The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-10

Dupont, Captain Stellwagen and other officers re.
latng the details of the attack on our blockading
feet at Charleston. They indorse the statements
made in these columns yesterday. The loss on
the Mercedita was four killed and three wounded.
On the keystone State twenty killed and twenty
wounded. The surprise of the rebel rams was
undertaken during heavy fog which prevented
our vessels from defending themselves in time to
prevent some serious damage. The blockade,
however, appears to be as perfect as ever.
Our news from Hilton Head brings US the facts
of the late attack OF the Montauk on Fort McAlis-
ter II is said that the Montauk fired in all seventy.
six shots, and was struck forty-ive times, forty
striking tho turret, making no further impression
than indentation in the iron from three eiglths
to fve-eighths Of an inch deep, and shaped like
saucer. The enemy's shells were filled with sand
to render them more effective, and when they
struck burst like percussion cap, scattering the
iron and sand around. 1t is said that one shell
entered the smoke stack of the Montauk, shat
tering it to pieces. No further injury to the fort
was done than the dismounting of one OF two guns.
There is nothing from the Army Of the Potomac,
except the vague statement that a reconnaissance
was completed on Sunday on the right wing u the
army, which accomplished all the purposes for
which it was intended in the most successful
manner
There is no intelligence from vicksburg or the
West.
We have four days later news from New Orleans,
by the steamer Marion, which arrived at this port
yesterday afternoon. It will be seen that some
active, and it may be important, movements are
being made on the west of the Mississippi, and il
may he that there will be some fighting soon in
that direction. One OF our correspondents sends
us some further particulars concerning the orga-
nization OF the new negro regiments in New Or.
leans. The newsis altogether Of great interest.
BY the arrival Of the Europa ut Halifax we have
European dates to the 25th ult. The Paris PGas
says that it has reason to state that the govern
ment OF tic Emperor has addressed communica
ton to Washington proposing means Of arrange
Iaent between the two belligerents which would
fIiyprotect the dignity Of the Americans lie NoTd
also says France has proposed the convocaton of
an American Congress with view to peace. The
Paris correspondent of the London Times says
that official instructions have been sent by tie
that commissioners be delegated by the federal
government and by he Southern States TO meet
neutral ground and confer together, without
hostilites beng suspended, so that they might
advise mutual concessions and effect reconcilia-
ton, SO desirable for the interests Of the world
The English journals generally are discussing
tiat Nj. Miner Gibson's idea that slavery il the
sole Of the trouble IL incorrect and asserts
that il il the American constitution which has
broken down"
With regard to the plans OF Napoleon in Mexico,
it is reported that the Emperor recently said TO
member Of tho Chambers, "Thc public DO not yet
understand the thought which dictated the Mex.
can expedition to me. II will be judged later by
results, and every one will see is one OF the most
important and glorious acts OF my reign
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday report from the Pay.
master General, showing what regiments we're
not paid up to the 3lst Of August 1862,
and the reason therefor, was received from
the War Department and ordered to be
printed. Resolutions from the New York A.
sembly, in favor Of reducing the duty on
printing paper, were presented. memorial from
bankers and merchants OF New York asking that
the notes Of the government be received for Gus.
tom House duties, was also presented. A bill 70
organize the army signal corps was reported.
A resolution requesting the Secretary OF the
Treasury 70 communicate 70 the Senate the
amount OF government cotton sold in New
York since the blockade OF the Southern ports,
the amount OF commissions and storage, and the
names OF all pessons interested in such sales, was
adopted. A blu TO enrol aud equip three hundred
Thousand negro soldiers was introduced by MIR.
Suinnep resolution was adopted requesting
tho re don't to communicate 10 the senate, n not
incoana nic with the public interests, the char.
acte o' he suggestions made by tic Secretary OF
STAT United states to "a. MERCER. The repre-
seut1' s" the French government, az related bs
hi tn Nj lhUuyene which induced NJ. Merci,r
a. IKE r. mission 70 Richmond ana what
rJi hl aHs lc was authorized Ia mskc
q w -. put r1lrat a. Nom the scero,.yv
= ss - the bel authorities. Several
bt gt to .he District 81 Columbia w.,,
pa.4H Ii roN,ac i naticn4, currency
s-sr - .y l.spsg VI vs.tsd s.atss s.ssA., aIl