above officers who shall neglect to file their oaths in 
the office of the I’rovost Marshal General within ten 
days of this date will be deemed to have resigned; 
and if any neglect to file their oaths within the 
lime prescribed, and if any one attempt to exercise 
the functions of any of their offices, he shall he 
punished according to the laws of war. 
2 d. ft being officially reported that carriages are 
in the habit of carrying the enemy’s flag, and driv¬ 
ing to the vicinity of the military prison in Me- 
Dowcdl’s College,'the prison guard will hereafter 
seize and take possession of every such carriage 
bearing the enemy's flag, and the carriage, horses, 
and harness shall*be confiscated. 
8 . It is officially reported that, certain women are 
in the habit of * approaching the military prison 
waving hostile flags, for the purpose of insulting 
our troops and carrying on communications with 
the prisoners. The commanding officer of the 
prison guard will arrest and place in confinement 
all women so offending. 
4. Army carriages or other_ vehicles hearing a 
hostile flag in the city will lie seized and confiscated. 
The city police and patrol guard arc directed to 
arrest persons in such vehicles under such flag; 
also, persons wearing or displaying hostile (fags in 
the city. Hy order of Major-General 11.uj.kck. 
A. ll. McLean, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
■Several of the secessionists of St Louis who were 
recently assessed for the benefit of the South West¬ 
ern fugitives by order of Major-General Ualleek 
having failed to pay the assessment, their property 
has been seized within a day or two past, under an 
execution to satisfy the assessment, with 25 per 
cent additional, according to general order No. 24. 
On the 23d ult, Samuel Engler, a prominent mer¬ 
chant, and one of those assessed, had a writ of 
replevin served on the Provost Marshal for the 
property so seized from him, whereupon he and his 
attorney, Nathaniel Cox, were arrested and lodged 
;n the military prison. 
General Halleck has issued a special order direct¬ 
ing the Provost Marshal to send Mr. Engler beyond 
the line of the department of Missouri, and to notify 
him not not to return without permission from the 
commanding General under the penalty of being 
punished according to the laws of war. 
General Ilalleck also aids: Martial law having 
been declared in ibis city by authority of the Presi¬ 
dent of the United States, all the civil authorities, of 
whatever name or office, are hereby notified that 
any attempt on their part to interfere with the exe¬ 
cution of any order from these Headquarters, or 
impede, molest, or trouble any officer duly appointed 
to carry such order into effect, will be regarded as a 
military offense and punished accordingly. The 
Provost Marshal will arrpsteacb and every person 
of whatever rank or office who attempts in any way 
to prevent or interfere with the execution of any 
order from these Headquarters, no will call ou the 
commanding officers of the department for St. Louis 
for any military assistance he may require. 
The Norfolk Day Book of the ISth says:—A pri¬ 
vate dispatch to a gentleman in Richmond, from a 
prominent merchant in Wilmington, fays a fleet- of 
thirty vessels was at anchor off Cape Fear river, 
and a demonstration on Wilmington was hourly 
expected. “ Such telegrams,” the Day 1look re¬ 
marks,‘‘should he suppressed, as they only excite 
the people, and God knows we have trouble enough, 
without trying to create a panic.” 
Refugees report that Roanoke Island had been 
taken possession of, and the two rebel regiments 
there had been taken prisoners. 
The Day Book has an article from Ihe Charleston 
Mercury, headed “Important from Florida, 
an account of the capture of Cedar Keys, 
were ~ 
arms—General (then Colonel) Evans. To him I 
communicated my doubts and fears. I told him 1 
feared the approaching force was in reality Patter¬ 
son’s division; that if such was the case. 1 should be 
compelled to tall back uppb our own reserves, and 
postpone till the next day a continuation of the 
engagement. After further reflection, I directed 
Col. Evans to proceed to General Johnson, who 
had assumed the task of collecting a reserve, and to 
inform him of the circumstances of the case, and to 
request him to have the reserves collected with all 
dispatch, and hold them in readiness to support our 
retrograde movement. 
Cel Evans started on the mission thus entrusted 
to him. He had proceeded but a short distance, 
when it occurred to me to make another ex¬ 
amination of tin- still approaching flag. It had 
now come within full view- A sudden gust of wind 
shook out its folds, and I recognized the stars and 
bars of the Confederate banner It was the Ha^r 
borne by your regiment, [here the General turned 
to Col. Hay. who sat behind him.] the gallant 
Seventh Louisiana, and the column of which your 
regiment constituted the advance, was the brigade 
of General (then Colonel) Early. As soon as you 
were recogniz,ed by our soldiers, your coming was 
greeted with enthusiastic cheers, regiment after 
regiment responding to the cry; the enemy beard 
the triumphant huzza; their attack slackened; thlfcr 
were in turn assailed by our forces, and within half 
an hour from that moment commenced the retreat, 
which afterward became a confused and total rout. 
I am glad to see that war-stained banner gleaming 
over us at this festive board, but 1 hope never again 
io see it upon the field of buttle. 
Houses. All the sixteen members were present 
The Secretary gave bis views freely, on his plan of 
conducting the war. and expressed a desire to he at 
all times informed for his guidance of matters of 
public interest coming before either committee, 
adding that the Department would always he open 
to any member of the two committees. He stated 
that a full and complete list of all the contracts 
made by or for the War Department since the com¬ 
mencement of the war, with the name of every 
contractor or purchaser, should not be made before 
the first of February, or until full investigations be 
made, 
Mr. Stanton also gave his plan for systematizing 
the business of the Department. Col. Scott is to 
have special charge of railroad and transportation 
matters, and Congress has been asked to give to the 
Secretary of War control of all the railroads in the 
United States, whenever the interests of the war 
shall demand it, John Tucker, the Second Assist¬ 
ant, is to have charge of all the transportation by 
sea, the chartering ot vessels, Ac. Mr. Watson, the 
Third Assistant, is to have control of the rolls, and 
generally the business connected with the troops in 
the field. 
It is understood that a thorough re-organization of 
the War Department is rapidly progressing, and 
that it will in a few days be fully up to the demands 
of the times. Among other things it is not improb¬ 
able that the following will occur: 
First— In order to leave room for promotions for 
gallant acts in the field and other reasons of public 
policy, no future appointments to any rank will be 
made in the army, except of men in the field, until 
the 1st of March. 
Second—ATI nominations which have been made 
or are now pending in (he Senate, will he suspended 
until after the 1st of March. 
Third—That the disorganization hy the officers 
visiting the city instead of remaining in the camp to 
instruct themselves and their commands in military 
exercise, will lie checked by dropping from the list 
those who frequent fhe city for other reasons than 
those pertaining to military duty and by the express 
command of the superior officers. 
Fourth — That in order to transact the business of 
war, the War Department will be closed four days 
in every week against all other business except 
what appertains to active operations in the field. 
Fifth—That Saturday of each week will be 
devoted exclusively to the Lransactiou of business of 
Senators and Representatives in Congress, and that 
Monday of each week will be devoted to the busi¬ 
ness of other persons, and personal interviews with 
the Secretary, 
Sixth — That the Secretary of War will transact 
no business whatever and will see no persons on 
business at his private residence, but wiil receive his 
friends socially, Wednesday evenings. 
Seventh — That the dispatch of business by mail 
or written communications will have the preference, 
and will receive the personal attention of the Secre¬ 
tary in the morning of each day, before entering 
upon other duties. 
The bill reported from the Committee on Ways 
and Moans provides that for temporary purposes 
the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue, 
on United States credit, $100,000,000 of United 
States notes, not bearing interest, payable to bearer 
at the Treasury or at the office of Assistant Treas¬ 
urer, in the city of New York, at the pleasure of the 
United States, and of such denominations as he may 
deem expedient, nfit lees than $5 each, and such 
notes and ail other United StateB notes payable on 
demand, not bearing interest, heretofore authorized, 
Bhall be receivable for all debts and demands due 
the United States, and for all salaries, debts and de¬ 
mands owing by the United StateB to individuals, 
corporations and associations within the United 
States, and shall also be lawful money and legal 
tender in payment of all debts, public and private, 
within the United States. 
The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of 
the American Colonization Society took place on 
the 21st ult. The following named States were rep¬ 
resented:— Massachusetts, Maine, Virginia, Ver¬ 
mont, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, New 
Jersey, Permsylvania and Ohio. Receipts during 
the past year were $112,200, and there arc over 
$1,100 now in the Treasury. The Society's opera¬ 
tions since the last meeting have been principally 
confined to internal affairs of Liberia, including the 
case of recaptured Africans. No emigrants have 
been sent thither during the year. Ninety-eight 
emancipated in Virginia, Louisiana and Tennessee, 
were to have left this country in May, but were pre¬ 
vented by political troubles. 
The following has been issued by the War Depart¬ 
ment : 
“ This Department recognizes as the first of its 
duties to take measures for the relief of the brave 
men who have imperilled their lives in the military 
service of the Government, now r prisoners and cap¬ 
tives. It is, therefore, ordered that two commis¬ 
sioners be appointed to visit the city of Richmond, 
in Virginia, and wherever else prisoners belonging 
to the United Slates army may be held, and there 
take such measures as may be needful to provide 
for the wants and comtorts of such prisoners, at the 
United States expense, to such extent as may be 
permitted by the authorities under whom such pris¬ 
oners are held. E. M. Stanton, 
Secretary of War?' 
The following is the general order in respect to 
the battle of Mill Spring: 
War Department, January 22, 1862. 
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army 
and Navy, has received information of a brilliant 
victory achieved by the United States urmy over a 
large body of armed traitors, rebels, at Mill Springs, 
giving 
There 
five schooners and three fishing smacks load¬ 
ing there at the time the Yankees made their 
appearance. They were loading with turpentine. 
The Mercury thinks that they were burned as soon 
as it was ascertained that the Yankees intended to 
attack the town. The President of the railroad 
went down, with two companies of infantry, to pro¬ 
tect property; but a messenger was sent to Gen. 
Wapier for assistance. During Thursday, firing 
was heard in the direction of Cedar Keys, and the 
Yankee fleet has no doubt taken the place. 
Norfolk papers of Wednesday contain the follow¬ 
ing telegram: 
Golti8BOROP(jr, January 21 . 
A large number of women and children have 
arrived here from Newbern. A fight is reported 
there. There is no other news. Our express has 
arrived here from Newbern. He reports that at 4 
o’clock yesterday afternoon there were 100 vessels 
of the Burnside Expedition in Pamlico Bound, and 
25 large transports outside of Hatteras Inlet Pri¬ 
vate information received here says that the enemy 
will attack Newbern and Roanoke Island simulta¬ 
neously. Our forces are completely prepared for 
them. 
Savannah, January 22. 
A report of this morning learns of a gentleman 
from Florida, that Cedar Keys was captured by 
Federate on Thursday. Heavy firing was heard in 
that direction on the same day. 
Mobile, January 22. 
The schooner Wilder, from Havana, was captured 
on the 20th, three miles below Fort Morgan. The 
21 st, Cotull s company had a sharp combat yester¬ 
day over the schooner Wilder. No loss of life on 
our side. The enemy lost a ship’s gig and a num¬ 
ber of men. but succeeded in taking possession of 
the schooner’s cargo. 
Depart mo lit of Mi**nnri. 
Two companies of cavalry under Major IlaJ- 
derman, of the 1st Kansas regiment, left Lexington 
on a reconnoitcring expedition on the night of the 
ICth ult., .which resulted in the arrest of Captain 
Whiting, Joseph Shelby, and several other notori¬ 
ous rebel desperadoes, and the capture of a large 
lot of horses, mules, wagons, commissary stores. 
Ac., of Colonel Mulligan’s command, and a con¬ 
siderable quantity of boots and shoes, aud other 
articles taken from the steamer Sunshine by the 
rebels some time since, all of which were turned 
over to the Federal troops at Lexington. 
The following correspondence has taken place 
between Generate Price and Halleck: 
UKAiiqcARTBRR Missouri State Guards, / 
Springfield, January 12, lst>2. ) 
I have received information that you, as Major 
General commanding this Department, have either 
ordered or allowed ihe arrest of citizens in pursuit 
of their usual and peaceful avocations, and that 
men, officers, and privates, belonging to this army 
have been taken prisoners on the Kansas bowler 
and conveyed to Fort Leavenworth, and as such, 
and for no other established offence or crime, have 
been shot. In some cases I have learned that my 
discharged soldiers have been subjected to the same 
thing whenever and wherever they have shown 
themselves; and that in others they "have been, by 
military coercion, form! into a servitude unknown 
to international and civilized usages in such cases. 
I have obtained information that individuate and 
parties of men specially appointed and instructed 
by me to destroy railroads, culverts, aud bridges, by 
tearing them up, burning, Ac., have been arrested, 
and subjected to general court martial, lor alleged 
crimes, which all the laws of warfare heretofore 
recognized by the civilized world have regarded as 
distinctly proper find lawful. I have learned that 
such persons, wbeu tried, if convicted of the offense 
or offenses as stated, are.Viewed as lawful subjects 
for capital punishment This statement I cannot 
believe to be correct But let us understand each 
other on this subject. 
Do yon intend to continue the arrest of citizens 
engaged in their ordinary peaceful pursuits, and to 
treat them os traitors and rebels? If so, will you 
make exchanges with me for sue#as I will make for 
similar cases? 
Do you intend to regard members of this army as 
persons deserving of death whenever and wherever 
they may be captured, or will you extend to them 
the recognized rights of prisoners of war by the 
code of civilized warfare? 
Do you regard the destruction of important roads 
for the transportation of facilities for military pur¬ 
poses as the legal right of a belligerent? 
Do you intend to regal'd men whom 1 have special¬ 
ly dispatched to destroy roads, burn bridges, tear 
up culverts, Ac,, as amenable to an enemy’s court 
martial? or will you have them tried as ‘usual by 
the proper civil authorities, according to the statutes 
of the. State? St e itu no Price, 
Major-General Commanding Dep’t of Missouri. 
The following is General Hal leek's reply: 
HEADQCARTEBS DEPARTMENT OP MISSOURI, ( 
January 22d, 1862. J 
To General Sterling Price. Commanding, <Cv.; 
General —Your letter dated Springfield, the 12 th 
of January, is received. 
The troops of which you complain in the Kansas 
frontiers and at Fort Leavenworth are not under my 
command. In regard to them I respectfully refer 
S ou to Major-General Hunter, commanding the 
'epartment of Kansas. 
You also complain that individuals and parties of 
men specially appointed and instructed by yon to 
destroy railroad culverts and bridges by tearing 
Department of Western Virginia. t 
The quietness that has prevailed , in Western 
Virginia, since the driving out of Floyd, has served 
to distract, public attention from that Department in 
a great measure. It may not be out of place, there¬ 
fore. to recur to the position of affairs there, and 
review, as accurately as may be, the “ situation.” 
Gen. Schcnck’s brigade of three regiments is sta¬ 
tioned at Fayette Court House, a deserted village 
ten or twelve miles south of Gauley Bridge, the 
troops being quartered in houses left vacant by their 
owners. Two regiments are at the bridge and 
within a couple of miles ot it Three regiments are 
at Charleston and another at Point Pleasant, ready 
to march eastwardly whenever occasion shall 
require. There was a report a day or two ago that 
the troops on the Gauley had advanced to near 
Clintonville, but we have seen no confirmation of it. 
One regiment is at the “ Red House,” on the Kana¬ 
wha, and one near Clifton. In the North-western 
part of the State the troops are very much scattered; 
one regiment being at Beverly, another at Buck- 
hannon, two at Elkwatc-r, and one at Phillippi, A 
cavalry regiment is at Clarksburg. We do not 
know the exact foroe at Romney; but Generate 
Reynolds and Kelley are there with quite a number 
ot troops. At least four regiments are guarding the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at points between 
Wheeling and Cumberland. 
We estimate the troops now in Western Vir¬ 
ginia at fully twenty-five regiments. Except Gen. 
Schenck’s brigade, the volunteers are wintering in 
tents warmed by camp stoves, and there is said to be 
three months’ provisions for all the men, who are 
made as comfortable in all respects as circumstances 
will allow. 
Department of tbo Ohio. 
In our last issue we gave brief telegrams rela¬ 
tive to the battle of Mill Springs, Ky., and the death 
of the rebel Gen. Zollicoffer, and now lay before 
our readers such authentic additions as have come 
to hand. 
On the 23d ult. tliefollowingdispatch was received 
at headquarters, in Washington: 
LomsviLLK. Jan. 22. 
To Major-General McClellan , commanding U. S. 
Army :—The rout of the enemy was complete. 
After succeeding in getting 2 pieces of artillery 
across the river, and upwards ot 50 wagons, they 
were abandoned, with all the armrniniiion in the 
depot at Mill Spring. They then threw away 
their arms and dispersed through the mountainous 
by-ways in the direction of Monticcllo, but are so 
completely demoralized that I do not believe they 
will make a stand short of Tennessee. 
The property captured on this side of the river is 
of great value, amounting to 10 six-pounders and 4 
Parrot guns, with caissons filled with ammunition, 
about 100 four-horse wagons, and upwards of 1,400 
horses and mules, several Itoxes of arms which had 
never been opened, and from 500 to 1,000 muskets, 
mostly with flint locks, but Ip good order, subsist¬ 
ence stores enough to serve the entire command for 
three days. Also, a large amount of hospital stores. 
As soo'n as I receive the reports of brigade com¬ 
manders I* will furnish a detailed report of the 
battle, Our loss is 30 killed and ISi wounded. 
Among the wounded was Col. McCook, of the 9tb 
Ohio regiment, commanding brigade, and Lieut. 
Burt, of the 18th U. S. infantry. 
Tbe loss of the rebels was Zollicoffor and 114 
others killed and buried, 116 wounded, and 45 pris¬ 
oners not wounded, 5 of whom are surgeons, and 
Lieut, Col. Carter, of the 17th Tennessee’regiment 
D. C. Buell,’ 
Department of the Ease. 
At no time since the army of the Potomac has 
been organized, have the roads in Virginia been in 
such a condition. Rain and snow have fallen daily 
for nearly three weeks, and the “ sacred soil is sen¬ 
sible to the least moisture. It is with difficulty that 
army wagons can move over the regular roads. 
Washington specials state that Assistant Adjutant- 
General Fox feels confident that the Burnside Expe¬ 
dition has ere this struck a blow at a point which, 
with the advance of Gen. Buell into Tennessee, will 
cut oil'all rebel communication between Virginia 
aud States south of it. Gen. McClellan interprets 
the absence of all news from Burnside by flag of 
truce from Fortress Monroe, as favorable; for, if the 
Expedition had failed, we should soon have heard 
of such a fact through rebel sources. 
Brigadier-General T. W. Sherman, in a commu¬ 
nication to tbo National Intelligencer, deems it due 
to the interests of the public service to proclaim the 
utter falsity of the statement made iu several jour¬ 
nals of the country, and repeatedly brought to his 
notice, that the projected plan for the continuance 
of the Burnside Expedition was abandoned, in con¬ 
sequence of a disagreement or misunderstanding 
between Commodore Dupont and himself. lie says 
the most friendly and cordial feelings, and entire 
harmony, have always existed between them. 
According to General Order No. 3, issued from 
the Adjutant-General's Office, the military depart¬ 
ment to be known as the Department of Key West, 
is constituted as follows:—The Tortugas and the 
main land on the west coast as far as Appalachicola, 
and Cape Canaberal on the east coast Gen. J, M. 
Brannon, of the U. S. Volunteers, is assigned the 
command. 
The Navy Department has received dispatches 
from Flag-Officer McKean, dated Ship Island. Jan. 
3th, in which be reports the arrival at that place of 
the U. S. steamer Mercidita, and the U. S. gnnboats 
Winona and Sagamore. By the first named, he had 
received the communication of the Secretary of the 
Navy, and. in accordance, therewith, he shall dis¬ 
patch the frigate Potomac to Vera Cruz. Having 
been interned, on the 31st of December, that a 
rebel steamer was at anchor near Biloxi, he dis¬ 
patched Commander Smith, with the Water Witch. 
New London and Henry Lewis, to endeavor to cap¬ 
ture her, but on reaching Biloxi, it was found that 
she had been removed. Commander Smith de- 
Bl'HLLi 
Brig. Gen. Commanding. 
Correspondents of the Cincinnati Press state that 
the battle was a fair, open one. The rebels fought 
well, and were overcome only by superior fighting 
on our side. According to their own account the 
rebel force consisted of ten infantry regiments, three 
batteries, and some cavalry, altogether about ten 
thousand men. 
The brunt of the battle devolved on the 4th Ken¬ 
tucky, 2d Minnesota, 9th Ohio, and 10th Indiana. 
For nearly throe hours the roar of musketry was 
kept up. Shortly after 11 o’clock Col. Ilaskin suc¬ 
ceeded in flanking the enemy on the extreme right, 
when the 9th Ohio and 2d Minnesota charged with 
the bayonet with triumphant yells, which broke the 
rebel ranks and the rout began. They fled pell-mell 
to their camp, strewing the road with muskets, 
blankets, overcoats, and knapsacks, and abandoned 
two guns and caissons. 
Gen. Zollicoffor was shot through the heart at the 
head of his siaff, by Col. Fry. of the 4th Kentucky 
regiment. It appears that Gen, Zollicoffer lost his 
way in the bushes and suddenly emerged before 
Colonel Fry, who was accompanied by some staff 
officers. The two parties mistook each other for 
friends and approached within a few yards of each 
other, when, finding their mutual mistake, both 
halted and prepared for a hand to hand conflict. 
One of Zollicoffer's aids shot at Col. Fry, but only 
brought his horse down. The Federal Colonel 
It is held, without question, to include conveyance 
by water as well as by land, aud can with equal 
reason be applied to communications by telegraph. 
But the measure now proposed can be sustained 
under the general power to levy and collect taxes. 
These views have been communicated to the Senate 
Committee on the Post-Office and Post-roads. 
1 am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
M. Blair. 
The Senate, in Executive Session, confirmed 
Judge Swain as U. S. Supreme Court Judge, and P. 
H. Wilson as one of the Assistant Secretarys of 
War. 
The bill reported by Sherman proposes to attach 
to the Navy Department, iu addition to the bureau 
now existing, a Bureau of Detail and Equipment, 
and one of Steam Engineering and Machinery. The 
present Bureau of Equipment to be transferred to the 
Bureau of Detail and Equipment. The President, 
by and with the consent of the Senate, is authorized 
to appoint from the naval officers not below the 
grade of Captain, a Chief for each of the Bureaus of 
Yards and Docks, Detail Equipments, Ordnance and 
Hydrography, and in like manner appoint a Chief of 
Bureau of Construction and Repairs, who shall be 
a skillful naval constructor; and also appoint a 
Chief of Bureau of Steam Engineering and Ma¬ 
chinery, who shall be u skillful and scientific 
engineer; ami Chief of the Bureau of Provision.po 
be selected from the Paymaster of tbe Navy; also 
Chief of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, selected 
from the Navy Surgeons. Each of these bureaus to 
have a chief clerk and messenger, and such clerks 
as may be necessay. 
The Secretary of the, Navy and Chiefs of Bureaus 
shall constitute ex-officio council of administration 
in the navy, to meet every Tuceday for the consid¬ 
eration of such questions and to transact such busi¬ 
ness operations as may be referred to it by the 
Secretary of the Navy, or any of the Chiefs of 
Bureaus. The Secretary of the Navy may assemble 
it whenever its advice is required upon questions 
touching the control and discipline or efficiency of 
the navy, or upon proposed modifications of its 
material, equipments, arms, Ac., before their adop¬ 
tion into service. 
The new Secretary, Stanton, had an interview of 
two hours, in one of the Senate committee rooms, 
By order of the President, 
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, 
A proposition will be ofl'ered in the Senate to 
impose a tax of 10 per cent, upon the pay of soldiers 
from Major-General down to a private. The army 
prefers a tax to a reduction. From this source the 
Government will receive a revenue of about $25,- 
500,000. The petition from the officers states that 
they prefer a tax of from 15 to 20 per cenr. to the 
reduction. 
