctly
the policy Of the administration in the conduct Of
the war.
The news from General McClellan's command is
highly interesting and encouraging. His advance
forces on the main road to Richmond, by way of
Bottoms Bridge. drove the enemy across the
Chickahominy at that point on Saturday morning.
When the troops arrived within half a mile of the
bridge. which is burned, they were opened upon
by brisk fire of artillery from the opposite side
of the river. This bridge is fifteen miles from
Richmond. At this point it is said, that our
troops will experience considerable difficulty, as
the country is low and swampy.
This is only one successful movement Of General
McClelian's army within few days; the other he
tells himself briefly in the following despatch to
the War Department, dated from White House.
Va, on Saturday night:-"A combined naval and
army expedition under Captain Murray, United
States Navy, with troops and artillery under Major
nd tar Of fbo PANT
some twenty five miles up the Pamunkey river to-
day and forced the rebels to destroy two steamers
and some twenty scbooners. The expedition was
admira bly, managed, and all concerned deserve
great credit
The news which We publish to-day, from the
North Carolina papers-the Newbern Progress
and others-will be read with the interest which
its signifcancy deserves. Governor Clark, the
Executive of that State, has refused to furnish any
more troops to JEFF. Davis, and has recalled all the
North Carolina soldiers now in the rebel army.
North Carolina has held a convention Of it's citi.
zens, and pronounced against giving further
aid to the rebellion, thus virtually returning to
che Union. In reply to the demand Of JEFF,
Davis for additional troops and means OF
transportation for his army 10 and through the
cotton States, Governor Clark said that Davis had
received all the aid from North Carolina that he
could expect, and that hereafter more troops
would be permitted to leave the State. and has
ordered all the North Carolina State troops home
Governor Clark also informed the rebels that the,
could use the railroads in rstreating homewards
and that they would run their own risk Of bcint
intercepted by . Union force at any part OF tn,
State.
We give In another column an interesting lette
addressed to as from Richmond by Colone
Crocker, Of the Ninety.third New York volun
teers who, together with Major Cassidy, i will b
remembered, was captured by the rebels nea
Yorktown. The statement Of Colonel Crocke
fully explains the mode of his capture, and sets
rest the reports Of his desertion TO the enemy.
We learn on good authority that the prominen
s.eesssunsts In the interior Of Tennessee are OF
csnizing public peace meeting, entirely indie
pendent Of the av0wed Union men-the object 0