The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-09

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THE SITUATION.
Our latest accounts from vicksburg do not re-
solve the doubt AS to the result of General Sher.
mans operations. A steamer from Memphis,
which arrived at Cairo yesterday, brought nothing
new. no steamer having come up from vicksburg,
owing to the fact. as stated by the passengers,
that the rebels had planted batteries at Cypress
Bend. and thus cut of the river communication.
The rebel accounts Of the movements at vicks.
Pemberton to the Confederate War Department
states that our troops had re embarked, leaving a
quantity of tools and other property behind, and
had apparently rclinquished their designs upon
vicksburg. On Friday, the %, according to the
rebel journals, the Union forces had gone down
teh Yazoo river towards Snyders Bluff, where it
was thought an attack would be made on the rebel
works.
We lay before our readers to-day complete
account Of the magnificent and bloody series of
battles at Murfreesboro, fought for five days and
victoriously terminated by General Rosecrans on
Sunday morning last by the total discontinue and
flight Of the rebels. The story is told by
our correspondents on the battle field, who
witnessed all the terrible incidents OF those
interest. In conjunction with our account we give
two maps showing the position Of our army before
and after the disaster which drove General Rose
Grams from the ground he occupied on wednes.
day. and which he afterwards retrieved 80 splen.
didy.
JEFF. Davis has been making great speech be.
fore the Legislature Of Mississppi, to which we
before alluded, and which we give in our columns
to-day. He speaks hopefully Of the result Of the
war. and while admitting that it has assumed .
greater magnitude than he anticipated. and that
he has himself erred in several matters OF judg-
ment he still looks for success as the result. he
thinks that vicksburg and Port Hudson are
the two most important points now TO be
defended because upon their preservation the
sentiments Of the Northwest, as to whether
they would longer endure and support war
against the South depended. He looks for the
restoration OF Missouri and Kentucky to the
Southern confederacy, and confidently anticipates
happy termination TO the conflict, despite Of the
failure to obtain foreign recognition, which he
say only reminds him Of the proverb--"Put not
your faith in princcs.r He gives a severe cut to
France. and is unscrupulously abusive Of the
Northern people.
Dispatches from st. Louis yesterday say that
the rebels, 5000 strong, under Generals Marina
of Springfield, Missouri, and opened FIRE upon Il
without giving notice to remove the women and
children. General Brown was defending the town
with his Union troops rs best he could. A body
OF fully 900 rebel cavalry were visible drawn up
in line Of battle.
The Navy Department was apprised Of the fact
yesterday that one o. Commodore Wilkes feet
had captured the rebel steamer Virginia in the
Gulf. Some reports we're current that she had
been taken within the jurisdiction Of Mexico, and
that there was . probability that her capture
might become the subject Of diplomatic crrco.
c0NoREsS.
In the Senate yesterday, the bill TO allow peck.
ages for soldiers 70 be sent through the mails a,
book postage vas repov " hack BY the Post Office
Committee, with the ressmmendasnn that /,
ought not TO pass. The Military Committee re-
ported back the bill to raise volunteers for the
defence Of Kentucky with an amendment as O
substitute. A joist resolution giving the thanks
OF Congress 10 General Rosecrans and his army
for their gallantry at Murlkcesboro was referred.
The bill TO tax bank bills and fractional currency
was taken up, and Mr.. sherman Of Ohio, made q
speech in support Of the measure. The debate on
the bill for the discharge Of State prisoners was
then resumed Mr. Salisbury, o. Delaware, 90.
yereiy denounced the administration, while Mr..
Anthony. Of Rhode Island defended the govern.
ment. After an executive session the Senate
adjourned.
In the House OF Representatives bill was re.
ported providing ways aud means for the support
OF the government. The bill is given in full ON Tho
second page Of to.day's HSRALD together with a
aynopsigbf Mr.. Stevens substitute. The Treasury
Bank bill was reported back with q negative re-.
commentator. A resolution rendering the thanks
of ,bo House TO General Butler for ~ able admin.
ssSstoo Of .as sisirs VI Inv Department ei .he