The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-24


THE SITUATION.
The news from the Southwest to-day is import.
ant. 1t is stated that on the l4th instant Admiral
Farragut came into action with his feet at Port
Hudson, and after q brisk engagement with the
batteries, succeeded in passing the fort with all
his fleet, consisting Of eight vessels, leaving the
Mississippi behind, which ran aground, and was
set on fire by order Of the Admiral. The army is
reported to be within five miles Of the enemy's
works. Dispatches from Southwest Pass, La, ap.
pear to confirm this statement. They are dated on
the 18th, and add that heavy skirnishing was going
on in the advance; that Colonel Clark, aid to
General Banks, was slightly wounded, and that the
army was in good spirits and would move in few
hours.
No news from any Of our naval officers to this
effect has been received, and this fact excites
much suspicion concerning its truth.
Our Baton Rouge correspondence relative to the
movements Of General Banks army, to-day, will
he found full of interest upon this subject.
Admiral Porter, in despatch to Washington
yesterday, says he has received information from
Lieutenant Commander Watson Smith that on
she 7th instant the whole expedition arrived
In the Tallahstchie, which gives us control
of the heart of the State Of Mississippi.
The vessels all got through in fighting condi.
ton, excepting the Petrol. which lost her
wheel. This movement alarmed the rebels. They
are theoretically at work preparing themselves for
defence. There is much distress in vicksburg
most exclusively on corn meal.
Advces from the Yazoo Pass expedition repre-
sent that the movements slow, but that there
IS every prospect of getting through successfully.
Our forces had debarked near Greenwood, and
were besiegng Fort Pemberton. mum.
Der of transports were badly damaged in
getting through the Pass The ram Lioness over
hauled the steamer Parallel with 5000 bales Of
cotton on the 10th inst, crowdng her SO closely
that the rebels were compelled to run her ashore
and burn her. The rebels burn the cotton on
every plantation as the army advances.
The water was let into the canal at Lake Provi-
dence the 10th inst The aperture is twenty
feet wide, and was opening at its mouth still
wider. The greater part of the town was threat
ened with an overflow on the following morning.
1t was believed in Washington yesterday that
news of the evacuation of vicksburg might be re-
Ms xv;th a far~ lau.
Reports from Galveston state that the French
Consul there, M. Theron, had been expelled by
Jefferson Davis, it was supposed because the
French official had been intriguing to take Texas
out of the Southern confederacy, and make it an
independent State under French protection
The Richmond papers are croaking fearfully
the want of food under which the rebel armies
are now suffering. All the country around the
localities where these armies are situated is com.
pletely stripped Of provisions, and the only re.
source lies in the railroads, which are said to be
order. The wood work is rotting and the ma
chinery getting out Of repair. The Richmond
Examiner says that "If they are allowed to fall
through from any causes, government and people
may prepare for retreat Of our armies, and the
surrender Of much invaluable country now in oul
possession"
The late news from Barbsdoes, which we pub
1shed yesterday, relative TO the burning Of ship
laden with guauo, ~ tho pirate Florida, created
much excitement in Wall street. Rumors were
busy as to what vessel II Night be. Several Of
those who Il was supposed wound have been about
that vicinity at that time we're menraned, such Al
the ship Regular, from San Francisco, " and fol
Boston; the ships Aurora and Ella; the latter wa,
at sombrero at last dates, loading guano. IL,
underwriters, IL appears, place no reliance on tn
reports.
During recent debate In the English House o
Commons on the condition Of the navy, Lord Cls
renee Paget stated that the United States govern
mcnt did not commence 70 build armor plated YES
sells until they saw that the South were buildin
them."
Messrs. Laird, OF Brkenhead, England. hay
launched two steamers-the Quang Jung an
Tientsn--from their yard at that place. The,
vessels form part of the Anglo Chinese aeet r
Gently spoken OF "a being building in Euslan,
under that prctcnce, for the service Of the rebe
IL hs soSth