The New York herald., 1862-02-24
THE SITUATION.

=
There is no news of any Importance from the
Army Of the Potomac to-day.
Our special correspondence from Roanoke Island
and Hilton Head will be found highly interesting.
We publish maps of the defences at Roanoke, show
ing Forts Huger, Barlow and Blanchard in ground
plans.
Our maps Of Clarksvills, and the description Of
the whole vicinity, including Nashville, Russelve
and the other prominent points Of interest in the
progressing campaign in the West, is highly i'm.
portant as guide to the operations of our armies
in that portion Of the country.
Our latest news from the West announces the
arrival at Indianapolis of 900 of the rebel prison.
ers from Fort Donelson. They present miserable
appearance, being dressed in multi-colored rags,
and using pieces Of carpet for blankets. They
state that they have been wretchedly fed and
cared for during the last six months, and say that
she rebellion is pretty well used up far as they
can judge. The captive officers do not wear any
uniform, and in appearance, it is said, do not seem
much superior in social position to the mass of the
privstes.
We have received highly interesting collection
of late Southern newspapers, from which we are
enabled to collate the latest news from the rebel
country. The permanent" rebel Congress was
inaugurated at Richmond on the 18th inst. Vice
President Stephens formally opened the session of
the Senate. r. M. 7. Hunter was elected President
pro tem Of that body. In the House, Thomas 8. Bo.
cock was elected Speaker. In his speech on en-
tering on the duties of his Office he said:-"The
gaze Of the world is fixed upon rs. Nations
look on, curious to see how this new system of go.
vernment win move of, and what manner of men
have been chosen to guide its earliest movements"
In excusing the acts of himself and co-rebels Mr.
Bocock alludes to the federal government in the
following terms:-"when ambition and interest
seized upon IL and destroyed its integrity they
were not allowed to appropriate the rule alto
gether to themselves. Fanaticsm came forward
and demanded to be received as participant Of
power with them, and it claimed not in vain Be.
meath the sway Of this unholy triumvirate Justice
was forgotten, intolerance was established private
morals were ruined, and public virtue perish
ed. All feeling Of constitutional restraint
passed away, and all sense Of the obliga
tion OF an oath was forever lost. The whole ma
clinery Of government degenerated into the abso.
Lutte rule Of corrupt numerical majority Already
the weaker section was marked out for destruction
by the stronger, and then came disruption and
overthrow. Since then tyranny the most abso.
Lutte. and perjury the most vile, have destroyed
the last vcstge Of soundncss in the whole system
The rebel press evidently feel very sore over the
capture Of Fort Donelson. The editorials of the
Richmond papers are endeavoring to stimulate
the waning effects of this defeat, by carefully
avoiding reference to the facts of the cap.
ture, and endeavoring to make their read.
ers believe that the rebels were a Spartan
band borne down by an overwhelming force. The
rebel editors admit that the event has taupbt tbcm
lesson, admonishing them to be more warv and