The New York herald., 1862-03-13

THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
Intelligence from Manassas last night represents
the position of oul troops there about the same Us
at the receipt Of our last news. There is little
doubt that the rebels have gone to Gordonsyillc,
as before reported
Repairs have already been commenced on the
bridges injured by the rebels at Bull run and the
probability is the railroad to Manassas will be in
running order this week.
Extraordinary and exciting rumors about the
destruction Of unlimited numbers of our troops at
Manassas, by the explosion of mines, concealed
magazines, and so forth, left by the rebels, were
circulated in this city yesterday-as the custom is
with alarmists, spectators, stock jobbers and ali
that class there is not tie slightest foundation
for any such absurd stories. We have the assu-
rance of the Secretary of War that any
soldiers viii be promptly and fully conmuni-
Gated by telegraph through the press to the pub
lie, and We have not the leas. doubt tlat Mr. Stan
ton viii keep his pledge faithfully in this regard.
The public, therefore, may rest satisfied that re
ports Of the character referred TO, if they arc not
substantiated by teiegraplic dispatches 70 the
newspapers, emsnate on tie streets with specula-
tors and others who have sister motives for their
circulation.
The occupation of the deserted rebel batteries
on the Lower Potomac was effected on Monday
by several detachments from Gen. Hookers diy
sion. The Notifications at Shipping Point, Evans
port Cockpit Point, and on the Quantico creek, TO
within mile of the town Of Dumfries, were
taken possession Of 1t was evident that
large force of the enemy had occupied all
these points. Several of the guns left behind
were found loaded to the muzzles with shot
and sand bags Fires had been built under them.
which burned the carriages, the intention being 70
heat the guns so that they would burst, and thus
be lost TO our troops. Three riiied guns and one
forty-two pound shell gun were thus destroyed,
but the heavier guns owing to the thickness Of the
breach, escaped destruction aud fell into our
hands. Information was received from stragglers
that the rebels had been Fastening off to Fred
ercksburg since Sunday as fast as the railroad
cars could transport them.
Particulars of the late grand naval fight at New
ports News are laid before our readers to-day,
as comprised in the official reports of the officers in
command of the Congress, st. Lawrence and Min
nesota, and the account of our own correspondent
OF Fortress Monroe.
The rebel accounts of the conflict, which we give
to-day from the Norfolk Day Book, announce the
death Of Captain Buchanan, who commanded the
Merrimac, together with seventeen men, which oc.
Cured from the bursting Of a shell thrown by the
Cumberland, on Saturday. After Buchanan fell,
Catesby Ap r. Jones took command of the Meni-
mac, and conducted the fight with the Monitor on
Sunday. We give sketches Of Captains Buchanan
and Jones. The brother Of the former was Paw.
master on board the Congress, and was present in
the action.
It would appear that Gen. Mcclellan il not in
different to the probable mischief which the Mer-
rimac may accomplish for, according to state.
nent published by Col Gates, the commandant Of
Fort Trumbull, at New London, Connecticut he
telegraphed TO that officer on Sunday to put the
fort in defence TO stop the rebel gunboat should
she attempt TO reach New York by way OF the
Sound, in the event Of her escape from Hampton
Roads.
The important town OF Winchester, Virginia. is
In our possession being occupied by our troors AT
daybreak yesterday. portion of General Banks
division, under General German, occunis.u the
town Of Berryville, Virginia, on 2. desday There
were Ave hundred Of tllso rebel cavalry in Che
place; but upfJu the Third New York cavalry,
proper-- supported by artillery and infantry
charging them, they fed in confusion TO-
wards Winchester. During the night the
pckets Of General German came in contact
with portions Of Colonel Ashby's rebel cavalry
and were compelled TO fall back; but the General
made reconnaissance in force TO within two miles
OF Winchester, and charging upon the rebels
dispersed them, taking several prisoners and kill.
Ing or wounding four Of the rebels This recon.
nossance sealed the fate Of Winchester. The
enemy were blinded and misIed by tho Increment
of our troops, and they commenced the oyaoua.
ton OF the place on Tuesday afternoon. Genera,
Hamilton advanced from Buuher Hill, the Mchl.