The New York herald., 1863-07-29
new York. wednesday. July 70, lses.
THE SITUATION.


THE STU UATION.
There is no possible doubt that the corps Of
General Lees army under Longstreet Hill and
Ewell. passed through Chester Gap on Thursday
and Friday, and are now at and south of Culpep.
per. The passage Of the rebels was opposed by
Buiord's cavalry; but he was compelled to fall
back, after capturing many prisoners and the
herds heretofore mentioned. Longstreet's corps
passed through Culpepper on Friday, and
camped that night south of the town. Ewell's
wagon train, with q strong guard. went south
from Strasburg, by way of Staunton, to avoid cap.
ture by eur cavalry. Relel prisoners and refu-
gees are unanimous in the statement that the
morale of the rebel army in Virginia is broken, and
that great despondency prevails in all Southern
ciro'es, and particularly in the army. They say
that General Lees plans having proved failures
will necessitate the reconstruction Of the rebel
army Of Virginia, while the detection Of General
Joe Johnston, who il is said refuses to obey the
Of the rebel army Of the Southwest.
We give map to-day Of the scene of opera
tions of the armies Of Generals Lee and Meade.
1t is thought oy the military authorities in
Washington that the rebel army is about to occupy
the old ground near Fredericksburg. A Union
force is in occupation Of the banks Of the Kappa
hammock. near the railroad station. The pickets
of the enemy are in view. and sometimes come
within carbine range Of our men. who are pro.
tectod by the old fortacations erected BY General
Pope. The river is said to be unfordable at this
point for any large body Of troops.
Some fears are said to be entertained In Wash
ington that foreign war may be forced upon rs
even before the rebellion is put down. II appears
that our government has notified Earl Russell that
II cannot permit the fitting out Of rebel vessels in
British ports. and that II persisted in our war
ships will not regard such ports any protection
70 the pri,steers. If the government Of England
allows this threat TO be put into execution, well
and good. II not, then II is difficult to perceive
how an immediate war with England can be
avoided.
The steamship Star Of the South, which arrived
here from Charleston bar on the 25th at noon,
reports that she towed the United States steam
battery Passaic from this port and left her of
Charleston bar. Her commander, Captain Wood
hull, reports that when he left the bar the siege Of
Fort Wagner still continued, as cannonading was
distinctly heard and shells quite visible. TIE
result was not ascertained.
The schooner Albert Mason, which left Port
Royal a day later, July 26. reports that the
siege Of Fort Wagner was progressing, and on the
evening Of her sailing her captain heard firing
when of Charleston, thus showing that hostites
were again resumed.
Our correspondcnt with Grants army furnishes
most interesting description Of the recent occu-
patton of jackson. 1t seems to be quite puzzle
to our generals why Joe Johnston should have
evacuated the place, o he had large army which
Is thought to have considerably outnumbercd us.
special despatch to Cincinnati yesterday from
Lexington, Kentucky. states that General Bragg's
advance guard, two thousand Eve hundred stron,.,
attacked and drove back our troops under Colonel
Sanders from Richmond to the Kentucky river in
great conlus on. All our troops had fallen back
TO within five miles OF Lexington, the capital Of
Kentucky, the rebels following them closely
Martial law was proclaimed In Lexington yester.
day, and AN the male citizens we're called out for
the defence Of che city. The rebel force at last
accounts was nov ng northwsrd, via Crab Or.
chard.
1hs rebel pize steamer Mcrrimac came into
port yesterday, in charge OF Acting Ensign Stod-
dard. United States Navy. She was captured by
the United states gunsoat iroqacs Commander
Case. on IN, morning OF the 25th instant. after
. chase OF seven hoar', having run the blockade
at Wilmington y. g. The night previous. She is
q side whee iron steamer, and wa built D London
In 1862 for the rebel government. she has cargo
Of Ave hunred and sevcnty.six bales and thirty.
four half bales o. cotton. eleven kegs Of tobacco
and small quantity Of turpentine The Merri.
mac, Lizzie and another rebel steamer ran the
blockade together. The two former are captured,
but the third is as yet free.
We have prepared to-day. and publish In another
column, a h ghiy interesting aud important COLA
ticn OF extracts from foreign files relative to
affairs IN Mexico. The designs Of Louis Napoleon
in regard TO that country are pretty fully set forth:
The occupation Of Sonora as French province;
she renewal Of an alliance with Spain; visit and
p confidential talk with Queen Victoria during her
approaching scjourn in Germany: these are nor.
tions Of Napolcons plans towards completing ,hs
Nestiny of the empire Of Mexico. A+ke,ch Of Tho