The New York herald., 1862-04-04

THE STU UATION.
Orders have been issued by the War Department
recalling all officers now on recruiting service to
eieir regiments at once and notifying all governors
OF States that no enlisments or leyies will be
received until further orders from the department
the force now in the field being considered suf
hcicnt to put down the rebellion and bring the war
to speedy termination.
Tho bombardment at Island No. 10 was going
on vigorously up to last accounts severe
storm visited the Southwest on Tuesday
night doing considerable damage to steamboats,
ut Cairo, Paducah and other points on the river
Our feet, with the exception of two transports
was but very slightly affected by it, and neither
our gunboats nor mortar boats were injured.
dash was made by an armed expedition of five
boats and hundred men from Commodore Foote'S
squadron, under Colonel Roberts, of the Forty.
second Illinois regiment, on Tuesday night, upon
the upper rebel battery known as No. 10. Our
troops carried the battery at midnight, the rebels
retreating rapidly without showing any resist.
ance. Six guns we're found in the fort, which
Colonel Roberts spiked, and returned to the boats
with oil bis men uninjured.
reconnaissance made by our troops from New
ports News on Tuesday, as far as Watts creek,
nine miles distant, discovered the rebels, three
thousand strong, who opened fire with their
artillery on our men, their balls passing clear over
their heads. Upon our batteries being got into
position and the fire returned, the enemy scam.
pered away in confusion across the creek The
rebel batteries at Sewsll's Point fred several
shots at our transports the same night, but did
no damage, though their shells came very
close to one Of the vessels. The Merrimsc has
not yet made any report of herself, and the
venture out Of her safe harborage. private re-
connoissance was made up the Elizabeth river on
the Lat inst, when it was discovered that the
rebels have buoyed out channel for the Merri-
mac. extending from Norfolk to Sewalls Point.
Five black buoys were distinctly seen. By re.
connoisssnce TO Big Bethel on Tuesday we learn
chat the rebels had returned in some force and
again occupied the earthworks there. No attack
was made upon them by our troops
The Senate yesterday, by two-thirds vote
twenty-nine TO fourteen-passed the bill abolishing
slavery in the District Of Columbia. A remorl;a-
BILE feature about this measure is that on the day
previous the Senate agreed to the House resolu-
ton. which ia based upon the Presidents sugges-
ton. TO afford national aid to such slaveownng
States as may desire and consent TO gradual emsn-
cipation. while in the case Of the District of Co.
lumbis the Senate bill has no provision for the
one else. II seems anomalous that the learned
Senators should vote TO consult the owners Of slaves
In the instance and refuse 10 do 40 in the other
In both cases, however the owners are to be re-
munerated for the value Of their property. Should
Che bill pass the House also by a two.thirds vote,
II will Of course become law.
The news from New Mexico, dated the 18th ult.,
represents Colonel Candy still shut up at Fort
Craig, and Fort Union, the strongest defence on
the Western frontier occupied by force Of four.
teen hundred men. The rebels, twenty-four hun
dred strong we're at Albuquerque, about half way
between Forts Union and Craig. 1t was reported
that the rebel Generals Baylor and Steele we're
advancing with eighteen hundred Texans on Fort
Union. RI possible, the garrison at the latter fort
would attempt to relieve Colonel Candy, and re.
possess Albuquerque and Santa Fe, now held by
the rebels.
by the Niagara, at Halifax, we have two days
later news from Europe. The London journals
were engaged in an active canvass Of Mr.. Lin
coins emancipation plan, as proposed TO Con.
gress. The Times, Post, Herald and Globe were
most ingenious In their cndeavors 10 find fault
With the policy Of the State paper and prejudice
Che mind Of Europe against both the sincerity Of
the President aud the ability Of his government TO
carry out his idea The comprehcnsiyeness Of
Che message had evidently surprised the writer's,
and they have again betrayed their hostility TO
tlc Union by their opposition TO its contents.
Another French General was 10 leave Touon
Immediately for Mexico.
CONGRESS.
W The Senate yesterday, resolutions Of the le.
rtIuorc Of Pennsylvania were presented, relative