The New York herald., 1862-03-23
THE SITUATION.
OFFICE W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU SITS.


A rumor was very prevalent in military and ma.
val circles in Washington yesterday that the ma.
donAl flag is now flying in New Orleans the
impression being that our mortar aeet attacked
the rebel fort at the Rigoets few days after the
last steamer left Ship Island for the North This
report, however, needs confirmation, and in the
absence Of more definite news, must be received
"a doubtful.
A few rebel cavalry are still hanging round
Aqua creek. A reconnaissance on Wednesday
discovered the battery on the hill nearest the
creek was still occupied by rebels. They fred
few shots at the Satellite. but they fell short.
Captain Foster, concluding that the intention was
to draw the Satellite within range of some heavier
guns, declined to 60 in nearer.
The Secretary Of the Navy has returned thanks
to Lieutenant Morris and the surviving crew of the
Cumberland for their bravery in action with the
Merrimac in Hampton Roads.
We give correct list to-day Of the killed,
wounded and missing at the memorable battle Of
Pea Ridge, amounting in all to one thousand three
hundred and twelve. As an evidence Of the de-
moralized condition Of the rebel army We have
the fact that after the battle Colonel Rector, of
the Arkansas militia, retreated with his regiment
fourteen miles from the scene Of action, and there
ordered his men to stack arms and return to their
homes, he being utterly disheartened and dis
gusted with the cause of rebellion, and his
men evidently being equally so, judging from the
adelity with which they carried out his orders for
their guns, two hundred in number, were found by
our troops carefully stacked and unguarded in
narrow ravine.
There Is nothing new to report from Savannah,
tennessee. Our troops are securing the country
all round, driving of small scouting parties Of
the enemy and occasionally capturing leading
rebels.
The affairs at Island No. 10 have not expe.
risnced any considerable change within the past
twenty -four hours except that the fire from the rebel
batteries was slackened, while our Gre from gun
boats and mortars continued as brisk as ever.
Reinforcements from st. Louis were arriving in
large numbers to support our forces. The
rumor continues prevalent that the rebels are
evacuating the island and pushing through
the swsmps towards Merriweathers landing
but of course nothing positive could be known upon
that point. II appears certain, however, that only
three courses are open to them--a surrender, an
escape through the swamps, or destruction by the
batteries Of General Pope at New Madrid, should
they attempt to force a passage down the river
JEFF. Davis, according to reports from the South,
Ia on his way to "the West" The Memphis Ap.
peal announces the fact through the medium Of
despatch from Richmond, which urges the people
to rally to his standard. We rather Incline TO the
opinion that the course Of Davis s not exactly
west, go much ss southwest by south; that is to
say, in the direction Of the Rio Grande, or parts
adjoining the Mexican frontier, the blockade Of the
Gulf probably rendering escape to Mexico by the
water route somewhat risky for the rebel chief
BY the America at Halifax yesterday we have
news from Europe to the 9th inst, two days later.
The question ofthe efficiency or ineiciency of the
Union blockade Of the Southern ports was debated
In the British House Of Commons on the motion OF
Mr. Gregory for the production Of the correspond.
eace of the Cabinet on that subject. The opinion
Of The House was decidedly In favor of the eff.
cheney Of the measure. The Solicitor General Of
Eigand, speaking for the government, strongly
rposcd any interference with the blockade, and
'ed that 1t was as efficient "as other blockades
'r'ner years. Indeed Mr.. Gregory seemed to
f ody one supporter, and that one was Sir
's Ferguson. It was shown that the rebel
resented by Mr. Mason. Of ,hree hundred ves.
sa.l to have ruu le bo ,aJ.. dvmuei q,