The New York herald., 1862-01-15
THE SITUATION.

New York, Wednesday, January IS, 1864.
THE SITUATION.
Tho retirement of General Cameron from the
War Department continues to be the exciting
topic In Washington and throughout the country.
No change in the friendly relations existing be-
tween the President and Mr.. Cameron has arisen
from the withdrawal of the latter from the Cabi
net, nor have the cordial feelings between linn and
the other members of the administratio been in
the least interfered with Gen. Cameron has cheer.
fully accepted the mission to st. Petersburg, at
The request Of the President, and the name of Mr..
Stanton, as his successor in the War Department,
IL said to have been suggested by Mr.. Cameron
himself
The War Department has received intelligence
that despatch from Colonel Garfield, dated
Paintsville sth, confirms the report of the disper
sion of Humphrey Marshall's force. It says Mar.
shalls whole army is now fleeing in utter confusion
They burned large amount of stores. Colonel
Garfield has taken twenty-five prisoners.
Another despatch from Colonel Garfield to Gen.
Buell., dated Prestonburg llth, states that he left
Paintville Thursday noon with 100 men, and en-.
gagged Marshalls forces, $500 strong, with
three cannon posted on the hill. eve fought
them" he says, till dark, and drove
them from their positions. This morning we found
twenty-five of his dead on the field. The enemy's
loss cannot be less than sixty. We took twenty.
five prisoners and quantity of stores. The ene-
my burned most Of his stores and fed precipi-
lately during the night. To-day have crossed
the river and been occupying Prestonburg. Our
loss is two killed and twenty-five wounded
A despatch from Louisville states that the rebels
of Hammond's command are committing frightful
devastations. On Sunday night they burned the
depot and q blacksmith's shop at Horse Cave, and
also the Woodland depot, hotel and stabesSat Cave
City. The citizens at these points having been
nosiAsd of the intention Of the rebels escaped to
Munfordsville. The rebels promised to return on
Monday and burn every house that could be used
either as quarters or hospitals by the Union army
on it's advance. They burned up all the hay, oats
and fodder stacks along the road and drove or or
killed al the cattle, horses and mules they could
nnd.
The rumors from the Upper Potomac Of an at
tack on Hancock by the rebel General jackson,
are suthoritatively contradicted from Frederick;
nor has the collision at Bath resulted in anything
Of importance to our troops, who are under COM
Soen n Al
The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac con-
tinue to exhaust large quantities of powder with.
out effecting anything. The Reliance was fred at
thirty eight times on Monday night while running
down the river, from Cockpit Point and the bat
tsries lower down, but she was not touched The
batteries at Shipping Point and Cockpit Point kept
up Q constant Hrs Of shells towards the Maryland
shore yesterday afternoon, which all burst high in
the cir, and did no damage TO any one.
From Cairo we learn that the Union gunboats
Essex and Tyler made Q reconnaissance down the
river yesterday to within q mile and Q half o
Columbus, and fred several shots into the rebe
csmps there. The Ore was returned, but withou
effect. No obstructious in the river nor masked
batteries on the shore were discovered, although
both were reported to exist. General McClernand'
column moved in the direction Of Blandvlle, KY.
yesterday. and General Paine's force advanced
from Birds Point. The Second regiment of tbt
Douglas brigade arrived Of Cairo yesterday eve
ming. and the Seventh Iowa, Eighth Wisconsin
aud Forty.ffth Illinois regiments are expectet
there to-day.
c0NoRRss.
In the Senate yesterday q communication wa,
received frcm the President, transmitting COP,
OF the instructions received by ths Austrian Minis
Ter from his government relative TO the Trent af
tar. anl The reply OF Mr.. Seward thereto. Thes,
important docui.culs are given in another part O