December 7.—Cyrus W. Field has addressed a letter to Gen. McClellan, recommending the laying of a submarine telegraphic cable around the southern coast, to connect the national forts and military stations on the coast with the North, by way of Newport News, Fortress Monroe, Hatteras, Port Royal, Hilton Head, Tybee Island, Fernandina, Cedar Keys, Fort Pickens, Ship Island, to Galveston, Texas. Gen. McClellan fully concurs, and earnestly urges that the plan be adopted by the Government, and that Mr. Field be authorized to have it carried into execution.
—A band of rebels entered Independence, Mo., last night, and arrested several Union men, and forced them to take an oath that they would not take up arms against the Southern Confederacy. This morning they took possession of the stage leaving for Lexington, but through the influence of some secession citizens it was restored.
To-day, ten six-mule teams, while on a foraging expedition, about eight miles west of Sedalia, Mo., were seized by a party of rebels, and the teamsters taken prisoners.—New York Times, December 8.
—The Richmond (Va.) Dispatch of this date contains an article on the “Confederate Flag,” lamenting the irredeemable error made by the “Confederacy,” in adopting a “national” symbol so much like the “old rag.” It says the “Confederate flag” lacks the absolutely essential feature of “wide, plain, unmistakable distinction from other flags,” and urges this objection the more strongly, because in the present war, where the opposing enemies are men of the same race, complexion, and form, nothing can distinguish friend from foe, but a broad and radical difference between their national standards.—(Doc. 216.)
—A Naval engagement took place in Mississippi Sound, Gulf of Mexico, between the United States gunboat New London and the steamer De Soto, and two rebel armed vessels, the Pamlico and California, which were attempting to run the blockade between Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, La.—N. Y. Times, Dec. 7.
—Gen. John Pope was assigned to the command of all the National forces between the Missouri and Osage rivers, Mo. This force constituted the largest part of the army which Gen. Fremont took to Springfield, Mo.
—Joseph H. Sears, of South Carolina, has been appointed postmaster at Port Royal. The details of the office have been arranged, and mail matter will be despatched by sea from New York. Letters for Tybee Island are despatched to Port Royal, and thence to the former place.
—A Series of resolutions was offered in the Kentucky Legislature, in which was included a demand on the Federal authorities for the return to the State of ex-Governor Morehead and other political prisoners, and affirming that the President’s Message foreshadows the impossibility of preserving or reconstructing the Union. They were referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.—Secretary Cameron’s policy of emancipation and arming the slaves was condemned by the Louisville papers.
—At Philadelphia, Pa., the marines and sailors of the United States steamer Hartford, recently arrived at that place from the East Indies, marched to Independence Hall this morning and presented to the city a splendid flag made during the voyage home of silk purchased in Canton. The flag was raised at noon from the flag-staff, amid great enthusiasm. Salutes were fired at the Navy Yard and from the Hartford at the same time.—Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 9.
—This afternoon at 2 o’clock, the new side-wheel U. S. steamer built at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y., and named the Octarora, was launched. This vessel is constructed so as to be worked in the same manner as an ordinary ferry-boat, the engines being adapted for running backward and forward with the same facility. The dimensions of the Octarora are: 207 feet over all; 85 feet in breadth; and 12 feet in depth. She is about 800 tons burden, and is to draw 9 feet 9 inches water. Her armament will consist of two 11-inch pivot guns fore and aft; and 6 rifle guns amidships.
—The notorious marauder, Capt. Sweeney, and his band of robbers, who had for sometime kept the vicinity of Glasgow, Mo., in terror, were captured at Rogers’ Mill, near Glasgow, by a detachment of cavalry under Capt. Merrill. Sweeney’s pickets were surprised and captured, and his whole band, thirty-five in number, taken without firing a gun.—N. Y. Commercial, Dec. 11.
—The Napoleon (Ark.) Planter of this date has the following: “Last Monday morning, before many of the denizens of our town had shaken off Somnus and arisen from their beds, the fleet of steamers, towing the battery, came up the river. One of them, the Red Rover, left the battery, and proceeded toward a coal flat at the landing, for the purpose of towing it to coal the fleet. As soon as the steamer touched the coal boat, a detachment of soldiers came ashore and began impressing citizens to assist in coaling, clubbing, in the most shameful manner—the men using the butt ends of their guns and the officer his sabre—several who attempted to expostulate and explain. One man, who, for several weeks, had been unable to attend to his legitimate business, on account of sickness, was beaten and dragged off. Another, the solo attendant of a sick wife and children, was forced aboard. Our citizens are not apt to submit to insult with impunity, and we are surprised the boat got away without something more serious occurring. Besides being an outrage upon the citizens, it was an insult to our corporation authorities, and in obedience to the orders issued by General Polk at Memphis, forbidding impressment to man transport, and we hope these whose duty it is will prefer the charges against the offenders to the proper officials.”
—On the 5th inst., an expedition, under Commander Drayton, U. S. N., left Port Royal harbor, S. C., and the next day proceeded up the Ashepoo River. At Hutchinson’s Island negroes were found crouching about some smoking ruins; and a few, who were in a very destitute condition, were brought back to Otter Island. The expedition sailed up Coosaw River to-day, but seeing no forts or rebel troops, returned.—(Doc. 221.)
