The New York herald., 1863-02-06

Dispatches received from Fortress Monroe at
Washington yesterday, state that the blockade at
Charleston was not interrupted for any consdera
BILE time by the dispersion of the Union fleet on
saturday, the 3lst of January While there can
be no doubt that the port was opened by the sud-
den assault Of the rebel rams, it appears that on
the Sd inst. the blockade was completely resumed,
and that the Union iron.clads were then lying in
side the wooden vessels. An attack on the city of
Charleston was momentarily expected This news
was derived from information conveyed to Gene.
itself.
Our news from the Southern journals to-day
contains much of interest The most prominent
feature is of course, the late attack on our block
aiding feet at Charleston, upon which the rebel
press is ubilant. II discuss,s at length the ques.
ton of international law relative to the subject Of
blockade, and claims that it is legally raised.
They admit that the Union gunboat Ironsides was
lying in the oiing on the Sd instant. The Rich
mond Enquirer states that steamer was despatch.
ed TO Nassau to notify the British authorities there
that the port of Charleston was open to foreign
commerce. Mr.. Benjamin. the Confederate Secre.
tary Of State officially informed the British and
French Consuls in Richmond Of the same fact. If
the news received by General Dix is true they may
have been too hasty.
The only news we have regarding the affair at
Fort McAllister to-day at Genesis Point, comes
from Savannah, and describes that the Union gun.
boat Montauk was seriously injured but that be.
fore she retired the parapet in front of the guns of
the fort was entirely demols he'd.
The only news from the Army Of the Potomac is
that the enemy do not seem either as active or a.
numerous as heretofore. Their pickets and camp
fires appear to be reduced. heavy snow storm
commenced at Falmouth yesterday morning, and
ended in rain, leaving the prospects of available
roads for military operations exceedingly doubt
fu quantity Of Ice had gathered in Aqua
creek, which completely interrupted the advance
OF the mail boat.
Major General Peck has issued an order highly
Homplimentng General Corcoran and his command
for their bravery and success at the late fight on
the Bsckwatcr, which the rebel Roger A. Pryor
pretends to claim as victory for the enemy.
despatch received at Cairo yesterday states
that tie attack OF the rebels on Fort Donelson re
suited in decided repulse With Lssvy loss. our
los did not amount to more than forty or CIV
The intelligence from Island No. 10 leaves us il
doubt ~ 70 the result OF the attack upon The
Union gunboat New Era. farther than tha, tht
rebois, who retired after firing upon her have no
been seen there since, and the probability ia tha
they have transferred their guerilla operations 4
ssme other point.
CoEGREss.
In the Senate yesterday bill to aid the con
struction OF railroads and telegraphs in Kansa
was introduced The President was requested Il
communicate whatever official information he ma,
possess in regard to the death Of Mandarin Ward
citizen Of the United States in the service OF tn,
Chinese government. resolution directing in
quiiy into the case OF Captain John wsthers, q
the Fourth New Jersey regiment who has beer