The New York Herald Newspaper, February 5, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GURDON BENNOUT, DITOR AND PROPRIETOR, CORNBR OF FULTON AND NASdA 80+. Ww in advance. Money sent by mati will be None bat Bank bills carrent in TERMS al iby he seader. New York take TH i HERALD, THREE conte per copy. | ‘LY HERALD, every Saturday, at Fiv@ csata i Annual subscription price: $2 5 . 8 bb yer number, addressed to names of subscribers, | . ot ten. 49 oul, An extra onpy will be gent to every club of | Eweaty copies, to one address, one year, $25, and ‘en7 larger numbor at came price. An extra copy will be govt (9 clubs of twenty, These rates make the WaRxcr Hrtaci the cheapest pubsication in the country. “te Bonorcan Ebinoy, every Wednesday, at Fivz cents per copy; $4 por annum to any part of Great Britain, or S6 to way part of the Continent, both to inolude portiye. y ‘he Catiwonxta Eprnox, on the Ist, 1th and 21st > exci: month, at Sx cents per copy, or @3 per annum, Voiume XXVIII,. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVRNING, { X!8L0'8 GARDEN, Broadway.—Laau, Tam Fousacen. wv . \LACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Bosom Furxnos. . SINTER GARDBN, Broadway.—Qurw ®.oe 08 BevitLe—WizaRD Sai v Corner—La LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Recouap Fis—Per ov tuk Prticoate. ‘NEW BOWERY TIE. Stswak Dewan—Castin RE, Bowery.—Couteex Bawx— Dir. x BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Guexporwr—Jack AND ‘THe Beswstace—Rowsryson Crusow, BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Mis. Lavinta Waneex—Commononm Nore, &¢., at ail houre— Rost OF Gotw—Morning, Afternoon and Evening. KRY ANTS MINSTRELS, Mechunics' Hall, 472 Broad- BA qEutorsax Sonos, Buuzesquxs, Dances, &0.—Livau- NG Gas. . WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway.—Eruiorian Bonus, Dancts, &.—Uarey Vamiry, BROADWAY MENAGERIE, Broadway.—Iavina Witp Anim AL EREORMING ELBPHANTS—COMIO MOLES, 4c. AMERICAN MUSIC HA! No. 444 Bi — 4 Lets, Pantowimxs, BURLESG ao. gue ir PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, 563. Bri - Open datly from ly A. M. tlL10 P.M. ail HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, —) Songs, Discus, Bouuvsgurn ke BrokWa—Ermoriax 1863, New York, Thursday, February : THE SITUATION. There is nothing new from the Army of the Po- tomac. "verything is quiet in that direction. ‘The attack by the rebels on Fort Donelson, which we reported yesterday, resulted in their en- | tire defeat, At the commencement of the action the enemy took four of our guns at a charge vigorously and gallantly made, but our troops as gullantly responded by taking them back again, killing one husd:cd end thirty-five of the rebels NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5,~ 1863. SS ————$ Coagress, was referred to the Naval Committee. The bill for the encouragement of re-enlistments } and the oarolling and drafting of the militia was | taken up, and séveral amendments adopted. A ; motion to strike out the second section, giving the | President powor to make all rules Ana rogutations | for enrolling end drafting the militia, was disa- | greed to, Pending @ motion to strike out the | fourth section, tho Senate adjourned | Inthe House of Representatives the Committee on Elections reported adversely on the claims of J, B. McLoud, and his contestant, W. W. Wing, to represeat the Second district of Virginia. The bill providing for @ submarine telegraph from Fortress Mouroe to Galveston, communicating with intermediate points on the cost, was passed. The bill providing for the codification of the laws of the United States was rejected. The bill rela- | tive to the enlargement of the canals 60 aa to ad- mit of the passage of gunboats, was discussed at some length, and then laid aside till Friday. Bills appropriating $30,000 for the protection of over- land emigrants; for the organization of an ambu- lance crops of twenty thousand men; and autho: rizing the employment of additional clerks, copy- ists and laborers fn the Quartermaster Genoral’s office, were passed. The Senate bill for the more efficient administration of the Subsistence Depart- ment was also passed. The Senate bill authorizing twenty thousand men to be raised for the defence of Kentucky was likewise passed, and the House adjourned. THE LEGISLATURE. Inthe State Senate yesterday, the resolution | endorsing the Presideat’s emancipation proclama- tion was called up, when a substitute for it was proposed, and, after some discussion, the whole subject was laid over till to-day. Favorable re- ports were made from the committees on the bills to prevent desertions in the volunteer regiments of the army and in the naval service; authorizing the Governor to furnish tourniquets to the soldiers from this State, and amending the charter of the New York Warehousing Company. The bill amending the laws of 1858 relative to the regula- tion of the wharves and slips of this city was passed. The Susquehanna Railroad bill was again under consideration in Committee of the Whole. In the Assembly the standing committees were announced by the Speaker. Several gentlemen who had received appointments on the committees asked to be relieved from serving. Some of them were excused and others were not. The remarks of members in this connection occupied a con- siderable portion of the day's session. Bills were introduced to aniend the Marine Court act, to punish frauds on employes, and to legalize the acts of our city government by which the relief fund of $500,000 for soldiers’ families was raised. Concurrent resolutions for an amendment of the constitution in reference to the organization of the courts were introduced. A resolution was also in- troduced instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of investing boards of supervisors with increased powers. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. There are two European stenmships fully due at this port this morning. They sailed in the follow- . ing order, viz:— Day of sa.ling. Destination. Steamships. Hanea. .. Southampton, .Jan, 21-,..Now York. City of Manchester. Queenstown..:Jan, 22. ...New York. The news by the Hansa is three and that by the City of Manchester four days later than the ad- vices of the Australasian, We publish this morning some interesting nowa From. and wounding fifty. Among the latter is General Forrest, the rebel leader. A heavy snow storm was raging at Fortress Monroe yesterday, more severely than anything which had occurred there for many years. We have some reliable intelligence of the caovements of the pirate vessel Retribution, from the captain of the schooner Springbok, which has arrived in Boston from Port Paix. Captain Grindle states that the Retribution was off that port about January 15, and sent a boat on shore, pretending to be a merchant vessel. The statement is confirmed by Captain Jordan, of the schooner H. 3. Boynton, who left Port Paix January 10, at which time also she was understood to be in that vicinity. If so, the report of the destruction of four or five vessels off St. Thomas by that priva- teer is probably false, as St. Thomas is far to windward, and the Retribution could not have beat up in season to make the report true. The Union cavalry in the vicinity of Murfrees- woro have been active. On the 2d inst. a body of Stokes’ Tennessee cavalry and a Kentucky regi- ment of infantry made a splendid dash on a rebel oimp at Middtetown, fifteen miles from Murfrees- bovo, and captured one hundred of the enemy, with all their camp equipage, horses and wagons. Another fine attack was made at Franklin by a body of Davis’ cavalry, who captured twenty of the rebels. Brigadier General Robert B. Mitchell, command- ing, at Nashville, has issued an order announcing that, “in accordance with directions from Head- quarters, Department of the Cumberland, no person will be allowed to go south from that point except by way of Vicksburg.” In the important news which we published ex- clusively yesterday morning from the South wa ‘despatch copied from a Richmond paper, and dated at Chattanooga, Tenn., January 30, stating that General Wheeler's rebel cavalry had attacked @ fleet of twenty-five federal transports on the Cumberland river, and destroyed five, on Fri- day, the 23d uit. because we have news direct from Nashville, which states that the fleet which arrived there con- aisted of twenty-three steamers. They were attacked, as the rebel account states, on Fri- This is now known to be false, from the city of Mexico. Our dates of the Heruldo reach to the 4th of January, being one week iater than any previous news direct from the Mexi- can capital. The Mexicans complain of their sym- pathizing American neighbors for sending supplies of mules to the French, and, under the circum- stances, have begun to capture them as fast as they can. The French are gradually advancing to the attack of Puebla; but the Mexicans are ready for their invaders, General Carvajal was continu- ally on the watch to guard against surprise. It is said that the enthusiasm of the Mexican soldiery to meet their enemy amounts to a kind of frenzy. Another fleet of twenty-three steamers, all load- ed, and two gunboats, arrived safely at Nash- ville, on the 28th ult., and the next day they commenced discharging, to the great delight of the inhabitants. Provisions had become quite scarce in the city, and enormous prices were de- manded previous to this arrival. Mr. George Worth, mate of the United States gunboat Golden Rule, was instantly killed in Balti- more on the Ist inst.by being run over by the wheels of a railroad car. The fortnightly meeting of the Board of Educa- tion took place last evening. Mr. Thomas Boese, the Clerk of the Board, had hia salary raised to $3,500 per annum. There was no other business of the slightest moment transacted unti! the Board adjourned. At the Stock Exchange yesterday there wis at first a hoavy feeling, which was due in part to tho tivhtness in the money market. Ia the afternoon this feeling disap- penred, and the market again became buoyaut. Gold fluctuated actively between 156 and 168, closiug at about 1574{. Exchange closed at 178% a 174. Mouey was quite active at seven per cent. Cotton was inactive, and down to 8650. @ 87¢. for mid- dling yesterday, Flour, whoat and corn advanced early in the day, but closed at former rates, with less activity. The demand was brisk for pork, which was rashor firmor, but was restricted for other kinds of provisions, as woll As for groceries and whiskey, the inttor article closing lees buoyaatly. Otis, leather, tallow and tobacco were in good demand, as likewise were dry goods, foreign hemp wool, hay, hops and fruit, Whalevone was moro sought (or. Freights were somewhat brisker and firmer, a Ice Cror.—The thermometer has gone duwn to zero, and the hopes of our ice con- sumers have risen as a consequence. Those per- sons who had secured during the last cold snap, a certain amount of ice in thgir cellars began to look upon their supplies of the luxury as so much gold, at sixty per cent premium; and, as the warm weather lasted, their anticipations of a rich percentage for their treasure grew apace. The cold bas come again, however, and the hopes of the few above referred to are sinking, with the thermometer, below zero, while the many are jubilant over the present prospects of ‘lay; but, beyond @ shot which passed through the ‘R. B. Hamilton, and a few bullethboles in the Com- merce, no damage was done, aud the entire fect arrived safely at Nashville. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, ihe credentials of Mr Dooliitie, re-elected Seaator froin Wisconsin for | six yeors trom the 4th of Mare. ae . it ti Coarts was reported back by the Judicia vimaittee, The bili to prevent corresponden , Were pra- changing the with vebels waa also reported back. A joint reso- | lutiou to revive the act securing to officern d suon employed in the Department of the West and Missouri their pay, bouaty and peasions, w reporied back by the Military Committce. A | authoring the President to make qualified ps» dous, so as to reutit fines, relieve from impricon ment, ‘to., was passed. The bill amendatory of the act to provont government officers and members of Congress from taking considera- | tion for procuring contracts, office or place, was | roported back by the Judiciary Committee. A bill for tho sale of certain Indian reservations in Cali fornia, and the establishment of new reservations in the same State, was referred to the Military Committee. The resolutions relative to French in tervention in Mexico were laid on the table by a vote of thirty-four against nine. The resolution Aireoting the Secretary of the Navy not accept the title of League Island until further rder of t 6 of holding the | a grand ice crop. Ice has become a necessity vit) our people, and no doubt we should emu- the example of the Texas judge were the rop to fail, The judge, finding that the supply of >in tho town be inhabited was exhausted, ad ourt until more ice could be obtained, e in this great country every apecies rope known elsewhere, and some pec y 0 va We at one time bad but our coresi, | tobacco and cotton crops. Now we hava the | equally important ice, coal and granite, as well « | | wa gold, crops | ‘Tue Daynecer Brn Derxaren.—We are sorry j to reoord the fact that on Tuesday |aat, in the Howse of Representatives, the Bankrupt bill by « vote of 60 to 53, was Inid upon the table, jeod that a motion to reconsider waa also ‘avlod—=-which flnally disposes of tho meas We had entertained the hope that som a) much needed act for the relief of our eubur. {and suffering business classes would be poveed at this session of Congress; but it seems | that we ave to have nothing but enormous ap | Pepptiadous, enormous taxations, unlimited issnes of paper money, and never ending, but } still beginning, acts of Congress fur the ema pation aud military orga: sation 6° the alm wbty nigger. “White follk<’ snust wait a ifttle 'on- | ger, and so let us wait in patience and in the | hope of better things to come, Obarteston. little moment. The moral effect of the roverse, however, ig very great. It is a humiliation (0 our navy that will be made the most of by those hostile to us, and that could never have oc- curred if ordinary foresight ond vigilance had been observed. But it is not merely tn relation to this pot! that we regard this affair ag a very serious dis- aster. It is the principle of international law involved in it’that imparts to tt its gravity. We do not believe that it in reality affects the legal and permanent character of the blockade; but there is no doubt that it is intended to raise that issue with us. The simultaneous and tem- porarily successful efforta-made at Galveston and Charleston to break the blockade, the pro- clamations issued by the rebel commanders at both places, formally declaring the consumma- tion of the fact, and the endorsement by the foreign consuls of their proceedings, all go to show a preconcerted plan, undertaken either. with or without an understanding with the Eurepean governments, but, in either ouse, Pregnant with trouble to us, If any doubt existed on this point it would be re- moved by the declarations of the rebel journals. The Richmond Dispatch states that formal notice of the raising of the blook- ade at Charleston had. been given by the rebei Secretary of State to the British and French consuls in Richmond, and that, by the strict rule of international law, sixty days’ notice must be given before {t can be re-established. If this were so it would materially alter the character and probable duration of the war. Two months’ unobstructed commercial inter- course with Europe would place the South, both in regard to finances and war supplies, in a position infinitely stronger than that which it occupies at present. It would infuse fresh life and viyor into its military and naval operations, and render it, with its united sentiment, impos- sible to conquer. We have no apprehension that the rebels will be able to establish legal grounds for what they claim. We have looked carefully through all the international authorities—extracts from which will be found in another column—and we can find nothing which, taken in conjunc- tloa with the real facts of the case, would go to show a legal raising of the blockade. Neither Ortolan nor Hautefeuille—the two standard writers on international law—contain anything which would go to prove that its temporary disturbance, without freedom of access and exit shown, would constitute such an interrup- tion of it as would require the two months’ notice claimed by the rebels as necessary to its re-establishment. On the contrary, it will be The news which we published yesterday ot | the successful raid of the rebel iron-clads 0cial antecedents or the political opinions of | burg. At that day General Grant, chief in against our blockading force at Charleston is, | the President of the United States, his hiv’ | command, had wTived. The work of widening so far s¢ the number and value of the federal | position entitles him to the respect of every | and deepening the famous “out-gff” was pro- vessel devtroyed are donotriiad, of but very | get citizen and honorable mun, Especially is = found, by a passage which we quote from the latter writer, that express limits are set to the isamunities of neutral vessels profiting by such disturbance, thereby showing that the resump- tion of the blockade is, within a reasonable time, at the option of the besieging fleet. It is true that the letter of Lord John Russell confirming the efficiency of the blockade, when, in February, 1861, the question was officially brought before him, may be made the foundation of a quibble in this regard. He says that, “assuming that the blockade is duly notified, and also that a num- ber of ships are stationed and remain at the en- trance of a port sufficient really to prevent access to it, or create an evident danger in leaving it, and that these ships do not volun- tarily prevent egress or ingress, the fact that various ships may have successfully escaped through it will not of itself prevent the blockade from being an effective one by international law.” It will be sought to show that no por tion of our blockading force at Charleston “remained” at the entrance to that port after the affair in question, and that there was con- sequently no danger to neutral vessels in either entering or leaving it. In this view we can understand the stress laid by the rebels on the alleged fact that at a distance of five miles beyond the usual anchorage of the blockaders nothing was to be seen of them. For this state- ment, however, we have nothing but their own authority. If a neutral vessel had attempted either to enter or leave the port it is a question whether the blockading ships would not have quickly manifested their presence. Apart from the discredit attaching to this unfortunate affair, the question involved -in it is, as we have before observed, a very important one. All international authorities. concede that the temporary withdrawal of a blockading force does not per se constitute the raising of a blockade. It is very essential tuat we should learn whether its being driven “temporarily” to some distance beyond its usual moorings is to be regarded in a different light. This, however, cannot be ascertained until we hear from the European governments interested in the decision of the point. The worst that can befall us, supposing that decision to be adverse, will be, according to rebel statements, a raising of the blockade at Charleston for sixty days. In the meanwhile we can settle the question for ourselves by as- saulting that hotbed of rebellion with such a force as will insure its speedy capture. Tue Larcest Room iw tue Worip—The people of New “England are giving General McClellan a reception which is as sincere as it is enthusiastic. This proves the spread of his popularity. And while speaking of his popu- larity we are reminded, as Mr. Lincoln says, of what occurred a few evenings since at one of our popular minstrel halls. The incident shows that here, as in Boston, the enthusiasm of the people is easily raised when McClellan is in question, Bones wished to know if “Me. Johnson” could teil him which was the Jargoat Yom in the world. Johnson failed in all bis atwempts and fioally gave it up. “The room for Improvemont,” triumphantly shouted Bones. “Ob! 1 know where dat room is,” said Mr. Johoson. “ Dat's down on de Rappabaa- nock.”” Sboute of applause greeted thls sally. “L know who can aweep dat room clean,” as of the hoad: This brought the Louse down. They stamped, aud laughed, j end cheered for MeCiellan for sen minutes at least. The uproar beyan afresh when Bones me forward and gravely announced that ifteen minutes intermission will take place to allow for cheering de General.” Straws show which way the wind blowa. The MeClellan breeze is becoming a burriewe, bound to sweep away midat the ctise of abolitionism, and t rid our country of its onemics. serted Bones, with a wise shal Little Mao can do it, sure irom our Partics. Whatever may be the personal. babita, the is réiiark true in regurd to the domestic rela- tions of the head gf the nation. The President is ex officio the representative of the govern- ment, and those who insult him or his family, whether in the chit obat and gossip of society, from the rostrum of the public orator, or through the columns of the newspapers, not enly violate the rules of etiquette, but are guilty of attempting to bring the nation into contempt. We regret to state that these offences are proven against the radical leaders, and especially the radical organs, of both the re- publican and demooratio parties. It was about's year ago that the radical re- publican press began a scandalous onslaught upon Mra. Lincola, the wife. of the President. ‘The motive of these attacks was the report that Mre, Lincoln. did not agree in opinion with the abolition radicals. ypon the slavery question. This discussion about the political opinions of 8 lady who pretends to, no political influence, and whose tustes lie in an altogether differ- ent direction, was conducted with most un- warrantable license. The New England pa- pers, though assuming to represent moral, pure and scrupulously fastidious communities, disgraced themselves by publishing the most infamous slanders. New England speakers bandied Mrs. Lincoln’s name about in the most ungentlemanly manner, and did not scruple to assail her as a sympathizer with the rebels, be- cause they could not then induce the President to yield to their fanatical demands. The New York Tribune was foremost in this dirty work, and many of our readers must still remember the Tribune's vulyarities upon Mrs. Lincoln’s ball and ball dress, and the annoying para- graphs in regard to her French and the studies she was making, “ that she may better discharge the duties of her elevated station.” Nor can the proceedings of the kitchen committee of Paul Pry Hickman yet be forgotten or forgiven. In short, the cowardly and brutal radical repub- licans, afraid to attack the President openly, continued for a long while to abuse and insult his wife, who, so far from giving them the slightest excuse for their assaults, was distin- guished then as now for her benevolence, her amiability, the absence of that vulgar display which too many women would affect in her position, and for those graces of person and deportment which befit the wife of the Chief Magistrate of a great country. At that time several of the democratic jour- nals were the first to resent and protest against this unpardonable attempt to drag a lady into the mire of politigal contro- versy. Now, however, the tide has turned, and, with apparently no other provoca- tion than a desire to wound the President through his domestic affections, the radical democratic organs are villifying Mrs. Lincoln as scandalously as did the abolition papers a few months ago. One of these democratic organs recently announced that Mrs. Lincdln was in favor of emancipating the slaves of the South, and concluded its remarks by the boorish suggestion that the President might hail his wife ‘“‘as the first slave emancipated by his proclamation.” The Journal of Commerce, whose editors make great pretensions to piety and patriotism; the Zxpress, which is conducted by men who profess to be perfect chevaliers sans reproche in their intercourse with ladies, and the World, which is managed by a few very young men who have probably associated only with each other, and have thus acquired very bad manners and worse sense, have each copied and given circulation to a bit of Washington gossip, which no decent paper ought to print with- out accompanying it with the proper condem- nation, and which is to the effect that “Mrs. Lincoln looks rather pretty, owing in a great measure, doubtless, to the elaborate coat of paint which tinged her features with unnatural beauty.” Washington gossip is a term usually synonymous with falsehootl, and never was the falsehood more absurd and palpable than in the present instance. It may be useless, per- haps, to remind the radical democratic editors that such publications, if uncontradicted, have a tendency to alienate from the President and his family that popular affection and respect almost indispensable to the welfare of the country during such a crisis as this. That alienation it seems to be the object of these editors to accomplish. Neither, possibly, will they be at all moved by the consideration that their articles may excite a contempt for the nation and its rulers in foreign countries which may operate most disadvantageously to our cause. But certainly these editors should re- flect that, while they may injure Mrs. Lincoln in the estimation of the ignorant and the envious, they equally injure themselves by the publication of what is false in fact, objectionable in its sub- ject, and contrary to all the recognized usages of polite and refined society. To those who know Mrs. Lincoln her character speaks’for itself, and her merits are as great as they are unobtrusive. The sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals about Washington bless her kindness, her benignity and her generosity. All who are brought into social intercourse with her admire her womanly virtues, her good- ness of heart and her rare modesty, which adorns, while it cannot entirely conceal, the quiet dignity so becoming to one in her posi- tion. We advise these editors, therefore, to apologize for their past offences against pro- priety, and to desist from all such insulting and ill-bred personalities in the future. A persist- ence in their present reprehensible conduct will entirely destroy whatever reputation they may have as gentlemen, and will not by any means increase their efficiency a» partisans or their in- fluence as patriots. Taz Wortv on ARBITRARY ARneeTs.—Mr. Stanton, by liberating editor Boileau go speedi- ly, has done one grievous wrong. He bas dashed to the earth the hopes of our contempo- re World. The wrrest of Mr. Boileau bad thrown the World into a flutter of excitement nd hope. Flere was chance to obtain that for which the journal in question has labored so diligently—a stoppage of publication—whicd, in these days of high prices for paper, would be the salvation of the Worid. It has frothed and fumed against the administration, in hopes of thee such a result as that which overtook Boileau; and yet Mr. Stanton has not stopped the World. Cruel, cruel Mr. Stanton! Do you not understand that you must stop the World, or it will have to stop itself? Stanton, that arrests deferred bring some news- papers to wrief. And pray pay @ little atten- tion to (he wailings and railings of our meigh- bor, the World. rary, ¢ | The Assumed Raising of the Blockade at Mrs. Lincoln and the Radicals of Both The Misetestppi Depar Remember, Mr. | (—Progress of the Work at Vicksburg, dK. We bave news to the 3uth ultimo from Vicky. greasing; butyghe rebels, Shulling their danger, had planted s%attery on the opposite, or Mis- @lssippl, side of the tiver, which commands the outlet of the canal ints the main stream. That battery, however, will pe silenced when the time comes for action. ; A rebel despatoh trom Vicksburg of the 30th ult. says that some federal scouting parties had appeared that morning on the river bank imme- diately in front of the town, but on the Louisi- ana side of the river, and bad burned four houses under the range of the rebel batteries, the river being less than a mile in width, and the rebel batteries being on the Vicksburg bluffs, where they possess the advantages of a plunging fire. This would seem to indicate a ‘design on the part of General Grant to plant a line of batteries in front.of Vicksburg, to keep the rebels well employed in his-front while our gunboat squadron are running below the ‘town ,by way of the “cut-off.” But, whatever may be the designs of General Grant, we have the fullest confidence in his success, not only in removing the Mississippi river, but in removing the rebels from Vicksburg, in “moving upon their works.” Some five hundred miles up the river from General Grant's scene of operations, and at the historic Island No. 10, a strong force of rebel guerillas, with three pieces of artillery, had en- deavored to arrest the passage of the gunboat New Era, but after a fight of several hours were shelled off. From Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, February 3, we have the report ‘that « fight was still in progress there at four o'clock in the afternobn, although it had com- menced at an early hour in the morning. From this it is evident that the fort had been assailed bys formidable rebel detachment; but as re- inforcements had gone forward to the support of the garrison we conclude that the enemy has been expelled. At the same time, from rebel reports, it ap- pears that their irrepressible guerilla, Wheeler has been very active of late in cutting in among and cutting up theriver transports and railroad trains of General Rosecrans. All these things disclose a desperate determination on the part of the rebeis to maintain a foothold in Ten- bessee, and to hold the points which they pos- sess on the Mississippi river. In Tennessee and at Vicksburg there is doubtless hot work very near at hand. It is possible that within the next ten days the most important évents of the war will come off in that quarter, and the most decisive against the rebellion. From Port Hudson—the only remaining rebel obstruction after Vicksburg on the whole line of the Mississippi—we have no very late intelli- gence. We are informed, however, that a “cut- off” is feasible at that point, and that the project is under consideration. This may ex- plain the requisition of General Banks for a large supply of intrenching tools. But let Vicksburg be taken, and the combined forces of Grant and Admiral Porter from above, and of Banks and Admiral Farragut from below, will make short work of Port Hudson. The Mississippi and its tributaries are in excellent condition for aggressive operations em our side from Tennessee to the Gulf; and we are confi- dent that, before those waters subside, the ad- vantages which they now offer will have been fully employed in crushing the rebellion in the Southwest. Our greatest victories last year were achieved between the Ist of February and the Ist of June; and this year, from the same advantages of navigable rivers, we anticipate, within the same period, the same results, but on a much graader scale. The administration has the men and the means; its most favorable season for great successes has come; and surely, notwith- standing all the blunders of the past, we may expect henceforward some glorious compensa- ting victories. If not, we make look for the peacemakers and Union breakers by the Ist of May. Comprroter Brennan at Work.—We pub- lished on Tuesday morning a communication from Comptroller Brennan to the Common Coun- cil stating that he must deciine to carry into effect the ordinance authorizing the issue of municipal shinplasters, and that he must also decline to execute the resolution of the Common Council for the purchase of the Gansevoort property. This is honest, straightforward talk on the part of the Comptroller, and will receive the cordial approbation of every respectable citizen. Corporation shinplasters are unnecessary, if not illegal, and would be a great nuisance. The title to the Gansevoort property is, as the Comptroller says, quite doubtful. Weare glad, therefore, that he has decided to have nothing to do with either of these measures. They are part of the rubbish left over by the old Council Board, and the rubbish hole is the place for them. The Comptroller speaks out like a Jack- | sonian democrat for hard money and clear titles; and, although his communication is ably argued, we most admire the justice of its con- clusions and the firmness with which these con- clusions are maintained. By and by our depreciated paper currency | will go down with crash, and stocks and | bonde will go down with it. Everybody will then be eager to do business upon the Comp- | gyen in Brooklyn, where there is no taste whatever troller’s principle of hard money and real estate with valid titles. But @ man of Bren- nan’s firmness, decision and sturdy honesty will | be needed to set the example of repudiating all paper money, just ashe has already repudi- ated the shinplaster scheme, and to demand gold and silver in all business transactions. This | will be necessary if we ever expect to get rid of these paper nuisances, which are now worse than the plagues, of Hgypt and which will be unendurable before many months. We trust that when the proper time comes Comptroller | Brennan will follow up his good work by thus restoring bullion to general circulation. Tue New “240 Axmy.—Since it seems to be now resolved that we are to have a negro army to put the finishing touches on the rebel- lion, {t is to be hoped that no time wil! be lost in commencing @ draft for that purpose. The one hundred end fifty thousand suggested by Me phistopheles Stevens should, at leas{, be en- rolled in the twinkling of an eye. This terri- ble army should be clothed not in red breeches alone, as already proposed, but in red coats also, 6o that they may look extremely ferocious, and as nearly like the British negro Zouaves as possible, We can fancy such @ negro army marching to the rescue of the country, and the excitement they would produce. Let us have | the black army, then, with red conte as well as red breeches. 7" Rapicausa or AxsotiTion Orarors.— While the Southorn rebels, by unity of purpose and rapidity of movement, are endeavoring to gain substantial advantages for their cause, the radi- cal di rs and abolitionists of the North & Working te “ently in an opposite direo- | are working’ as ir en és -otion of the tees the utter ruin and ‘vnfora country. The dnly objects they k ~~ themselves and the public are the negro and destiny, while the whole fabrie of free mpte sentative government is being ehattered 4 their eyes. One df the great apostles of thid destractive class—Mr. Wendell Phillipe—bes again been agitating the public mind on hie favorite though threadbare subject. On Tuee day evening last he addressed a large assem: * blage at Beecher’s Brooklyn conventicle, om, what he was pleased to style “The Future of! America.” But, as was naturally to be ex- pected, he said very little about our-future, bat @ great, deal about abolition. In fact, he com feased that there is no man who can prognosti-/ cate the events.that lie in the lap of futurity; but, being in the presence of a large audience he could not avoid improving the occasion to-descant om the imaginary future of a people whose present condition is the happiest that ceuld be wished, for them. It is high time that these radical orators ané disorganizers should be made to hold thety peace. The harangues of abolition preacher and lecturers have already brought woe enoug on the country, and caused the blood of thew sands of its best eons to be shed like water! The loyal and patriotic part of the country will no longer submit to these outrageous pro ceedings, but will demand that the abolitionist: of the North be treated with the same severit) @s the secessionists of the South. In fact, there be either of the two parties deservi: of the leniency of the government it is th latter, and not the former; for, while the grea! mass of the Southern people are only eur ene mies by the compulsory power of their leadere the Northern abolitionists are the worst foes o the republic, under tho guise of loyalty an patriotism. The whole of the ideas of Wendell Philltp! and his party may be reduced to a single fact- the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon and th elevation of the negro race. This must be th natural result of the sweeping system of emar cipation which they propose—a system the would lead to the amalgamation of two races ¢ different as the antipodes from each other. N greater crime than this against humanity an against society can be conceived; and yet w have oily-tongued orators every day preachin up the doctrine as one to be esteemed as wit and patriotic. If Mr. Wendell Phillips and th other abolitionists desire to serve their countr, let them take up arms and go forward to its d fence, arf cease prating about'the negro ar his condition a hundred years hence. Ti business in hand now is to save the nation, ap all who seek to divide and weaken the caw by untimely abolition discourses should held as enomies to the commonwealth er dealt with accordingly. Yue Unrrep Srares Court ar Key Waer- Our Key West correepondent informs us th: the British schooner Nonsuch, recently release by the United States Court of that district, w restored from the fact that her captain swor that he was within three miles of British torr tory when captured by the Tioga. Captal Cleary, of the Tioga, says that when be ove hauled and teok possession of the Noasuch J) was twenty-five miles from the aeereat lee. Here is the word of an officer of the Ui States Navy against the word of a rebel capta’ and blockade runner, and yet the United Stat Court at Key West decided in favor of rebel. We have frequently heard intimatio: that Key West was the worst possible place in which to take a prize for sdjudication, and v begin to believe the reports. Musteal. j VERDI'S “I VEPRI SICILIANI” AT THR ACADEEY / MUSIC. A most numerous and fashionable audience filed ¢ Academy of Music from parquet to dome last eventag,| hear Verdi's great work, ‘‘The Vospers.’’ The suor which attended this opera in Philadelphia, reports which reached here, gave additional prestige to night’s porformance, and drew forth the largest aud! of tho season. “The Vespers’ was given for the time at the Imperial" Academy of Music, Paris, June 1855, The artists who sang the opera were Mile. Crave| Gueymard, Bonnebee aad Obin. Their success was | mense, and for mothe “The Vespers’ was the great a uprivalled attraction of tho Paris goagon. The direo| of the French Opera sent fabulous sums upon the en scene; and the ballet, comprising as {t did some of most renowned danserisesjadded to the effect 9 acta omen soit or any vary offectiv» cheeses, and Deage the opera ‘ent eal in the Lae er geen aid oy ing with grea ad ve have said nothing of the plot of the | as itis taken for granted that all are fully con | owitte it. third acts passed off like | first, the ebiliod public not giving any decided ap; | to their favorite artista. We must add that the | foemed affectet ty the demeanor of the pvblic, w was ob & par with (he temperature of the house. | third act was, how:ve sang pi ecect the “O tu Palermo plas gree of the artist was chilling. ihe opera ended without perceptible change of fcting on the part of the audier | although toward the latter part of the performance merit of the artists drew forth some warmor acknow! ments from the public. | that on Fridi shail be as warin as any could desire. The sudden hae taken us all by surpiieo. ‘RRNANI AT THE BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF On Tuesday evening Verdi's “Ernani”’ was given at Brookiyn Academy of Music, with Lorini, Maccafe Amodio and Susini. Tho opera is ever a favorite one, music, save, perhaps, negro airs or fifty cent ‘The attraction was, (he prima donna, rably. “i a well deserved triampl terri appears to better advantag! ‘henani,? we think, (bov i almost any other opera en Brooklyn us well as bere vio and Bisini Ml thotr rote *growt attraction, the hi | there was a tolerab'e House, all doubt,a very proat ad rr ortakes the ox ‘The first act of © iorn by carefully soting all saciataction to the immense attraction, compri pany ‘On Saturday that shall bave| and ¢ ra of ‘Norma,’ with Lorint and omic opera, with foces de Jeannette" © Cordier aa the heroine.