The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-24
New York. Tuesday, February a, 1893.
TIIR: SITUATION.


TIIE: SITUATION.
As we announced a few days ago, the mortar
boats OF the expedition against yicksburg were
towed into position on the 18th inst: and we now
learn by dispatches from Memphis that they
opened fire upon the city on that day, which was
answered By the rebel batteries, three in number.
The position of the gunbosts was found to be too
much exposed TO the fire of the enemy, and they
accordingly Withdrew to safer place, from which
they renewed the bombardment. The result Of
Thu in'tatory attack upon vicksburg is not re-
ported bat the fact that it has fairly commenced
prepares MS for news Of lively time around the
grea. reoei stronghold in the Southwest
Genera. Hooker visited Washington Yesterday.
There i. no news from his army on the Rappahan-
mock strr than that already published The snow
s.rrn there was very heavy, and will keep the
foads in en- impossible condition for many days
to come.
From the Vest we do not receive any intel-
geace further than the movements of our gunboats
General sosecrans appears to he taking no deci-
sye action for the past few days.
Ons news from the South to-day Indicate. that
the rebels are inclined to stake their last chance
upon the approaching attack upon Charleston,
which they declare to be impregnable. The blow
that is about to fall. says the Charleston Mercury,
In IN lat cIan A.
for independence but it will be dealt with the
strength Of despair. The foe comes with the
avoved purpose to sack our homes and plough
our streets with his round shot and, should his
power prove equal to his malice. that win be no
empty threat. We are ready for the ordeal"
They threaten US with their mstchlsss little squad
ron Of iron-clads, which are about to obtain the
long desired opportunity of encountering the
yankee vessels. The Southern journals also
anticipate an immediate assault by our forces
upon Savannah and vicksburg, and they talk very
confidently, of course, about the capacity Of the
rebels 10 defend them.
The Richmond Eromtue, SAWS that the greater
\
her, are now in Fortress Monroe, Suffolk and
Newpost's News. The policy OF Louis Napoleon
is tresiedb by the same journal with ds,rust and
suspicion. IT says that he will give no aid to the
Southern confederacy unless il is pushed to the
wall by it, enemies. and is ready TO fall into his
arms ia tue hour OF its great necessity. Sardinia
many yeats afterwards.
The Richmond papers put down their loss at
For, Donelson At ninety eight men, and they claim
the capture Of eighty prisoners, and the destruc.
tioa OF one transport The rebel General Gus.
tayn, w. Smith is reported TO have resigned his
commission in consequence Of being recalled from
his command in North Carolina and General
Freach being appointed in his place. Governor
Letcher, OF Virginia, has ordered the imprison.
meat at hard labor in the Richmond Penitentiary
Of the Union officers, Captain Damron and
smother a. retaliation for the incarceration Of two
rebel officers in the Penitentiary at Washington.
Our European files by tho Canada. at Boston
Whtcu were ueiiVcreu III tnis CITY yesterday even
ing enable US TO publish to-day full reports of tn,
speeches delivered in the British Parliament OF
the 5,h inst. respecting the American war an,
foreign mediation. We had already given
synopsi. OF the addresses, telegrsphed from Hall
fax; bat the relative details of the remarks mad,
by Esrl Derby Earl Russell, Earl Grey, Earl Car
narvon and Mr.. Dsraeli on that occasion will b,
fcuad OF great interest and importance.
CONGRESS-.
10 the senate yesterday, Mr.. Wiley presented
resolution from the Constitutional Convention .
West Virginia. accepting the constitution q
amended by Congress, and also resolutions askn,
for "a appropriation in compensation for thu
Colamer called up the resolution relative to tn
payment of foreign postage in coin and offered
substitute authorizing the Postmaster General 4
take such measures as he may deem necessary =,
provide for the payment in coin OF the balance
against the United states. The substitute was q,
cepted and the resolution adopted. After III.
posiag OF several unmporiant subjects. the bi
relative to the discharge OF State prisoners an
authorizing the suspension Of the writ OF hahea
corpus was taken up and passed Nv q vote q
twenty -four sgainst thirteen.
IN the House Of Representatives. the report .
the Committee on Elections. adverse 10 tbe c,a,r
Of Mr.. Jennings Piggo,t to represent the Secou,
Uoagrs ,sionsl district of North Carolina wa ~
osptcd. The Naval Appropriation bill was take,
0E, AID ssvsra, senate amendments not being con