The New York herald., 1863-03-27
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The only news from the Potomac Army to-day is
troops from his State and made quite sensation
among them.
The force of Union cavalry under Major Stratton
which was sent from Suffolk to relieve the garrison
OF General Fosters command who were hemmed
in at Winfield, N. c., as we reported yesterday,
has just been heard FROM They were in full pur.
SUIT OF the enemy, who fled on their approach
across the Chowan river with the aid of Hatboats
and RATS. General Foster subsequently DESTROYED
these appliances Of escape by the fire Of his gun
boats The fight was of short duration, but while
1t lasted was kept up on both sides in spirited
manner. We had eight Of the Eleventh Pennsy.
vania cavalry wounded IN the encounter
General Burnside has assumed command of the
Department Of Ohio and has issued his order
announcing the fact, which is declared most salts.
factory Indiana is made a separate military dis.
trict under General Darlington, who reports to
General Burnside. The rebel advance force in the
Kentucky invasion is variously estimated at from
thirty-fve hundred to ten thousand. Our troops
are concentrating rapidly. Skirmishing was going
on yesterday at Camp Dick Robinson, KY, where
. grand engagement was expected to come of
soon.
We arc in possession of news from Memphis, by
way Of Cincinnati, dated yesterday, to the effect
that Admiral Farraguts flagship Hartford dis
covered the Indianola at Hard Times Bend and re.
captured her without resistance. The rebels had
been at work on her, and she was nearly ready
for service. The Queen of the West is up the
Black river out Of the reach of our vessels The
Jackson appeal of the 18th instant says that Gene
raj Banks had failed to make a land attack, and
that Farragut went into the fight alone and passed
the rebel batteries at Port Hudson at night under
a terrific cannonade.
The Royal Gazette Of Georgetown, British Gui
ana, of the 26th of February contains the follow
ing:-It is runorcd that his Excellency has issued
instructions to the pilot department to the effect
that, in the event Of the Alabama calling here
shortly on the plea Of requiring supplies the pilots
arc to inform Captain Semmes that as his vessel
has recently received supplies at Jamaica, none
can be obtained here within the time allowed by
the home regulations.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
BY the Etna at this port we have news from Eu.
% tta II a.
We believe that the question Of French nterven.
ton in our affairs has received quetus in de.
spatch recently issued by NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys to
the Minister of the French government at Wash
ington, which comprises an answer to Mr.. Stewards
memorable note of the 9th ultimo. The spirit of
the despatch forwarded by NJ. Drouyn dc Lhuys
involves withdrawal on the part of FIR ance from
all further offer of mediation-a course which she
has adopted with regret-and assumes henceforth
the part of simple spectator in the contest, con.
hning herself TO following merely the course OF
events. At the same time the Cabinet OF Louis
Napoleon expresses its sorrow that its suggestions.
as expressed in its counses on the 9th Of January.
were not more fully comprehended by Mr.. Seward;
but II declares that its opinions remain unchanged.
Notwithstanding the arguments Of our Secretary OF
State. The idea of French Intervention may there.
fore be considered at end unless the "course
OF events" should again call it into life.
The London Times again speculates, in an edi,o.
rial. on the probability that a strong democratic
party will be organized IN the Northern States az
America, on the basis of making an offer Of peace
20 the South. The offer will be made, II il sun.
posed, and refused, and then the Southern States
will be permitted to leave the Union.
The London Times also asserts that the govern.
ment in Washington ia despatching largo armies
Ito all sorts Of Places" but that the executive
does not know or care anything about them after
wards.
Aletter from Frankfort states that Confederate
loan OF considerable amount had been negotiated
in that city and Paris by a very respectable and
cautious house.
A very fine steamer called the Banshee was
lying at Queenstown lately preparing 10 sail either
for the purpose Of running the blockade or for Al.
rect service under the rebel government. She "a
steel plated and said to be very fast vessel
II was rumored. and generally credited in paris
that Napoleon was disposed to negotiate with ,ho