The New York herald., 1863-08-19
THE SITUATION.

The draft, which commences in the Sixth district
and Ninth ward at ten O'Clock to-day; will, in oil
probability, be conducted without any display Of
vicleut resistance. Preparations are made to re-
press any such demonstrations by an overwhelm-
ing military and naval force. A body of twenty
thousand armed men, including the militia, are
now at the command of the authorities, the dis
position of which will be seen by the full details
which we give in another column. The available
forces of the Navy Yard, in the shape of
gunboats of light draught. . thousand seanlen,
and about twenty field batteries are also
In readiness to assist the federal authorities in
the strict enforcement Of the conscription. Gov
ernor Seymour issues proclamation to-day coun-
selling peace and submission to the law of Con-
gross which enacts the draft, and repeating his
determination that the constitutionaty Of the law
sha! be tested in the courts but that until it is de-
clared illegal by judicial process it must be OBJ
served like any other act of the State or national
Legislature. He reminds the people that violence
and disorder is Of all things most desired by the
parties who are disposed to usurp the rights guar
aneed to cur State governments. He admonishes
all judicial and executive officers to prevent riot.
Gus proceedings and enforce the law, and promises
that the full power of the State shall be evoked to
assist them IL necessary.
Mayor Opdyke still refuses to sign the
three million ordnance" unless certain amend.
ments Of his suggestion are made. the principal
point Of which appears to be that the drafted
parties entitled to claim relief for their INDECENT
families must be actually at the place Of rendez-
vous before the money shall be paid and that then
1t shall be paid TO such member of thelconscripts
family as the victim may designate. A special
meeting of the Board Of Aldermen win be called
at once to consider the Mayors propositions
The latest accounts of the progress of Affairs at
Charleston to-day are from rebel sources, and
OF an encouraging character. The government at
Washington received despatch from reliable
SOURCES in Tennessee yesterday TO the effect that
the Chattanooga Rebel of the 10th inst. announced
that the bombardmcnt Of Charleston on Saturday
last was terrific, and that the firing from General
Gimoro's land batteries on Morris Island, and
from the Monitors, was chiefly directed agains,
Fort Sumter. The combined land and na
val forces Of the federals seemed to b,
engaged. This news was received at Chat
tsnooga from Charleston by telegraph, an,
thc fight was going on when the Rebel went Z,
press on Sunday. The same paper states that tn
Ironsdes snd all the Monitors were not only In IN
action, but that the whole feet and large nun
ber Of transports were inside the bar during tn
engagement. We may therefore look out for st
ring news from there by the next arrival st Fo
tress Monroe.
Our news from the Army OF the Potomac Is nc
without importance to-day. Tho rebels have 9,
tended their lines Of pickets from Madison Coul
House to Fredericksburg, Longstreets corps OF
cupyng the right, Hills corps the Rapidan fror
Madison to Ely's Ford, Ewell's around Gordons
vile, and stuart's cavalry still at Culpepper. A
attacking movement upon the left or our lines
not regarded as improbable by military author
ties. Geaeral Lee seems evidently making prep,
rations to cut 10 between our army and washins