The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-03

New York, Tuesday, February 3, 1869.
THE SITUATION.
The latest news from Suffolk represents that the
enemy was last night in force between sixteen and
seventeen miles from there this side Of the Black
water. Our troops had taken every precaution to
attack linn again should he advance farther to.
wards Suffolk. There is now no evidence that an
engagement will ensue Immediately.
Our correspondence from that quarter to-day
gives full detail OF Gen. Corcoran's plan of ope-
rations in tho recent battle, and gives credit to
the skill Of the commander and the yalor of the
n,en
With regard to the reported disabling of the
Union ircn-clad Montauk, in the Ogeechee, of Fort
McAllister, there are two very different versions
abroad. The Richmond and Savannah papers say
that the Mon.auk came up to the fort in fine Style
and that she was the only boat engaged. Their
sho! AMI shot broken to pieces as they struck
her sides, but her turret 80 badly injured that
she had to hGul of. The other in the meantime
remained below "a bend Of tire river, entirely
oct the action. On the other hand, the Navy
Department received despatch last night from
Fortress Monroe, stating that there is no
trnth in the report that the Montauk was disabled
that Commander Wordcn lay under the enemy's
guns for four hours, AMI tina. their shot had no
more effect upon his vessel than hail stones
Nothing had been heard at Port Royal Of the
capture Of tho gunboas Isaac Smith in Stono river.
III addition to tho news we gave yesterday rsla-
tive to the reported destruction Of the Oreto or
Florida, We have since learned that leading mer
oante bouse Of Havana sent word of to the
Columbia, she was about leaving that port, that
the rebel vessel had been destroyed.
It is stated, upon the authority of the Richmond
Wig. that the British steamer Princess Royal was
surrounded and captured by feet of Union gun.
boats while attempting to run the blockade into
Charleston Thursday, with valuable cargo
from Halifax. She had on board six hundred bar
rels of powder, two Armstrong guns, large lot
Of machinery, eight hundred and eighty bales of
sheet iron, one steam bakery. one hundred and
forty-four bales of hardware, ninety-ive cases Of
boots, two hundred and twenty nine bags of coffee,
hve hundred boxes OF tin and other vauables.
party Of English workmen, skilled in the manu-
facture Of projectes were captured with the yes.
rel.
The port Of Galveston had been declared open
to the trade of all nations friendly to the South by
proclamation of General Magruders, which he
sent forth under a neutral register to q neutral
port The merchants of these friendly countries
invited to resume their usual commercial inter-
course with the port, that it is in the posses
sion Of the rebel forces.
Dispatches from Morehead City, North Carolina,
eay that the great Southern expedition is now
ready, and that the waters between there and
Beaufort black with vessels of all kinds, which
are only awaiting the abatement Of the severe
gale which has been prevailing for the past five
days to take their departure for their destination
The army is in splendid condition and in the very
best Of spirits. They are eager for the coming
fray, with all its nattering prospects Of success
The enemy are terribly hustered and are trembling
with fear; for they know the storm is coming.
Jed Davis had o conference last week with
Governor Vance, Of North Carolina, upon the re-
lations Of that State with the Southern Confede.
racy. meeting him for that purpose at Franklin
Depot Virginia. on the Blackwater. Governor
Vance plainly informed Jef. Davis that North
Carolina would insist upon the reserve and recall
Of an adequate force for the protection Of North
Carolina from any further Union advances. NORTH
Carolina has now eighty thousand troops in III,
coNaRIss.
In the Senate yesterday q communication wa
received from the President Of the SmitLsonis
Institution, suggesting that George r. Badger o
North Carolina. ought no longer to be membe
Of the Board Of Regents, as he had not attcnde,
any Of the meetings, and was moreover
In tho rebel army. The petition Of Madison Y
johnson was presented, setting forth that h,
was arrested in August last by orler ~ n,
Secretary of War, and imprisoned un,u a.,
18th of September, and that no rcaso, v.
ever assigned for the arrest or discharge. Mr.
Richardson moved for select Committee 10 in mir
into the facts; but the petition WA laid on a.,
table by q vote Of ~ against lG Tho Iud;ci,r
Committee reported back the bin granting fscr
mary aid TO Missouri in cmauCipatiup I ,v,.
The Paymaster General was directed 10 Il. .,e., i,
Senate what payments. II uny wore made IN II.
army up 10 the 3ls, Of August. and. n uyns ,,.r