December 18.—Three companies of the Cameron Dragoons, under Major S. E. Smith, commanded respectively by Capt. Wilson, Company F; Lieut. Stetson, Company H; and Lieut. Hess, Company C, went on a scout on the roads leading to Fairfax Court House and Hunter’s Mills, Va. When within a mile and a half of Fairfax, these three officers, with eight privates, as an advance guard, encountered an equal number of the rebel cavalry. Instantly they gave chase, but the rebels fled, seeking the cover of a wood near by. In the chase they passed through an orchard, when one of the rebels dismounted under an apple tree, and, with his carbine, a five-shooter, rested against a tree and fired three shots at Major Smith. Fortunately none of them took effect. After vainly endeavoring to draw the rebels from the wood, the party rejoined the main body under the direction of the major, and rode to Vienna, and thence to Hunter’s Mills. When near the latter place, Capt. Wilson and Lieut. Stetson discovered a rebel who was endeavoring to make his escape. They dashed off after him and soon returned into camp with him as a prisoner. When introduced to Gen. Hancock, the latter said: “Ah! Vollin, I am glad to see you—we have been looking for you for some time past.” He is said to be a spy, and a most notorious picket murderer.—Philadelphia Press, December 20.
—The United States Marshal Hiram Dunn arrested at St. Albans, Vt., Mrs. Meyer, the wife of a German Jew residing in New York, who had been acting as a messenger between the rebels who congregate in Montreal and the South. She was extremely violent for a few minutes, but found it best to put up with what could not be avoided, and submitted to an examination of her person and trunk by some ladies. The result was the discovery of a package of letters containing important treasonable correspondence.—Burlington Free Press.
—The English journals of this day contain comments upon the Message of President Lincoln to Congress. The document is generally attacked, and comparisons are drawn between it and the one lately emanating from Jeff. Davis—much to its disadvantage, the English newspapers contend. The point made of the President’s silence relative to the Trent affair is that it is indicative of immediate war—-the exceptions to this view being few. It appears to be difficult for the English press to accept any other solution of the Trent difficulty but that of war. The Observer, the Ministerial organ, says that England wishes for peace, but that she will gain by war, as it will enable her to rectify her American frontiers, open the ports of the South, and give a lesson to the United States. A rumor was current that the blocking up of Charleston harbor with stone was likely to lead to difficulty; that England’s warlike preparations would continue in view thereof, and that her demands did not end with the surrender of Mason and Slidell. The war preparations in England continue unabated.
In France the view of the President’s Message was somewhat similar to that held in England. The general opinion appeared to be that war was inevitable. A circular has been, sent by the Emperor to the European Powers, declaring that the arrest of Mason and Slidell is contrary to principles regarded as essential to the security of neutral flags, and stating that the French Government deemed it necessary to submit this opinion to the Cabinet at Washington, in order to determine it to make concessions which the French Government deemed indispensable.
—A Detachment of Gen. Pope’s forces, under command of Col. J. C. Davis and Major Marshall, surprised a rebel camp at Millford, a little north of Warrensburgh, Mo., this afternoon, and, surrounding the enemy, forced them to surrender. Thirteen hundred prisoners, including three colonels, seventeen captains, one thousand stand of arms, one thousand horses, sixty-five wagons, and a large quantity of tents, baggage, and supplies were captured. The Nationals lost two killed and eight wounded.— (Doc. 231.)
—A Reconnoitring expedition, under command of Commander Drayton, U. S. N., left Port Royal, S. C., on the 16th inst., and the next day sailed up the North Edisto River, S. C. On Edisto Island fortifications were discovered, which, on landing, were found to be deserted. The expedition then sailed up a small creek to the town of Rockville, S. C., from which, at about a mile’s distance, was a rebel camp. This camp was unoccupied, and over forty tents were taken possession of, the most valuable part of the camp equipage having been removed by negroes. This morning the expedition ran down to the South Edisto, S. C., and, proceeding up the river, found on Edisto Island some deserted fortifications—the guns having been removed. The expedition then anchored in the North Edisto again.—(Doc. 232.)
—The Common Council of New Haven, Ct, this evening passed resolutions requesting the Governor of the State to cause the immediate construction of fortifications at New Haven harbor. The Governor had authority from the Legislature to establish a depot of arms and ammunition at New Haven.
