The New York herald., 1864-02-04


THE SITUATION.
General Palmer dispatches from Newbern, N. c.,
to General Butler, that his outposts at Bachelors
creek were driven in on Monday by superior
force of the enemy, fifteen thousand strong, and
had to destroy their camps and stores. They lost
from fifty to hundred men in the retreat. The
enemy at the same time advanced on the south
side Of the Trent, but were repulsed.
Dispatches from Cairo say that an attack on
Natchcz is threatened by force of rebel cavalry.
The rebels are making strenuous efforts to block
ade the Mississippi, and are said to have succeeded
in conveying large quantity of arms and ammu-
milton across the river from the east side.
The arrival of the Atlantic from Port Royal yes.
terday puts in possession of news from Charles.
ton to the Slst ult. The shelling of the city was
progressing. Fort Sumter was again target for
Gen. Gillmore's ball practice. The people in one
particular district of Charleston where the shells
were falling with uncomfortable precision have
been moving out into tents and shanties in sub
urban secluson, to avoid the unwelcome visitors
Numbers of refugees from Georgia and Florida
are pouring into the Union lines. They repeat
the story of want and discomfort told in all quar-.
ters by deserters from the enemys camps.
Adespatch from Nashville, dated Tuesday, says
that General Dodge reports the repulse of the
rebel General Roddy, beyond the Tennessee, on
the oath ut., by Colonel Phillips, who captured
twenty mule teams, two hundred cattle, six hun
dred sheep and one hundred horses from the
enemy.
The rebels who made an attack on the bridges
at North Brarch and Pattersons creek, in General
Kelley's department, have been closely followed
up by our cavalry. On Tuesday night a portion
OF General Sullivan's forces, in attempting to cut
the enemy of, encountered large force of rebels
in hechancsburg Gap, near Romney and fight
took place, our troops eventually succeeding in
compelling the enemy to take another road to the
right, and retreat, leaving some prisoners in our
hands.
The steamer Levi, with General Scammon and
staff on board, was captured by the rebels in the
Kanawha river yesterday
The news from Key West is to the Goth ult, by
the steamer Western Metropolis which arrived
here yesterday. She captured the blockade run.
ner Rosita. of Havana, fifty miles from Tortugas,
and took her into Key West. meeting of loyal
citizens Of Florida was held there on the 2sth
ut, for the purpose of restoring the State to its
original status under the United States govern
ment.
We learn from the South Cdroriatdn at Colum.
bia, S. c., that the disastrous fire on Tuesday de-
stroyed three million dollars worth of cotton,
large portion of which belonged to the govern
ment. 1t says that the loss was 400 bales
OF upands and 500 bales Of Sea Island, of
which about eight hundred bales belonged to
government stores in the sheds of Messrs Bakely
& Co. Five hundred bales Of upland and Sea
Island stored in the sheds OF Messrs. Gibbs & Co.
Three residences and outhouses belonging to
Captain Casson, J. d. Feasler and another
party, whose name is unknown to us.
The total value Of cotton, estimating uplands at
three hundred dollars per bale, and Sea Island at
one thousand dollars per bale, three millions.
The value OF other property destroyed, including
furniture, salt and various articles stored for
safe keeping, will probably be covered by one
hundred thousand dollars. II is understood that
there were only six hundred aud fifty thousand
dollars insurance.
We have received a remarkable document con-
sisting Of an address from the rebel soldiers in
the army OF Tennessee TO their comrades, calling
upon them to rebel against being conscripted,
and claiming their right 10 be discharged when
their three years time il out even il it
is asserted at the point of the bayonet
The address enumerates the many prom.
ises made by the rebel leaders at the
commencement Of the war. states that they have
all been fasifed, and says boldly that there is no
hope left but 10 accept the terms Of the Presi
dents proclamation, and return to their allegiance
TO the old government. Whether the document
be genuine or not, il undoubtedly expresses the
opinion now prevailing in portion of the rebel
armies, If all the recent stories which have reached
US be true.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The steamship America, from Southampton on
the 2st Of January arrived al this por, yesterday
Her news is two days later.
The Right Hon. 7. Miner Gibson. President Of
the Beard Of Trade, delivered remarkable
address to h's constituents at Ashton. .under.Iyne
on the Goth ult upon American Affairs, in which
he denied that the rebellion was an advantage TO
England, as had been stated in some quarters;
but he ntmates that the transfer Of the shipping
interest from American TO British vessels, in con.