9 
Bette to visit the classic shores of that State. The 
invitation was accepted, and the Old Bay State 
takes the subjects of the rattlesnake flag at their 
word, by sending three regiments of her sons as 
guests for the winter. 
A patriotic old lady named Jane Arbicht, aged 
seventy years, and a resident of Sugar Creek town¬ 
ship, Hancock county, Ind., put in with her own 
hands the past season about ten acres of wheat. 
She has sent her two sons to fight the buttles of the 
Union, and nobly applied herself to do their labor. 
Wk learn from the New Orleans Delia of the 28th 
ulL, that four poisons in that city, thought to be 
disloyal to the Southern Confederacy, were sent for 
six months to the. workhouse. 
One thousand copies of the spelling books 
recently exchanged for an improved penes, by 
the children in the public schools at Worcester, 
Mass., have boon forwarded to Forfcreps Monroe at 
the request of the Massachusetts soldiers there, who 
are teaching contraband ideas how to shoot. 
Tub illustrious Baron Munchausen, the Evening 
Post thinks, must have received the appointment of 
Chief of the Statistical Bureau at Richmond, if we 
may judge by the reports which issue from the 
insurgent side from time to time. Thus, about 
arms, it was asserted months ago, “on the best 
authority,” that the Confederates had received, by a 
vessel running the blockade at New Orleans. 300,000 
Enfield rifles. More recently they say they received 
200,000 more Enfield rifles at Charleston. TMb 
makes 500,000 British arms. Besides this, according 
to his organ, the Richmond Examiner, gun-thief 
Floyd stole over 300,000 United States arms; mak¬ 
ing altogether more than 800,000 first rate rifles and 
muskets. Meantime the Governor of Tennessee 
calls on the people of that State to bring in their 
shot-guns, lor which Davis promises to pay a good 
price. 
At a dinner party in Richmond recently, Gen. 
Beauregard gave an account of the Bull Run battle. 
He said his heart misgave him when the rumor 
came that Gen. Patterson was approaching to aid 
our side; and had it proved true, he felt that, the 
Confederates would have been compelled to fall 
back and delay the battle for some days, or suffer 
defeat He even sent to Johnston to have a reserve 
ready to protect the retrograde movement Alas! 
that Patterson was not there! 
Department of Missouri. 
Gen. Palmer telegraphs to Gen. Halleck from 
Ottervillc, that on the 8th, Majors Terrence and 
Hubbard, with 450 troops, attacked the notorious 
rebel Poindexter, with from 1,000 to 1,300 men, on 
Silver Creek, Howard county, totally routing them, 
with the loss of seven left on the field and many 
more carried off, from 50 to 00 wounded, and 70 pri¬ 
soners. Our loss was tour. The rebel camp was 
destroyed, and a large number of horses and teams 
taken. A heavy fog alone saved them from com¬ 
plete destruction. 
Intelligence known to be reliable and true, has 
just been received from Johnson county, to the effect 
that Col. Jennison'a regiment was at Holden, and 
that they bad made a descent in the neighborhood 
where the Government wagons were burned, and 
had fired the houses of the most prominent rebels in 
that affair, as well as in the attack on Major Hough's 
command. The rebels in Warronsburgh are reported 
to be iu a high state of excitement, consequent upon 
the near approach of Col. Jennison. as they well 
know they have committed all sorts of outrages on 
the quiet and peaceful Unionists of that county, and 
that, if justice be meted out to them, their houses 
will be burned. 
An express messenger from Col. Nugent’s regi¬ 
ment, stationed at West Point, Bates county, arrived 
at Sedalia on the evening of the 10th, on his way to 
St. Louis, with important dispatches to Gov. Gam¬ 
ble. lie left Bates county on Friday, and reports 
that Jennison had burned Austin, iu Cass county. 
Jennison, after leaving Austin, vent northeast. 
The Utiiou men in Johnson county are so much 
exasperated at the outrages of the retails, that noth¬ 
ing but Federal troops will save Lexington and 
Wammsburgh from being burned. The movements 
Of Col. Jennison are kept secret, yet enough is 
known to warrant the opinion that certain notorious 
rebels in Johnson county, and their dupes, will be 
bagged. 
In consequence of disproportionate, assessments 
having been made on the rebels in Ft Louis, under 
orders No. 26, Gen. Halleck has appointed a new 
board of assessors, to revise the old list, .and make 
such changes as they deem proper. All other pro¬ 
ceedings will bo in accordance with the original 
order, and the Board are enjoined to assess no indi¬ 
vidual unjustly, as there will be no further appeal 
from their decision. 
The following from the St Louis Democrat, of 
Tuesday, the 7th inst, explains itself: 
JlKADQUARTKRg, DEPARTMENT OP THE MISSOURI, > 
St. l.ouis, January 4, 1862. 3 
L At the Military Commission which convened at 
.St, Louis, Mo., pursuant to Special Orders No. 81, 
of Dec. 21st 1861. from these headquarters, and of 
which Brigadier-General F. I). Sturgis. U.S. Volun¬ 
teers, is President, was tried Edward M. Mabie. 
Ciiakuk 1. — “ Kncmnjwg rebellion against the 
Government of the United Slates, while enjoying its 
protection 
Specification— “In this, that he, Edward M. 
Mabie, did express disloyal sentiments, and wishes 
hostile to the Government of the United .States, and 
did say that it was his intention to go South and 
engage in privateering; and also, that he intended 
to run the blockade at Cairo. This at SL Louis. 
Missouri.” .... 
Charge 2.—“ Communication loilh the enemy.'’ 
Sr rc t PiCATt on—" In this, that he, Edward M. 
Mabie. did go to the Rebel States, crossing the lines 
of the United States forces without permission, on 
or about the first day of September, ultimo, and did 
return to St Louis between the 15th and 20th days 
of November following, with the intention of again 
running the blockade, so .soon as he was prepared 
to leave.’’ 
To which charges and specifications, the accused 
pleaded ‘‘notguilty.” 
Finding op the Commission.— The Commission 
finds the accused as follows:—Of the specification, 
first charge, ‘•guilty,'' Of the first charge, ‘•guilty.” 
Of the specification, second charge, "guilty.” "Of 
the second charge, "guilty.” 
Sentence—A nd the Commission does therefore 
sentence, him. Edward M. Mabie, " f'o be fined one 
thousand dollars, fir 1.000,,) and to lm confined as a 
prisoner until the end of the present war. 
II. The sememe is"approved, but. mitigated to 
one tfis ilsand dollars ($1,000) line, or confinement 
as a prisoner until the end of the present war. 
By order of Major-General Halleck. 
J. C. K hi.ton, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 
One of the severest engagements that Las been 
fought during the campaign in Missouri, took place 
on the 31st lilt,, at Mount Zion, eighteen miles 
southwest from tliQ town of Sturgeon, between six 
hundred Federals, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Pren¬ 
tiss, consisting of a detachment from Col. Birge’s 
sharpshooters and five companiesfrom Col. Glover’s 
cavalry, and seven or eight hundred Confederates, 
which resulted in the rout of the rebels with severe 
loss, and the capture of tlieir camp. Skirmishing 
commenced at eleven o’clock in the morning, and 
in throe hours after, our troops held complete pos¬ 
session of the field. Not u rebel was to be seen 
except the captured, and the dead and the wounded, 
which the enemy were unable to take with them, on 
account of their precipitate retreat. As nearly as 
could be estimated, the rebel loss was fifteen killed 
and seventy wounded, twenty-seven prisoners, forty 
guns, and some sixty horses and mules. They were 
destitute of camp equipage and stores of any kind. 
Our loss reached throe killed, two mortally wounded, 
and thirty more or less severely hurt 
The enemy were encamped in the edge of a wood 
npon a hill, difficult of approach, with every advan¬ 
tage in tlieir favor. Capt. Boyd’s riflemen were 
ordered to bring the enemy into action, and although 
a peifect storm of lead swept around them, they 
stood their ground and fought obstinately, as long 
as a rebel remained in sight. About 250 men par¬ 
ticipated in the engagement, and their courageous 
style of fighting was highly complimented by Gen. 
Prentiss. The officers, for the most part, showed 
coolness and courage, and managed their respective 
commands with skill and effect. The command 
returned to their camp at. Sturgeon on the evening 
of the engagement, performing the extraordinary 
feat of' marching forty-two miles, and fighting a 
severe battle, in twenty-four hours. There remain 
but a few armed bands of rebels in this part of the 
country at the present time, and the effect of this 
success of our arms will probably be to discourage 
and disheartep the friends of rebellion. 
Thirty of the North Missouri bridge burners, 
mostly farmers, and some of them quite wealthy 
and with large families, are being tried by a mili¬ 
tary court at Palmyra, Mo., lor the crime with which 
they are charged. If found guilty, they will he shot 
Department of t!io Mississippi. 
Flag officer Foote, with gun boats Essex, Lex¬ 
ington, and Tyler, made a roconnoisance down the 
Mississippi,on the7th inst He wentwithin 200 yards 
of the range of the rebel batteries. On Ms return 
he was fired at by the rebel gun boat Mohawk, to 
which he replied, but the shots all fell short The 
Flag officer is highly satisfied with the roconnois¬ 
ance, and has examined all the points on the river 
as near as two miles to Columbus. 
A dispatch from Cape Girardeau, says a detach¬ 
ment of the 7th Illinois cavalry, while scouting, had 
captured Major Williams, of Jeff Thompson’s band. 
The Surveyor of the port of Metropolis seized a 
large quantity of gold lace, morphine, and other 
oostly drugs, intended for the rebels. The goods 
were from Cincinnati. 
Commodore Foote telegraphed the Navy Depart¬ 
ment on the 8th, that he had made a roconnoisance 
from Cairo in the gun boat Essex, Captain Porter, 
accompanied by the gun boats Taylor and Lexing¬ 
ton, Captains Walker and Shirk, and Colonel Web¬ 
ster of the Engineer corps. They went down the 
Mississippi to within range of the batteries of Col¬ 
umbus. While reconn offering the latter, one of the 
sub-marine batteries planted in the channel by the 
rebels was discovered, but did no harm. 
Specials from Cairo say that 25,000 troops are now 
on their way there from different points, and as 
soon as they arrive a column of from 60,000 to 75.- 
000 strong will march from this to Paducah under 
General Grant. The destination of his force is said 
to be Nashville, where, if a junction can be made 
with Buell’s command, the entire army will proceed 
to New Orleans. This movement will undoubtedly 
occur within the next six days. 
On the 1 I th three rebel gun boats from Columbus 
attacked our gun boats— Essex and Ft Louis—lying 
off Fort Jefferson. A brisk engagement ensued for 
a short time, when the rebels retreated, our boats 
pursuing them until they reached the batteries of 
Columbus. It is believed one of the rebel boats 
was disabled. 
Four of our pickets were shot on the 10th, near 
Bird’s Point It is supposed to have been done by 
some of Colonel Logwood’s rebel cavalry, which 
have been roaming about committing depredations 
in that vicinity. General Paine has dispatched a 
force of cavalry in pursuit of them. Feme deserters 
from Columbus arrived at Cairo on the 11th, and 
report great alarm there. Troops were apprehend¬ 
ing an attack by the United States forces. 
The Bowling Green Courier of the 2d says that 
Floyd arrived at Nashville on the 1st, en route for 
Bowling Green. 
Rumors prevail at Lebanon that the Federal 
troops have taken two steamers proceeding to Cum¬ 
berland river with munitions of war, clothing, and 
provisions for Zollieoffer’s forces. Locality of 
seizure is not stated. 
Department of Western Virginia. 
A Special to the Wheeling (Va.) Intelligencer 
from Cumberland on the 7th, says a detachment of 
Kelley’s forces, commanded by Col. Dunning of the 
5th Ohio regiment, left Romney last night at twelve 
o’clock and attacked the rebels. 2,000 strong, at 
Blue’s Gap, Oust of Romney, at, daylight this morn¬ 
ing. The rebels were completely routed with a loss 
of two killed, two pieces of cannon, wagons, Ac., 
with 20 prisoners, including one commissioned offi¬ 
cer. Our loss is nothing. 
A special to the Cincinnati Gazette from Huttons- 
ville, says that Gen. Milroy is still moving. An 
expedition sent out by him on the 8th, of 300 of the 
32d Ohio, under Capt. Lacy, into Tucker Co., dis¬ 
persed 400 rebels, capturing a commissary and a 
large amount of his stores, a first lieutenant and a 
private. Four rebels were found dead on the 
ground, and a large number wounded. A detach¬ 
ment is still in hot pursuit 
The skirmish of Col. Russell at Bath on the 9th, 
was a brilliant affair, ne hail been detailed from 
Gen. Kelley’s command with two regiments of 
infantry and two regiments of cavalry, and was 
stationed at Bath. On the approach of Gen. Jack- 
son, in command of 6,000 or 8,000 rebels, his scouts 
gave him notice. He was six miles from the Poto¬ 
mac river. He took the infantry out about two 
miles, and posted them as skirmishers in a dense 
wood. The cavalry was left to engage the advance 
of the enemy. An exchange of shots was the conse¬ 
quence, and the enemy’s advance under Turner 
Ashby, of guerilla notoriety, came on and fell into 
the ambush. Capt. Russell lost seven horses and 
captured thirteen of the enemy's, and retired with 
his whole force across the Potomac with the loss of 
only two men, who were drowned in crossing. 
Department of the Ohio. 
The Louisville Democrat of the 7th is informed 
that a Federal scouting party brought five prisoners 
into Columbia, who were endeavoring to join Geu. 
Zollicoffer. The party report Gen. Zollicnffer with 
3.000 men between Greensboro and Columbia, 
Greensboro had been almost depopulated by the 
rebels, but Gen. Ward’s Federal brigade had gone 
there to take possession. The rebels captured five 
soldiers who were guarding Bond is Ferry, killing a 
man named Jones and taking 15 or 20 guns. The 
guard were surprised by rebel detachments on each 
side of the river. 
The Cincinnati Gazette has the following: 
From the editor of the late Fandy Hook Valley 
Advocate, now one of the proprietors of the Louis¬ 
ville Democrat , who arrived here from Sandy Val¬ 
ley, we learn that the second rebel invasion, of East¬ 
ern Kentucky has ended in a disgraceful rout. On 
Monday, the 6th inst.. Col. Garfield’s forces, includ¬ 
ing the 42d Ohio regiment, the 10th Kentucky regi¬ 
ment, and 1,800 cavalry, hail proceeded up the Big 
Sandy to Paincsvillo, within.seven miles of the rebel 
camp, when they were met by a flag of truce from 
Humphrey Marshall, asking if matters could not be 
arranged without a fight. Colonel Garfield imme¬ 
diately replied that he could offer no arrangement, 
and that they (the rebels) must either fight or sur¬ 
render unconditionally. Humphrey Marshall then 
addressed his men. telling them they had the altern¬ 
ative of surrendering or disbanding, and giving 
them their choice. They immediately collected and 
set fire to all their wagons, tents, camp equipage. 
Ac., and theu each man was permitted to take care 
of himself, and the whole force scattered in contu¬ 
sion. The rebels made no attempts to save anything 
except their cannon, which they hauled off Col. 
Garfield has dispatched his cavalry in pursuit, 
and they have gone to capture the guns and perhaps 
pick up many of the flying rebels. The rebels in 
North Eastern Kentucky, from the high estimate in 
which Humphrey Marshall’s military abilities were 
held, had strong hopes of success under his leader¬ 
ship. A sufficient Federal force will be left in that 
region to secure its future peace and safety. 
The Louisville Democrat of the 11 th 1ms advices 
which corroborate the accounts received via Cin¬ 
cinnati of the disbanding of Humphrey Marshall’s 
rebel forces near Painesville. No further particu¬ 
lars received. 
Department «if the East. 
There is hut little news of interest from this 
department, although every tiling indicates a stirring 
season very soon. We condense from our reports 
the following : 
General McClellan, for the first time in several 
weeks, appeared out of doors on the 9th, being able 
to ride in his carriage. He has nearly recovered 
his health. 
There was considerable commotion on the 8 th in 
military circles, in consequence of intelligence from 
Hancock that Jackson had suddenly appeared oppo¬ 
site that place with an estimated force of 7,000 men, 
one 14-pounder and three 12-ponnder rifled guns’ 
He sent word to General Lander to evacuate that 
place, or he would shell him out General Lander 
responded that he should not evacuate, and if Gene¬ 
ral Jackson opened fire upon the town he would 
hold him to strict accountability. General Jackson 
responded that he should assume the responsibility 
aud carry out his project; consequently be com¬ 
menced a steady fire, which was continued up to 
dark. The enemy’s fire caused hut slight damage 
to the buildings, and had no effect upon our troops. 
On die repeated reports of our pickets on the 8 lh 
that t rains wore continually arriving from Manassas 
at Drainsville, orders were given • by General 
McClellan that the divisions of Generals McCall and 
Smith, with Ayers’ and Mott's batteries, aud 250 
wagons, should make a reconnoiwaucc at daybreak. 
Twenty-two thousand men accordingly started on 
the 9th, with two days’ rations and forty rounds of 
cartridges to each man. A march of five miles 
tailed to discover the enemy. Fifty wagon loads of 
forage only rewarded the expedition. 
The accumulation of letters sent to Fortress 
Monroe for transmission to prisoners of war and 
others at the South has become so large that the 
members of General Wool’s staff, who are employed 
in tlieir examination, cannot attend to a third of 
those that arrive daily. Orders will soon be issued 
probably to limit, in some way, the number which 
are allowed to pass; and in the mean time all per¬ 
sons desiring to communicate with friends in the 
South are requested to make tlieir letters as few and 
as brief as possible. There are now several thou¬ 
sand waiting to be examined, and many of these, 
which are too long, will be destroyed without being 
read. 
Burnside’s expedition sailed for Hampton Roads 
on the 9th inst 
The following letter has been received from Brig¬ 
adier-General Sherman: 
Headquarters Port Koval. V 
Routli Carolina, January 2,1862. 3 
Sir:—A s the Vanderbilt leaves to-morrow, i deem 
it proper to inclose yon a letter of instructions to 
General Stevens’ command, (he Second Brigade of 
this division, of December 30. 
The simple object of this dash was to destroy bat¬ 
teries which the enemy appeared to have erected on 
Coo saw River, for the obstruction of navigation and 
the passage of that stream, and also to punish him 
for the insult in firing into the May Flower on her 
recent passage through that stream to sound the 
depth of' the channel. The affair succeeded per¬ 
fectly— the enemy were driven out. the batteries 
demolished, and the property found there brought 
away or destroyed with little or no loss of life on 
otir aide. After the object of the expedition was 
executed, General Stevens returned to Port Royal 
Island. As soon as his report reaches me it will be 
forwarded. 
The dispatches received by the Navy Department 
on the 11 th inst. from Captain Dupont, contain no 
features of interest in addition to those heretofore 
published in relation to the operations on New 
Year's Day. Accompanying reports from Comman¬ 
der Rogers and General Stevens show that each ol 
these gentlemen compliment each other on the 
efficiency and promptness of their respective 
branches of service. To this happy accord is to be 
attributed the success of the expedition in defeating 
the designs of the enemy to shut up our troops in 
Port Royal Island, in order to encounter them at 
their own advantage. 
Twelve vessels were awaiting storage for their 
cargoes at Port Royal, and new store-houses were to 
be immediately constructed. Our force at Tybee 
had been increased some 3,000 from Port Royal. 
Fort Pulaski kept firing, and one private had been 
killed. 
A skirmish took place between part of General 
Sherman’s force on the main land and some rebels 
on the 5th, resulting in serious loss to the rebels, 
besides sev eral prisoners. Commodore Dupont had 
sent 2,500 men to re-enforce General Sherman, to 
make active operations on railroads between Savan¬ 
nah and Charleston, and had severely censured 
General Sherman for want of activity. Re-enforce¬ 
ments are daily arriving at Port Royal, and the 
troops are in good health and eager for the fight 
Progress is being made in collecting cotton, and 
“contrabands” are continually arriving. 
The Spaulding has arrived at Fortress Monroe 
from IIattorns Inlet From her news we gather the 
following: 
On the 24 th of December there arrived, in an open 
boat from Roanoke Island, fifteen “contrabands.” 
On Ikcday before the Spaulding left, five had arrived 
from Plymouth, who had been five days on the 
voyage. They say they were fired at as they passed 
Roanoke Island. They also report much privation 
among the people. 
Christmas and New Year's days were celebrated 
in an appropriate manner, and the 8th of January 
was signalized by a general display of bunting. 
The soldiers at llatteras are conducting an adult 
school for the instruction of negroes. It is under 
charge ot Patrick Kelly, of Company C, U. S. Artil¬ 
lery, a man deeply interested in ihe scheme, and in 
every way qualified for his difficult post. 
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON. 
Specials from Washington on the 10th inst. state 
that the members of the Van Wyek Investigating 
Committee have been to Boston, New York and 
Philadelphia, sharply looking into the ways unpat¬ 
riotic men have of making money out of the Gov¬ 
ernment, in the night of its dead hug with rebellion. 
To the shameful development already published, 
they will add enough to inflame the disposition 
which now exists in Congress, to punish with death, 
frauds committed on the Government in time of 
war. ^ 
Capt Thomas, of the Clothing Department, has 
been engaged for the past week in inspecting the 
clothing of the army of the Potomac. He found in 
many eases inferior qualities were supplied by the 
contractors, which fact be has duly reported to the 
Quartermaster General. An effort will he made to 
establish a Bureau, especially to attend to this 
branch of business. 
The steamship Pensacola, which left her anchor¬ 
age oft' Alexandria ou the 11th, proceeded to Indian 
Head, about 27 miles from Washington, where she 
remained till five or six o’clock on the morning of $100,000,000 instead of $20,000,000, by direct taxae 
<1. .. liTJl. _.1 it... . . 1.-1 i . . « • , . 1 * d 
On motion ot Mr. Ten Eyck the resolution reported 
back from the Judiciary Committee, that Trustcn 
Polk be expelled from the Senate, was taken up. 
The resolution was adopted by yeas 36—nays none. 
Mr. Trumbull moved to take up the report.of the 
Judiciary Committee, that Waldo Johnson be ex¬ 
pelled from the Senate. Carried. 
Mr. Trumbull offered a resolution, which was 
adopted, that, the Vice-President transmit a copy of 
the resolution expelling Messrs. Johnson and Polk 
from the Senate, to the Governor of Missouri Adj. 
House.— Mr. Colfax, from the Committee on Post 
Offices and Post Roads, reported a bill which was 
passed, extending the provisions of the law of July 
last, which authorizes soldiers to send letters through 
the mails without, pre-payment of postage, to sailors 
and marines in tiic actual service of the United 
States, under such regulations as the Post Office De¬ 
partment may prescribe, the postage to be paid by 
the recipients. 
Mr. Hickman, from the Judiciary Committee, re¬ 
ported a resolution, which was adopted, that the 
Committee be authorized to send for persons and 
examine witnesses as to the telegraphic censorship 
ol the press, which subject has been referred to the 
Committee, and compel the production of papers 
and dispatches sent or proposed to he sent, and that 
if necessary, the Committee employ a stenographer. 
On motion of Mr. Holman, the Secretary of War 
was requested to inform the House whether it is pro¬ 
posed to compensate for the transportation of troops 
and munitions of war to those companies which 
have received public lands for the construction of 
railroads, on condition that they would perform the 
service without compensation, ttc. 
Mr. V all and Ingham introduced a resolution, which 
was adopted, requesting the Secretary of the 
Treasury to give the sum total of the floating debt 
of the United States, giving as far as practicable the 
heads under which the said debt may be arranged. 
On motion of Mr. Upton it was resolved that the 
Committee of Ways and Means he instructed to con¬ 
sider the expediency of reporting a bill at their 
earliest convenience, amending the 8th section of 
the act of August last, so as to provide for raising 
the 12th. and then proceeded to run the blockade, 
which she did with safety. Twenty-two shots were 
fired at her, but none struck. She did not return 
the fire. Flic was laden with cannon and other 
appliances of war, and was fully prepared for hos¬ 
tile service. The safe departure of the Pensacola iR 
a general subject of congratulation, as it is known 
that the rebels have Imm-ii for weeks reserving their 
fire to destroy this vessel, and prevent her passage 
out of the Potomac river. 
An attempt was made on the night of the 9th to 
blow up the Mansion House in Alexandria. This 
was formerly occupied as a hotel, but now as a hos¬ 
pital. A barrel had been secreted in a cellar, filled 
with ponderous projectiles, and a fuse was found 
extending from there to the stable, in proximity to 
combustibles. Lucifer matches and Chinese crack¬ 
ers had been plentifully distributed. The fuse end 
at the stables had actually ignited, but this act was 
fortunately discovered by*the guards, and the pro¬ 
gress of the slow fire extinguished. But for this 
watchfulness and prompt action, not only would 
several hundred lives been lost, but other casual¬ 
ties have occurred. One hundred and ninety of the 
prisoners released from Richmond arrived in Wash¬ 
ington on the 9tii, and were comfortably cured for at 
the Government volunteer recruiting house. 
The President has approved and signed the bill 
to further promote the efficiency of the Navy. It 
provides that whenever the name of any naval officer 
of the United Flutes shall have been in the Register 
40 years, he shall be retired from active service, and 
his name entered 011 the retired list of officers of the 
grade to which be belonged at the time of his retire¬ 
ment. The President is authorized to assign any 
such officer to shore duty, who shall receive pay for 
his grade, and to detail from the retired list of the 
navy for the command of squadrons and single 
ships such officers as be may believe the good of the 
service require to be thus placed in command; and 
such officers may, if upon the recommendation of 
the President they shall receive a vote of Congress 
lor services and action against an enemy, be restored 
to the active list, and not otherwise. 
The President has also authority to select any 
officer from the grades of Captain or Commander In 
the Navy, and assign him to the command of a 
squadron, with rank and title of flag officer. Any 
officer thus assigned will have the same authority to 
receive the same obedience from commanders of 
ships in his squadron holding commissions of older 
dates than his that he would be entitled to receive 
were his commission oldest; and to receive, when 
so,employed, pay to which he would have been 
entitled had he continued on active list 
All officers retired under this act are to receive 
retired pay of tlieir grade as fixed by law. The 
Secretary of the Navy is authorized to cause 200 
medals of honor to be prepared, with suitable 
emblematic devices, which will lie bestowed'upon 
such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and marines 
as shall most distinguish themselves by gallantly in 
action, and other scamen-like qualities, during the 
present war, and that the sura of $1,000 is appro¬ 
priated for the purpose of carryiug this section into 
effect 
The telegraph this (Tuesday) morning states that 
Secretary of War Cameron has resigned and Edwin 
M. Stanton appointed to fill the vacancy. 
tion, and,that in this connection they consider the 
expediency of telegraph and stamp duties and ex¬ 
cise duties upon cotton, tobacco, and all malt and 
distilled liquors. 
On motion of Mr. Cox, of Ohio, it was resolved, 
that the President be requested to communicate to 
the House what, if any, steps the Executive Depart¬ 
ment has taken for the systematic exchange of 
prisoners. 
Mr. Blair, of Missouri, offered a resolution, which 
was adopted, instructing the Committee on Roads 
and Canals, to inquire into the expediency of com¬ 
pleting a branch of the Pacific Railroad from Rolla 
to Springfield, Mo., in order to facilitate military 
operations. 
FOREIGN* NEWS. 
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
Senate.— Mr. Ilale offered a resolution that the 
Naval Committee be instructed to inquire whether 
the practice has prevailed in the Navy of making 
purchases through other than recognized agents, and 
it any such have been made, whether larger prices 
have been paid. 
The resolution was agreed to. 
Mr. Fessenden moved to take up the joiut resolu¬ 
tion of the ncuso allowing coffee and sugar bonded 
before the act raising the duty to be withdrawn from 
the warehouse, on the payment of the former duly, 
and the remission of such duties as have been passed 
under this act Passed. 
Mr. Powell presented a resolution from the Ken¬ 
tucky Legislature concerting “our Federal rela¬ 
tions,” denouncing Ihe rebellion and pledging the 
State to support the United States Government and 
to be true and loyal to the Constitution and the 
Union, protesting against any departure from the 
obligations of the Constitution in regard to local in¬ 
stitutions; protesting against arming slaves in ihe 
Confederate States, and expressing approbation of 
the President’s modification of Gen. Fremont’s proc¬ 
lamation. Mr. Powell also presented a resolution 
from the Kentucky Legislature assuming that State’s 
portion of the direct tax. 
Great Britain. — Deputations from religious 
denominations, including the Congregational Union, 
Baptist Board and Union, had an interview, Dec. 
26th, with Earl Russell, on the subject of the threat¬ 
ened war with America. 
The English papers continue to teem with arti¬ 
cles on the American question, hut as they are 
mostly confined to speculations ou the eve of solu¬ 
tion, it is not essential to gjve them. 
As the nearest precedent yet quoted to the Trent 
case, the Times draws attention to the affair of the 
Dutch brig Hendrick and Alida, captured by the 
British in 1777, bound to a neutral port. Fhe had 
on board five officers for the American army. The 
ship and officers were released by the English 
Admiralty, the judge ruling that although the offi¬ 
cers frankly admitted their positions, yet as they 
were passengers on a neutral ship, which sailed 
from a neutral port for another neutral port, the 
proximate destination of the passengers was entitled 
to be regarded us innocent destination, and they 
were consequently set at liberty. The Times claims 
that this case plainly establishes the principle that 
between one neutral port and another, all persons 
and things whatever may be legally carried. 
Every regiment in camp at Aldershot had been 
inspected, so as to be in perfect readiness to embark 
immediately for Canada. 
A body of trained nurses, on Florence Nightin¬ 
gale’s plan, were to proceed at once to Halifax. 
The Army and Navy Gazette says there is a pros¬ 
pect of trouble in India. Several batteries of artil¬ 
lery at Bombay, on the point of embarkation for 
England, were stopped by pressing telegrams from 
Bengal. 
English funds were flat December 27th, and ^aid 
lower. 
The Board of Trade returns for November show 
a falling off in exports of eight per cent, as com¬ 
pared with the same months in 1860, almost entirely 
made up of cotton manufactures. 
In a letter written by the command of the Queen, 
it is stated that the only consolation she can hope to 
find during the remainder of her life, under her sad 
and hopeless bereavement, is to endeavor to carry 
out the wishes and intentions of her beloved husband. 
France. —The Moniieur announces the appoint¬ 
ment of two vico-Admirals, three rear-Admirals, 
ten captains and forty lieutenants of men-of-war, 
and fourteen captains of frigates. 
It is reported that Prussia had made fresh propo¬ 
sals to France, in relation to the conclusion of the 
treaty of commerce between France and the Zoll 
Yerein. 
The Paris Bourse was flat on the 27th; 67f50c for 
rentes. 
Prussia.— The Government of Prussia has ad¬ 
dressed a dispatch to the Minister of Prussia at 
Washington, in reference to the arrest of Mason and 
Slidell, condemning the proceedings of Captain 
Wilkes. 
Italy.— There was a vague rumor of an attempt 
to assassinate Gen. Guy da at Rome, and that one of 
Ins aids had received poignard wounds. 
It was reported that the French Embassador to 
Rome had proposed to the Ex-King of Naples to 
take up his residence in France. 
It was reported that Signor Petingo, Lieut. Gov¬ 
ernor of Sicily, hud tendered his resignation. 
Austria. —It is reported that a considerable 
reduction of the Austrian army is contemplated. 
India and China.—T he India and China mails 
reached Marseilles on Dec. 26th, and would proba¬ 
bly arrive in London in season to catch the Canada 
via Queenstown. 
Advices from Pekin say that the Chinese authori¬ 
ties appeared to be desirous of receiving European 
console, and a favorable influence on foreign rela¬ 
tions was consequently expected. 
The foreigners at Shanghai had been attacked, 
and threatened with extermination. 
