The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-06

Ssates.
THE SITUATION.
Nothing Of interest is transporting in the Army
Of tho Potomac; but we are advised that some
stirring news from that quarter may be looked
Tor ut any moment. The precise nature of the
movement contemplated, Of course. cannot be
divulged. The guerillas continue their unsx.
pected assaults upon our troops. On Monday the
Provost Marshal at Bealton Station was shot at
between that place and the army headquarters,
and one Of the bearers Of dispatches attached to
General Kilpstrick's division was either killed or
captured between Stevensburg and Warrenton
Junction.
The latest news from Cumberland states that
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is no longer in
danger from the threatened attacks of the rebel
General EARLY.
Dispatches from Cairo on the 4th contain some
interesting news from the Southwest. General
Grisrson was in full pursuit Of General Forrest
and his guerillas, and had followed him to the
south Of Coldwater. General Forrest is reported
to have received reinforcements from Okolona
The weather was intensely cold. Several SOL
diers were frozen to death below Cairo, some at
Island No. 10 (negroes), and some near Sand Bar
December. The Mississippi is closed and the
Ohio Ia considerably clogged with ice.
The Richmond papers write despondingly Of the
past events of 1868. The Examiner of the 3lst
ultimo says that the gloomest year Of the struggle
has been concluded; that neither the hopes Of
Intervention which buoyed up the spirits Of the
rebels in 1861, or the victory of Fredeicksr-
burg in 1862, cheers them at the conclusion of
the past year. 1t admits that the check given to
General Meade's advance ct Mine run. or Long.
streets partial success at Bean Station, are
posr set Oh to the severe loss which the rebels
suffered Gin the murderous assault at Knoxville"
A despatch received in Cincinnati from Cairo
yesterday says thai delegation of prominent
citizens Of Arkansas had arrived there on their
way to Washington to make proposals for the re-
admission Of Arkansas into the Union.
coNGR1ss.
The holiday recess having come to an end,
both houses of Congress reassembled yesterday
ct noon. There was, however, no quorum in
either house, and but little business OF Importance
was transacted.
In the Senate message was received from the
President earnestly recommending that the pay
ment Of bounties to veteran soldiers be continued
till the LIST day Of February next. Accompanying
the message were letters from the Secretary Of
War and the Provost.Msrshal General, stating that
Refreshments under the bounty system have pro-
gressed satisfactorily and that the continuance Of
che payment Of the bounty viii ill up the
armies in the field with class Of troops
In every way more desirable than newly
recruited volunteers or drafted men. The
papers were referred to the Military Committee.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill increasing the bounty
to volunteers, and bill amending the Enrolment
act. The latter bill exempts the Vice President,
Judges Of Courts, heads Of the Executive Depart.
monts, Governors of States, and all persons phys-
cally disabled, and receive as substitutes only
those not liable to the draft. II also provides
severe punishment for enrolling officers who may
engage in the procurement Of substitutes. A bill
60 prevent army and navy officers interfering with
elections was introduced by Mr.. Powell, and re.
ferred 70 the Judiciary Committee. motion to
refer . the Judiciary Committee the Presidents
suggestion regarding q reconstruction Of the
Union was discussed by Mr.. Ten Eyck, and agreed
70, whcrsupon the Senate adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives bill providing
for the payment Of bounties and pensions to sol.
diers called out in Ohio and Kentucky was intro
duced and referred. The Presidents message re.
lstive TO extending the time Of paying bountes to
veteran soldiers TO the lat day of February was
referred TO the Military Committee. report
OF the COMMUNIST for the settlement OF claims
against Peru, with Recommendation for an an.
preparation 20 meet the awards, was referred TO
the Committee on Ways and Means. resolution
calling for information ss 20 Jay Cooke 4 Co.'s
agency for the.sale Of government securities was
adopted. A resolution directing inquiry as TO the
expediency Of reducing the tax on coal from three
and s-haf TO one and a-half per cent was adopted,
and bill repeating the duties on coal aud paper
Ind paper envelopes was referred 70 the Ways
and Mesna Committee. Notice was given Of bills
20 indemnify loyal citizens for loss Of property by
the war, ond providing for The payment q boun'
ties 20 soldiers who have been discharged from