The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-12

THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
The scouts from General Keley's department
are still picking up deserters from the rebel army
in the mountains. General Crooke, from the
Army Of the Cumberland has arrived in General
Kelley's department, and will probably be as
signed to the command Of General Scammon, who
was recently captured by the rebels. Some let
tiers taken from the rebels throw much light upon
the operation of the Conscrip;i law, all express
sve of discomfort. ard refer to t quent collisions
between the soldiers who are employed to enforce
the law and the citizens who are resisting it.
1t would appear by dispatches from St. Louis
to Chicago that powerful feet is being fitted
out on the Mississippi river by Admiral Porter.
Ill the naval depots on the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers are actively engaged in fitting out vessels.
Advices from Vichsburg to the 9Th represent
everything going on fayorably.
Dispatches from Newbern N. c., to the 7th
our position there from various points. The iron
clad, which lies thirty five miles above Eewbern,
on the Neuse river az Kinston, is supposed to be
prepared for a combination with the land forces
threatening Ncwhern She is regarded as very
formidable engine of war. The people at New
bern anticipated long siege
We have some interesting news from East Ten
ncssee by way Of Cincinnati. The communica-
lions between Knoxville and Cumberland Gap
were reported to be cut of, and that nearly all Of
East Tennessee was in the hands Of the enemy.
Tbesc rumors came from some persons who had
arrived at Nashville; bu. we are not in possession
OF any news corroboratvc of the story.
From the quarter learn that the Army
OF the Cumberland is in splendid condition. The
rebels still in large force at Dalton; but
OF the Kentucky and Tennessee regiments are said |
to have been sent further South, lest they should
be tempted to desert.
The tone Of the Southern journals are soma.
what boastful with reference to the spring cam.
paign. The Richmond Erdminer' says that il will |
open with the most encouraging auspices for the
South. That the rebel armies will be stronger,
better armed and better disciplin ID than ever be-
kVfcs ludt Inc cuclig Ii NompiSttiy iBhoiuHt VI
our plan Of operations. We have Smith and Magru-
der instead Of Holmes west OF the Mississippi;
Polk instead of Pembcrton in the Southwest:
Johnston instead Of Bragg in the centre; Long
street in Tennessee; Deaurcgarj rum, ,hant on
the Southern seaboard. and Lee still invincibic in
Virginia. We have had no depressing disasters
during the winter, and gun5oats aid Monitors
have alike lost their terrors. We have every as
surance that the year 1864 viii retrieve the misfor
tunes OF the predecessor.
1t is also said that General Lee Is most hopeful,
and declares that If the war can be prolonged TO
September the greatest crisis will be passed. II
is admitted now that the shot and shell from the
Union batteries al Charleston are doing much
mischief in the lower portion of that city. which
it will take much time and money to repair.
Broad street appears to be the target for the
artillerists.
The Daily Mail OF Montgomery Ala, says that
MINORS OF the evacuation OF Richmond are gain
lng ground, and hints mysteriously that "there is
o movement on foot which will create more con.
sternatiou OF Richmond than anything that has
occurred during the war"
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The steamships City OF Washington aud China,
iron Queenstown. reached this port yesterday.
viii European news date to the 3ist Of January
six days later.
The schleswig- Holstein question was still sub
feet q excitement and some alarm. The Danish
Minister had left vienns. Denmark had been
sunmsned 10 evacuate Schleswig. and her reply
was 70 be given on the sosh ultimo. II was
thssght that refusal would be followed by "a
attempt on the part OF the Germsnic ailies TO
crOss the Elder and should the attempt be resist
"a var would be commenced. Ten thousand
fvussan kcops. under com nand Of the Grown
f5tncs, had passed through Hamburg. France
ed Russia had concluded TO unite with England
o. the subject. leaving the matter OF active In
tefSerence TO England. Sweden, II was said, had
oiaed with Denmark.
The English magistrates had committed for trial
Che Inspector Of machinery in sheerness dock.
yard, on charge Of aiding the fitting out OF the
trivateer Rappahannock. The case OF the alleged
privateer Pampero was adjourned in the Scotch
,ourts. Our English nles contsn interesting re.
oorts OF the latest movements Of the Alabama 10