The New York herald., 1863-08-18
THE SITUATION.

THE STU ALTON.
Our advices from Charleston are to the 16th
instant Sunday from Fortress Monroe, relating
the state Of affairs up to Friday morning. At that
time the batteries ON Morris Island opened fire
for few hours, during which the walls of Fort
Sumter were made to scatter bricks and mortar
extensively. The Monitors did not fire shot,
however. 1t was confidently stated that the great
fullest expectations of triumphant result were
entertained by the officers in command. Our
heavy guns are making sad havoc on Sumter
and have preached the walls exposed to the fire Of
the batteries. rnfH rNT
The draft positively commences in this city TO-.
morrow. All the particulars as to the mode of its
enforcement are given in another column. The
preparations are completed including the pre-
sence Of large military force at the place Of en-
roment on Sixth avenue, at Governors Island
and othsr points around the city to quell any
disturbance. Uniforms and equipments for the con-
scripts all ready in the building where the draft
tales place. 80 that the drafted men can be at once
converted into soldiers and forwarded to the
different rendezvous. The draft tomorrow will
be confined to the Sixth district, comprising
the Ninth. Fifteenth and Sixteenth wards. Next
week it will b. continued in the Second, Fourth,
Fifth, Seventh Eighth and Ninth districts, accord.
ing to orders received by Colonel Nugent yester.
day. 1t is reported that Mayor Opdyke refuses
to sign the ordinance adopted by the Common
Council, appropristing three million dollars for
the purpose Of paying three hundred dollars each
TO all fremen and INDECENT persons who may be
drafted, because 1t does not contain clause pro.
viding for . permanent camp to which the con-
scripts and substitutes may be sent ss place Of
general rendezvous.
There are signs Of motion in the Army Of the
Potomac.
day on the left Of our army, and heavy cannonad-
ing was heard for long time. The impression at
headquarters was that q battle was going on in the
direction OF United States Ford or probably to-
wards fredericksburg, but no intelligence of that
kind having reached Washington last night, It is
most likely that it was merely reconnaissance.
There is very little doubt that General Lees army
is moving in . southessterly direction from Gull
pepper and GordonsvilIe. Deserters and refugees
confirm this fact, and report that the demoraliza-
tion in Lees army ia correct. a. before stated.
bn AtnA
regiments are said TO be in open revolt.
raid Of rebel cavalry was made on Saturday
into Pooiesville Md. and the teegraphic operator.
with all his instruments, was carried on. II was
Thought that the force consisted Of gaerillas from
London county. Va.
Tho news from the Southwest to-day ID interest
ina ~ relating TO the opening Of the cotton trade
the Mississippi. Gen. Grant has forwarded
dispatches TO the government recommending that
III trade be spened to all loyal citizens, with Ger.
rain rcs,rictiols-a measure which II is said will
brng into marke, thousands OF bales Of the staple
now hidden.
We have, some important intelligence from
north Carolins, showing that the Union feeling
there is prevailing la nearly all circles. The re-
cent article iu tse Raleigh Standard denouncing
The rebel government Is traced to the Speaker Of
tie North Carolina Assembly, and is said TO have
been approved by Governor Vance. II is also re-
ported tina within the past few days no less than
seventeen large steamers loaded with stores, con-
sisting of blankets, shoes and uniforms, eleven
locomotives. 90 900 English rifles, &c., ran the
blockade at Wilmington.
We learn something Of the doings Of the pirates
Alabama, Florida ani Georgia by late news from
Brazil 70 the sth ult Three American vessels
were captured by the pirates OF that coast. two
OF which were ransomed on heavy bonds--namely,
The ships Sunrise and the City Of Bath--ani the
other, the Conrad, was armed md converted into
aprate.
MIsCKLLAHEous NEws
Three Fnropean ste eamers--the Bremen, virgi.
mia and City Of washington--arrived at this
pot ycsterday, bringing the mails up to the
sth Of August. The news has been antici.