The New York herald., 1862-02-01
New York, satu rday, February L, 1864 i.
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The recent successful achievement of Commo-
dore Dupont's and General Sherman's expedi-
ton, in cutting off all connection between the
city of Savannah and its principle defence-Fort
Pulaski-may be expected to be followed up by
still further important movements upon the fort
and Savannah. The intelligence of this brilliant
coup, which we published exclusively in our col
umns yesterday morning, it must be remembered
comes from rebel sources-namely, dispatches to
the Richmond papers from Savannah and
Augusta, Ca, and it may, therefore, be fairly
estimated that the advantages gained by our
troops are not exaggerated, and that when official
reports reach from the feet itself we shall find
the success still more complete. By later des
patches from Savannah it appears that a feet of
small vessels laden with provisions, and command
ed by the rebel Commodore Tatnall, was on its
way to supply Fort Pulaski when our feet opened
fire on them, and after an engagement of only
forty minutes the rebel vessels were beaten and
returned towards Savannah. Undoubtedly our
own side of the story will develope even worse
condition of things for the rebels than their organs
are disposed to admit.
While the plans Of General Mcclellan are being
carried out at all points, after the fashion of the
anaconda's embrace-as described by the leading
rebel organ at Rchmond-the movements of the
Army of the Potomac still retarded by the miser
able condition of ther Dads, which absolutely pro.
hibits the advance of artillery cavalry, or wagons
of stores and ammunition. Hence we have nothing
of moment to record from that portion of the
theatre Of war to-day.
General Buffers expedition. with the troops on
board the Constitution, has been ordered to leave
Hampton Roads as soon as possible for Ship
Island, at the mouth of the Mississippi and it is
not improbable that she will start tomorrow. The
men are now in excellent health after their briei
rest at Fortress Monroe.
The government is actively engaged in forward.
ing projects for the capture of the rebel prvateer
Sumter, which has just been compelled by the
Spanish government to leave Cadiz, and has gone
for protection to Gibraltar. Four steamers and
three sailing vessels now put on her track and
the Constellation is fitting out at Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, for the same duty The career Of this
mischievous pirate will, therefore, probably be
very soon brought to a close.
We are in possession of another interesting col.
lection of Southern news from late rebel news
papers. The Richmond Dispatch Of the Goth has
an elaborate editorial on England and the South
ern confederacy. 1t says that the only party in
England which has hitherto presented any oppo-
siton to the recognition Of the Southern cause is
the small, but mischievous, faction which is repre-
sented by Exeter Hall, but which, even in
that quarter, has been much less considera-
BILE than was expected 1t thinks that England
as her cordial ally, she is mistress of the
world; and if she avails herself Of the
golden opportunity presented in the present war,
she will place her power and prosperity on
foundation that bids fair to remain immovable to
the end of time. The Dispatch thinks that to sup
pose England will forego such an opportunity is to
suppose she has no eyes to discern her own vel.
fare, no heart to sympathize with herself, and no
hand to strike at her enemies. The article con-
cudes with the belief that England will yet recog.
mise the rebel confederacy, and open the federal
blockade.
From the Bowling Green correspondence of the
same paper, under date Of the 22d ult., we learn
that General Floyd has been assigned TO the com.
msnd of a division of the rebel army. and
will leave Bowling Green in few days
for an important point" The correspondent
denies that General Marsha's command has been
gained an important advantage over Colonel Gar.
fields Union force.
The Dispatch admits that the aggregate force Of
the rebels now in the field is but two hundred and
fifty thousand and thinks IL good policy for the
rebels to employ smaller force than the federals
by so doing il insists that they can husband the
men, supplies and finances, in proportion as the
federals lavish and waste theirs. It thinks that
they can keep the number already mentioned in
the field throughout the war without trouble or
exhaustion Of their strength.
The same paper states that the dividing line
between the North and South is in fair vav IN
be determined by agencies more potential than
military force. 1t suggests that the natural
boundary between the two Powers would. in tho
absence Of other causes, be settled by the copdi