The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

January 2.—This morning, about half-past nine o’clock, the rebels reappeared in the woods near Port Royal Ferry, S. C, whence they had been driven yesterday. A sharp firing was kept up for some time by the Union gunboats, to keep them in check, throwing shot and shell into the woods. Before ten o’clock the Union troops crossed the Coosaw River, under cover of the boats, and proceeded down the river en route for Port Royal Harbor.—(Doc. 2.)

—In the Confederate Congress at Richmond, Va., Daniel P. White, of Kentucky, appeared, was qualified, and took his seat.

—The steamship Ella Warley, formerly the Isabel, from Nassau, ran the blockade, and arrived at Charleston, S. C, at daylight this morning. She was chased and ineffectually shelled by the blockaders. She brings a valuable assorted cargo and passengers, including Mr. Bisbie, formerly a delegate in the Virginia Legislature from the city of Norfolk. Mr. Bisbie is a bearer of important dispatches from Mr. Yancey, and has started for Richmond.—Charleston Mercury, January 3.

—General Stone, at Poolesville, Md., issued an order cautioning the troops under his command against encouraging insubordination and rebellion among the slaves, and threatening punishment to such as might violate his orders.— (Doc. 3.)

—An experiment was tried this morning for the purpose of determining whether the rebel battery at Cockpit Point, on the Potomac River, could be attacked, and if so, in what manner with the greatest hopes of success. At ten o’clock, the gunboat Anacostia approached the battery, and took up a position somewhat above and opposite Mattawoman creek. She threw in a number of shells, several of which were seen to explode into the rebel battery. The steamer Yankee then got under way, and stood for the battery, ranging herself right opposite. She commenced by firing two shells from her bow-gun, a sixty-four-pounder, and afterwards continued to pour in her fire on the enemy from her after-guns, consisting of a thirty-two-poundcr, and twenty-four-pounder brass howitzer, and a twelve-pounder brass rifled cannon. The enemy replied to the Yankee, for the Anacostia was so placed that the batteries could not hit her, throwing four shots, the second of which struck the Yankee, entering the forecastle on the portside, her head being up the river, and knocking away a knee entirely; passing to the starboard-side, the shot smashed another knee and dropped on the floor, its force being spent.—Philadelphia Press, January 4.

—The Memphis Argus of this date gives the following picture of the situation of affairs at the South: Price is in full retreat southward. Price will probably continue in full retreat, for there are several—indeed no less than three—Union armies, each as large, better armed, and better equipped, converging upon him. His past victories have been rendered valueless. Union forces have been massed in Kentucky too great for a man of Sydney Johnston’s calibre to venture to attack, and the paralyzing of Price through the withdrawal of McCulloch, has rendered the overrunning of Missouri, to the Arkansas frontier, an easy task to the Unionists.

We’re forced back out of Missouri — checkmated in Kentucky. Chase has obtained his money in Wall street. The blockade is unbreakable by us as yet. In one word, we’re hemmed in. We’ve allowed the moment of victory to pass. We were so anxious watching the operations of England, that we stand aghast, on turning our eyes homeward again, to find ourselves ten times worse off than we were ere the commencement of Price’s last forward march, and that accursedly used sensationalism, the arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.

Day follows day, and in lieu of being weakened, we find the Federal armies at all points being strengthened, almost every article of manufacturing and domestic necessity quadrupled in price, and our money will soon be exceeding scarce for lack of paper and pasteboard wherewith to make it. We pay fifteen cents apiece for sperm candles, and we are told we ought to be glad to get them at that.

Our twelve-months soldiers’ time will soon be up; and we can not help asking, as they do themselves, what have they been permitted or led to do? It is an old and ever-proven truism that when two nations are at war, that which has the least means must find success in early and rapid action, for it can gain little by time, while the other finds in time the power to bring into efficient use its more varied means.

Cabined, cribbed, confined as we were, and evidently would be, our shortest, clearest and most noble policy was to find in the rapid use of our early revolutionary enthusiasm an overmatch for the slower and less spirited, but more enduring North. Where shall we ask relief; where should we ask it save in the camps on whom we have lavished our heart’s blood, our hopes, our wealth, our whole; where but upon the banks of the Potomac? When will we see an end of the farce there being enacted, at our expense?

Indirectly every mouthful we eat is taxed; our babies wear taxed caps and shoes; our boys write on taxed paper; our girls wear taxed calicoes; our men do a taxed business, and hopelessly ride in a taxed hearse to a taxed grave, and we, forsooth, are hurting “the cause” if we dare to turn from Messrs. Mason and Slidell to look at the country we were born and bred in, and, having looked, we are hurting the cause if we dare tell what we sea Our cause is right, it is holy.

Our suffering may be God’s price of success, but who, seeing what might have been, and knows what is being suffered through its being undone, can refrain from cursing the selfishness or idiocy that stopped the conquering Beauregard, that arrested the march of Price, that checked the gallant Jackson? We have gazed imploringly on the lion, while the fox has been weaving his toils. Our press and our people have trusted far enough. We now ask, are we to continue hemmed in for another six months and lack all things, or shall our armies on to Washington and lack nothing?

—Despatches were received at St. Louis, Mo., announcing the capture of the notorious Jeff. Owens, Colonel Jones, and fifty of their bridge-burning gang, near Martinsburg, Adrian county, by General Schofield, commander of the State militia, and that the various guerrilla bands along the North-Missouri Railroad had been pretty thoroughly scattered.—National Intelligencer, January 4.

January 1, 1862 —The year closed under gloomy auspices; with a check at Dranesville, and a rumored disaster in Missouri. The year which has begun opens with evil tidings. We fear that there is no doubt of the fact that the Northern Union has consented to the surrender of Mason and Slidell; and with that event all hope of an immediate alliance between the Southern Confederacy and Great Britain must cease.

Under other circumstances we might derive a consolation for the loss by considering the ineffaceable disgrace that falls on the enemy. Never, since the humiliation of the Doge and Senate of Genoa before the footstool of Louis XIV., has any nation consented to a degradation so deep. If Lincoln and Seward intended to give them up at a menace, why, their people will ask, did they ever capture the ambassadors? Why the exultant hurrah over the event, that went up from nineteen millions of throats? Why the glorification of Wilkes? Why the coward insults to two unarmed gentlemen, their close imprisonment, and the bloodthirsty movements of Congress in their regard? But, most of all, why did the government of Lincoln indulge a full Cabinet with an unanimous resolution that, under no circumstances, should the United States surrender Messrs. Slidell and Mason? Why did they encourage the popular sentiment to a similar position? The United States government and people swore the great oath to stand on the ground they had taken; the American eagle was brought out; he screeched his loudest screech of defiance—then

“Dropt like a craven cock his conquered wing”

at the first growl of the lion. This is the attitude of the enemy. It would greatly console us to contemplate him, did we not know that no new exhibition of insolence and cowardice could sink him lower in the world’s estimation. The United States have lost no character by an exhibition of poltroonery as yet unknown in the diplomacy of other nations. That country had already sunken beneath the reach of infamy. The only charge of bayonets made during the war by Lincoln’s soldiers, was that of Fairfax’s marines on Miss Slidell; and the surrender of her father at the first menace of Great Britain, will create neither more disgust or further surprise.

Nor can we hope for a popular revulsion in the Northern people against the folly and pusillanimity of their rulers. People and rulers are alike. It is only in the sentiment of England that we can find a ray of encouragement. It is certain that the British wanted war; that they were confident of getting it, and that they will be bitterly disappointed at the unsatisfactory result. Now, this result, though apparently due to the lily livers of the Yankees, is partially attributable to the management of the Palmerston ministry. That Cabinet gave Seward and Lincoln the chance of humiliation, when it could have taken redress with the high hand, and shut the door to apology by recalling Lyons, sending home Adams, and setting the British fleet at once in full sail for the scene of action. The Palmerston ministry is the friend of the North, and is directly antagonistical to the majority of the British nation. On these data we venture the prophecy that in less than three months this ministry will fall from power.

Whenever it does so, we may anticipate immediate intervention by Great Britain in the affairs of this continent. The inclinations and interest of that people are so closely united on this one point that we do not hesitate to declare the result a moral necessity. But for some time we may be left alone in this quarrel. Let us not repine, though the task be heavy on the arm. If we would respect ourselves, consolidate our nationality, insure our future independence, and transmit a heroic memory to posterity, we must prove to ourselves and to all others, that our own unaided strength is sufficient for our own redemption. If it is not, there remains one resolution, by which every citizen that is worthy of freedom can avoid the sight of its extinction and the spectacle of his country’s ruin — to die in the last ditch of their defence.—Richmond Examiner.

—Mason and Slidell left Fort Warren, Boston harbor, about eleven o’clock this forenoon. The arrangement for their return was very quietly made, and nothing was known at Boston in regard to the affair, until the hour arrived for their departure. The steam tugboat Starlight was employed by the Government to convey the prisoners to Provincetown, Cape Cod, where they were to be transferred to the British gunboat Rinaldo, which arrived at that port last night. Accordingly the tugboat Starlight left Boston shortly before ten o’clock this morning, and stopped at Fort Warren, where she took on board Mason and Slidell, and their two secretaries. After receiving their baggage, etc., the tug proceeded on her way to sea, leaving the fort about eleven o’clock. The whole affair was conducted without any display, in perfect quiet, and in the ordinary manner of conveying passengers. The tugboat reached Provincetown this afternoon, and the prisoners were transferred to the British gunboat, which immediately proceeded to sea.

—The Court of Inquiry, in the case of Colonel Miles, charged with being intoxicated at the battle of Bull Run, honorably acquitted him of the charge. The decision is furnished in a report of Reverdy Johnson and R. S. Gillett, in which they declare that the bulk of the evidence produced on the trial goes to show that the charges arc entirely false.

—The British prize bark Empress, of Hull, arrived at New-York from New-Orleans bar. She was bound from Rio Janeiro for New-York, as her captain reported, and had been ordered off from Pass a l’Outre previously, and was captured by the United States sloop Vincennes. She had a cargo of six thousand five hundred bags coffee.

—All the Yankee prisoners from Charleston, including Colonel Corcoran, arrived at Columbia, S. C, this afternoon, in a special train. They were met at the depot by the rebel-guard of this city, and conducted to prison.—Richmond Dispatch, January 3.

—The rebel batteries at Pensacola, Fla., having repeatedly fired at the national vessels, Fort Pickens opened on the rebel 6teamer Times, which was landing stores at the navy-yard today. The rebel batteries responded, and the firing was continued till evening, Fort Pickens firing the last shot The rebel guns were well aimed, and most of their shells burst inside of the fort; only one man was wounded, however. A shot from Fort Pickens made a large breech in Fort Barrancas. In the evening the National guns set Warrington on fire.—(Doc. 1.)

—The Knoxville (Tenn.) Register of to-day expresses the opinion that Parson Brownlow’s release was a great blunder, and gives the following reasons: In brief, Brownlow has preached at every church and school-house, and made stump-speeches at every cross-road, and knows every man, woman and child, and their fathers and grandfathers before them, in East-Tennessee. As a Methodist circuit-preacher, a political stump speaker, a temperance orator, and the editor of a newspaper, he has been equally successful in our division of the State. Let him but once reach the confines of Kentucky, with his knowledge of the geography and population of East Tennessee, and our section will soon feel the effect of his hard blows. From among his own old partisan and religious sectarian parasites he will find men who will obey him with the fanatical alacrity of those who followed Peter the Hermit in the first crusade. We repeat again, let us not underrate Brownlow.

—Twelve of the Buckner Guards, under Lieut. Hines, crossed Green River, Ky., twelve miles from Morgantown, surrounded a house in which four Federal troops were concealed, and took them prisoners. They got ten guns and the sword of Capt. Phelps, which he had left there. After recrossing the river, they attempted to arrest a man who had several times fired at the Confederate soldiers across the river. The man shot at Mr. Cook, one of the guides, but missed him, whereupon Cook shot him dead.—Bowling Green Courier, January 4.

—At Richmond, Va., there was a more general observance of “New Year’s” than usual, owing to the fact that the war had brought to that city a considerable addition to the population from other cities, where the anniversary is always a period of social festivity. The streets were thronged with ladies, and every body looked gay and cheerful. Among notable events of the day was the President’s reception, which commenced at twelve o’clock, and continued three hours. The President stood at the door of the large reception-room, and thousands of persons took advantage of the opportunity to give him a friendly grasp of the hand. Mrs. Davis was not present, but her place was well supplied by her sister, Miss Howell, Mrs. Col. Davis and Mrs. General Jones. The ceremonies of introduction were conducted by the President’s aids, Colonel Joseph Davis and Colonel G. W. C. Lee. The armory band was present, and every thing passed off delightfully. — Richmond Dispatch, January 2.

— A joint expedition of gunboats, under command of Commander C. R. P. Rodgers, and a column of infantry, commanded by General Stevens, left Port Royal Harbor, S. C., yesterday evening, and this morning proceeded across the Coosaw River, and shelled the rebel fort at Port Royal Ferry. On taking possession of the batteries, it was found that the retreating rebels had removed all their guns but one, though quite a number of shells were discovered in the magazines. Port Royal Ferry was immediately reopened by the Union forces, and the fort garrisoned by the Pennsylvania Roundheads. After its occupation, the rebels appeared in force and in line of battle, whereupon the gunboats opened upon them with shot and shell, driving them into the woods, and causing great havoc in their ranks. When the firing ceased, which was after sunset, a rebel officer was sent with a flag of trace, to ask permission to carry off their killed and wounded; but the gunboats reopened fire before General Stevens’ reply was obtained, which caused the rebel messenger to put spurs to his horse, and gallop off in hot haste.

December 31.—The Canadian press comments upon the release of Messrs. Mason and Slidell in the same spirit which has prompted its various representations hitherto in their treatment of the rebellion. The Leader uses the most abusive language at its command. It pronounces the surrender one of the “greatest collapses since the beginning of time,” and has much to say of the “humiliation” of the National Government. The Globe talks much more moderately, and heartily congratulates its readers on the result; and the Montreal Gazette speaks of it as a “bitter, bitter pill for the fire-eaters to cram down their noisy throats.”—N. T. Times, December 81.

—In the United States Senate a communication was received from the Secretary of War, to-day, stating that it is incompatible with the public interest to furnish the correspondence which has passed between General Scott and General Patterson, relative to the conduct of the war.—N. Y. Herald, December 31.

—Captains Shillinglaw and Mason, of the Seventy-ninth New York regiment, Lieutenant Dickinson, of the Third United States infantry, Lieutenant J. W. Hart, Twentieth Indiana, and Corporal Thomas McDowell, of the Seventy-ninth New York, arrived at Fortress Monroe, from Richmond, Va., by a flag of truce from Norfolk.

—At Washington, D. C., Daniel S. Dickinson presented a costly stand of State colors to the Dickinson Guard, Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers. E. H. Duell received .them in behalf of the regiment, delivering a felicitous address. Vice-President Hamlin, Gen. Casey and Staff, W. S. Doane, Augustus Schell, and others, were present.

—At seven o’clock this morning an expedition, consisting of three U. S. gunboats, with an additional force of marines, left Ship Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, under command of Commander Melanchthon Smith, U. S. N., for the city of Biloxi, Mississippi. No resistance being met with, Commander Smith landed at the wharf, under a flag of truce, and held a short conference with the Mayor of the city, who, after an hour’s consultation with some prominent citizens, surrendered the town and the battery commanding the harbor. The guns of the battery were dismounted and carried to the boats by U. S. sailors—the inhabitants witnessing the proceedings. While this was transpiring on shore, a schooner was discovered working her way back of Deer Island into Biloxi Bay. A boat was instantly manned and sent in pursuit. After rowing about nine miles, the vessel was overtaken and forced to surrender— she was on her way to New Orleans with thirty thousand feet of hard pine flooring boards as a cargo. It not being Commander Smith’s design to hold Biloxi, the expedition returned this evening to Ship Island with their prize in tow.—(Doc. 245.)

—The Richmond Examiner of to-day, publishes the following on the Confederate Tax Bill: In the Tax bill enacted by the Confederate States Congress there is a clause placing a tax upon “all interest-bearing bonds.” We learn that, according to the construction of the law given by Secretary Memminger, the taxpayer will not be permitted to deduct his liabilities from the amount of money due him, although he may be, in fact, in arrears.

Thus, if his liabilities amount to one hundred thousand dollars, and he holds “interest-bearing bonds” to the amount, of fifty thousand dollars, he has to pay a tax upon the fifty thousand dollars, when, in reality, he is worth nothing. Again: A has purchased a farm at forty thousand dollars, and sold his own for thirty thousand dollars. He is in possession of the forty thousand dollar farm, and has to pay a land tax thereon; at the same time be holds the bonds, “interest-bearing,” for the thirty thousand dollar farm, because the “stay law” prevents their execution. He is, therefore, required to pay a tax upon the thirty thousand dollars, and also upon the forty thousand dollar farm; thus paying a tax upon seventy thousand dollars, when in reality he holds only forty thousand dollars’ worth of property.

His bonds are fastened upon him, and he cannot collect them. Again, B holds A’s bends for the forty thousand dollars farm; B must, therefore, pay a tax upon these bends. Therefore, the land purchased by A from B is paying a double tax; Be is the land sold by A to C; for A pays a tax on C’s bends for thirty thousand dollars, and C pays on the land in kind. Such a law, or the construction of it, is certainly wanting in uniformity and justice.

—At Berlin, above the Point of Rocks, in Maryland, an affair occurred which illustrates the necessity of extreme caution in dealing with the rebels. Two men approached the river on the Virginia side with a flag of truce and begged to be brought over, stating they were refugees. Captain Pardee, of Company A, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, gave orders to so dispose of his force as to cover a boat to bring them over, in the mean time entertaining those on the opposite side by conversation to distract their attention. When all was ready he despatched a sergeant and two men in a boat to bring them off. As the boat approached the shore a company of dismounted rebel cavalry showed themselves on the hill above and fired a volley upon the boat. The crew threw themselves overboard toward the Maryland shore, and thus protected pulled the boat across. In the mean time Pardee’s concealed riflemen opened on the cavalry with such effect as to came a stampede with great loss in wounded, at least. One of the boatmen had an ear lacerated by a ball from the cavalry.—N. Y. Evening Post, January 4, 1862.

December 30.—The Richmond Examiner of this date has the following on “Yankee worship”: We had thought that we were incapable of being taken by surprise by any new act of indulgence or deference toward Yankees by a government that entreats them here to enjoy the fats of offices and contracts, or by a public which has not forgotten its old standard of “society,” as measured in the amount of court and dirty toadyism they might be permitted to pay to Northern notabilities. But we were mistaken. We are intensely and altogether surprised at the latest event of Yankee impatience and Richmond servility. We are surprised to learn that a certain Yankee, Dr. King, from Newport, Rhode Island, has been permitted to come here to see a sick son, a prisoner. We are surprised to learn that the doctor, his lady, and son, are occupying very select rooms at the Arlington House. We are surprised to learn that these persons are called upon by the would-be elite (a very feeble would-be,” though, we suppose) of Richmond, and that women of Virginia, making such social pretence, have been flocking to see the Yankee family circle and to perform daily the debasing work of paying the greatest civilities to the enemies of our country and State. If Mrs. Lincoln was only holding court at the Spotswood, in her celebrated green silk and Illinois witchery, we have no doubt that there are creatures in Richmond who would bend their necks for the social honor of licking a little dust in her presence.”

—The third battalion of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, under Major John H. Edson, an old army officer, numbering four hundred and twenty horses and men, arrived at New York this morning.

—The Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, in his correspondence with the Tennessee delegation in Congress, stated the inability of the Confederate Government to settle the sums expended byTennessee in behalf of the war.

—In the rebel Congress at Richmond, Va., Messrs. Thomas and Burnett, of Kentucky, appeared, qualified, and took their seats.—General Stuart’s report of the battle of Dranesville was ordered to be printed.—Richmond Dispatch, Dec. 31.

—A Cutter, under command of Acting-Master Alick Allen, and a gig, under command of Acting-Master Henry L. Sturges, were sent from the U. S. steamer Mount Vernon, to-night, to destroy a lightship used by the rebels off Wilmington, N. C. The expedition found the vessel deserted, though pierced with guns, and almost prepared for harbor defence. She was burnt to the water’s edge by the National troops, who escaped the fire opened on them by a rebel fort.—(Doc. 243.)

December 29.—This afternoon a party of Jeff. Thompson’s men entered the little town of Commerce, Mo., about forty miles from Cairo, Ill.—a place long noted for the steady and unswerving loyalty of its people—and after tearing down and tramping upon a Union flag which was flying there, they proceeded to plunder the different stores in the town of such articles as suited their fancy. After obtaining all they desired here, they concealed themselves near the landing until the steamer City of Alton came along, intending to capture the boat; but just as she was approaching the landing a lady, Mrs. Eversole, wife of one of the citizens of the place, ran down to the landing, and in spite of the repeated threats of Thompson’s men to shoot her if she did not desist, shouted several times to the pilot not to land as Jeff. Thompson’s men were waiting to shoot them. The boat had nearly touched the shore before the pilot comprehended what she meant. He then rung the bell to back the boat. The robbers, finding themselves foiled, sprang from their ambush and fired several volleys at the boat, completely riddling the sides of the cabin and pilot-house, but fortunately without injuring any one. The escape of the passengers was almost miraculous, as there was a large number on board, and the balls pierced the cabin in every direction. The boat backed down the river about two miles, to the head of Max’s Island, where Captain Barnes obtained some arms and lumber to construct breast-works to shield the cabin and pilot-house. The boat then resumed her course, and passed the town without further molestation, the marauders having in the mean time retreated. Had it not been for the timely warning which the pilot received, they would undoubtedly have succeeded in capturing the boat with her valuable stores, and making prisoners of the passengers, including Commander Porter, of the gunboat Essex, and several army officers who were on board.—Cincinnati Gazette, January 4, 1862.

—Twenty-four hundred and sixty cavalry, under Colonel Carr, with fifteen days’ rations, left Rolla, Mo., destined, it was supposed, for Springfield, Mo., by a circuitous route.

—As the steamboat Express, which runs between Old Point and Newport News, Va., was leaving the latter place this morning, a rebel tugboat was seen off Sewell’s Point. She carried a Commodore’s blue pennant, which was mistaken at first for a flag of truce, but on the Express arriving within range she fired a shot across her bows, followed by several shells. The greatest consternation prevailed for a time on board the Express, which is an unarmed steamer, and the schooner Sherwood, employed to bring water from Newport News, which was at the time in tow, was cut adrift. The Sherwood was immediately deserted by her crew, consisting of four men, who escaped by the small boat to Newport News, and drifting down with the tide, was taken possession of by the rebel tog and towed to Craney Island. Her captain stuck to her, and was taken prisoner. The tugboat subsequently made her appearance for the second time, but the Express had crowded all steam on, and reported the circumstance to the flagship. After a long delay the gunboats started, and steaming toward the scene, threw a few shells into Sewell’s Point and Pig Point batteries, without producing any effect. But for the delay in the gunboats getting to the spot, the rebels might have been intercepted, and the schooner saved. The schooner had been lined with zinc, and fitted out with a valuable force pump for a water-boat.—(Doc. 242.)

—A note from the rebel General Huger to General Wool announced that he was ready to send two hundred and forty prisoners of war down the James River from Richmond by a flag of trace whenever they would be received.— Philadelphia Bulletin, December 30.

December 28.—The brig Empire, Crosby, sailed to-day from Fortress Monroe, for Port Royal, to open trade. She took out a cargo of fresh provisions, &c.; also a balloon and chemicals, and an apparatus for inflating it, consigned to General Sherman. The balloon is under the direction of Professor Starkweather, and the Æronautic Department.—The steam frigate Brooklyn arrived at Fortress Monroe, from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, this afternoon.—N. Y. Herald, Dec. 31.

—Writs of attachment were filed in the Louisville (Ky.) Chancery Court, under the law subjecting to such process the property of rebels who remain in the so-called Southern Confederacy thirty days after its passage, against Gen. Buckner, ex-Minister Preston, and Edward Crutchfield. Their property amounted to twenty thousand dollars each. Writs were also issued against several other parties for smaller amounts.—Philadelphia Press, Dec. 31.

—General Prentiss, with four hundred and fifty troops, encountered and dispersed a body of rebels nine hundred strong, under Colonel Dorsey, at Mount Zion, Boone County, Mo., killing and wounding one hundred and fifty of them, and capturing thirty-five prisoners, ninety-five horses, and one hundred and five guns. The National loss was three killed and eleven wounded.—(Doc. 240.)

—Last night the Thirty-fifth Ohio, Colonel Vandeveer, made a silent, cautious march to the Salt Works on Fishing Creek, Ky, with the full expectation of capturing a regiment of secesh cavalry, who were guarding the works while some of their men were manufacturing salt. But when they arrived there the workmen and cavalry had gone to their camp. So they made a charge on the Salt Works, breaking the kettles, disabling the pumps, and spreading havoc among the utensils generally; after which they marched back to camp, near Somerset.— Louisville Journal, Jan. 4,1862.

—Early this morning two squadrons of Col. Jackson’s regiment, under command of Major Murray, left the camp near Calhoun, on a scouting expedition across Green River, Ky. When they arrived at South Carrollton, the squadrons separated, and the first returned toward Calhoun by way of Sacramento, at which place they were surprised by seven hundred rebels, under command of Colonel Forrest. The troops were fired upon by the rebels before they were aware of their presence, and at first believed they were attacked by Major Megowan, of Col. Jackson’s cavalry, through mistake. The officers, though the ranks were broken, rallied the troops as soon as they discovered the true state of affairs. and for half an hour officers and men, without exception, displayed the most heroic valor and determination in a hand-to-hand engagement of the bloodiest character, and only retreated when their ammunition gave out. The National loss consisted of Capt. Albert G. Bacon, who was fired upon through a window of a house to which his force had been driven, and thus mortally wounded; Lieutenant R. H. King, of Frankfort, was slightly wounded, and seven or tight privates were wounded more or less severely. The rebels stated their loss at thirty when they reached Greenesville. Among the rebels killed was Lieut.-Col. Meriwether, of Hopkinsville. The rebels left Capt. Bacon in the woods in a dying condition, having stripped lam of his watch and rifled his pockets.[1]— (Doc. 241.)

—The Matinsburgh (Va.) Republican, of this date has the following:

We have heard of several attempts to destroy the dams along the Potomac, in Berkeley County, so as to blockade the canal, through which the Yankees receive large quantities of coal and produce. All these efforts have proved abortive, even to that recently made by the far-famed “stone-wall brigade,” if there be any truth in the current reports of the last few days. From these we hear that the boats are still running on the canal from above Dam No. 1. This is not a solid structure of stone, as is stated by the Richmond papers. The dam has been materially damaged; but from all we can learn, until there is a freshet sufficient to carry away the ” pile sheeting,” it will act as a feeder to the canal. We make these statements because we have been disgusted at the lies which the dam exploits have occasioned. In imitation of Yankee exaggeration by Southern writers, the false report found its way into the papers that General Jackson had crossed the river, run off the Unionists, and captured several pieces of cannon. It is true that the fright of the Yankees across the Potomac shows that they confidently expected a visit from Jackson. They were in the greatest excitement at Williamsport and Hagerstown. Many left the latter place, and at the former they had made every preparation to destroy their magazine and other property. One of their correspondents left for the camp of General Banks, and afterward wrote that he had seen fifty of General Jackson’s wagons unloading boats, preparatory to crossing the river.

—The diplomatic correspondence between the governments of France and England on the one hand, and that of the United States on the other, concerning the question of international law involved in the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, was made public. The first document is a note from Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams, in which the case is briefly mentioned, and in which Mr. Seward says that the action of Capt. Wilkes was without any instructions from the Government, and he trusted that the British Government would consider the subject in a friendly temper. Then follows a note from Earl Russell to Lord Lyons, dated November 30, reciting the English version of the case— declaring that the act of Captain Wilkes was an affront to the British flag, and a violation of international law; and announcing that the “liberation of the four gentlemen named, and their delivery to your lordship,” together with a suitable apology for the aggression, alone could satisfy the British nation. To this Mr. Seward responds in a paper, addressed to Lord Lyons, under date of the 26th inst., in which he analyzes at great length the principles of public law involved in the case, and arrives at the conclusion that the Government of the United States would be wrong in refusing to comply with the British demand, so far as relates to the disposition that shall be made of the persons captured. He closes by saying that the “four persons in question will be cheerfully liberated; and your Lordship will please indicate a time and place for receiving them.” No “apology,” however, is offered, because no offence was intended. To this Lord Lyons responds by announcing that he will forward the communication to her Majesty’s Government, and will immediately make arrangements to place the “four gentlemen” again “under the protection of the British flag.” Beside these documents on the Trent case, there is a despatch from M. Thouvenel, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, to M. Mercier, the “Minister of the Emperor at Washington,” in which Thouvenel pronounces the conduct of the American cruiser unjustifiable, but hopes for a pacific solution of the difficulty. To this Mr. Seward responds in a note to M. Mercier, in which he corrects an error of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, refers him to his correspondence with the British Government, and exchanges assurances of friendship.

The settlement of the Trent difficulty affords much gratification, and there is a general expressed acquiescence in the course of the Government, while the despatches of Secretary Seward are viewed in the light of the highest statesmanlike ability.

[1] The Louisville Courier published the following account of this affair:

Yesterday (Saturday) evening a detachment of Colonel Forrest’s cavalry met the enemy at Sacramento, nine miles from Ramsey, on Green River, and defeated them, after a sharp engagement of half an hour. The Yankees left ten dead on the field, and we took eighteen prisoners, most of them wounded. They had Captain Bacon and one lieutenant killed, and Captain Davis and one lieutenant wounded and our prisoners—their total loss being not less than fifty. Our loss is Captain Meriwether and one private killed, and one private wounded. The enemy fled in confusion toward Rumsey.

December 27.—Intelligence was received at Washington that Col. Canby, in command of the military department of New Mexico, had retaken Forts Craig and Stanton, on the Mesilla birder, driving the Texans away, and was on the way to Fort Fillmore to dispossess the rebels at that post, which was traitorously surrendered by Colonel Lynde to an inferior force of Texans. Thence he intended marching into Arizona to drive off the rebels.—The Legislature of New Mexico met on the 2d of December. Governor Connelly, in his message, recommended active measures with reference to the Indians who had been tampered with by Albert Pike, suggesting that they be located on the reservations, and encouraged in agricultural pursuits. The Indians, for the greater part, were peaceable and friendly to the United States Government.—Philadelphia Press, Dec. 28.

—The burning of buildings near New Market Bridge, Va., by order of Brigadier-General Mansfield, called forth the following order from General Wool:

Headquarters Department Virginia
Fort Monroe, Dec. 26, 1861

General Order No. 50.—The Major-General Commanding the Department regrets to learn that some of our troops recently crossed New Market Bridge and fired some buildings in retaliation for similar acts of vandalism committed by the rebels on the side nearest our encampments. Two wrongs do not make one right, and such conduct is in violation of existing orders, and for which, in this case, there does sot exist the slightest excuse. If the insurgents wish to increase the notoriety which they possess for burning villages and frame houses, and destroying property belonging to their own people, as well as others, it affords an opportunity for our opposite policy to stand out in bold relief, and should not be neglected. The Major-General Commanding would again express his decided disapprobation of such proceedings on the part of our troops. By command of

Major-General Wool.

W. D. Whipple, A. A.-G.

This order was sent to Camp Butler, to be read to all the troops under the command of General Mansfield.

—The rebel privateer Isabel succeeded, after several fruitless attempts, in running the blockade off Charleston, S. C., last night. There were eleven war vessels off the harbor at the time. The gunboat Pocahontas was despatched in pursuit, but without success, the Isabel being far the faster of the two.—N. Y. Herald, Jan. 4, 1862.

—This evening the bridges over the Fabius and North Fabius rivers, Mo., on the Palmyra Railroad, were set on fire by the rebels and destroyed.

—Arthur Rankin, member of the Canadian Parliament, and Colonel of the Union Lancers, deeming further connection with the United States service improper, in view of the complications with England, resigned his commission and returned to Canada.—N. Y. Times, Dec. 29.

—In accordance with orders received from Gen. Halleck, the Provost Marshal-General, at St. Louis, directed that sixteen slaves, confined in St. Louis County jail, and advertised for sale under State statute, be released from prison and placed under control of the Chief Quartermaster of the Department for labor till further orders, said slaves being the property of rebels, and having been used for insurrectionary purposes. The legal condition of the negroes is in nowise changed. They are only set free from confinement, imprisonment, and sale, on the presumption that they are the slaves of rebel masters. General Halleck wishes it understood that this order will not debar any one from enforcing his legal rights to the services of these negroes. Such rights, if any exist, can be enforced through the loyal civil tribunals of the State, whose mandates will always be duly respected. The military authorities of the Department, as military officers, cannot decide upon the rights of property or claims to service except so far as they may be authorized by the laws of war or acts of Congress. When not so authorized they will avoid all interference with such questions. —Philadelphia, Press, Dec. 30.

—Capt. Fry, of Company B, Twentieth regiment, started out from Warsaw, Ky., with a file of men for Eagle Creek, about thirteen miles from the village, having been ordered to arrest Capt. Washington R. Sanders, and break up a company of secessionists, who rendezvoused at his house. When they reached the house of Mr. Sanders he was not to be found. Upon searching the premises a six-pound cannon was found buried, together with six kegs of gunpowder, a quantity of rifles, bowie-knives, pistols, swords, and percussion caps. The arms, and other materials, were taken to Warsaw.—Louisville Journal.

—Alfred Ely, United States Representative from the Rochester district of New York, who was captured by a Smith Carolina company of infantry at the battle of Bull Run, arrived at Washington, D. C., having been released in exchange for C. J. Faulkner, former U. S. Minister to France.—(Doc. 239.)

—A Correspondent of the Richmond Examiner, in a letter dated this day, gives the following account of affairs at the rebel camp in the vicinity of Manassas, Va.:

To-day our whole army is engaged in building log-houses for winter quarters, or in moving to sites already selected. Several brigades will remain where they now are, near the fortifications in Centreville, and the remainder will fall back a mile or two upon Bull Run. General Kirby Smith’s brigade is at Camp Wigfall, to the right of the Orange and Alexandria road, near the Run. Near by the whole of Van Dorn’s division are making themselves comfortable in their little cottages, which rise rapidly day by day under the diligent hands of the soldiers. A few brigades are scattered down toward the Occoquan, where wood and water are plenty, the furthest being by Davis’s Ford. The artillery, with the exception of Walton’s battalion, has already been located between Cub Run and Stone Bridge. The cavalry has fallen back a little, and they are now building stables and houses near Centreville.

General Stuart will remain in the advance. It is probable that General Johnston will occupy the Lewis House, on the battle field, and General Beauregard Wier’s, his old head-quarters. Longstreet’s division will occupy the advanced position, and will remain where it is at present. The artillerists, detailed to man the guns in the batteries, will also remain by the fortifications. In case of an attack by the Yankees, it will take about two hours to get the main strength of the army across Bull Run. Information of an approach would be given at least two hours before an enemy could come up, and in that time we could be well prepared to resist any force that can be brought up. That is about the situation of affairs for the winter, and it remains to be seen whether our men are to have an opportunity of a brush with the Yankees, or whether they will be allowed to enjoy their new houses in quietness. When I say all are ready for an attack, I express but feebly the feeling which pervades the army.

Yesterday a Marylander came through our lines, having left Washington the day previous. He brought some noticeable information as to the disposition of the Yankee troops.

December 26.—A skirmish took place near Camp Boyle, Columbia, Ky., this evening. Last night the National pickets having reported a strong force of rebels in the neighborhood, Colonel Haggard, commanding at the camp, ordered out a party of men, with Major Ousley at their head, to go in pursuit. Arriving in the vicinity this morning, they saw nothing of the enemy. They waited, however, for some time, and being hungry, ordered supper at the hotel, and supper being ready they all sat down and were enjoying it finely, when a sentinel rushed in and gave an alarm. The Nationals all broke for their horses, but before a horse was mounted, a shot from one of Capt. Palmer’s men brought the rebel color-bearer to the ground. The poor fellow was a Scotchman—too brave a man to be enlisted in such a cause. The troops rushed up to him and wanted him to surrender, but he would not, and hurraing for Jeff. Davis, drew his revolver and was about to shoot, when one of the Nationals gave him a quietus that brought him to terms. The rebels were about six hundred strong, but retreated after receiving some two or three rounds. Colonel Haggard’s small party then also left the field, having killed five of the enemy and wounded some others.—Louisville Journal, December 30.

—Major Gower, commanding a squadron of the First Iowa Cavalry, arrived at Jefferson City, Mo., with one captain, thirteen men, and ten wagon loads of stores, captured from Gen. Price’s army.—Gen. Halleck’s Despatch.

—Philip St. George Cocke, Brigadier-General in the Confederate army, accidentally or designedly killed himself at his residence in Powhatan County, Va. He was a wealthy, public-spirited gentleman, and a well-behaved and accomplished officer. Brigadier-General Cocke was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He entered that institute as a cadet in 1828, graduated July, 1832, was immediately appointed to a brevet second lieutenancy in the Second artillery; promoted to adjutant of his regiment in 1833. He resigned in 1834. He was a native of Virginia, and at the breaking out of the present rebellion was commissioned a general in the Confederate army.—Norfolk Day Book, December 28.

—Andrew Kessler, Jr., a member of the late Maryland House of Delegates, was released from Fort Warren on taking the oath of allegiance, and returned to his home in Frederick, Md.—General Banks issued a stringent order in regard to the seizure of forage without the owner’s consent, and another prohibiting the sale of liquor to soldiers.—Philadelphia Press, December 28.

—In the Senate, at Washington, Mr. Hale, of Now Hampshire, offered a resolution calling upon the President to transmit to the Senate copies of all despatches which had passed between the Government and that of Great Britain relative to the seizure of Mason and Slidell. Mr. Sumner objected to its consideration. Mr. Hale advocated its passage in a speech of considerable length, in which he opposed the restitution of the rebel envoys, and advocated in preference a war with Great Britain. The resolution was laid over under the rule.—Mr. Garrett Davis, Senator from Kentucky, gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill confiscating every species of property of all persons who have had any connection with the rebellion, either in a civil, military, or naval capacity.—Mr. Harlan, of Iowa, introduced a bill to establish a Provisional Government in all the seceded States.

—A Fire broke out in the Government stables, near the Observatory, in Washington, D. C., and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred horses out of six hundred which it contained, were burnt to death. The fire was supposed to have resulted from carelessness.

—The Sixth New Hampshire regiment, numbering one thousand and twenty-three men, Col. Nelson Converse, passed through New York for Washington. They had been encamped at Keene, Cheshire County, since November 15. Before they left, Gov. Berry presented them with a stand of colors—The First battalion of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, numbering four hundred and fifty men, arrived at New York, and left for Annapolis in the afternoon, to join Gen. Burnside’s expedition.

—The steamer Arago arrived at New York from Europe, bringing as a passenger Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott, and intelligence that the party in Europe advocating a war with the United States, was “greatly encouraged in their cry for blood.”—N. Y. Herald, December 27.

—First Lieutenant J. C. Ives, Topographical Engineers, U. S. A., having tendered his resignation under circumstances showing him to be disloyal to the U. S. Government, was, by direction of the President, dismissed the service from this date.—General Orders, No. 110.

—The rebel general, John B. Floyd, issued an address to the troops under his command, dated at the “camp, near Dublin depot,” Western Virginia, in which he expressed his admiration of the manner in which they had conducted a campaign of five months, and urged them to respond to the distinguished compliment paid the “army of the Kanawha,” by the Confederate Government, in assigning them to the defence of Kentucky.—(Doc. 238.)