The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-07

THE SITUATION.
The rebels made series of attempts to capture
Cumberland Gap Friday and Saturday week,
but they were repulsed by Colonel Love with a
strong force. and they had not made their appear
ance since up to yesterday.
BY last accounts from Chattanooga we learn
that General Johnston with nearly his whole force
had fallen back as far as Rome, Ca. leaving only
a portion of his troops at Dalton. 1t was thought
that Johnston either retired to that point to obtain
supplies, or to prevent desertons as between
eight and nine thousand rebels had come into the
Union lines since the battle of Missionary Ridge.
No anxiety for the safety of our troops at Knox
vile is entertained at Chattanooga. The line of
couriers between the two points is uninterrupted.
The Army of the Potomac has no report to make
OF itself to-day. No later arrival brings news
from Charleston so we must regard the status quo
at last dates as still existing.
We have very full particulars Of the attack of
the rebels. upon Newbern, N. c., on the second
instant, which show that it quite as serious as
was represented by the first dispatches, which we
gave yesterday, although the ultimate result
was satisfactory to the Union arms, and!savcd
Newbern from being occupied by the enemy, an
event which at first looked not improbable. II
appears that the rebels advanced on the LIST inst.
upon our outposts at Bachelors creek, eight
miles from Newbern, and captured them
after q severe fight. force of our ca
valry was also repulsed in sight of Fort
Totten. The enemy pressed closely upon our
lines. and actually within hailing distance of
the city. Recent dispatches received by General
Butler, however informed us that the enemy was
driven back to Knston by General Palmer, on the
I'd inst, and that Newbern was relieved. On that
evening the rebels had possession of Newport,
and cut of the connection between Newbern and
Beaufort.
despatch received in Cincinnati yesterday from
Kanawha gives particulars Of the capture Of Gen.
Scammon and staf and the burning Of the steamer
Levi, which we reported recently. 1t appears that
the steamer was lying at Winfield, on the west
side of the river, when thirtyfve guerillas during
"Wednesday night appeared on the opposite side,
thirteen Of whom crossed in sbG and took posses
sion of the boat, capturing General Scammon and
forty soldiers and officers, all of whom asleep
The guerillas afterwards burned the boat All on
board were paroled except General Scammon and
three other officers. The prisoners were mounted
and sent of into the interior. Our forces lad
started in pursuit Of them at last accounts.
The case OF the Chesapeake which was seized by
rebel pirates has at length been decided in the
Admiralty Court at Halifax N. S. The Judge de-
cared that the vessel and cargo should be restored
TO her owners, subject TO such conditions respect
ing the payment Of the expenses as the Attorney
General may exact. The latter demands surety
against latent claims which the owners and agents
OF the vessel demur to.
THE LEGISLATURE
The State Senate was not in session yesterday.
In the Assembly the bill known as the General
Bounty bill, which received the sanction Of the
Senate on Wednesday last, was passed. This is
different bill from that noticed yesterday morning
as having passed the Assembly on Friday and the
Senate on Thursday, which latter specially applied
TO New York county, while the one which became
law in the Assembly yesterday legalizos the
action OF local authorities generally throughout
the State in raising money 10 pay volunteer boun.
Ties and furnish relief to the families Of soldiers
The bill passed yesterday authorizes city, county
and town governments TO expend such amounts Of
money as they my deem proper for the purpose
of filling their various quotas in the armies OF the
republic. The bill providing for a uniform State
bounty OF three hundred dollars in lieu Of the local
bounties was laid tho table, where IL will pro-
baby remain. Among the measures introduced
yesterday was a new health bill for the Mctropoli-
Tan district; an amendment TO the Metropolitan
Police bill which consists of the Insertion Of the
names Of Daniel ID. T. Marshall, Joseph s. Bos.
worth Anthony =. Campbell and William McMur
ray, as Commissioners. instead OF those previously
announced and bills for the better organization Of
the FIRST division Of the National Guard and rela-
tive 70 The District and Marine courts OF this CITY,
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The steamship Edinburg Captain Roskell from
Queenstown 2lst ult., arrived q, this po1 ves,ar.
day, and the European Mails to the 23d. bropgb,
by the Arabia, reached this city from Boston ls,s
last night. The advices BY these steamers have
been anticipated by telegraph from hahfax
Dy the arrival OF the steamship Columbia "a
have interesting news from Mexico and ~. Dotnin.
90. Some unimportant successes OF the French in