The New York herald., 1863-11-24
THE SITUATION.

The condition Of the roads in Virginia, notwith.
standing the recent rains is such that the army of
General Meade is now ina position to move at any
moment. His troops fully occupy the country up
to the north bank of the Rapidan, but there is no
Official information that any portion Of his army
has crossed the river. Reports of the advance of
the army to the sec.h side of the river were crcr.
Lated yesterday. but the announcement ia prema-
ture General Lee is said to be prepared to make
o desperate resistance to any such movement.
Dispatches from Cincinnati yesterday state that
General Burnside was holding out at Knoxville,
and had notified the citizens Of that place that he
would hold it under all circumstances. The
rebels-who are reported to be $4,000 strong
have withdrawn from the south side Of the river.
General Foster had reached Cincinnati, on route
for Knoxville which he has doubtless reached
by this time. II is said that the President
has not accepted General Burnsides resignation;
but is willing to grant him leave of absence to at
tend to his private affairs, which need his super.
vision. with the understanding that he will return
to his command at the earliest moment consistent
with the business engagements which imperatively
call him temporarily from his duties in the field.
We give q fine map to-day Of the scene of Gene
raj Burnsides operations in East Tennessee up to
this date.
The steam transport Fulton, from Port Royal,
which arrived at this port yesterday, reports that
the sea wall Of Fort Sumter was entirely de-
stroyed, and the rebels were constructing bomb
proof buildings ON tho ruins. The firing on the
fort WAS still going on. During Sunday night the
Monitor Lehigh. while on picket duty near Fort
Sumter. got aground, Daylight discovered her
position to the enemy, who at once began o
furious FIRE upon her, both from James ant
eullivan's Island Three other Montors-the Mon
tauk, Passsic and Nahant-moved up TO aid her b.
command Of Admiral Dahlgren. The Admira
boarded the Nahant and called for volunteers tc
carry hawser to the Lehigh Out ofthe numbe
who offered themselves, the surgeon and tw,
Sailors were accepted, and proceeded on the
desperate mission under tremendous fire. After
three attempts they succeeded in getting a line
fast to the Lchigh and at the turn of the tidsthe
Eahant towed her of. Admiral Dahlgren pro
NOTED the two sesmen on the spot to the rank o.
petty officers. Commander Bryson Of the Lehigh
and tho executive officer Lieuteusn, Hopkins, wer,
both wounded.
The Fulton brought in here the rebel prz,
steamer Banshee, captured by the Fulton ant
the transport Delaware. with a valuable cargo
bound from Nassau to Wilmington.
We learn from Fortress Monroe the particu
lars Of the delivery Of the provisions sent by th
steamer Convoy for the relief OF the Union pris
oners at Richmond.
Colonel Irving, who had them In charge, ha
satisfactorily transferred all the government ra
tions, as well as all the provisions from the Bsti
more Relief Fund for the Union prisoners In ant
about Richmond 70 Commissioner Ould The i'm
mediate wants Of our officers and. soldier, In Rich
mond will thus be supplied.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The steamship America, from Southampton o.
the llth instant reached this port early yesterda
morning.
Her news has been anticipated by the telt
graphic report OF the City Of Baltimore, OF Cap
Race, published In the HERALD last Saturda
morning. Our special correspondence from III
ris, with the compilation from our European file
given in our columns this morning, contains som
very interesting intelligence and news details.
Lord Palmerston's speech at the Lord Mayor
banquet in Guldhall, in which he repeat. ,he dc
.clsraticn NJ J. GLAND neutrality IN nc lmaf'co