The New York herald., 1863-12-10
T TRIPL E. SH e EFT.
New York, Thursday, December 10, 1863.
THE SITUATION.

Aa IL STU ALTON
The Army of the Potomac is perfectly quiet
No demonstrations have been made since the 9th
instant, when a reconnaissance was made to Madi-
con Court House which resulted in establishing
che fact that rebel force exists in that quarter
Some anxiety is felt in the army as to who is to be
che successor of General Meade it being believed,
apparently, that he is not to continue in command,
although we have no official information Of his
removal. 1t seems to be generally accepted
Chat General PIeasanton Is to direct what
ever movements may take place during the
~intss- Same rspocts, are also prevalent in the
army that It il about u be broken up, and that a
portion Of it was about to be sens to some other
part Of the county for . winter campaign. The
story that General Thomas Francis Meagher was
captured by the rebels during the recent movement
of the Army Of the Potomac is entirely false. He
was on q visit to the remnant Of his old Irish
Brigade when the advance upon the enemy was
ordered, and, % might be expected from his
previous career, which has been remarkable for
undaunted courage and pluck. he went with them
into the front of danger; but he was not taken pris
oner He returned with them across the Rapi
dan. and is now the guest of General Corcoran at
Fairfax Court House. His reception by his old
comrades and brother generals throughout the
entire army is said to have been most cordial and
enthusiastic.
We have received. and would publish to-day IL
che demand on our space permitted IT, the special
report of our correspondent with the Second
army corps, commanded by General Warren. The
account gives another view Of the cause of Gen.
eral Mesde's failure to defeat the enemy at Mine
run. and. In order that General Warren and all the
other generals engaged shall have fair play, we
viii publish the statement at the first opportunity;
but tho importance Of the Presidents Message
aud the accompanying documents, which we give
in our columns, precludes the possibility Of pub
lishing it to-day.
The rebels have been doing bold things in our
waters The war has been carried "into Africa.n
The steamer Chesapeake, Of the Cromwell line,
bound from this city. to Portland, on her regular
trip. with large cargo, valued at $lso, 900, was
taken possession Of on Monday morning. about one
O'Clock, by s.party of rebels numbering about six.
teen, who were apparently unarmsd and molten
sive passengers. The captain was put in irons
the second engineer shot dead, and thrown over
board, and some others Of the officers wounded.
This extraordinary proceeding took place about
twenty.one miles northeast of Cape Cod. The
captured officers and crew, together with the pas
sengers, were landed by the daring pirates at
Partridge Island, and the steamer then started of
TO ses. When last seen she was lying
alongside another vessel, apparently taking in
COAL and il was thought that she would then
make for Wilmington, n. c., and endeavor
to run the blockade. Quite q acet Of
Union vessels, both from Portland and
from this harbor. are going of in pursuit OF the
Chesapeake. The new gunboat Agawan was to
have left Portland at six o'clock last evening and
Che steamers vicksburg. sebago and Grand Gul
will start from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to-day
No doubt II will be q very exciting chase, pro
vided these vessels get sight Of the captured
pirate craft.
The latest dates from Charleston are to the 7ti
inst, by way Of Richmond The fire between tn,
oOcmy's batteries and our own was going on slow
~. No Casualties are reported.
CoNGREss.
The annual Message Of the President and III,
accompanying documents were communicated 4
Congress yesterday. Tho President says we re
main at peace with all foreign Powers. The Of
forts OF disloysl citizens to involve US in foregi
wars have been unavaiing. He recommends tn
subject OF an international telegraph across tn
Atlantic; also g telegraph between wsshingto
and the national forts along the Atlantic seaboar
and Gulf Of Mexico. The operations OF the Trea
sury have been successful OF those who wer
slaves ct the beginning Of the rebellion full
100000 are 10 the UHied States militar,
service. and about one.balf bear arms. Th
crisis which threatened 10 divide the friends o
The Union Ia past. The rebellion In pressed with