The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-28
New York, Saturday, June rs. 1854
THE TUATION.

General Pope entered upon his duties as Com |
mander of the 'Army of Virginia" yesterday, and |
We may now confidently expect that some
shenandoah valley which will tend to the |
speedy reduction OF the rebel capital for it |
has been decided upon that General Pope with his
new command shall operate against Richmond
General Mccall, whose division numbering 10000
men. had been previously operating with General
Mcdowell. has joined General Mcclellan, and in
addition to this force, reinforcements from other
quarters fully equal TO the numbers required by
General Mcclellan have arrived to the support OF
the Commander in Chief in front of Richmond.
The detailed and minute description of the bat
tie at Fair Oaks on Wednesday, written by our
special correspondent on the field which we give
to-day. is worthy of the attention of our readers.
The gallant part which the New York regiments
of Sickles' brigade played throughout the fight
shire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania regiments
of General Growers brigade behind them in valor.
The ssoryis graphically told, and will amply re-
pay perusal.
Rsoonnoissances made In the Shenandoah valley
recently bring intelligence that the enemy had not
any force there lower than Luray. Contrabands
and Union citizens agree that Ewell and probably
jackson were at and around Luray at that time,
and some stated that Jackson had sent south for
achievements. On the other hand it was said
that he had crossed the Blue Ridge, but could not
assert whether he was to move up or down. 1t
would appear from various sources that the posi-
tiou Of Jackson is quite uncertain.
Our news from the vicinity Of Charleston il ex-
citing. The troops under command of General
Benham made an attack on Secessonville, on
James Island, at four O'Clock on the morning of
the 18th and after four hours hard fighting against
the rebel batteries were repulsed, with heavy
loss. The Seventy ninth New York Volunteers
(Hghland regiment behaved with the most de-
termned valor, and suffered fearfully. The Eighth
Michigan sustained with them the hottest portion
Of the fight, and suffered equally The attack was
made on the Tower battery, which for some time
past, had been annoying our troops with shells,
and General Benham resolved to make q recon
nosssnce in force to discover the strength Of the
enemy at that point. The result proved that his
command not large enough for the operation
he undertook to accomplish; and, although the
troops retreated in good order after terrific CON-
bat. their sacrifice was heavy, and their repulse
That General Benham had not force enough to
effect what he attempted is unquestionable and
although the blame of failure is put upon him. and
he has been sent here TO New York under arrest,
disaster cannot be traced upon investigation, to
parties higher in Office than the General who con-
Quoted this attack. II may be shown before long
that il General Hunter had paid more attention to
his military duties, and less TO nsgrs schools and
negro regiments, and if the Secretary Of War had
not encouraged him in these puerile and dangerous
pursuits, that the disaster at James Island would
not have occurred.
We publish to-day minutey detailed account
from our correspondents Of this late affair
which cost us six hundred and sixty-eight brave
soldiers killed, wounded and missing together
with map of the scene Of operations The latest
Intelligence from that quarter--which comes from
the Richmond Erquirer-is dated on Wednesday,
and reports everything quiet. The list Of the
killed and wounded in the late acton will be
found In our columns to-day.
An c0cal order from the War Department yes
tcrday, announces that Major General Fremont has
requested to be relieved from the command of the
FIRST army corps Of the Army Of Virginia because,
a. he says. the position assigned him By the ap. |
pointment Of Major General Pope as Commander.
in-Chief Of the Army of Virginia ia subordinate and
inferior to that heretofore held by him, and TO |
remain in the subordinate command now assigned
would, o. he says, largely reduce his rank and
consideration N the service. Mr. Stanton
accordingly relieved General Fremont from
che command, and has appointed General
Rufus King, late Of the Milwaukee se,asnel, to the
place vacated by General Fremont We give
sketch IN another column Of General King, which
will be found very Interesting Al this jsncturs.
], We learn that General Rosecrans, who has
hitherto proved himself an able officer In his
career IN Western Virginia, 10 to take General
Ross's command.