The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-23
THE SITUATION.


The Army of the Potomac has once more been
ordered to cross the Rappahannock The news
from Washington states that General Hooker's
division went over on Wednesday; and all the
that the Union army was about to cross above and
below Fredericksburg, and that an early attack
on General Lees forces was imminent General
Burnside has issued address to his soldiers
announcing that they were about to be led
against the enemy. The late brilliant actions in
North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, he says,
have divided and weakened the enemy on the Rap
pahannock, and the auspicious moment seems to
have arrived to strike great and mortal blow to
the rebellion, and to gain that decisive victory
which is due to the country
Later dispatches from headquarters last night
=; that the storm which has ragged there
he last three days, has left the roads in
J BILE condition. and that there was no prospect
n immediate change. As far az known, how
ever. no action had taken place up to yesterday
evening.
despatch received at Charleston from Kins-
ton, N. c., the 18TH says "that our troops drove
In the rebel pickets eighteen miles below the day
previous. and that it is supposed to be strong
force in advance. Our forces are build
ing bridges over Cove creek, which is
doubtless feint to cover their movements on
Wilmington or Weldon. The federals are sixty
thousand strong, and have twenty days. rations.
The Yankee gunboats attacked Fort Caswell on
the 18th, but without arriving at any result. A
fight is expected here, at Kinston within three
days"
The capture Of rebel defence below Fort Cas-
well by Lieutenant Cushing, has been before re-
ported in these columns.
Some fears were entertained for the safety OF
our iron-clads, the Weehawken and Nahant, in the
late storm. but it will be seen that the former
several powerful tug boats were compelled TO
seek shelter. The Nahant also reached Lewes
Del. in safety, facts which prove that the iron
clads are able to stand heavy sea.
The rebel papers state that an unsuccessful at
tempt was made to run the blockade OF Charles
ton on the 10th. vessel, supposed to be the
steamer Huntrcss, laden with four hundred bales
of cotton, endeavorcd to get out. but failed TO
do 80. and was burnt of the mouth of the Swa.h
channel on the night Of the 2lst.
An interesting case, arising out Of the capture
A. I..t.. Ill
cruiser for attempting to run the blockade OF the
port Of Savannah, has just been heard in the
Liverpool Court OF Passage, before the Assessor.
A number of seamen who had agreed to serve on
board the Admiral into and out Of "safe" ports in
North or South America, brought action
against the owners Of the vessel for ex-
ira wages and compensation FOR the time
'hcy were detained and ill.treAtcd ~
aard The United States cruiser They complain
lat the captain altered the course o. the vessel
d attempted to run her into Savannah, q blccE
port, and consequently one Of danger. The
'enec was that ~ cptaiu II tho Admiral did
not know that the port q Savannah vas block
aacd, and that his vessel wa, towed over Ii.
bar OF Port Royal Ivy the very United state
81 amer which seized her under rre
ten:c Of furnishing her With water and
OIL" The seamen acknowledged tha, the C.ptai,
protested at the time Of the arrest in tae presence
Of all the crew. to the United States officer occo.
n him OF having thus decoyed him into the limo 81
~ lockade. The Assessor decided that the mon
soul he paid; but leave was given to the owners
sI.y 4 miral 70 appeal the case to the Cour, o.
r.