The New York herald., 1863-08-23

THE SITUATION.
There is no news regarding the progress Of the
siege Of Charleston. The rumors in the city yes
terday as to its capture.we need hardly say, were
entirely without confirmation.
Officers recently arrived in Washington from the
front report that no movement whatever has taken
place in either General Meade's or General Lees
army beyond the occasional skrmishing in which
the cavalry are daily engaged. The position Of
both armies IL unchanged.
The news from the Southwest indicates, as we
before stated, some important movements on the
part of the armies of Generals Rosecrans and
Burnside. Our information to the 10th is to the
effect that General Rosecrans has advanced on
Chattanooga, and General Burnside on Knoxville.
We may, therefore. expect some stirring intelii-
gence from these points before many days.
The raid of guerillas under the robber chief
Quantrel, upon the town of Lawrence, Kansas,
which We published yesterday, proves to have
been most bloody and cruel affair. The maraud.
ers spared neither sex nor age. The list Of
killed numbers one hundred and eighty,
and nearly every house in the town
was destroyed. Most of the victims were killed in
their own houses, with their wives and children
clinging around them. The details of this terrible
affair, which we publish in another column, are
most narrowing. The rebel chief, after perpetrat.
ing the barbarous act, retreated to Missouri with
MI
were wholly unprepared for this sudden attack,
and they received no assistance from the military
in the district until too late to avert the calamity
The draft in the Fourth and Seventh districts
win commence tomorrow, according to instruc-
tions received from Washington. II Is understood
that in case Comptroller Brennan does not sue.
Three Million ordinance, he will, by direction OF
the Common Council, use the Sinking Fund for the
purpose Of meeting the emergency.
MIsCELLANEoUs NEWS
Our advices from st. Thomas are up to the lst
Of August. During the month of July the ar.
rivals Of vessels with breadstuils and provisions
were more tian usually numerous. The market,
however, is rather more quiet than at the date of
our previous advices. The Windward mail had
brought favorable reports for some articles of
American imports, and nearly the whole stock of
corn meal was taken for shipment there. Prices
paid varied from 81 25 10 81 G21s. In -four the de-
mand Is not abundant; butno immediate decline is
looked for The weather continues very dry
A meeting Of the Foremen and Engineers Of the
Fire Department was hold last night, at Fireman's >
Hall, for the purpose of taking the draft into con.
sideraton. Committees were appointed TO confer
with the Common Council and the Insurance COM
panies In reference TO raising exemption funds.
for further particulars see report in another
olhmn.
The draft in New Jersey will commence Tues.
,y. the 25th inst. II will be very light as the
IA Of the State has been nearly made up by
stment.
ncro more activity and buoyancy 10 the stock
nsct yesterday than Friday, and tho rush 10 buy
T tao prominent fancos very great, and continued
III, iate IN tho afternoon. Gold was about l244 and
eseAa1gc 137i..
The cotton market on Saturday very dull and the
tendency u prices decidedly downward The
IN broadstuns were limited and mos, articles were do
pressed corn which was and nrmer having becn
the only exception Tho provision market was not ac
tive. but prices were generally well summarized Tbo,s
WINS loss doing In groceries and wh.key hut there
no material alteration IN value Hay, hides and ,o,,h
were seilibg rather freely Tsilow was In cs. aoy,
THO freight market was dull, with insgnacan, .n,.o
,ncnts reported In other branches OF trade the movo
rnents we've unnportant