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

THE SITUATION
The action of Congress yesterday on the ques
Zion OF the elevation of General Grant to the posi-
ton OF Lieutenant General and Commander in CHIEF
OF the armies Of the United States. by vote Of
one hundred and eleven to seventeen, not only
establishes the popularity Of that officer, but ind
rec.ly condemns the policy Of General Halleck
whom General Grant will, of course. supersede in
command Of the armies, if the bill should re.
ceive the sanction of the Senate and the sigma.
flre of the President.
The latest dispatches from General Kelieys
Command, in West Virginia, state that fight
took place late yesterday afternoon in the New
Greek valley between an advancing column of the
enemy's troops and one column Of ours. After q
sharp engagement we rspulsed the enemy, driving
him back over two miles. The enemy had OBJ.
tanned possession of Burlington before they were
driven back.
Stories OF proposition on the part Of the
rebels to lay down their arms If their leaders
were included in Mr.. Lincoln's amnesty proclama
toa we're floating about yesterday; but there is
no confirmation whatever such rumors.
Another rumor, with just IS much probability
attached to IT, is one that comes from Huntsville,
Ais. TO the effect that an attack was made on
Mobile some Eve days ago. We have rebel papers
TO the 10th ut., and they make no reference
whatever 10 any such affair; neither do our for.
vnar announcing fba arrival NJ Adrn;raI
Farrsgut at New Orleans.
There appears to be no doubt that the rebels at
Ringgo,d and Dalton have gone to join Longstreet
In his design upon Kentucky.
Our extracts from the rebel journals referred
to are highly interesting. They represent the
spirits OF the Southern people to.be most exuber
mt. The soldiers ore said to be re-enlisting by
whole regiments and brigades without bounty
or bri5e.'' The safety OF Richmond in the spring
campaign, which General. Grant is supposed to
have designed. lie talked of with some fear by the
Richmond Examiner. The coming Presidential
election. and the chances OF Mr.. Lincoln and
General Grant form subjects for comment in the
rebel press, but the writers do not seem to com
rrehend the idea very clearly.
The news from the Potomac Army Is not veiy
important. In o reconnaissance by our cavalry
yesterday the Post Office at Madison Court House
was visited, and Richmond papers Of the 3oth o
January were found containing General Lees
address to his army (Which we give in fully
exhoEting his soldiers not to faint with their
compulsory hunger, but to endure for only short
time longer the hardships Of short ratons, and
severa! editorial articles confirming previous re
port, Of destitution in the rebel army. The let
tiers possess great interest, as unfolding view
OF the sufieriags of rebel soldiers and their fami
lies, and express o general desire for peace on
any terms, and confession that the rebel cause
Is hopeless.
Deserters are coming into our lines ia large
numbers, and report the restitution In the rebel
army as iusuforable.
CONGRESS-.
Tho proceedings of Congress yesterday were
unusually interesting. In the Senate the resgna
tion Of Mr.. Bayard, OF Delaware, was received
and the credentials Of his successor, Mr. Georg,
Read Riddle, were presented by Mr.. Salisbury
A message was received from the President trans
uniting the report Of the Secretary Of State in
swer 10 the resolu ion OF the Senate, respecting
the correspondence with the authorities of Cres
Britain with reference to the pursuit Of bostl,
bands OF Iowa Indians into the Hudson Bay Terri
tory. bill providing for the examination o
quartermasters, commissaries and paymasters wa
referred 10 the Military Committee. Mr.. Davis, o
Kentucky, made lengthy explanation respect
ing his action for the expulsion Of Sena
tors Bright and Powell, and his course oil
the eonhscstion question. The resolution ths
departments shall detail an officer to watch pro
ceedlngs before Congressional Investigating Com
mtteee was thea taken up, and during the discus
sion MT. Grimes read letter from Donald Mckay,
Che Boston shpbuilder, 10 reference 10 the wants
OF our naval vessels and the recent controversy
between the engineers on that subject. The death
OF Mr.. NOEL, Of Missouri, was announced tho psuaI
resolutions were adopted, aud the Senate ad.
jouned.
In the House OF Representatives resolution for
printing fifty thousand additional copies OF Genera,
McClellsn's report was referred to the Printing
Committee. A joint resolution providing none,
comnutaton when short rstions are served to sol
diers, was referred. The Judiciary Committe,
Lsrs Instructed 10 INQUIRE Into the expedieacy q