The New York herald., 1862-04-18
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The work at Yorktown appears to be progress.
lng. Our gunboats have been doing good service
at Gloucester for the past few days. On wednes.
day morning one Of them approached within two
miles Of Yorktown, and the rebels opened fire
rem concealed battery in the woods. They
were driven in large force from another battery to
tho LEFT Of Yorktown on the same day. The re.
bes opened upon our troops with their heavy
guns, whom second battery was brought for.
ward brisk FIRE was kept up for about four
hours, during which three Of the enemy's guns
were dismounted, when both parties ceased for
while; but the firing was resumed on our part late
10 the afternoon. and continued until daylight next
morning. efectually preventing the rebels from
repairing the damage they had sustained.
The War Department received a despatch from
General Banks corps yesterday, announcing that
our troops are in possession Of Mount Jackson and
have advanced as far as Rude's Hill, where the
rebels had assembled in force. New Market was
10 be occupied by our army Immediately. General
Shields has 80 far recovered from his wound as to
be able to command his division in person.
The Merrimac makes no demonstration, although
the weather continues fair ct Hampton Roads
There seems to be very little doubt that she went
aground during her late attempt to come out from
her place of retirement, and had to be taken back
10 tho Gosport Navy Yard for repairs 1t is stated,
npon competent authority. that she burst her gun
whom she fred the last shot at our boats on Friday
last.
rhe news from the Rappahannock to-day is i'm
portsnt. A gunboat expedition succeeded on
Monday last in securing Fort Lowrie and the town
Of Tsppahannock. planting the Stars and Stripes
on the Court House. Two rebel vessels were
captured by our feet. The people at Tsppa.
hammock were considerably alarmed, and were
about to abandon the place until assured Of pro.
lection by Lieut.. McCrea.
coNeREss.
In tho Senate yesterday, the House bill en-
isrging the powers of the Court Of Claims was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee, and the House
bill suthorizing the issue of certificates of indebt
edness was referred to the Finance Committee. A
Joint resolution sppropriating $1,000 for the relief
Of the officers and privates of the Maine battalion,
who lost their personal effects on the Port Royal
expedition. was adopted. The bill requiring cleo
tors Of the District of Columbia to take the oath Of
allegiance to the government was passed. The
House bill--establishing Bureau of Agriculture
was taken up. Mr.. Wright, of Indiana, offered q
substitute, providing for an Agricultural Stststi.
cal and Commercial Bureau, and made speech in
support of it. The subject was, however laid aside,
and the Indian Appropriation bill was taken up,
amended, and laid over TO be printed. The House
bill establishing branch mint Of Denver, Colora-
do Territory, was passed. On motion Of Mr.. Nc.
Dougal, the resolution relative to the arrest Of
General Stone was postponed till Monday next.
Mr.. Doolittle gave notice that he should move TO
have the subject referred to some committee, per-
haps select committee. A resolution was adopt
ed calling on the President for the papers and tes-
timcny 10 the court Of inquiry in the case of
Lieutenant Fleming, Of the navy. The bill pro.
viding for @ line of steamships between San Fran.
cisco and Shanghse was called up; but without
taking action on II the Senate went into executive
session.
The House was occupied all day in debating the
Pacific Railroad bill.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
In the Senate Of our State Legislature yesterday,
several bills were passed, among which was that
relative 70 the inspection Of unsafe buildings in
this city The majority Of the others were only Of
local or private interest. The city tax levy and
Che bill 70 prevent frauds in laying out streets in
this city we're reported favorably and ordered To
Che Committee Of the Whole. The bill relative tc
rates Of wharfage In New York and Brooklyn was
ordered TO third reading. The bill for the en-.
iargement Of the canals sufficient to admit the pas.
sage Of gunboats came up for its third read.
ing, but was somewhat amended and sent back "a
tho committee. The Metropolitan Health bill,
Rgain came up, and, after being discussed and
having some amendments proposed, was made the
special order again for this forenoon. The
assembly's amendments 10 the Swill Milk bin
were non-concurrcd in. In the Assembly, a mno.
rity report was made from the committee appoint.