The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-11

THE SITUATION.
We have interesting news from General Banks
department by the steamer Columbia which ar
rived here yesterday, with dates from New Or.
leans to the Sd inst Information had been
ceived there from various sources of combined
movement being contemplated on the part of the
rebels. Il was said that all the rebel troops who
have been operating in Western Louisiana on the
banks of the Mississippi and other points, were
gathering FOR Central Texas, aud uniting to form
one large army, to attack our acquisitions on
the coast OF Texas and would probably number at
least twenty thousand. Preparations had been
made to meet this rebel force as well az possible
with the humble, Of troops in the department and
It WAS expected that news OF great interest from
Texas would saon be received.
Our correspondents furnish the details of all the
news Transporting in New Orleans; the return and
result OF General Andrews foragng expedition to
Humboldt Island from Port Hudson, to which latter
place they brought back good Christmas dinner
from the larders of the cnemy-which they riied
without compunction including ducks, chickens
hogs. eggs. turkeys and two thousand bushels of
corn. Interesting accounts of the state of affairs
In the interior also given; the arrival of seven
hundi ell exchanged prisoners from Notchitoches.
and the presence of the rebel gunboats at Shreve-
port.
The lines Of the Potomac army were marked
by more than the usual sabbath quiet yesterday.
Nothing whatever occurred to disturb the monoto-
ny or interfere with the religious services OF the
different chaplains. General Meade has gone to
Philadelphia on furlough for few days.
despatch from the headquarters Of the De-
partment Of West Virginia states that Major Cole
who was in command of battalion OF Maryland
cavalry, in Loudon county. attacked at four
O'Clock yesterday morning by the guerilla
Mosby. foof hundred strong. After severe fight
ing for an hour Mosby was repulsed, leaving
his killed and wounded. on the ied. Among
the dead were found four commissioned
officers. Our loss is reported as two killed and
eleven wounded Among the latter Captain
General Sullivan has force OF cavalry now in
pursuit OF the enemy. Mosbys plan was to sur
round and surprise the camp but he found Major
Cole ready for him.
IL is not thought that the enemy can accomplish
anything in the Shenandoah valley just now. The
river is almost impossible from floating ice, nor is
II likely from the position Of our forces that the
rebels can construct bridge. The retirement of
General Early from that section Of country is
looked upon a. almost certain.
An officer Of the rebel army (Thrd Arkansas
regiment), who recently deserted to the Union
lines at Fort Smith withA portion of his command,
Hborts that General Holmes is in command Of the
Ersns Mississippi Department, and General Price
kemmauds the army in the field. which does not
Exceed thirteen thousand. or Prices Missourians
bnly three or four thousand remain, and but few
Or these were part Of the army which he took out
OF Missouri. The veterans Of Lexington and Pea
Ridge are nearly all dead. He says that the re.
ports Of the Union success in Texas, and General
Banks possession Of the Rio Grande, created great
gloom smong the rebels, and also that President
bincolns amnesty proclamation was having effect
throughout their ranks, and assertions were fire.
quent in consequence.
Our sdvices from the Bahamas ar dated at Mas.
ssu, N. T.. on the I'd Of January. The foreign
trade with Wilmington N. c., by way Of Nassau,
was still brisk. There we're quite number of
arrivals with assorted cargoes" for storage. the
goods being evidently destined for ultimate ship.
ment TO the rebels. New York forwarded seven
such cargoes. The United States steamer sonoms
uent in putsui, Of steamer on the Goth utimo.
We learn from Havana that the steamer Morn.
lsg Star which left New York on the 2eth ult.,
vvas closely pursued on the next day, near Cape
Rstssrsa hy srebel csuissr. Of EplTsh build. a