The New York herald., 1863-02-05
New \ ork, TIL ursday, February s, 1868
THE SITUATION.

"a = - AxoxNs
There is nothing new from the Army Of the Po-
somac. Everything is quiet in that direction.
The attack by the rebels on Fort Donelson,
which we reported yesterday, resulted in their en-
tire defeat. At the commencement of the action
the enemy took four of our guns at charge
vigorously and gallantly made but our troops as
gallautly responded by taking them back again,
killing one hurd. ed and thirty-fve Of the rebels
and wounding fifty. Among the latter is General
Forrest, the rebel leader.
heavy snow storm was raging at Fortress
Monroe yesterday, more severely than anything
which had occurred there for many years.
We have some reliable intelligence of the
movements of the pirate vessel Retribution, from
the captain of the schooner Springbok, which has
arrived in Boston from Port Psix. Captain
Grindle states that the Retrbution was of that
port about January Is, and sent boat on shore,
pretending to be merchant vessel. The statement
Is confirmed by Captain Jordan, Of the schooner H.
3. Boynton, who left Port Psix January 10, at
which time also she was understood to be in that
vicinity. If SO, the report Of the destruction Of
four or ivc vessels OF st. Thomas by that priva-
teer is probably false, ss St. Thomas is far to
windward, and the Retribution could not have
beat up in season to make the report true.
The Union cavalry in the vicinity of Murfrees-
boro have been active. On the I'd inst. a body of
Stokes Tennessee cavalry and Kentucky regi-
ment of infantry made splendid dash on rebel
camp at Middtetown. fifteen miles from Murfrees
boro and captured one hundred Of the enemy
with all their camp equipage, horses and wagons
Another fine attack was made at Franklin by a
body Of Davis cavalry, who captured twenty of
the rebels.
Brigadier General Robert B. Mitchell, command.
ing, at Nashville, has issued an order announcing
that ''in accordance with directions from Head
quarters. Department Of the Cumberland, no
person will be allowed to 60 south from that
point except by way Of yicksburg."
In the important news which we published ex.
clusively yesterday morning from the South was
a despatch copied from Richmond paper, and
dated at Chattanooga, Tenn, January 80, stating
that General Wheeler's rebel cavalry had attacked
fleet Of twenty-five federal transports on the
Cumberland river, and destroyed ave, on Fri.
day, the 23d mt. This is now known to be false
because we have news direct from Nashville, which
states that the feet which arrived there con.
sisted of twenty-three steamers They were
attacked. as the rebel account states. on Fri
day; but, beyond shot which passed through the
r. Is. Hamilton. and few bulletboles in the Com
merce, no damage was done, aud tie entire feet
arrived safely at Nashville.
CONGRESS-.
In the Senate yesterday. The credentials OF Mr..
Doolittie. reelected Senator from Wisconsin for
six y,ers IRON the &th Of Marc ac u, were prs.
4eu'sl. 1he bill! changing the time OF holding Inc
Ds.iict Courts was reported back by the Juaicia
~ yormlttce. The bill 10 prevent correspondent 4
with relcls was also reported back Join. resc
lt,.ou 70 revive the act securing 10 offcera ant
aion employed in the Department Of the Yves
and Missouri their pay, bounty ard pensions, W.,
rcpor'sd back by the Military Committee. BIZ
authorizing the President to make qualified par
dous, to ren,it nucs. relieve from impriaon
ment, &C.. was passed. The bill amendstcry
Of the act TO prevent government ofaccrs and
members Of Congress from taking considers.
ton for procuring contracts, Office or place, wa
reported back by the Judiciary COMMITTEES. A bill
for tho sale Of certain Indian reservations in Cali
foruia. and the establishment Of new reservation,
in the same State, was referred to the Militar,
Committee. The resolutions relative TO French in
terventon in Mexico were laid on the table by
vote Of thirty-fo against nine. The resolution
directing the Secretary Of the Navy not .o accent
the title Of League Island until further order OF