The New York herald., 1862-12-19
THE SITUATION.


There Is nothing Of importance to report from
the army of Gen. Burnside to-day, except that
fag OF truce arrived from Gen. Lee yesterday, re-
questing that we should send parties to bury our
dead. which was immediately acceded to. II was
reported that Gems. Lee and Longstreet had
an interesting intsrview with some of our
officers under the Gag Of truce, and that
member Of General Longstreet's stan stated, in
theleourse of conversation, that, although our
troops fought splendidly, there was no possible
chance Of taking the rebel dsfences; that an army
OF 1--WE hundred thousand men could not accom-.
psh it. It is stated that our loss is somewhat re-
duced BY the number Of stragglers coming in; but
it appears that the enemy have taken about eight
hundred Of our men prisoners.
We learn from Harper's Ferry that as soon as
General sigel's corps left that vicinity to join
General Burnside, the rebels showed themselves
IN force. and menaced an attack upon the Ferry,
on PoOlesvile and other points; but they were
successfully met and their object thwarted by the
forces remaining to protect that portion Of the
Upper Potomac.
The news from North Carolina is important, but
not encouraging. General Foster made an attack
upon Kingston on Saturday last and was repulsed
by the rebels. According to Q despatch sent to
Richmond by General Evans commanding the
rebel forces, 5000 Of our troops were driven
back, after ten hours fighting. 1t would seem
that General Evans had been ordered to this point
with q force Of $1,000 men, with q view to resist
the approach Of the Banks expedition, which the
rebel leaders supposed was destined for that
region. and that the forces of General Foster en-
oountered, in consequence, IN army Of q magni-
tude for which IL was entirely unprepared. The
object of General Fosters expedition would
appear to be to take possession of Goldsboro,
which is the junction Of the railroads running to
Richmond the north; Raleigh on the north Of
west; Wilmington and Charleston on the south,
and Newbern on the south Of east.
We give q map to-day of the vicinity OF King.
ston, with descriptions Of Goldsboro and the
Neuse river which will enable our readers to COM
prehend the object Of the expedition.
The rebels succeeded in destroying the town Of
Plymouth, n. c., on Wednesday last, by . bold
dash, surprising the garrison and severely da-
maging the United States gunboat Southneld,
witch lay in the river The rebels numbered
only $50, with some artillery. The Union troops
consisted Of one company Of the Eighth Massa.
chusetss and ono company Of the First North
Carolina. After . slight resistance they retired
on board the southnsld. The shots from the
enemys guns did serious injury to the steamer,
wounding several men badly.
The arrival Of the Cshswba from New Orleans
yesterday puts us in possession Of the recent pro.
ceedings Of General Butler, which are Of . most
vigorous character. The details, which we give
in another column, win be found highly interest
ing, particularly those In reference to the charges
Of i'll treatment OF subjects Of Great Britain which
are proved upon the best Of testimony 70 be en-.
tirely false. II appears that General Beauregsrd,
wife is now lying dangerously sick In New Or
leans, and that General Butler has sent to Genera
Beauregard a kind invitation 10 visit her. assuring
him Of every protection and courtesy during hi,
melancholy errand OF sorrow
coHgREss.
large amount Of business was transacted By
Congress yesterday. In the Senate o resolution
was adopted directing The Committee on the Con
duct ~ the War 70 inquirc iu'o md report ~ iii,
Senate the facts relative ''a ,.ccut batte a
fredericksburg, Va, Gnu ....!'.#at'y - 70 wba