The New York herald., 1863-12-22
THE SITUATION.

THE STU ALTON.
Everything is quiet in the front of the Potomac
Army.
We have interesting news from the Southwest
The rebels made an attack on the Union outposts
at Fort Gibson, with force of sixteen hundred
men, and were repulsed and driven across the
Arkansas river. The Third Wisconsin cavalry had
just returned to Fort Smith. after reconnaissance
to within fifteen miles of the Red river. On their
return they found the enemy obstructing them al
every cross road for distance Of hundred miles
and they had literally to cut their way back.
Kirby Smiths forces are said to be about making
an attack on Little Rock and Fort Smith.
Rebel guerillas are reported to be wandering in
largo numbers in West Tennessee, molesting the
Union citizens. They are also said to be moving
through Kentucky, with the intention of making
raid on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad but
our forces are prepared to resist them.
Reports that General Longstreet was killed
during his late retreat from Knoxville, and his
forces surrounded, were circulated in Cincinnati
yesterday, and found their way to this city. No
confirmation Of the rumor, however, had been re-
ceived either here or at Washington up to last
night. Longstreet was said to be at Bull Gap, on
his route towards North Carolina, at last accounts.
The Navy Department has received assurances
from Admiral Lee that tho gunboat Daylight was
DOT blown up by the rebel batteries at Whining.
ton, as reported. She was taking In coal at Beau
fort at last accounts.
Reports from the Richmond papers Of the 10th,
which reached Fortress Monroe yesterday, to the
effect that the New Ironsides and two Of our
Monitors had got entangled in q network Of the
rebel distractions in Charleston harbor, and would
probably have to be abandoned, sbas so far re-
ceived no confirmation whatever. 1t is possible,
however. that these vessels have come into con-
tact with some of the floating distractions which
we're loosened by the recent gale.
raa@ C0NGREss.
In the Senate yesterday notice was given OF
bill to make it illegal for member of Congress to
act as counsel in any case where the government
il interested The question Of enfor cling the test
oath Of loyalty was then taken up, and Mr.. Bay
ard, who declines to take the obligation, urged
further postponement. which was accord ed; but
Mr.. Sumner will probably press the subject to q
decisive vote to-day. The bill providing increased
bounty and pay for volunteers was tax en- up, and
the committees amendment allowing soldiers il
one branch OF the service to enlist in another
branch was agreed to. Without final action on The
bill, the Senate adjourned.
In the House of Representatives message was
received from the President announcing that nc
had approved the joint resolution of thanks tt
General Grant and his army. bill was intro
duced appropriating SOC, 900 for the pay bount,
and pensions of the Missouri troops called out bJ
General Fremont. 1t was made the special orde
for to-day. Mr.. Yeaman, Of Kentucky, introduced
a series of resolutions relative to the reconstruc
ton of the Union, which was referred to the So
lect Committee on the Rebeous States. reso
lution for Q select eoumittee Of nine to conside
and report on the subject Of national bankrup
ACT wss agreed 10. A bill providing pro
yisional governments in the military dis
triots of the rebel States. and author
rments. WAS referred to the Military ComIhtte
A resolution declaring that the House approve
the measures taken by the administration for Il
exchange of prisoners now held by pe enemy
Southern prisons, and recommending that the san
course be pursued for q fair ard just exchange
oil our soldiers now held by the rebels, was sdop
cd by a vote Of eghty.seven against sixty-thre
The bill appropriatipg fifty thousand dollars {
deficiencies for the public printing, and TWEEN
million dollars for the pay Of bounties, advan
psyand premiums to volunteers, was discussed
considerable length. An amendment that no pa
Of the money should be used for negro troops ",
rejected by a vote Of forty-one yeas against o.
hundred and ave nays, and the bill then pass
without single negative vote.
xfsCKLLANHous HYWA
Our European hlss by the Hibernis, N BostC
are dated In Dublin, Ireland, TO the 9th insta
We publish to-day highly interesting reports
ths preparations for the great prize fight betwe