The New York herald., 1862-04-06
New York. Sunday, April 6, 1862.
THE SITUATION.


despatch from General Wool was received at
the War Department last night, stating that firing
was heard during the day at Yorktown. He states
further. that from information just received, the
Merrmac was on the dry dock at Norfolk, but
would come out yesterday with two new guns
mounted, one of them Of heavy calibre. General
Wool says that all goes on smoothly and that
nc does not think the Army of the Potomac will
have many of the enemy to contend with.
There is no news of importance from Island No.
10, except the details of intelligence already pub
shed. The river is falling rapidly which will acil
tatc the landing of troops any point on the banks
The firing from our guns on Friday night com
pletcly disabled the rebel floating battery; one
shell striking it directly killed three men. The
rebels erected battery on the same night oppo-
site Point Pleasant, and opened fire on our works
yesterday morning, but it was soon silenced, and
warehouse on the Kentucky shore set on fire by
our shells. consuming all its contents. Our troops
received no damage. Our Mississippi river cores
pondence to-day contains some highly interesting
accounts Of the late capture Of Union City by our
troops.
General Geary had brilliant skirmish on Satur-
day last at Mddleburg, Va, with force of three
hundred Of the rebel cavalry of Generals Stewart
and White. and body of infantry. He drove the
rebels at the point of the bsyonet clear through the
town in great confusion, knapsacks, overcoats and
blankets being flung away in the fight. The re.
bells attempted to make stand in hollow beyond
the town; but the rifles Of troops, and the con-
tinuous fire from gun planted in thescentre of the
town; soon sent them flying from their position.
General Gesry's command has secured the whole
country as far as Aldie.
Our latest news from the belligerent armies in
the Southwest left them within six miles of each
other, near Corinth. Gen. Grant was nearly pre-
pared for the grand battle, and the members Of
his staff who we're in Cairo had all been ordered
TO report for duty Immediately. Gen. Buell. was
on the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad
ard was soon expected to join his forces to the
main army. We give to-day a map Of Corinth,
accompanied by description Of the place. Pub
JIG attention is fixed upon this locality as the
scene Of great approaching contest, but some
days may elapse before we are in possession of the
details.
Great activity marks the conduct Of General
Banks command. On Thursday afternoon the
enemy unmasked section of their battery three.
quarters of mile from our right wing battery,
under Captain Huntingdon, mile to the west of
Edenburg. The object Of the enemy was to drive
in our pickets beyond Stony creek, and to retard
the operations Of our bridge builders. Captain
Huntington shellsd them out in short time.
During the day the enemy concealed his forces in
the ravnes but his videttes were in sight and very
active.
Dctachments OF the sigral Corps, under Lieuten.
ant Rowley, have discovered the rebels encamped
near Mount jackson. A corps Of pioneers and
bridge builders have been ordered forward by
General Williams, and will be organized and
Equipped Immediately.
The positions where our advance batteries
Row rest, commanding ell the elevations beyond
Etony creek, were selected by General Banks
smid the hottest Gre OF the enemy on Tuesday.
They arc unassallsbls by the enemy. The mill.
cary force under General Jackson is principally
composed Of impressed men, who refuse to fight
the United States. Those from Page and Rock.
tnsham counties had retired to q point between
these counties, where they are iutrenched, and
defy Jackson's attempts to compel them TO ioin
him. There are rumOrs of some qusrrellins be.
tween them.
Bya despatch received at Chicago yesterday
we learn that our gunboats Cairo, Lexington. rsy.
A& .aa gsa'2Ti VGw, hare made a sscsu.