The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-28
THE SITUATION.

Now York, saturday, February as, 1859
THE SITUATION.
The particulars Of the rebel cavalry raid across
the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, which we an.
nounced yesterday, have been received, and it
appears that it was . force Of Stuart's famous
corps. commanded by himself, which made the
attempt, In which they were completely defeated
and driven back over the river, barely in time to
save themselves, the waters began to
rise at that moment. However, about fifty
of General Stusrt's men, including two officers,
were taken prisoners. It is presumed that
1t was the determination of General Stuart
to make his way to Potomac creek and destroy
the railroad bridge over which the supplies of our
army are now conveyed. The enemy, after CROSS
ing at Kelly's Ford, succeeded, by strong attack
In breaking thin line Of cavalry outposts at ono
or two points, capturing . small number of our
men. Our cavalry outposts reserves were brought
up. the lines mme dately and force
sent in pursuit. At last accounts they had not re-.
turned.
Rnmors were rife in Washington yesterday that
General Hunter was about to be relieved from the
command of the Department of the South, and
General Burnside's name was spoken of in con.
nection with the succession 1t was also said that
certain parties were preparing charges against
General Mcclellan with view to court martial
These reports were extensively talked of in the
streets and places Of public resort.
The news from Kentucky confirms the intelN.
gence which we published yesterday that the rebel
rctreating force near Mount Sterling were severe
iy handled by our troops. Two hundred prisoners
were taken, and all the captured wagons were re-
attack upon our trains.
Reports from Lake Providence, via Cairo,
state that the canal across the PENN.
sula is almost completed, the work having reached
from the lake to within few rods Of the river.
The canal is one hundred and fifty feet wide and
is dug down to within one foot of the level of
the lake.
1t is said that General Van Dorm has crossed
the Tennessee river at Florence with 1000 cavalry
to reinforce General Bragg. The expedition from
Cornth under Colonel Corwan, is reported to
have captured two hundred rebels under General
Rodley, at Tuscumbia. on the 22d inst. with q
large amount of ammunition and provision train.
Our news from the South to-day is not very i'm
portant. The Richmond Enquirer of the Gath.
which has been received, contains nothing rela-
tive to the news from vicksburg, but it furnishes
some additional news Of the capture of the Queen
we have published before.
CONGRESS-.
In the Senate yesterday, the Conference Com
mittce on the bill to provide ways and means for
the support OF the government made a report,
covering all the points at issue between the two
houses, except the tax on bank notes. The report
was accepted, and new conference committee on
the bank tax appointed. A similar course Of
action on this measure was taken by the House on
Thursday. The Conference Committee on the bill
limiting the number of generals made a report
Seventy major generals and two hundred and
seveuty-flve b .Tadiers are allowed by the report
motion 10 take up the Militia bill was re.
iected--l9 sgeinst L. A memorial from the
merchants AMI shipowners Of New York city
In reference to the sale o. prizes in that district
'skng for investigation and tor the passage Of acts
to secure more speedy and less expensive sale
and distribution OF the proceeds. was referred TO
The Naval Committee, with instructions TO inquire
into the propriety OF appointing committee Of in.
vestigation into the matter. In a discussion on the
bill to extend the Washington and Alexandra
Railroad. Mr.. McDougall said "the person nj the
bead Of the War Department was s:base man. He
bad promised the President OF tihytInited states
IN his own house that he would denounce the Sc.
,retary OF War. There ought TO be President Of
,he United States" He was promptly called 10
order, but reiterated his remark with emphasis
The bill for the collection of abandoned property
and the prevention Of fraud in insurrectionary
districts taken up. Amendments excluding
al captures made by the navy, and ships and
munitions OF war, were adopted. A motion was
made to strike out the section authorizing the
Treasury Department TO tuy cotton, rice, sugar
and tobacco, and the bill was then laid aside.
During the debate Senator Davis charged General
9utlcr and his brother with having acquired a
arge amount Of plumber at New Orleans The
oint resolution giving the thanks OF Congress to
Genera, Eosecrans and his army for gallantry n,
durfroesboro was adopted. Several unimportant
mbjects were disposed Of and after an executive
,ession the Senate adjourned.
In the House OF Representatives the Conference
Committee on the subject Of taxing bank notes
exported they were unable 70 agree, and recon.