The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-21
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The news received in Washington from the
Army OF the Potomac yesterday is said to have
caused great deal of excitement there. The
character OF the news has not been promulgated.
Refugees, who arrived in Washington yesterday
from Richmond which they left on Monday, re-
present that Tie week previous to their departure
there was great excitement in Richmond, owing to
report that large Union force, numbering
eighty thousand, was the way to Weldon,
NC. and that large feet of gunboats were
in the waters of North Carolina. About the same
time General Andersons division of General Jack
sons army, numbering about fifteen thousand
men. passed through Richmond and went south,
which fact added much to the excitement.
The Coating battery Merrimac is reported to
be perfect failure, being too top heavy Efforts
10 keep her afoat by fastening screw
to each side Of her were repeatedly made
but finally abandoned as worthless. She is
now. therefore, given up a total failure
These refugees report further that Richmond
is well fortified at every point, and the fortfca
tons garrisoned with but small number OF men.
They have hundred guns in position
around the city, The main body of the rebel
army is said to be about midway between Frede-
cicksburg and Richmond, on the railroad. There
il said To be considerable Union sentiment yet in
the city.
We give to-day very fine account in detail
from our correspondent, Of the fight and victory
at Arkansas Post, on the White river which, in
connection with the descriptions we have already
published, and the map accompanying the letter,
makes the story Of that successful affair com
plete.
There appears TO he some chance OF q tee-
graphic connection between Washington and the
various points on the Southern coast being estab-
lshed. The House Military Committee have
adopted resolution in favor Of the construction
Of . submarine telegraph along the Southern
coast. BY their plan all our. coast possessions
would be put in communication with each other
and with Washington, which is the precise thing
required to put rs in possession Of immediate
news from all the Southern ports.
EUROPEAN NEWS
The Arabia, at Halifax, ;elerraphs news from
Europe to the llth nstant--two days later,
Rumors Of mediation in the war affairs Of Ame-
RIGA on the part of Napoleon were again rife in
Paris.
IL was said that news Of the defeat OF the Union
troops At fredericksburg had again turned his
Maiesty's attention seriously towards that line OF
policy.
Hon. Mr.. Dayton. United States Minister in
Paris. had IN audience Of the Emperor on New
kenr's day, conference with NJ. Drouyn dc
bbuys, Minister Of Foreign Affairs, on the eth in
stant, and another audience with the Emperor on
bhe 7th Instant.
IL was said that the Emperor recommends an
brmisticc betweenshe North ADD South to Mr..
Dayton.
The Paris correspondent OF the London Tfn,es
bays that steps have been or vii he Immediately
taken TO renew the peace ovcrtnrcs already made
pnsucc essfuly 70 President Lincoln. ana "tbis
bime Il Is hoped with prospect o. better success
The British government stu persevercd in i,s
refusal TO interfere In the American war In apv
form.
. Tho Paris Mouieur had published an accom-,
ceshe battle OF Fredericksburg, written by an e,a.
witness. The writer says that the Union troops
ni4r.tod with "a consciousness Of impending die.
o. ..' Tho rapidly Of movement, Of the rebel
-