The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-10

NV York, Thursday, July 10, 1861.
THE SITUATION.
Tho President has taken trip to the peninsula
had an interview with General Burnside at For
tress Monroe on Tuesday. and then proceeded up
the James river to visit General Mcclellan. Our
correspondence to-day from Fortress Monroe and
Harrison's Landing is exceedingly interesting
The latter shows that the rebels were fully &C
Quainted with the distractions placed in the way
Of General McClellan's plans, and that they took
advantage, with great delight as they state Of the
TACT that he was not properly reinforced, and ac-
cordingiy made the attack upon him at White
House. It is said that Mr.. ~ssanton's management
Of the War Department gives entire satisfaction to
tho sebsis. The manner in which General McClel-
Ian conducted the retreat and change Of
3rOat from the PAmunkey 70 the James
river. however, has evoked tie highest
oonmsndataoa from rsbsi sdicers. Some
Of these officers who were captured state that no
one with less military capacity than . Napoleon
could have executed 90 brilliant movement in
che face Of such odds as they brought against him.
correspondence from General Mcclellan to
tho War Department, concerning the occupation
81 General Lees residence ut White House and the
fvsral slanderous stories thereto attached, was
s,euted to Congress yesterday and the whole
AFFAIR il reduced to very miserable and
contemplate compass. General Mcclellan in his
seteer says that those who have originated the
And spring, arc in fact, as stated in my despatch
Of the 7th instant, enemies of this army and the
cause in which it is lighting. They have imposed
npon the Surgeon General, and caused him to make
official representations which, on examination,
prove to be unfounded in fact, and which are dis
respectful 10 his superior officer. They have un-
necessarily occupied the attention Of the Secretary
sfwar, and have interrupted the Commander and
the Medical Director of this army in the midst of
Of the most arduous duties.r
From the tone of the rebel journals in Richmond
It would appear that the idea exists Of starving
out Gen. McCleIsn's army, and thus forcing him
Into capitulation.
We give some interesting news frotu Gen. Burn
sides army at Tranter's creek and Swift creek
sscsntly made.
The attack upon Vicksburs and the lombard
mont Of that city the 18th ultilno, resulted in
only few casualties 70 our men. Among the
wounded was Commodore Fsrragus, who was
slightly hurt. We give the list Of the killed and
wounded in another column
CONGRESS-.
A large amount Of business was transacted in
Congress yesterday. Bills relative to the grade
Of naval Officers; authorizing the President to make
arrangements with foreign governments, and
especially with Denmark, for the colonization Of
captured Africans; changing the place Of holding
che Circuit Court Of West Tennessee; providing for
bridge across the Ohio river at Stsubenvle; and
making appropriations for sundry civil expenses,
Also passed. A bill to declare another punishment
Jor the crime Of treason was introduced and re-
ferred TO the Judiciary Committee. The resolu.
tion in relation 10 q quorum of the Senate
was laid on the table. The bill amendatory
Of the act Of 1875, calling out the militia,
DO, was then tax en- up. Mr. Grimes Of
Iowa, offered an amendment providing for the
employment Of negroes in the military service; and
Mr.. King, Of New York, moved TO amend the
amendment so as to authorize the employment OF
blacks in constructing intrenchments, or other
camp service or labor, and declaring forever free
the mother, wife and children Of negroes so EN-
pfoycd. The scheme, in fact, comprehends the
enrolment Of the blacks in the military service
and the general emancipation Of slaves. An ints-
resting debate ensued In which Messrs Sherman.
Fessenden, Wilson and Rice advocated the policy
81 arming the blacks but without taking action on
Ne amendments, the Senate went into executive
session and subsequently adjourned.
n the House Of Representatives, the Tariff and
g'cusion bills were referred to conference commit
rces. The bill 10 promote the efficacy Of the En-
Tiucers' corps, and the Ordnance and Quarter
masters Departments, was passed; also the Naval
Appropriation bill; the bill supplementary to the
net sbolishing slavery in the District Of Columbia,
and the Post Route bill. The Senate resolution
requiring the weekly publication Of lists Of all
government contracts, and the names of the per.
sons interested In them, was adopted. The House
tLen adjourned.