The New York herald., 1863-04-10
THE SITUATION.

New York, Friday, April 10, Is03.
THE SITUATION.
From all the information in our possession we
are warranted in stating that the attack on
Charleston has fairly commenced, and it may be,
ere this time, that the great rebel stronghold has
been reduced. Fort Sumter is again the object of
attack-this time the Union gunboats being the
aggressors. The arrival of the United States
transport Fairhaven at this port yesterday brings
us news from Port Royal to the 4th inst The can.
nonsde on Fort Sumter opened on Monday from
nino OF our iron-clads. tremendous explosion
took place in the harbor of Charleston few days
since, causing a jsrring sensation to the whole
blockading squadron six miles of. 1t is supposed
to have been a premature explosion of some sub.
marine machines probably the rebel torpedoes;
ard if this be 80 the Instructions most dangerous
to our feet may have been removed by some un-
looked for disaster.
The Richmond papers generally are silent upon
the state Of affairs at Charleston. So are the
rebels on the Rappahannock. All these things
indicate that success is not on the side of the
enemy, whatever may be the fortunes of our
attacking forces so far. We have information
from robei sources as late as the sth inst.
The Richmond Sentinel of Wednesday says
t'It is understood that official information was re-
ceived at late hour on Monday evening to the ef-
feet that the enemy (our forces had been attempt.
ing to cross the bar of Charleston harbor; but
had not up to that time succeeded in getting
over. It was believed yesterday that several fede.
raj iron-clads, eight in number, together with many
transports had crossed" "It was also believed'-
says the Sentinel-"that despatch was received
BY the Secretary Of War (Randolph) on Tuesday
evening, to the effect that the long expected at.
tack had commenced, and that the enemy were
bombsrding Fort SUMTER" The Richmond Whig
says that late on the same day our iron.clads had
crossed the bar, and were then at anchor. This
was officially announced.
At any moment, then, we may receive important
intelligence from Charleston.
General Copeland, of General Stahl's division,
made successful raid to Aldie, Mddleburg and
Ropersville, in Loudon county, Va, IN which he
captured some seventy rebels and over one hun.
drcd horses.
The President paid o visit to the Army on the
Rappahannock on Sunday, and had review Of the
army by brigades.
The report of the Committee on the Conduct of
the War, relative to the Bull run battles and the
disaster at Balls Bluff is published. Although it
relates TO far removed it Is highly inter.
csting. The testimony is volumaous and minute.
The news from the West is not encouraging. A
despatch from Clarksville, Tenn, dated wednes-
day. says that the steamboat Lowell and the pro-
pcicr Saxonia were captured and burned by the
rebels fifteen miles above. The captain Of the
Lowell was killed and the captain Of the Saxona
lost an arm. The first engineer Of the Lowell was
wounded. Woodward commanded the rebels who
were twelve hundred strong, with two pieces Of
artillery.
Rebel dispatches from Chattanooga say that a
Union force OF Is 900 men is advancing on Colum.
bia, and that q battle is imminent.
new canal has been commenced across the pc.
ninsuls, near vcksburg, eight miles long, and be-
yond the range Of the rebel batteries Admiral
Fsrragut holds the river from vicksburg to Port
Hudson. General Grant and Commodore Porter
had gone up the Yazoo on a reconnaissance. A re.
bel despatch from Fort Pemberton. dated the 5th,
statcs that the Union troops had embarked on
board their steamers, and were in full retreat
The United States steam transport Pioneer, Cap.
tain Haseton, from Beaufort, N. c., 6th instant,
arrived at this port last evening and reports that
General Foster was at Washington. N. c., hsnmed
IN by the rebels. The steamer Sylvan Shore left
Beaufort for Warrington N. c., on tho lth instant
and when few miles below that place was fred
upon by rebel battery on shore, which resulted
in the killing and woundng Of several Of the crew
Of the Sylvan Shore, and compelled her 70 return
THE LRelsLAruRz.
In the Senate yesterday the Broadway Railroad
bill and the bill prohibiting the banks from losnine
money on gold or coin were both passed. Several
bills we're passed and number favorably report.
cd; none Of them, however, Of general Importance.
No business Of Importance was transacted by the
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The new steamship City Of Cork, Of the Tnman
line, will sail this day Friday) ct noon. for
Queenstown and Liverpool, from pier ~ North ri.
yer. She goes out as an extra steamer, and
copies OF the HsRALp and the latest news des-
patches 60 by her. She will land kilograms and