The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-10
THE SITUATION.


Reports were rife in the Army of the Potomac
yesterday that General Hancock, OF the Second
army corps, had been relieved and ordered to re-.
port at Washington, and that General Warren had
been ordered from New York to resume the COM
nsad of the Second corps. This was coupled with
another rumor that General Meade would resign,
bnd that General Hancock would succeed him
Ia the command Of the Army Of the Potomac.
Quite number Of major generals have been to
viai. Washington within the past few days,
fact which gave rise there also to reports of
various changes being contemplated in the army.
General Meade, General Hancock, Quartermaster
Capital yesterday. The weather continues in.
tensely cold and no movements of the troops are
reported.
The case Of the Chesapeake was before the Ad.
piraity Court at Halifax yesterday, but was not
hnaiiy adjudicated upon. The Judge, however, de-
clared that her seizure was an act of piracy, and
chat in his opinion, she should be returned to her
owners. The Advocate General maintained also
chat abe should be restored. The case was ad-
bourned to the 18th inst.
The recent attempt of General Early, with the
brgades of Ice, Walker and Rosser, under the
Immediate command Of Fitzhugh Lee, to capture
the.Uuion garrison at Petersburg and take pos
session of Cumberland and New Greek, has proved
p complete failure. A few wagons-thirty.fve in
Nl--of Colonel Thoburn's force, were captured by
She rebels on their route from Petersburg, but
they were for the most part empty. General
Kelley gives brief account Of the discontinue Of
che enemy. In . despatch to Governor Foreman,
nud our correspondents furnish very full details Of
tho whole operation, which will be found else
where, together with an excellent map Of the en-.
Sire locality.
Tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is perfectly
otRcisl document Of the rebels, laying down the
plans o, General Early in West Virginia, has fall
len into the hands Of our troops. 1t appears from
this paper that General Early was to cut the Bal
eimore and Ohio Railroad at Martinsburg, and by
= combination Of movements attempt the capture
OF sacb Union forces as were between Martinsburg
snd New Greek. AT the latter place General
Early. having heard that we were concentrating
etoops st kartinsburg, and having been informed
Chat General Averili was there with strong
cavalry force, determined to alter his plan. He
therefore despatched Generals Fitzhugh Lee and
Rosser 70 attempt the capture Of the garrison at
Petersburg. Rosser was to try and get into Cum.
bertrand. and capture or destroy the stores there.
They both failed, because General Early could not
reinforce them with artillery and supplies.
MIscxLLANEoUs NEWS.
yudgs Leonard, in the Court Of Oyer and Ter.
miner, has sentenced James Best, who pleaded
guilty Of attempting the life Of q colored boy
named Thomas, during the July riots, to the State
prison, with hard labor, for two years, and Fran.
ois Fitzpatrick, for manslaughter Of Bridget Gil
roy, 70 the psntentiary for one year.
The United States Marshal forwarded to Wash.
snston yesterday the net proceeds Of the sale Of
Che prize steamer Kate, for distribution, amount.
tng 70 t2s,2ss SO.
The stock marke. opened Arm yesterday morning and
ooainueo Improve throughout the day, many Of the
shares nearly recovering their OF the previous day.
Gold inactive, the closing quotations bcne 1877
asked ana le2 od Money ruled more easy than on any
previous day Of the week. but the rate Of u,eres, re
.sscd unchanged. the European steamers which SALAD
yesterday took out 81 1859 900 In specie.
Al usual, business was Gull on Saturday, ye,
cha nrmness on the part OF holder,
or general merchandise manifested. Some
articles rather lower but, general thing, good
vere held very nrm, especially imported goods Al tn
Prodsos Erehasgs The business continued active AM
vcry full prices realized for all articles sold
Cotica wss duIl. Groceries were quiet but firm. Pc
to'sua wN dulI aud lowor. Freighls we're active an
ora