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

December 14.—The excitement in England relative to the boarding of the Trent continues:

The Liverpool Mercury of this day, states that the Earl of Derby had been consulted by the Government. He approved of its policy in reference to the American difficulty, and suggested to ship-owners to instruct the captains of outward bound ships to signalize any English vessels, that war with America was probable. This suggestion had been strongly approved by the underwriters.

—The Legislative Council of Kentucky, at its session this day, elected the following gentlemen as delegates from Kentucky to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States: Henry C. Burnett; John Thomas; Geo. W. Ewing; Dr. D. V. White; T. L. Burnett; Jno. M. Elliott; S. H. Ford; Thos. B. Monroe; Thos. Johnson; Geo. B. Hodge.—Louisville Nashville Courier, Dec. 16.

—The Green Mountain Cavalry, Vermont Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Lemuel B. Platt, left the encampment at Burlington for the seat of war.

December 13.—Major Williams of the Third Kansas regiment, made a dash into Missouri from Mound City, and burned the villages of Papinsville and Butler, (the latter is the county seat of Bates County,) and returned with a large number of refugees, quantities of stock, &c. They had two men killed at Butler. These towns had for a long time been the resort of a guerilla band of rebels.

—This day one of the hardest battles of the war was fought at Allegheny Camp, Pocahontas County, Virginia, between Gen. R. H. Milroy, commanding the Union troops, and Gen. Johnson, of Georgia, commanding the rebels. The fight lasted from daylight till three P. M. The Union loss is about thirty, and the rebel loss over two hundred, including a major and many other officers, and thirty prisoners. Gen. Johnson was shot in the mouth, but not fatally. The Twelfth Georgia regiment suffered the most. Gen. Milroy’s force numbered seven hundred and fifty men from the Ninth and Thirteenth Indiana, and the Twenty-fifth and Thirty-second Ohio and the Second Virginia. Gen. Johnson’s force numbered over two thousand men. The Ninth Indiana regiment fought bravely to the last. After driving the enemy into their barracks no less than five times, the Nationals retired in good order. The rebels set fire to their camp and retreated to Staunton. —(Doc. 226.)

—Wm. H. Johnson, of the Lincoln Cavalry, sentenced to be shot as a deserter, was executed to-day. According to his own confession, he enlisted in order to desert, that he might thus reach New Orleans where his mother resides. In carrying out his plan, he got beyond the lines, but mistaking the Federal pickets for these of the enemy, he ran towards them, throwing up his hands and crying that he was a deserter. They assured him that they belonged to “the other side,” took his arms, and said that he must prove his good faith by giving information. Thereupon, he told them that they could capture a party of our men, behind a hill, where they really were, and gave abundant details touching the Nationals strength and position. He was then taken prisoner, and carried within the National lines.

—The British ship Admiral was captured off Savannah, Ga., by the Augusta, while attempting to run in. She adopted a very ingenious mode to escape the scrutiny of the cruisers, by pretending to be one of the stone fleet, into which she had forced herself. But the ruse did not succeed, and the commander of the Augusta, becoming suspicious, ran down to her, and sent her boat aboard. She proved to be an English ship, deeply loaded with coal, for blacksmith’s purposes, and salt—at least that is what appears upon the surface. What lies hidden under this valuable cargo, remains to be seen when an examination is made. The captain of the Admiral stated that he had sailed eighty days ago from Liverpool for Savannah, and was not aware of the existence of blockade.—N. Y Herald, Dec. 20.

—Governor Clairborne F. Jackson, of Missouri, issued a proclamation at New Madrid, to the officers and soldiers of the Missouri State Guard, praising their valor, fortitude, and success, and urging them to continue in the ranks a few weeks longer, their six months’ term of service having expired. He also called upon these of his fellow-citizens who had not joined the army, to do so at once, telling them they should not expect to enjoy the reward, unless they participate in the struggle for victory and independence.—(Doc. 227.)

December 12.—The Montgomery (Ala.) Mail, of this day, says that “there have been six alarms of fire in that city within the two previous days. The Commercial Hall was fired twice in broad daylight. There was much excitement and great exasperation among the citizens.”

—In the Maryland Legislature, in session at Annapolis, a resolution was introduced declaring the seat of Hon. Coleman Yellott, Senator from Baltimore, vacant, on the ground that during three successive sessions of the body he absented himself from his seat therein, without assigning any reason therefor; and whereas, it is a matter of public notoriety, established also by testimony before the Committee on Judicial Proceedings, that the said Senator from Baltimore City has gone to Virginia, and has no intention of resuming his seat in the Senate; and whereas, it is right and proper, in these times of public peril, the large and populous city of Baltimore should be represented here; and whereas, the Constitution of Maryland provides that in the event of the removal of a Senator from the county or city for which he is elected, the President of the Senate shall issue his warrant for the election of another person in his place: therefore, &c.

Quite an animated discussion ensued between several of the members on the preamble and resolutions, when the vote was taken and the resolution declaring the seat vacant was passed.

—Last night and this morning a terrible conflagration raged in the city of Charleston, S. C., consuming and totally destroying nearly all the business portion of the city east of King St., in the direction of the Cooper River.—Richmond (Va.) Enquirer, Dec. 15.

—The authorities having learned that a number of rebels in the vicinity of Bagdad, Shelby County, Kentucky, on the line of the Louisville and Frankfort Railroad, were becoming troublesome, and had even gone so far as to compel loyal citizens to take the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, a squad of men from Col. Whitaker’s regiment, at Spring Garden, near Louisville, Ky., were despatched to the neighborhood to-night, with orders to arrest the rebels. Arriving on the ground, they were proceeding to make the desired arrests, when they were fired upon from the residence of a rebel, which was occupied by about forty persons. The fire was returned by the squad of half a dozen National troops, who were finally overpowered and forced to retreat, but one of them, however, having been wounded, and he not mortally.—Louisville Journal, Dec. 14.

—A scouting expedition, composed in part of Col. Merrill’s regiment of cavalry, returned to Sedalia, Mo., bringing as prisoners four captains, two lieutenants, and about forty men. They also captured a mortar and a large number of horses. The expedition went as far as Waverly, Mo. The man who hauled down the American flag after Colonel Mulligan’s surrender at Lexington, was arrested as a spy.

—The Bowling Green Courier publishes what purports to be a message from George W. Johnson, who signs himself “Provisional Governor,” addressed to “Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Legislative Council.” The so-called ” Provision Council” has been organized as follows: President of Council, Willis B. Machen, of Lyon; State Treasurer, Judge T. L Burnett, of Spencer; State Auditor, Capt. Richard Hawes, of Bourbon; Secretary of State, Robert McKee, of Louisville; Clerk of Council, A. Frank Brown, of Pulaski; State Printer, W. N. Haldeman, of Oldham; Sergeant-at-Arms, John E. Thompson, Jr., of Mercer.—N. Y. Times, Dec. 14.

—A skirmish occurred to-day on the banks of Green River, Ky. Company I of the Fifteenth Ohio was attacked by about one hundred and fifty rebel cavalry, who had dismounted from their horses and approached the patriots unobserved. The rebels fired one round without killing or wounding a man, and it was returned by the Ohio infantry with a couple of volleys, wounding several. The cavalry then retired, bearing their wounded with them.— Louisville Journal, Dec. 16.

December 11.—Two companies of infantry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Rhodes, and two companies of cavalry, under command of Major J. J. Mudd, had a skirmish with the rebels near Bertrand, Missouri, to-day, losing one man. They took sixteen prisoners and a number of horses and fire-arms.—Missouri Democrat, December 12.

—In the Legislature of Western Virginia, in session at Wheeling, to-day, Mr. Carksadon, of Hampshire, introduced a resolution to prohibit any person engaged in the rebellion from ever holding office in the State. Mr. Snider, of Monongahela, introduced a resolution modifying these parts of the code which prohibit writing or speaking against slavery, so as to make them conform to the spirit and genius of the National institutions.

—The Eleventh Michigan infantry, twelve hundred strong, commanded by Col. Win. J. May, arrived at Jeffersonville, and were at once despatched to Bardstown, Ky. They are a fine body of men, and will doubtless do good service in the Union cause. Michigan has done nobly thus far, and the Eleventh is considered as good as, if not better than, any regiment yet sent to the war from that State.—Louisville Journal, December 12.

—Reliable news reached Fort Smith, Arkansas, to-day, from the Indian country, from which it is learned that a large number of Creeks, Cherokees, and Seminoles have joined Opothleyholo. The Cherokee regiment, under Colonel Drew, has disbanded, a part have joined the Nationals, a portion have returned home, and a part remain with Colonel Cooper. Opothleyholo is encamped about the Big Bend of Arkansas, with a force variously estimated at from two to four thousand men, well armed, and all naked to the waist, and painted.

Colonel Cooper is encamped within five miles of the Nationals, with a small force, consisting of Colonel Simms’ Texas regiment, Colonel McIntosh’s Creek regiment, and the Chocktaw and Chickasaw regiment.—Fort Smith (Ark.) News, Dec. 12.

—Five vessels of the stone fleet, and the ships George Green and Bullion, of Gen. Butler’s expedition, sailed to-day from Boston, Mass.

—An expedition, under Commander Rodgers, U. S. N., left Port Royal harbor, S. C., and explored Ossabaw Sound, Ga. It passed up the Vernon River, Ga., and was fired on by a fort on the eastern end of Green Island, without damage. Returning to the Sound, the expedition sailed up the Great Ogeechee River, and landed at Ossabaw Island, but found it abandoned. No batteries, except the one on Green Island, were discovered.—(Doc. 224.)

—This morning a party of rebels commenced firing on some National pickets in the vicinity of Dam No. 4, on the Potomac, near Sharpsburg, Md., but were forced to retreat to the woods, more than a mile from the river, after losing seven killed and many wounded. When the rebels disappeared, a party of National troops crossed the river to reconnoitre, but were forced to retreat by a company of rebel infantry. Before reaching the river, however, their escape was cut off by a troop of eighty cavalry, and the whole party, after a slight skirmish, captured. No assistance could be sent them by the National troops on the Maryland side of the river, and it was afterward ascertained that the prisoners had been taken to Martinsburg, Va.—(Doc. 225.)

December 10.—Resolutions expressive of the opinion of the Legislature of Tennessee in regard to their future policy, and determination to maintain their Declaration of Independence of the old Government of the United States, were introduced to the Tennessee Legislature by Mr. Cardwell, of Weakley County.—(Doc. 220.)

—The court-martial of Col. Kerrigan was convened at Washington, D. C, to-day, and a large amount of evidence was taken. His counsel was E. L. Hearne, of New York, and Reverdy Johnson. J. W. Coombs was the judge-advocate.—N. Y. World, December 11.

—The question of the exchange of prisoners seems to be fairly settled. The New York Executive Committee, consisting of Messrs. Savage, O’Gorman, and Daly, have had several lengthy and interesting interviews with the President, Gen. McClellan, and senators and members of the House, all of whom favor it. The committee’s interview with Gen. McClellan was especially gratifying. He spoke of the subject briefly, but warmly. The Military Committee in both houses have reported favorably on the subject, and a joint resolution which has passed the House, requesting the President to make an exchange, will pass the Senate tomorrow. In point of fact, an exchange has been practically going on, thirty prisoners having been sent from here yesterday to Fortress Monroe, while large numbers have been likewise released from Fort Warren. Richard O’Gorman, John Savage, Judge Daly, and Collector Barney were before the cabinet to-day, with reference to a general exchange of prisoners, and particularly with reference to Colonel Corcoran.—N. Y. Herald, December 11.

December 9.—The Charleston Courier of this day has the following: “The news from Port Royal continues to be of the most gratifying character. The unanimity of our planters in the destruction of the cotton crops, the laying waste and burning every thing that would afford shelter or subsistence to the enemy where it cannot be otherwise defended, deprives them of the extensive spoils with which they have feasted their imagination, and the obtainment of which was one of their chief objects. Their mission in this respect will prove a most disastrous failure. They have gained little or nothing to satisfy them, and should they advance further, every inch of ground will be disputed with fire and sword, and the arms of a brave people. Some of these same thieving adventurers have lately made several visits to Port Royal, with the hope of securing rich plunder, but they were foiled and disappointed in their object by the timely steps taken to thwart them in their purposes. The prospects of paying the cost of their grand expedition by the sale of our cotton has been nipped in the bud. Our planters in that neighborhood have vindicated most patriotically our cause. Scattered as they were in every direction, it was found impossible to act in combination. But an opportunity has now been offered, and they have cheerfully consigned to the flames the labors of the year.

—Gen. Halleck; issued orders stating that the Mayor of St. Louis, Mo., would require all municipal officers immediately to subscribe to the oath of allegiance prescribed by the Missouri State Convention in October last, and would direct the provost marshal to arrest all State officers who had failed to subscribe to such oath within the time fixed by the Convention, and had attempted to exercise civil authority in violation of the ordinance.

—The U. S. flotilla on the Lower Potomac was actively engaged to-day in shelling the woods and burning the buildings of the rebels at Freestone Point, Va. The Harriet Lane, Anacostia and Jacob Bell, supported by the Reliance, Stepping Stones, and Herbert, poured a heavy fire for an hour and a half upon the enemy’s position. The rebel batteries at Shipping Point kept up a brisk fire, which was responded to by the Union battery at Budd’s Ferry with a few shells. Lieut. McCrea, with a boat’s crew from the Jacob Bell, and another boat from the Anacostia, went ashore and burned down the rebel buildings at Freestone Point, containing stores.—(Doc. 218.)

—Adjutant S. K. Hall, of Colonel Eads’ Twenty-seventh Missouri regiment, came in to Sedalia, Mo., this evening from Dunksburg, twenty miles distant, with fourteen rebel prisoners and an escort of twelve mounted scouts. The prisoners were captured by Capt. McGuire’s command, Company A, while on their way North. Eight of them were members of a cornet band from Price’s army, and had their instruments, drums, and trumpets along. They were well provided with transportation, having a large band wagon drawn with four horses, all of which were taken to Sedalia, The names of the band are as follows: Joseph Rosenthrall, leader; Charles Prentice, “E flat;” A. J. Cunningham, tenor; W. B. Lydick, cornet, B flat; George W. Wise, alto; W. H. Stephens, bass; Wm. H. Cunningham, drummer; Jacob Gains, driver; Robt. Fathing, baggage teamster. The Twenty-seventh regiment were sadly in want of music to cheer their drooping spirits, for every paymaster who had been detailed to pay off troops since the 1st July, had invariably ignored their claim for pay, and this band acquisition was a perfect god-send.—Missouri Democrat, December 12.

—The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment, Col. Thomas G. Stevenson, which had been encamped at Readville, left Boston, on its way to Annapolis, at which place it was attached to Gen. Burnside’s Division. The regiment numbered one thousand and twenty men, all of whom were thoroughly uniformed and equipped, and armed with the Enfield rifle.

—Col. Willits, of the Kansas Brigade, arrived at Leavenworth, Kansas, this evening, and reported the following facts: Gen. Price was at Osceola on the 1st December, with about eighteen thousand men; he made a speech, and told them he was going to Kansas to avenge the burning of Osceola.

On Friday last, December 6th, thirteen persons started from near Olathe, in company with a Union man who had been driven out of Missouri, to get some hogs belonging to the refugee. They were attacked from the border in Missouri by about thirty or forty rebels, when they retired back into Kansas, and soon raised near two hundred men, with whom they returned. They soon met the enemy, who also had been reinforced by a considerable body, and a skirmish commenced, which lasted all day Saturday, resulting in a drawn battle, with two Nationals wounded, three rebels killed, and five mortally wounded.—Leavenworth (Kansas) Times, December 10.

—F. W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina, issued a proclamation, stating that the “State is invaded, and Charleston is threatened, by land and by sea, with large forces,” and calling for twelve thousand volunteers, to be furnished for a term of service, not less than twelve months, unless sooner discharged.—(Doc. 219.)

—Rev. A. A. Von Puttkammer, pastor of a German Baptist Church, Albany, N. Y., assumed command of the Havelock Flying Artillery, one hundred and sixty men and six guns, nearly ready to take the field. Mr. P. is a graduate of the Berlin Military Academy, and was twenty-three years in the Prussian service, where he obtained the rank of Captain of Artillery. He admits none but men of Christian character into his command, and proposes to observe worship three times a day when practicable.— Cincinnati Gazette, December 11.

—A Flag of truce went from Fortress Monroe to Norfolk, Va., this morning, carrying thirty-two rebel prisoners discharged by the United States on their parole. A rebel flag of truce met the boat and transferred thereto some ladies coming from Richmond, Va.—National Intelligencer, December 11.

—A battle took place to-day on Bushy Creek, near the Verdigris River, about one hundred and eighty miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas, between the forces of Col. Cooper and the Yankees, under Opothleyholo, estimated at four thousand or five thousand: Colonel Cooper had only about one thousand three hundred men.

The Yankees attacked Col. Cooper about eleven o’clock, and the fight continued all day until sundown. Col. Simms’ Texas regiment fought with great bravery, and the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks fought like tigers.

The Yankees followed Col. Cooper several miles, and attacked him with great fury. Col. Cooper drove them back to the woods, a distance of two miles. A large number of Cherokees were with Opothleyholo; likewise about one hundred and fifty Seminoles. Col. Drew, with his men, who remained with him, fought well and did good service. The Choctaws took about one hundred and fifty scalps, and the Chickasaws nearly fifty. The Creeks did not scalp any, because the enemy was their own people.

A white man, by the name of Eli Smith, was taken who had gone over to the Yankees. He was tried by a court-martial and shot. He was a deserter from a Texas regiment. Other deserters were taken and dealt with in the same manner. Col. Cooper behaved with the greatest coolness and bravery.—Fort Smith (Ark.) Times, December 15.

—Major Lyons’ Rocket Battalion, one hundred and fifty men, from Albany, left New York this afternoon for Washington. Their side arras will be sabres and carbines, and their battery is to be constructed on a new plan, so as to throw rockets as well as balls and shells. This arm is expected to be useful in burning towns or fighting cavalry. The battalion consists of two companies, that from Niagara commanded by Capt. Alfred Ransom, and that from Wyoming and Morris counties by Captain J. A. Lee.—N. Y. World, December 10.

December 8.—The American Bible Society has done a great work for the army and navy. It has distributed, in these two branches of the national service, about half a million copies of the Scriptures, mostly of the New Testament, and is now issuing seven thousand copies a day. Every man in the volunteer regiments, who would receive one, has been furnished with a very neat and portable copy of the New Testament; and the same good work is to be done for the other regiments that may yet volunteer in the service of their country to the end of the war. So noble an object is worthy of everybody’s sympathy and cooperation.

—The Second regiment of Ohio Volunteers, under command of Colonel L. A. Harris, left their camp this morning for Elizabethtown, forty-two miles south of Louisville, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the rendezvous of the troops in Western and Southern Kentucky.

—The schooner E. Waterman, loaded with salt, provisions, coffee, and lend, and munitions of war, was captured off Savannah, Ga., by the steamer Augusta,—N. Y. Herald, Dec. 20.

—Yesterday afternoon a rebel force, consisting of a battery of six pieces, and about four hundred Infantry and two hundred Cavalry, made their appearance at Dam No. 5, on the Virginia side of the Potomac, near Williamsport, Md., and commenced throwing shell and shot it the Dam and houses on the Maryland shore, burning a barn, and riddling all the houses within range, continuing the fire until dusk.

The only Union force there to oppose them, was a company of the Massachusetts Thirteenth, on picket duty, and an unarmed Illinois regiment. As the Massachusetts company was armed with smooth-bore muskets their fire was not effective at that distance.

Early this morning they resumed the fire with artillery and small arms, and, emboldened by the slight resistance met with yesterday, cane down to the very brink of the river, and exposed themselves without fear. During the night, Colonel Leonard had despatched a canal boat from Williamsport and another company of his regiment, armed with Enfield rifles, who were concealed as skirmishers along the Maryland shore. On the renewal of the attack the riflemen opened fire from their concealment, and in a short time the rebel artillerists were compelled to abandon their battery in hot haste, their infantry and cavalry leaving the ground about the same time.

For the want of a sufficient infantry force and battery to protect his movements, Colonel Leonard was compelled to let the rebel guns remain in position, and after nightfall the rebels returned and took them off.—(Doc. 217.)

—Port Royal Island, S. C., on which the town of Beaufort is situated, was taken possession of by the Union forces on the 6th inst., but neither the island nor the town were fully occupied till to-day, when a reconnoissance in force, consisting of three hundred of the Fiftieth Pennsylvania regiment, three hundred of the “Roundheads,” and half of Hamilton’s Battery, all under command of General Stevens, drove the enemy completely from the island, they having to cross Port Royal Ferry, and taking up a position on the main land. The Union pickets were immediately extended so as to defend the town of Beaufort and the entire island of Port Royal.—N. T. Tribune.

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.)

December 6.—At noon to-day, the Fifth New York regiment, (Zouaves,) under command of Col. Warren, from Federal Hill, made a beautiful parade on the streets of Baltimore, Md. They had returned from Accomac and Westmoreland counties, Va., bringing with them, as aa trophy of their bloodless victory in that section of Virginia, a large rebel flag. The purpose of their parade was to present this flag to General Dix, and they bore it with them in line, Union down. On reaching the vicinity of the head-quarters, on Fayette street, they formed in line, when the flag was delivered to one of General Dix’s aids. At the command of Col. Warren, three cheers were given for General Dix and the Federal Union, with a “tiger,” and in less than three minute the whole ceremonies were over, and the regiment on its way to camp again. The men looked well, and marched well, and evinced that enthusiasm for the National Muse which has always distinguished them.— Baltimore American, December 6.

—A foraging expedition, under command of Gen. George F. Meade, consisting of the Second brigade of Gen. McCall’s division, left Camp Pierpont, Fairfax County, Va., to-day, with a large number of transportation wagons. They saw nothing of the enemy, but obtained from a farm about three miles from Dranseville, on the Leesburg turnpike, Va., a large quantity of wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, brick, and lumber; twenty-seven fat hogs, a pair of fat oxen, a wagon, and seven horses; with all of which they reached their quarters near Langley, Va., about sundown.—Forney’s (Phil.) War Press, December 14.

—A riot occurred at Nashville, Tenn., occasioned by the authorities resorting to drafting for soldiers to supply the rebel army. The boxes used for the purpose were broken up, and during the excitement two persons were killed and several wounded. Governor Harris was forced to keep his room, and was protected from injury by a strong guard.

—This morning, the Seventy-fifth regiment N. Y. S. V., under command of Col. John A. Dodge, left New York for Fort Pickens, Fla., in the steamship Baltic. The regiment was raised and organized in Auburn.