The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-15
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The Army Of the Rappahannock is still inmova.
OF the roads, no doubt, preclude the possibility
of any military movements. Yesterday General
Hooker visited General sigel, and was accom-
panied on his return by that officer and General
Htahel.
Our special army correspondents at the head
Quarters near vicksburg and on board the ram
Queen Of the West furnishes to-day some inter-
esting accounts Of the state of affairs in that
quarter. It would not appear that the canal,
although our troops arc working vigorously upon
1t, is SO certain Of being made available as was
Ut first supposed It is yet regarded, how
ever. by those engaged upon il ~ . feasible
means Of capturing vicksbws.. Notwithstanding
the fact that the river 20 far refuses TO adopt the
new channel. The army at that point is repre-.
scented to be in excellent CONDITION, well supplied
with stores, and in COED health and spirits. Gen.
Grant and Admiral Porter are working vigorously
to insure the success Of their espedltisn
The Navy Department received yesterday des.
patch from the feet on Ae Cumberland river de-
failing an account Of the successful attack made
the 80 inst. By Lieutenant Leroy Fitch, with
the gunboats .Brilnaa. Fahplay, Lexington
st. Clair, Robb and Silver Lake. upon . force Of
40, rebels, under Generals Wheeler, Forrest and
v ,.rton, who were surrounding the forces Of Col.
Ea' ing, and pressing them hard at point few
Lieutenant Fitch most opportunity arrived at
night. and shelled the rebels so effectively that
they were compelled to abandon their position,
after sustaining heavy loss.
By the arrival Of the Talsman, from Jamaica, we
are put in possession Of news touching the move.
ments of the rebel vessel Alabama up to the 5th
snst. The journals of Kingston contain very
interesting descriptions of her run from
Galveston and the destruction of the
Hstteras. Captain Semmes, of the Alaba-
ma, was received by the merchants and
Citizens Of Kingston in the Commercial Exchange
On the 25th ult., after his arrival there, and was
met with distinguished honor by our neutral
British friends, who welcomed him and his pirate
vessel with twice three vocferous cheers As q
set-of to the ovation tendeyed to the
commander Of the Alabama, II appears that por-
tion Of her crew went into dining saloon in
Kingston, and got up such . row there that they
were hauled up before the magistrates. The crew
Of the Hatteras are to be sent home on board the
American ship Borodino chartered by the Ameri-
can Vice Consul for that purpose.
The French frigate vauban, from Mexico, has
been repaired ut the British naval yard at Der.
muda. She was on her voyage to Toulon with
invslids from the expeditionary force, and during
the time the work was going on the sick men were
treated in the English hospitals on shore. When
the vauban sailed she left nine patients behind
under tho care OF Drs. Smart and Domville, OF
the British army
The London Army and Navy Gazette says that
Rear Admiral John Ephinstone Erskine, r. N,
Il likely to succeed Sir Alexander Milne in the
command Of TIE British North American and West
India feet.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday the bill providing a TEN.
porary government for the Territory Of Montana
was reported back. A bill to increase the Ell.
cheney of the army hospital department was re.
terred to the Military Committee. A bill supple.
mentary to the act for the admission Of West
Virginia into the Union was referred 10 the Judi
Vary Committee. The bill TO enlarge the canals
aud improve the Fox and Wisconsin rivers was re-
Ported back by the Military Committee. The hill
- prevent aud punish frauds against the govern.
,oent was passed. The bill fixing the gauge OF the
tactic Railroad aud its branches a, four feet cvh,
and half inches was discussed and laid aside IN
Tuesday. The bill authorizing the issue of Letter.
OF marque and reprsal was taken up and debated
for short time. Mr.. Grimes offered a suhs,i,,,o
authorizing the President, in all domestic ana
foreign wars, TO issue letters Of marque a. no
deems at, and make all needfu rules and rcvu,,.
tions. The Senate then went into executive sea.
sion, and afterwards adjourned.
In the House Of Representa- tives, reports from
the Committee on Elections, adverse TO the admit
ting Of Mcssrs. J. b. Mcloud and John b. Rogers
to seats ~ representatives respectively from vir
gas aud Tennessee. were adopted. The SANE