The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-16
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The latest dates from Charleston are to Satur.
day, the 18th instant, at eight o'clock in the even.
ing by the United States transport Nellie Pentz,
which arrived at Fortress Monroe yesterday Be.
fore the transport left Hilton Head the relief boat
Cosmopolitan had arrived from Morris Island with
the news that white flag was flying over Fort
Moultre; that our troops had possession of
large portion Of James Island, and that
two Monitors were lying between Forts Sumter
and Moutric. This was the condition of affairs on
Friday evening. When the Nellie Pentz was pass
ing Charleston ban,,at four O'Clock Saturday
afternoon, the captain saw white flag flying from
the walls Of Moutrie. 1t was said that the fort
fired its last gun at four o'clock on Friday. We
hope the news is true but in order that too much
complementary not be placed in it we would state
that the white flag referred to may possibly be the
rebel battle flag, which is nearly three.
tourths white, having a red cross on the
white field, with blue Union, and might
easily be mistaken at a distance for a
Tag OF truce or a signal of surrender. Fort
Moultre stands on suvan's Island, mile and a
half from Sumter, and nearer to the city of
Charleston. It'is a strong work, considerably
strengthened with sand bags, earth and stone be-
tween the brick walls, and mounts fifty guns.
II is now ascertained that the attack on Fort
Sumter by the boat expedition, which ended in
defeat. was exclusively the work Of Admiral
Dahlgren, and was attempted solely by sailors
and marines from the fleet. Gen. Gilmore was pre-
pared to attempt the assault with his military force;
but on learning that the Admiral contemplated
making the attack he offered the services of his
men to assist the enterprise, proposition which
upon a mere technical point 10 whether an
army navy officer should have command-Ad
nrral Dahlgren refused, and we know the result.
The President has issued proclamation sus-
pending the writ Of habeas corpus in all cases
where by the authority of the President military,
naval and civil officers Of the United States, or
any Of them hold persons under their command or
in their custody either as prisoners Of war,
spies, or aiders abettors of the enemy, or off.
GERS. soldiers, or seamen enrolled drafted mus.
tered enlisted in the land or naval forces of the
United States, or deserters thercfrom. or other
wise ameDabe TO military law, &c. The authori.
ty of all civil courts in these cases is thus set
aside, and military rule placed above it; and the
proclamation Of the President is declared to be
continued in force throughout the duration
woke il.
Our army correspondents with thcArmy Of the
Potomac furnish all the details Of recent news in
the camps which it is proper to publish. News
paper correspondents, Il will be seen, have been
forbidden to accompany the advancing squadrons
of cavalry, for reasons OF course best known TO
the generals in command. With regard to the
movements of General Lees army. officers arriv.
ing from the front report that the enemy occspies
the south bank Of the Rapidan and is strongly
intrenched. The rebel army is believed to have
fallen back upon Gordonsve. Intelligence re.
ccived from deserters and prisoners sonism the
reports that Longstreet's corps has been with.
drawn from the Army of Virginia and sent to the
assistance Of Bragg and other commanders, as we
before stated.
Dispatches from Cincinnati yesterday report
from Leavenworth. Kansas, that, at last accounts
General Blunt was a. Fort Gibson preparing TO
start for Fort Scott. In his recent campaign he
marched two hundred and ffiy miles in nine days,
fought two battles, and cleared the rebels rom
100 600 square miles Of territory Refugees from
the rebel conscriptos are coming into Bi,nt's
lines by hundreds. Their suferings are repre-.
scented as indescribabls.
The rebels are reported to be posted between
Little Rock and Brownsville, II 900 strong and
having 40 artillery force of nearly fifty guns.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The steamship City Of Manchester, Captain. Hal.
crow, which left Liverpool at noon on the nj and
Queens town the ID instant arrived At this nor,
ast night. Her news has been anticipated by her