The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-26
THE SITUATION.


THE SITUATION.
No movements have taken place in the Army of !
the Potomac. 1t is stated that the dimiuuton in
the rebel army at Fredericksburg is not 50 great
rs has been reported, although some troops have |
been sent to Charleston and some to Suffolk. |
Generals Lee and Jackson are still at Fredericks-
burg.
Dispatches from Cairo state that large fleet
Of guaboats left Memphis on Sunday; and pro-
ceeded down the river. One OF our gunboats
passed into Lake Providence, and found band Of
rebels with large number of negroes Telling trees
across the narrow passages to obstruct the pas
sage of our boats. She shelled one company Of
them away.
Three thousand men are daily engaged in cutting
the canal across the peninsula near vicksburg.
Our mortar boats still in position and keep up
an occasional fire on the batteries of the enemy.
Dispatches from Cairo dated yesterday say that
nothing has been heard there Of the Queen Of the
West or thc Iadianols. The steamer Belle of
Memphis. while landing passengers on Monday
night at point thirty-six miles above Memphis,
on the Arkansas side Of the river. was boarded by
dozen guerillas, but she Immediately backed out
and the enemy were compelled to jump ashore.
We give to-day a most interesting account of the
late sinking Of the United States steamer Hatteras
by the pirate Alabama, furnished by the officers
and crew Of the former vessel, who arrived here
yesterday. From the facts detailed, it will be seen
that it very gallant affair on the part of the
Hatteras, and that. although destroyed, her officers
and men, especially Captain Blake, the com.
mander. had cheerfully stakcd their lives upon the
encounter, and were prepared to brave the worst.
But she did not 60 down without INJECTING severe
damage upon the Alabama. Sixteen balls per-
forated the Hatteras. shattering her sternpost
aud completely gripping her machinery just at
the moment when she was about boarding the
rebel vessel and only twenty five yards distant
from her.
The Conscrip.ion bill OF the Senate, which
passed the House yesterday. includes in those
liable to be drafted into the army to serve for the
term OF the existence Of the rebellion, not, how
ever, exceeding three years, congressman, Assem-.
blymen, aldermen. Quakers, clergymen, Indians
and Negroes. 1t is, therefore, most sweeping in
its provisions, and, If carried out, will leave but
few homes in the North without representative
In the army. The amendments of the bill will
turn over TO the civil authorities all persons ar
rested by Provost Marshas for reasonable prac-
tees.
report reaches US from Boston that General
Banks was fred at by some unknown person on
the night Of tho 18th instant, rs he was leaving the
City Hotel at New Orleans to attend the French
opera. The ball. however, did not take effect
either upon the General or nny ono clsc; neither
has there been any trace Of the would-be ASSASSIN,
mr. has any news Of this attempt upon the life Of
the Commanding General arrived here, although
our dates from New Orleans arc 70 the 18th.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
BY the Jura, at Portland We have news from
Europe 70 the 18th instan.--fye days later.
Mr.. Mason. the rebel Commissioner in London,
had been entertained by the Lord Mayor Of the
city at his annual banquet. bIr. Mason responded
60 the toast of Our Visitors" after acomplimen
tary cal, froI, tho Lord Mayor and the guests. The
Commissioner expressed his regret that England
had not recognized the Southern confederacy,
spoke Of the immense trade which his /" country
would do with foreign nations, and prophecied
that the day was near at hand when the most init
mate relations would be established between the
city Of London and the Southern territory. The
London Times statcs. In an editorial, that neither
the remarks Of NJ. Mason nor the fact Of his be-
ins present Il the entertainment have any politi.
cal Significance.
The movement in favor Of negro emancipation
was still sustained jy tho English people. Reso-
buttons In favor Of sccessionsm were voted down
At one Of the meetings, aftcr very lively debate,
by large majority
The Sumter tlatc rebel -privateer, but now
named the Gibraltar bad put TO sca from the
harbor OF Gibraltar, although closely watched by
the Uaitcd States steamer Chippewa.
The Paris Monitem disclains the recent action
Of the "so-called consult Of the Emperor in Texas.
II says he had no official character at the moment,
and that Napoleon's instructions relative to the
French policy in Texas ara Of friendly character.
IL France. OF Paris. the organ Of the Empress
Eugsnie calls attention to the fact that the French
troops found in the fort at Acapulco, Mexico, q
quantity OF firearms "from American sources.n
couaA1ss.
In he Senate yesterday the Indian ApproprIs.
ZION tu was passed. Bills authorizing the rresi.
dent y confer brevet rank, snd to promote tho
NM ssafOrt and efficiency Of the army. were