The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-09
New York, Monday, February ., 1863
THE SITUATION.

The intelligence brought by the British steamer
Princess Royal, which arrived at Philadelphia yes
terday. considerably reduces the value of the
story concerning the opening of the blockade at
Charleston. II appears from the statement which
the master Of this vessel makes that the blockade
was not at any time legally raised. The captain
OF the Princess Royal, Immediately upon her cap
ture, went ashore and communicated to the enemy
ali the information he possessed of reported at
tack upon Charleston, and thus precipitated the
raid upon our vessels by the rebel rams.
1t does not appear, however, that any of
the Union vessels were sunk. The Mer-
cedita was saved by the stratagem Of
her captain. The Keystone State, though badly
disabled, was not lost. Both of these vessels ar.
rived at Port Royal and will soon be repaired. 1t
is claimed that the blockade was not abandoned
for any length of time, and such will probably
prove to be the fact-the rebel statements being
undoubtedly very much exaggerated.
Dispatches in the Richmond Eran.ine,., from
Charleston state that the British frigate Cadmus
brought intelligence there that most formidable
naval and land expedition was about to attack
Charleston, the preparations being now nearly
complete. This vessel brought orders for the
British Consul to go on board and get TO Havana
as soon as possible. We are thus, apparently, in
the affair at Charleston.
Dispatches from Chattanooga, Tenn, state that
the enemy advanced twelve miles from Murirces
boro the 30th ult with one brigade and six pieces
Of artillery, foraging expedition They made
avigorous attack on our cavalry, Smelling US back
a shor. distance. We concealed ourselves in the
woods near Forrestville, and Andcrson's brigade,
which fortunately arrived repulscd them with a
loss Of three hundred killed and wounded. Our
loss is small.
The ram Queen of the West, which so CALAMITY
ran the gauntlet at vicksburg on Monday, arrived
and landed at Yidalia, opposite Natchez, on the
same evening, and then steamed down the river
doing considerable damage, il admitted by rebe
authorities.
The expedition under Generals Davis and Nor.
gan, who went In pursuit of the rebels Forrest
and Wheeler, captured thirty Of the enemy, incud.
ing two officers Of Colonel Forests stan.
The only news from the Army of the Rappahan
: mock Is that an order has been issued dssolyine
the reserve grand division, and returning General
Sigel to the command Of the Eleventh corps
General Hooker is reported to be working earnest
lyto reorganize the army
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The details Of the European news by the Hsnsa
dated to the 22d of January, are very interesting
The Right Honorable Miner Gibson, M. r.. Presi
dent Of the British Board of Trade, had delivere,
very important address to his constituents q
Ashton. England. Mr. Gibson reviewed the pre-
He alleged that slavery was the main cause Of IN,
war by inducing even secession for its defence
He urged England TO adhere to her neutral cours,
in the strictcst manner, and denied the wisdom a
foreign mediation, intervention or a hasty recop
milton of the " so-callcd Confodoratcs In mi.
connection Mr.. Gibson recited statistics .e,,ins
forth the largely increased imports cf breadstufr
and provisions from the United States TO Eng
land during the year just ended and wsrnc,
his hearers that IT, the Executive involved thci
country IN q war with the United States their frs
act should be TO blockade the American ports
and thus cut or this immense and vital suppl
from the starving o""ta''vcs Of Lancashire. Suc
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