February 15, 1863, The New York Herald
The Army of the Rappahannock is still immovable. The state of the weather and the condition of the roads, no doubt, preclude the possibility of any military movements. Yesterday General Hooker visited General Sigel, and was accompanied on his return by that officer and General Stahel.
Our special army correspondents at the headquarters near Vicksburg and on board the ram Queen of the West furnishes today some interesting accounts of the state of affairs in that quarter. It would not appear that the canal, although our troops are working vigorously upon it, is so certain of being made available as was at first supposed. It is yet regarded, however, by those engaged upon it as a feasible means of capturing Vicksburg, notwithstanding the fact that the river, so far, refuses to adopt the new channel. The army at that point is represented to be in excellent condition, well supplied with stores, and in good health and spirits. Gen. Grant and Admiral Porter are working vigorously to insure the success of their expedition.
The Navy Department received yesterday a despatch from the fleet on the Cumberland river detailing an account of the successful attack made the 3d inst. by Lieutenant Leroy Fitch, with the gunboats Brilliant, Fairplay, Lexington, St. Clair, Robb and Silver Lake, upon a force of 4,000 rebels, under Generals Wheeler, Forrest and Wharton, who were surrounding the forces of Col. Harding, and pressing them hard at a point a few miles below the town of Dover, Ky. The fleet of Lieutenant Fitch most opportunely arrived at night, and shelled the rebels so effectively that they were compelled to abandon their position after sustaining a heavy loss.
By the arrival of the Talisman, from Jamaica, we are put in possession of news touching the movements of the rebel vessel Alabama up to the 5th inst. The journals of Kingston contain very interesting descriptions of her run from Galveston and the destruction of the Hatteras. Captain Semmes, of the Alabama, was received by the merchants and citizens of Kingston in the Commercial Exchange on the 25th ult., after his arrival there, and was met with distinguished honor by our British friends, who welcomed him and his pirate vessel with twice three vociferous cheers. As a set-off to the ovation tendered to the commander of the Alabama, it appears that a portion of her crew went into a dining saloon in Kingston, and got up such a row there that they were hauled up before the magistrates. The crew of the Hatteras are to be sent home on board the American ship Borodion, chartered by the American Vice Consul for that purpose.
The French frigate Vauban, from Mexico, has been repaired at the British naval yard at Bermuda. She was on her voyage to Toulon with invalids from the expeditionary force, and during the time the work was going on the sick men were treated in the English hospitals on shore. When the Vauban sailed she left nine patients behind under the care of Drs. Smart and Domville, of the British army.
The London Army and Navy Gazette says that Rear Admiral John Elphinstone Erskine, R.N., is likely to succeed Sir Alexander Milne in the command of the British North American and West India fleet.