The New York herald., 1862-12-30
THE SITUATION.

The most stirring as well as the most recent
news from the Army of the Potomac is the dash
ing attack Of the rebel cavalry and artillery in
front of Dumfries on Saturday. The place was
held by the Fifth, Seventh and Sixty-sxth Ohio
Volunteers. with q section Of battery. Being
pushed on to Occoquan. where they met Colonel
Candys command, and had another brush with
them. Considerable loss occurred on both sides,
and the enemy again made for Anandale, by way
Of Bull run and Wolf run, and thence
towards Vienna, which place they passed
through at midnight. Meantime General Geary
hastened to intercept them, and came up with
them between Dumfres and Wolf run, chasing
them southwards. They seized the telegraph
ofice at Burke's Station and burned the bridge at
Acotink The enemy do not appear to have
suffers wagons and some ambuanses which they
picked up on the way. They captured one gun at
Dumfries. but were compelled to abandon it.
They were reported to be 600 strong, but this is
probably over estimate.
The map Of the vicinity. which We publish to-
day, viii enable our readers TO follow the rebels
in their sudden and dashing course. 4
We learn by dispatches from Chicago yesterday
that the Union feet which ascended the Missis-
sippi from New Orleans had advanced ~ far as
Port Hudson. which place had fallen into the hands
~ hat a. AZ a
only twelve miles below vicksburg. This rumor
was current in Memphis, and the vicksburg Whig
OF the 18th inst confirms the story Of the advance
II is possible that this rumor may have reference
to the expedition sent by General Banks to Baton
Rouge. the result Of which, in the capture Of the
latter city, We announced yesterday. Some
doubt, however, hangs over the remainder
OF the story, concerning Port Hudson and
vicksburg. Our latest dates from Baton
Rouge are to the 18th instant, one day
later than the statement Of the vicksburg paper,
and our correspondent makes no mention Of an
advance beyond that point. although he mentions
that the rebels at Port Hdsison we're anticipating
m attack, and had fortified IL immensely. We
give map OF the LEGALITY to-day.
The retreat OF General Grants forces to the
north side OF the Tallahatchie is confirmed.
The guerilla chief John Morgan is busy with his
men in kentucky. He matN a successful attack
on the Union troops at Elizab vhtown on the 27th
and drove them back from their stockade defence
1t was rumored in Louisville that he had captured
six hundred Of our men, and destroyed a large
portion Of the Nashville and Louisville Railroad
Mail communication by this line Is, therefore
suspended, as, under the circumstances, the CON-
psny refuse 20 carry IL.
On the authority Of the New Orleans Delta of
the goth we are informed that an expedition, sent
up through Grand Lake, Pass Chicot and the
Atchafalaya by Com. Buchanan, succeeded in cap
turing two steamers, the Nanope and the South.
ern Merchant, and a launch. The steamers were
loaded with sugar, and the launch with arms, am
munition and one small brass piece. The crews
deserted the boats when the gunboat made its ap.
pesrsnce and took 10 the woods. The expedition
was . complete success, aud much damage was
inflicted on the enemy.
The Navy Department has sufficiently walked up