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

December 4.—The Maryland Legislature organized to-day by electing Mr. Berry Speaker of the House, and Mr. Goldsborough President of the Senate. The Governor’s Message was transmitted. It is eminently loyal and patriotic. He says he has convened the Legislature in special session, in order that they may at once perform clearly the express will of the people, by taking such steps as will seem most effective to vindicate the honor and loyalty of the State, by undoing, as far as possible, and remedying the evils of the legislation of their predecessors. He urges measures for the payment of the State’s portion of the national tax for the expenses of the war. He says the rebellion must be put down, no matter at what cost. The State must bear her share, and he hopes it will be done with no niggard hand. He urges a loan for the purpose; also, that it is due to the pride of the House that immediate provision be made for raising and equipping Maryland’s quota of volunteers for the war. He also recommends legislation for the summary punishment of persons in Maryland, who shall be convicted of aiding or abetting in any manner these who are in arms against the Government.

—A Spirited skirmish took place to-night near Anandale on the Little River Turnpike, Va. It having been ascertained that a number of rebel cavalry were in the habit of coming out toward the pickets in that locality, and driving in or capturing them, last night Colonel Taylor, with twenty-five or thirty men from the Third New Jersey regiment, went out toward Anandale, where the rebels were said to appear occasionally, coming down the road at full gallop. They tied a piece of telegraph wire across the road, just high enough to trip the horses and throw them with their riders, and then placed themselves in ambush beside the road. About half-past eleven forty or fifty of the rebel cavalry approached, galloping down the road.

The head horseman tripped and fell, and the others rushing on, several tumbled over in the confusion, in the mean time swearing and shouting. The Nationals poured a volley into them, unhorsing several, killing six or seven, and capturing three, one of whom was a lieutenant. The rebels managed to get some of their killed and wounded away. One private on the National side was mortally wounded and died soon after. The captured rebel lieutenant was shot in the leg and made fight with his sword when the National soldiers went to pick him up. A bayonet prick, however, quieted him.— Philadelphia Inquirer.

—The Memphis Avalanche says: “We unhesitatingly say that the cause of justice and the cause of humanity itself, demands that the black flag shall be unfurled on every field—that extermination and death shall be proclaimed against the hellish miscreants who persist in polluting our soil with their crimes. We will stop the effusion of blood, we will arrest the horrors of war, by terrific slaughter of the foe, by examples of overwhelming and unsparing vengeance. When Oliver Cromwell massacred the garrison of Drogheda, suffering not a man to escape, he justified it on the ground that his object was to bring the war to a close—to stop the effusion of blood—and that it was, therefore, a merciful act on his part. The South can afford no longer to trifle—she must strike the most fearful blows —the war-cry of extermination must be raised.”

—A Bill was presented in the Tennessee Legislature, requesting the Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts, Chancellors, and Justices of the Peace, not to hold their courts, during the continuance of the war, for the trial of cases wherein debts and money were involved.—Louisville Journal, Dec. 12.

—The “Confederate” Congress passed yesterday, unanimously, and President Davis signed to-day, the following:

Be it Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States, That the thanks of the people of the Confederate States are eminently due, and are hereby tendered, to Major-General Sterling Price and the Missouri Army under his command, for the gallant conduct they have displayed throughout their service in the present war, especially for the skill, fortitude, and courage, by which they gained the brilliant achievement at Lexington, Mo., resulting, on the 20th day of September last, in the reduction of that town, and the surrender of the entire Federal army there employed.—Idem.

—In the Senate, at Washington, a resolution expelling John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, an officer in the rebel army, was offered, but objected to by Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, on the ground that as Breckinridge had already resigned he could not be expelled. The resolution was adopted by a vote of yeas thirty-six, nays none.—Mr. Wilson introduced a resolution providing for the release of slaves confined in prison in Washington. The subject was referred to the Committee on District of Columbia Affairs. On motion of Mr. Wilson, the same committee were directed to consider the question of abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, allowing compensation to loyal owners of slaves.—Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, proposed the appointment of a commission, consisting of Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, Roger B. Taney, Edward Everett, George M. Dallas, Thomas M. Ewing, Horace Binney, Reverdy Johnson, John J Crittenden, and George C. Pugh, to confer with a like number of commissioners from the so-called Confederate States, with a view to the restoration of peace, the preservation of the Union, and the maintenance of the constitution, and that during the pendency of the deliberations of the joint commissioners, active hostilities should cease. The proposition was laid on the table.—(Doc. 211.)

—Queen Victoria issued a proclamation forbidding the export from all ports of the United Kingdom, of gunpowder, nitre, nitrate of soda, brimstone, lead, and fire-arms.—London Gazette, Dee. 4.

—To-day, a party of exasperated Union citizens of all parties, attacked a gang of returned rebels from General Price’s army, under command of Captains Young and Wheatley, near Dunksburg, about twenty miles west of Sedalia, Mo., killing seven and wounding ten. Among the killed was Captain Young. None of the citizens were killed or severely wounded. Three of the wounded rebels died.—N. Y. Herald, Dec. 7.

—Gen Phelps’ expedition, which left Fortress Monroe, Va., on the 29th of Nov., on board the steamer Constitution, landed its forces and stores on Ship Island, in what is called Mississippi Sound, in the Gulf of Mexico, near the coast. After landing, Gen. Phelps issued a proclamation to the loyal citizens of the South-West, which called forth some sharp criticism at the North as well as the South.—(Doc. 211.)

—The first independent battery of New York State Volunteer artillerists arrived in New York, from Albany. They number one hundred and fifty-six men, and are under the command of Captain T. J. Kennedy. The majority of the men have been enlisted from the plough and harrow in Cayuga County, and are a fine-looking set of young men. They are fully uniformed but without sabres or guns, both of which wait them in Washington. Their pieces are to consist of four ten-pound rifled Parrott guns, and two twelve-pound howitzers.

—Gen. Prentiss, at St. Joseph, Mo., addressed a large crowd of the citizens of that place, declaring in the most solemn manner that he would compel every secessionist there to take an oath of allegiance to the United States Government, or he would set them at work in the trenches of Fort Smith. The speech delighted the loyal, but sent consternation into the ranks of the traitors.—N. Y. Tribune, Dec. 7.

—This night a detachment of the Federal cavalry made a dash for the Memphis Branch railroad, and succeeded in burning a portion of the Whip-poor-will Bridge, taking eleven prisoners of the guard stationed there. Though wholly unaccompanied with danger, this is the most brilliant exploit of the war in Kentucky. And though the damage done is trifling, and has been repaired ere this, the injury to the Southern cause is serious out of all proportion to the loss sustained. This movement of the Federal scouts will excite a feeling of uneasiness and apprehension in the country, discouraging Southern men and encouraging the few Lincolnites in this section. And there is no excuse for it.—Nashville Courier.—(Doc. 212.)

—Secretary Seward addressed a letter to Gen. McClellan, calling his attention to the fact that slaves escaping from the rebels, and coming within the national lines, had been imprisoned in the jail at Washington. The Secretary pointed out the impropriety of the fact, and declared that such arrest and imprisonment ought to be followed by the immediate punishment of the persons making the seizure.— (Doc. 213.)

—At St. Louis Major-General Halleck issued an important order to his commanding officers in Missouri, directing them to arrest and hold in confinement every one found in arms against the Government, or those who, in any way, give aid to the rebels; and ordering that all persons found within the lines of the army, in disguise as loyal citizens, and giving information to the enemy, and all these taken from the ranks of the rebels in actual service, should not be treated as prisoners of war, but as spies, and should be shot. He further ordered that the provost-marshals of St. Louis should take in charge the numbers of Union families who were crowding into the city—having been plundered and driven from their homes by the rebels— and quarter them upon avowed secessionists, charging the expense of their board to them, on the ground that, although they had not themselves plundered and driven forth these unfortunate people, they were giving aid and comfort to these who had done so.

December 3.—Major Bowen’s Cavalry were attacked at Salem, Dent Co., Mo., this morning at four o’clock, by three hundred rebels under command of Colonels Freeman and Turner. They charged upon a house in which some of the Federal soldiers were sleeping, killing and wounding fifteen, shooting them through the windows and as they emerged from the house. Major Bowen, whose head-quarters were at the court house, one hundred yards distant, rushed out and rallied his men, when a street fight took place. The Federals charged upon the rebels, drove them from the streets, and followed them some distance out of town. They were perfectly cleaned out and fled. Many of the rebels were killed and wounded, but the number was not ascertained. Major Bowen had possession of the town, and sent to Rolla, Mo., for a surgeon and a reinforcement of fifty men. Capt. Dodd, of the rebel force, was badly wounded and taken prisoner. He said Turner had one hundred and thirty men under his command. Among the dead on the Federal side was James Ayres, of Company A, commanded by Captain Stevens. The following were wounded: William Cartwright, Wilson Randolph, John Hooper, and Samuel Matlock, of Company A.—St. Louis Democrat.

—President Lincoln’s Message and the accompanying documents were transmitted to Congress to-day. The Message is clear and explicit in its statements, practical in its suggestions, and eminently conservative in its treatment of the exciting subjects which depend upon the political questions connected with the rebellion. The President urges no scheme of general emancipation or of arming the slaves. “In considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing the insurrection,” says the President, “I have been anxious and careful that the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent and remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have, therefore, in every ease, thought it proper to keep the integrity of the Union prominent as the primary object of the contest on our part, leaving all questions which are not of vital military importance to the more deliberate action of the Legislature.” This declaration is eminently satisfactory to the country.

—The Western Virginia Convention in session at Wheeling to-day, changed the name of the new State from Kanawha to Western Virginia.

—This morning, Gen. Fitz John Porter sent out a small scouting party to make a reconnoisance in the vicinity of Vienna, Va. It consisted of a squadron of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, composing Companies F and M, under command of Captain Bell, numbering one hundred and twenty men. The first information received from Captain Bell, was the arrival at Gen. Porter’s head-quarters this afternoon of an orderly, with the intelligence that the squadron had met the enemy in considerable force— said to be five hundred cavalry and two hundred infantry—and that our men had engaged them and suffered much.

Upon learning this, General Porter in person, with a force of four regiments of infantry and two companies of cavalry, started to the rescue of Captain Bell’s party, and met them a short distance beyond Fall’s Church, on their return.

Captain Bell reports that they proceeded a short distance beyond Vienna, when they encountered the rebel cavalry that General Wadsworth designed to cut off. The party were defiling through a tract of woods only wide enough for the column to march by twos.

The first indication of the presence of the enemy was the opening of a galling fire upon the rear of his column, just entering the wood, by a body of infantry concealed in a house near at hand. Captain Bell ordered his men forward, but on emerging from the wood, they were met by two or three hundred of the rebel cavalry, who opened upon them with carbine and pistol. Many of the horses in Captain Bell’s party, not being practised to the discharge of arms, became unmanageable.

The National troops were at once thrown into confusion; but each man, fighting on his own account, discharged his piece at the enemy, emptying several saddles. Two of the rebel horses were brought in. Lieutenant John W. Ford and Sergeant Smith, of Company F, were taken prisoners. Sergeant Parker, of Company M, was seriously injured by the fall of his horse. He was brought back to camp.

When the Nationals returned to camp, forty-five men were missing. The number killed and wounded is not known.

—Henry Fry and Jacob M. Hemslier were hung at Greenville, Tennessee, for bridge-burning.—Henry C. Burnett, Representative from Kentucky, was, upon the motion of Mr. Dunn of Indiana, expelled from the Congress of the United States for active participation in the rebellion.

December 2.—The Memphis Avalanche of this day, says: “Hang ’em,” yes, hang them, everyone. Every East Tennessean found recreant to the will and interest of the State of Tennessee, and known to be actively conniving with its enemies, should be hung and loftily. When the citizens of a State have, by an overwhelming majority at the ballot-box, determined on its foreign policy, and by that policy have been necessitated to arm for the defence of their homes and firesides, every resident on the soil of that State who lends or gives aid to the invader, deserves as little mercy as Beelzebub will give them in his empire. Wherever the cobra-like head of treason is lifted, it should be stricken off, and that quickly, for its poisonous saliva is as contagious as the airs of Malemma. “Hang ’em, hang ’em,” every one.

—Three rebel gunboats came up in sight of Fort Holt, near Cairo, Ill., this afternoon and fired several shots, which were returned from the fort and the batteries at Bird’s Point. A shot from the Point went over the rebel steamers and they turned back down the river. Soon after General Grant followed them, but was unsuccessful in overtaking the fleet.—Cincinnati Gazette, December 3.

—This day General Blenker, learning that a party of rebel cavalry were foraging a few miles in front of his position at Hunter’s Chapel, Va., despatched a squadron of horsemen to drive them off. They met, and a brief engagement ensued before the rebels put spurs to their horses and ran off, having three or four killed and wounded, and leaving two prisoners. The Nationals lost one man killed. The names of the prisoners are Alexander Maxwell, of Rectortown, Fauquier County, Virginia, and Wm. H. Dennis, of Salem, in the same county. The latter’s horse was taken with him. They were both members of Company II, Sixth regiment of Wise (Va.) Dragoons, Col. Field commanding. They had been sent to forage from their camp, two miles from Centreville.— Washington Star, Dec. 3.

—A sharp engagement between the U. 8. gunboats Hetzel, Seymour, White Head, Shawshene, and the rebel steamer Patrick Henry, took place about five miles above Newport News, Va. The bombardment lasted about two hours, commencing at five o’clock in the morning. The rebel steamer kept close to the shore, where a powerful battery assisted it materially.—(Doc. 209.)

—In the convention of Western Virginia, in session at Wheeling, Mr. Hagan, of Boone County, offered the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Fundamental and General Provisions:

Whereas Negro Slavery is the origin and foundation of our National troubles, and the cause of the terrible rebellion in our midst, that is seeking to overthrow our Government; and whereas Slavery is incompatible with the Word of God, detrimental to the interests of a free people, as well as wrong to the slaves themselves; therefore,

Resolved, That this Convention inquire into the expediency of making the proposed new State a free State, and that a provision be inserted in the Constitution for the gradual emancipation of all slaves within the proposed boundaries of the new State, to be submitted to the people of the same, for their approval or rejection.

—A military execution occurred at Shepherd’s Hill, near Centreville, Va. Two members of the New Orleans company, known as “The Tigers,” were shot for mutinous conduct and an assault upon the officer of the day.—Richmond Examiner, December 9.

—Both Houses of Congress met at Washington. In the Senate Mr. Trumbull gave notice of a bill to confiscate the property of the rebels and give freedom to persons in the slave States. Mr. Wilkinson gave notice of a bill to abolish the distinction between regular and volunteer forces.

In the House Mr. Maynard was, after some discussion, sworn in as a member from the second district of Tennessee. The question as to the right of Mr. Segar, of Va., to a seat was referred. Mr. Eliot offered a series of resolutions in favor of emancipating the slaves in the rebel districts. A motion to lay them on the table was lost by a vote of fifty-six to seventy, and the further consideration of them was postponed until the next Tuesday. Messrs. Campbell and Stevens also offered resolutions of similar import. Mr. Roscoe A. Conklin submitted a resolution calling upon the Secretary of War for information in regard to the responsibility of the disastrous movement at Ball’s Bluff, which was adopted. On motion of Mr. Odell, the President was requested to order John Slidell into close confinement, in return for similar treatment of Col. A. M. Wood, of the Fourteenth regiment N. Y. S. M., who was taken prisoner at Bull Run. A resolution of similar (illegible) in reference to James M. Mason, in return for the treatment to Col. Corcoran, was unanimously passed.

—The bark Samuel Moxley, partly owned in Apalachicola, Florida, was seized under the confiscation act by the collector at New London, Conn. The vessel had just arrived there in ballast from Sligo Island.

—The Eighty-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., Brooklyn Rifles, under command of Colonel Stephen A. Dodge, left New York this evening for Washington, D. C. Before leaving, two magnificent silk flags were presented to the regiment by Major Kalbfleisch of Brooklyn, who addressed the men. Col. Dodge replied in a short speech.—N. Y. Herald, Dec. 4.

—The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser has the following: Mr. Chas. B. May has erected buildings at Montgomery, Ala., suitable for the manufacture of all kinds of patent enamelled leather. He has succeeded in getting from the North, some time since, two or three workmen, who thoroughly understand the business, and who are said to be the best workmen in the country. He has all the necessary machinery and ingredients, and is going immediately into the manufacture on an extensive scale, of the article of patent leather, of any quality or color. This is something new in our new Confederacy; but, one by one, we are learning to ”paddle our own canoe,” independent of the blockades, and, ere long, we feel satisfied that every article usually brought from abroad will be made in our own country.

December 1.—The schooner Albion, of Nassau, N. P., formerly the Lucy E. Waring, of Baltimore, Md., arrived at New York, a prize to the U. S. gunboat Penguin, which captured her while attempting to run the blockade of Charleston. She was laden with arms, ammunition, salt, fruit, provisions, oils, tin, copper, saddles, bridles, and cavalry equipments, and valued at one hundred thousand dollars. On the morning of the 25th nit, she was observed endeavoring to work into the inlet near Edisto Island, and after a chase of three hours was overhauled and captured. The schooner was in command of Captains Christy and Stevens, who admitted that they were residents of Savannah, Ga. They were also part owners of the vessel. The captains and crew were put on board the U. S. steamer Penguin. Master’s mate George N. Hood was put on board the Albion with a prize crew, and ordered to proceed North.

—This morning, a party of Union men from Whitley County, Ky., headed by George W. Lyttle, marched into the town of Huntsville, Tennessee, after having travelled through the night from Williamsburg, Ky., a distance of near fifty miles, and about twenty-five miles into the Southern Confederacy; tore down the flag of rebellion, erected the Stars and Stripes, and captured five rebel troops, and bore them in triumph to Camp Calvert, with a number of good horses and rigging, also some splendid fire-arms, knives, &c[1]

Those composing the little patriotic band, were R. Bird, Speed Faris, Samuel Freeman, J. W. Smith, Clint. Roe, Ples. Jones, Joe Cain, S. C. Cain, Wm. Ellison, Frank and Abel Bryant, G. W. Lyttle, S. Stanfield, Jeremiah Meadors, R. and J. Pemberton, and some others, making between twenty and thirty in number.—Frankfort (Ky.) Commonwealth, Dec. 9.

—A party of Unionists attacked the Confederate pickets at Morristown, East Tennessee, killing a large number of them, and putting the rest to flight.—Memphis Avalanche, Dec. 2.

—Simon Cameron, the Secretary of War, in his report, proposed that the limits of Virginia be so altered, as to make her boundaries consist of the Blue Ridge on the east, and Pennsylvania on the north, leaving those on the south and west as at present. Thus Alleghany and Washington counties, of Maryland, would be transferred to Virginia, while all that portion of Virginia lying between the Blue Ridge and Chesapeake Bay, could be added to Maryland, and that portion of the peninsula between the Chesapeake and the Atlantic, could be incorporated into the States of Delaware.

[1] The Knoxville (Tenn.) Register, Dec. 3, gives the following account of this affair:

This morning a band of Lincolnites from Kentucky, assisted by a number of tories of Scott County, entered the village of Huntsville, Tenn., and seized the persons of John L Smith, John Catlin, Calvin Smith, Sterling Smith, Joe Smith, and five others, whose names we could not procure, and immediately started with them to Kentucky as prisoners of war, at the same time taking about a dozen head of horses. All the gentlemen abducted were quiet, unoffending citizens, belonging to no military organization in the Confederate service. Their only crime was that they were secessionists. John L. Smith is a clerk, and master of the Chancery Court at Huntsville, at least seventy years of age, and is respected by all who know him in the very slightest degree, and the others abducted are equally esteemed. The party from whom we derived this information, Mr. William Anderson, was likewise captured by the marauders, but made his escape. He says he could not ascertain the precise number of the enemy. He saw about forty or fifty, but they represented their number at several hundred. They were piloted in by the somewhat notorious John H. Smith, who was released by the Confederate Court at Nashville, some time ago, upon his taking the oath of allegiance, and who forfeited his recognizance some days ago in the Confederate Court at this place, upon a charge of counterfeiting; John Baxter, of this city, being his security. He was assisted in this infamous raid by other tory residents of Scott County, among whom was Riley Cecil, another individual who was released by Major Folkerson, at Jamestown, last summer, upon making the strongest promises of good behavior toward the Confederate States.

November 30. — This morning a “suspicions” lady passenger appeared on board the steamer Mary Washington, at Baltimore, Md., and, as a matter of course, had to submit to a search; the result of which was that she was deprived of an underskirt which had been padded with heavy skeins of black sewing silk. Two bags containing a quantity of gloves, stockings, &c. were taken from her. There was also found in the saloon of the boat, secreted between the back and seat of the sofa, a number of letters directed to various persons in the Confederate States. A little boy was also on board, dressed in the uniform of a Zouave, and, as he appeared to be extraordinarily bulky about the back and breast, Deputy Marshal McPhail thought proper to strip him of his jacket, when he discovered that the young soldier Was encased in bags of quinine. He was relieved of his load and allowed to proceed. The lady was also permitted to pass. When asked what she intended to do with the articles taken from her and the boy, the replied that she wished to make a little money. The skirt taken from her weighed thirty-five pounds, and the silk is valued at eight dollars per pound. — Baltimore News, December 2.

— The Seventy-fifth regiment, New York Volunteers, Col. Dodge, being the second regiment from Cayuga County, left Auburn for Washington. — N. Y. Herald, December 2.

— General Price has issued a proclamation to the people of Missouri, dated at Neosho, in which he calls for fifty thousand troops, and states that the exigencies of the situation demand that they shall be promptly furnished, as the term of service—six months—for which his present force was enlisted, is closing, and many of his men are leaving for their homes. He complains of the apathy and inactivity of the wealthy secessionists, who have stood aloof, and refused to aid him, leaving the poor men to do the fighting.

His present army, he states, is composed of poor men, who have joined him at great sacrifice and risk; and as their term of service is drawing to a close, and others are needed to take their places, he calls on the rich men, who have thus far done nothing, to rally to his standard, with blankets, bed-quilts, clothing, wagons, shot-guns, rifles, and such other arms as they can bring. He pledges them that they shall be paid for their services, and promises to confiscate property belonging to Union men in Missouri, to reward his troops.—(Doc. 205.)

—The Richmond Examiner of to-day has the following: “The campaign of 1861 may be considered as over. In a fortnight the enemy can do nothing more. The early danger of the South, that it would be overwhelmed, before it could organize and prepare for defence, by superior numbers and transportation, is at an end. We have so much advantage. But in the straggle an unexpected feature has developed itself in the temper of the United States. Before the war began all sane men believed they would compromise the political quarrel with the South; and had the North offered the South the poorest terms, so corrupt was public sentiment in Virginia at least, these terms would have been accepted.

When the war began, but few thought it would last six months. The six months have gone. The United States have endured defeat after defeat, made sacrifice after sacrifice, and have closed an unsuccessful campaign without the slightest signs of an approach to reason. The peace party of the North, like the Union party of the South, has entirely disappeared. The whole people are completely under the hand of the Government, and all together, people and Government, are bent on the prosecution of this war, even if the consequence be a collision with England and national bankruptcy. Under this impulse they have steadily increased, and are still increasing, their vast regular force. Not less than five hundred thousand men are enlisted for an indefinite period, and equivalent in all its parts to a regular army.”

After enlarging upon the faults of all militia and volunteer systems, to which alone the South has hitherto resorted, the Examiner says that “the only way to meet the North with any prospect of success is to raise a regular army, by some means resembling the conscriptions of all other nations in the world except England and America,” claiming that by this means “five hundred thousand men could be put in the field.”

—The rebel schooner E. Wittington was captured by the U. S. steamer Ben Deford this morning off Savannah, Ga., while attempting to run the blockade. She was heavily laden with a variety of small stores.—(Doc. 206.)

—A Correspondent in Des Arc, Mo., writing under this date, says: “All is quiet in Kansas, with the exception of the demonstrations of the Indians, who, in the absence of the Federals, are securing all the property they can get belonging to our enemies. They are not, however, laying waste the country. Twelve hundred Creek warriors have rebelled, and called for assistance from the Federal Government. They are closely watched by our regiment of Texans and one of the Cherokee regiments.—Memphis Appeal, Dec. 2.

—The Norfolk Day Book of this date contains an elaborate article on the manufacture of salt, and insists that the “individual who supplies this great necessity to the armies of this country serves her as acceptably and as successfully as the glittering hosts who stand upon her border for defence.”—(Doc. 208.)

—At Boston, Mass., an interesting ceremony occurred on board the U. S. steamer San Jacinto, when the crew of that vessel presented a handsome silver goblet to Lieutenant Fairfax. The goblet was beautifully engraved with national, military, and naval devices, one design representing the meeting of the San Jacinto and the Trent. It bore the inscription, “Presented to Lieut. Fairfax, by the crew of the San Jacinto, as a slight token of their esteem and love.” The presentation speech was made by Rev. Phineas Stowe.—Boston Herald, Dec. 2.

—Colonel D. Leadbetter, of the C. S. A., issued a proclamation at Greenville, East Tennessee, to-day, addressed to the “Citizens of East Tennessee.” He tells the loyal people of that section that “so long as the question of Union or disunion was debatable,” they had a right to vote on the subject, but “when secession was established by the voice of the people,” it became their duty to submit to the authority of the “Confederate States,” of which their State was one. He therefore offers pardon to all who will deliver up their arms and take the “oath of allegiance” to the “Confederate States,” excepting bridge-burners and destroyers of railroad tracks, who will be tried by drumhead court-martial, and hung on the spot.— (Doc. 207.)

—The Norfolk Day Book of this date has the following from Memphis, Tenn.: General Pillow has information from a reliable source that the enemy will attack Columbus in twenty days with a force of seventy-five to one hundred thousand men. A large amount of ammunition and cannon, from St. Louis, has been sent to Cairo. The enemy has thirty-eight mortar boats and eight gunboats. The enemy’s plan is to surround Columbus, and starve them into submission. General Pillow says we should make every effort to meet the enemy with a strong force right away. There is no time to be lost.

November 29.—The following was drawn up to-day on board the British frigate President, lying in one of the docks in England, and signed by all the men of the naval reserve in the ship.

To Capt. Lacy, R. N., her Majesty’s ship President, City Canal:

Sir : Having heard that our flag has been grossly insulted by an American ship-of-war, and people who claimed its protection forcibly taken from it and made prisoners, we write this to let you know that we are ready to fulfil our engagement and protect the honor of our flag, our good Queen and country, whenever called upon to do se. We respectfully request you will make this our determination known in the proper quarter.

[Signed on behalf of the volunteer reserve on board the President.]—London Telegraph, Nov. 30.

—At eleven o’clock to-night the heavens to the southwest of Charleston, S. C., were brilliantly illuminated with the patriotic flames ascending from burning cotton. As the spectators witnessed it they involuntarily burst forth with cheer after cheer, and each heart was warmed as with a new pulse. Such a people can never be subjugated. Let the holy flames continue to ascend, and let the demons of hell, who come here on their diabolical errand, learn a lesson and tremble. Let the torch be applied whenever the invader pollutes our soil, and let him find, as is meet, that our people will welcome him only with devastation and ruin. Our people are in earnest—men, women, and children—and their sacrifices will ascend as a sacred holocaust to God, crying aloud for vengeance against the fiends in human shape who are disgracing humanity, trampling down civilization, and would blot out Christianity. Patriotic planters on the seaboard are hourly applying the torch to their crops of cotton and rice. Some are authorized by military authorities to destroy their crops to prevent ravages by the enemy. Plantations on North Edisto and in the neighborhood, and elsewhere on the coast of South Carolina, are one sheet of flames and smoke. The commanding officers at all of the exposed points on the coast have receive positive instructions to burn or destroy all property which cannot be conveniently taken away and is likely to be seized by the enemy.— Charleston Mercury, November 30.

—An official order was received at the Custom-house, in London, England, not to allow the shipment of any saltpetre to any place till further order. A large quantity had been placed in lighters previous to shipment for export, but the whole was relanded under the supervision of the Customs officers, and returned into warehouse.—London Times, November 30.

—Major R. M. Hough, aide-de-camp to Gen. Hunter, in command of four companies of the First Missouri Cavalry, as escort to a large train from Sedalia, Mo., arrived at Leavenworth, Kansas. The command had an engagement with rebels at Black Walnut Creek, and killed and wounded seventeen and took five prisoners. Five Federals, including Major Hough, were wounded, but none seriously.— N. Y. Commercial, December 2.

—The Jackson Mississippian, in an article on the pay of the privates in the rebel army, holds the following language:—It has been a conviction of ours since the beginning of the war, that there was too great a distinction made between the privates and commissioned officers of our army. Under the old order of things, such a distinction and difference in pay was, perhaps, altogether proper. But our Southern army is composed of the flower of the country. The privates occupy respectable social positions. They are not, as in the case with Northern horde, the refuse of society, who take up arms as a means of securing their daily bread, but they are .the social equals of their officers. They have enlisted in the service of the country from the purest promptings of patriotism. They endure all the privations and hardships of the camp; and their high tone of character, disinterested and quenchless love for the cause of liberty, make each one of them equal to at least three of Lincoln’s mercenaries. They deserve to receive more, nay, and higher consideration than the mere brutish hirelings of a despot, who know not, and care not, what they are fighting for.

When it is considered that the officers are already handsomely paid, that they monopolize in a great measure the honors of the war, and their names figure conspicuously in the official reports and newspaper accounts, surely it will not be denied that the poor private, whose name is never mentioned, and to whose courage and patriotism the army is indebted for its most brilliant victories, should receive a better compensation for the sacrifices and hardships which he undergoes than is now allowed by the pay regulations. And when it is further considered that many of them are poor, with dependent families to support, and that provisions and clothing of every description have largely increased in price, it will be universally admitted, we think, that their pay should be increased. For these and many other reasons, we think the Confederate Congress, when it reassembles, will promptly raise the pay of the private soldier.

—Lieutenant John L. Worden, of the U. S. Navy, who had been seven months a prisoner in the South, arrived at Washington.—(Doc. 204.)

—To-day Drake DeKay, aide-de-camp to General Mansfield, accompanied by Major Sharfp, Captain Hellerer and Capt. Breck, left Fortress Monroe, Va., with a party of about forty men. They had not travelled long before they met with a body of the Prince Edward Cavalry, twenty-five to thirty in number, about a mile beyond New Market. De Kay had not more than a dozen men, the balance being in reserve. The enemy attacked with fire, but the Federals took to the woods and opened upon them so briskly that they were soon forced to retreat, leaving two killed, while they succeeded in carrying off the wounded.

One of the former was Mr. Edward A. Scott, of Richmond, a gentleman well known in Baltimore as well as Virginia. Upon his person was found, among other things, a letter from a lady, dated Richmond. The following was the concluding sentence, saying: “Now be sure, my darling Edward, that this letter does not fall into the hands of the rascally Yankees.” The Federals took a number of pistols, some of which were of the most approved standard, and handsomely ornamented with silver.—N. Y. Commercial, December 8.

—At Nashville, Tenn., twenty-one prisoners from East Tennessee appeared in the Confederate court, acknowledged the error of their ways, took the oath of loyalty to the Southern Confederacy, and attached themselves to a company being raised in Nashville. — Nashville Gazette, November 30.

— The rebels at Harper’s Ferry, Va., opened a hot fire of shells on the quarters of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment, causing some excitement among the men. Major Tyndall returned the fire with Enfield rifles, but the distance was too great to do any damage. None of the Pennsylvania men were hurt. — N. Y. Herald, November 30.

— General Carroll has received orders from the War Department at Richmond, Va., to march immediately to the support of General Zollicoffer. The step is one in the right direction, and will, we doubt not, be taken without delay. —Memphis Appeal, November 2.(sic)

November 28.—A submarine telegraph cable was successfully laid between Forts Moultrie and Sumter, in Charleston (S. C.) harbor, by Messrs. Seville, Denby, and Hobbs. When the burying of the cable was completed a salute was simultaneously fired in honor of the event from the forts, the order having been transmitted from Fort Moultrie. The communication between the forts was perfect, and much to the satisfaction of the skilful operators concerned. —Norfolk Day Book, November 30.

—Two schooners from Baltimore, Md., one laden with coal and one with lumber, were captured by the steamer George Page, as they lay becalmed under the rebel batteries, on the Potomac. The National pickets challenged the Page, which passed in pursuit within a hundred yards of them, but the reply that she was a United States steamer deceived them.

The Fifty-seventh and Sixty-first regiments of New York, the latter commanded by Col. Cone, made a reconnoissance from Springfield, nine miles from Alexandria, Va., and went three miles and a half beyond the Federal pickets, toward Manassas, when, discovering a rebel force numbering eight thousand men, they returned to their starting point, reaching it in good order and without casualties.

—For the first time in the history of Virginia, thanksgiving-day was observed in that State. Governor Pierpont is the first Governor of Virginia who ever proclaimed one. Business was entirely suspended.—(Doc. 202.)

—The Concordia Cavalry, Capt. Benjamin, left their encampment at Concordia, La., on the Magenta, for Bowling Green, Ky. They bear in their midst a large-sized black flag, on which appear, in bold relief, death’s head and bare bones. These Concordians go to expel, not capture, vandal invaders of their homes and firesides, and they will make their mark. — Concordia Intelligencer, November 29.

— This morning the schooner Waterman, Capt. Huron, for Charleston, S. C., was wrecked off Tybee. She fell into the hands of the Yankee blockaders. — Last night the cotton and provisions on Hutchinson, Fenwick, and adjoining islands were destroyed by fire by the proprietors. — Commissary-General Whitaker, of Georgia, seized in that State, one thousand five hundred and forty sacks of salt, for which be paid as directed by Governor Brown. — The colored people of Vicksburg, Miss., advertise in the papers of that city to give a ball for the benefit of the soldiers from that State, in the Confederate service. — General Lee issued an order granting furloughs to these members of the South Carolina Legislature who were serving as soldiers in the Confederate States army, in that State, during the session, which commenced on the 25th ult. — Savannah News.

—Adjutant-Gen. Thomas sent out instructions to Gen. Sherman, in Beaufort, S. C., to take possession of all the crops on the island — cotton, corn, rice, etc.— on military account, and ship the cotton, and such other crops as were not wanted for the army, to New York, to be sold there for account of the United States; also, to use negro slaves to gather and secure the crops of cotton and corn, and to erect his defences at Port Royal and other places on the island. — Washington Republican, Nov. 30.

—A Band of rebels, under the notorious Sy. Gordon, captured Capt. Robb, Capt. White, and Lieutenant Moonlight, three United States officers, from the railroad train, at Weston, Missouri. — The Sixty-third New York regiment (third regiment, Irish Brigade) left New York for Washington.

— Col. Mulligan, the commander of the Irish Brigade at the siege of Lexington, Mo., had a reception at Detroit, Mich., and in response to a speech of welcome made an address, rehearsing some interesting particulars of the siege. — (Doc. 203.)

— The Annual Thanksgiving festival of the Free States was celebrated this day — with more than usual earnestness. Proclamations by various persons in authority called attention to it as a fit occasion to render thanks, especially, that so many loyal men were ready to fight for the honor and glory of the country.

November 27.—The following is a list of rebel vessels captured by the Federal flotilla in Mississippi Sound, since the 21st of November: Steamer Anna, loaded with spirits turpentine, rosin, and cane-bottom chairs; schooner Olive, loaded with lumber originally intended for Ship Island, but at this time destined for Fort Pike; steamer Lewis, loaded with sugar and molasses; schooner J. H. View, loaded with spirits turpentine and tar.—N. Y. Evening Post, Dec. 17.

—At Liverpool, England, soon after noon today, a private telegram was received announcing the boarding of the Trent by a Federal vessel of war, and the forcible removal of the Southern Commissioners. The intelligence spread with wonderful rapidity, and occasioned great excitement among all classes. On ‘Change the utmost indignation was expressed, and in a very brief space of time the following placard was posted:

“Outrage On The British Flag.—The Southern Commissioners Forcibly Removed From A British Mail Steamer.

“A public meeting will be held in the Cotton Sales-room at three o’clock.”

In compliance with the preceding announcement a meeting was held in the Cotton Salesroom at three o’clock, which was crowded to excess by nearly all the gentlemen frequenting the Exchange. The meeting was quite as remarkable for enthusiasm as numbers. After several gentlemen had been requested to preside, the chair was occupied by Mr. James Spence, and on taking the chair he proceeded to read the subjoined resolution:

“That this meeting, having heard with indignation that an American Federal ship-of-war has forcibly taken from a British mail steamer certain passengers, who were proceeding peaceably under the shelter of our flag from one neutral port to another, do earnestly call upon, the Government to assert the dignity of the British flag by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

On hearing this resolution read, the meeting expressed in the most unmistakable manner the feeling by which it was pervaded in favor of the views included in it. When silence had been in some measure restored, the chairman remarked that, when the news of the outrage reached this town, the feeling created was one of surprise, mingled with indignation. He remarked that we had all heard of the sacred dignity of the American flag. That dignity, he proceeded to say, was a means by which the persons engaged in the nefarious slave trade could at once protect themselves by hoisting the American flag, which fully enabled them to resist any attempt to search such vessel. He trusted it would not be allowed that men prosecuting so nefarious a trade should be protected, and that men peacefully proceeding on their own affairs, under the protection of our flag, might be forcibly taken out of our ships. (Cheers.) On the contrary, he believed that the people of this country would not by any means permit such an outrage. (Cheers.) He said, in having agreed to take the chair on this occasion, he did so without reluctance or regret, as he felt deeply that he only expressed the feeling, not merely of the meeting, but of the community in general, when he said it was the duty of the people to press on the Government the imperative necessity of vindicating the honor and dignity of the British name and flag. (Loud and continued cheering.)

Mr. H. C. Chapman, as a mere matter of form, moved that the resolution be adopted.

Mr. A. Forwood said he felt much pleasure in seconding the adoption of a resolution which must find an echo in every English besom.

Mr. John Campbell, while fully concurring in the propriety of preventing any outrage from being offered to the British flag—a sentiment which was universally acknowledged throughout the kingdom—said he felt assured that there was no Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman who would not at once, and promptly, resent any insult offered to our flag. (Cheers.) While feeling this in the strongest manner and to the fullest extent, he considered that there still remained some reason to doubt whether the facts related, and acted on by calling this meeting, were in reality a breach of international law. (Cries of “No, no!”) He referred at some length to the opinions of the law officers of the Crown, as being in some measure inclined to show that such a step as that taken with respect to the Southern Commissioners was justifiable under the existing state of international law. In conclusion, he proposed a direct negative to the resolution. As, however, he was not desirous of doing any thing which would create a spirit of dissension, he was willing to adopt any middle course which could be suggested, and urged the propriety of postponing the consideration of the subject till the next day.

The chairman suggested that, to meet the objection thrown out by Mr. Campbell, it would be sufficient to strike out of the resolution the words, “by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

Mr. Campbell said he could not concur in the suggestion of the chairman, and must decline to do so.

Mr. Torr expressed his concurrence in the views put forward by Mr. Campbell, and in doing so met with frequent interruption. He argued that the present meeting was hastily convened, and had in its proceedings already prejudged the case, with the merits of which the meeting was unacquainted. He insisted that there was no reason to believe that the responsible ministers of the crown would allow an insult to be offered to the British flag. (Loud cheers.) He urged the advantage of proceeding calmly in considering a case such as the present, which, if prematurely urged to extremity, might result in involving this country in a war. (Great interruption.) He contended that to urge on the Government a particular line of conduct in respect to the proceedings now under consideration, was impolitic and unjust. He would not, and no Englishman would, advocate putting up with insult; but in the present case let him ask, what had the Americans done? [Mr. Chapman: They fired a shot across the bows of the mail steamer to bring her to, and as she did not stop for that, they fired a shell at her, which burst close by her. (Tremendous cheering.)]

Mr. Torr proceeded to say that there was every reason to avoid coming to a hasty resolution, and, in thanking the meeting for the patience with which they had heard him—(loud and ironical cheers)—he again urged on these present to consider the matter calmly and dispassionately, and not to be carried away by the impulse of feeling in a case which required mature judgment and calm deliberation. A letter had been shown to him by a Southern gentleman, in which it was stated as a positive fact that the law officers of the Crown had, in anticipation, expressed a decided opinion in favor of the legality of a proceeding similar to that which had just taken place in regard to the Trent by the San Jacinto.

Mr. J. Turner next attempted to address the meeting to the same effect as had been done by Mr. Torr and Mr. Campbell, but the feeling of these present was so decidedly opposed to that view that he was forced to desist.

The resolution, as proposed to be amended by the chairman, was then put to the meeting, and carried by a tremendous majority, and amid the most deafening and enthusiastic cheers. For the negative, only a few hands were held up.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which was at four o’clock, a number of the merchants on ‘Change expressed privately their conviction that the meeting and its proceedings had been premature.—London Times, Nov. 28.

—A reconnoitring party of the Lincoln Cavalry, under command of Captain Boyd, advanced to within a thousand yards of Fairfax Court House, Va., where they had a sharp skirmish with a portion of the rebel scouts, cavalry, and infantry. No one was killed on the National side, but one of the enemy was brought down from his saddle. Captain Boyd says that a small force of infantry, supported by a battery and a company of cavalry, could easily take and hold Fairfax Court House at the present time.—(Doc. 196.)

—This day the plantation of John Raven Mathews, situated on Bear Island, near the mouth of Ashepoo River, S. C., was visited by the Lincolnites. On their approach, the proprietor, with noble patriotism, set fire to his entire crop, and was about placing the match to his residence when a detachment of “Confederate” cavalry arrived, and he spared the house for the troops to quarter in. Mr. Mathews is a most extensive rice and cotton planter, and has made a splendid crop this year. Mr. Edward Baynard, of Edisto Island, likewise burned his whole crop of cotton, as well as his residence, and the other buildings upon his plantation. Such noble sacrifices to the cause of the South deserve the highest praise.—Charleston Mercury, November 29.

—The full organization of the Western Virginia Convention, in session at Wheeling, was effected, and the work of forming a State Constitution was assigned to a committee. There appears to be no opposition to the idea of forming a new State. A gradual emancipation act will be passed by the convention.

—Henry R. Jackson was appointed a major-general, and Wm. H. T. Walker a brigadier-general in the Georgia army.—Richmond Dispatch, November 28.

—The Seventy-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., the Bemis Heights battalion, left Saratoga for the seat of war.—N. Y. Herald, November 30.

—General McClellan issued orders from the head-quarters of the army of the Potomac, at Washington, D. C., directing the Sunday morning services to be commenced at eleven o’clock, and all officers and soldiers off duty, to attend divine service. The orders give the freedom of camps, quarters, and hospitals to chaplains, who are also released from attending reviews or inspections.—(Doc. 197.)

—The U. S. Government authorities assumed command of the entire commerce of the Mississippi River below St. Louis, Mo. None but Government boats will hereafter be employed, but freight and passengers will be conveyed at current rates as heretofore. All boats entering these waters will report at the first military post, and stop, to proceed under military orders at the discretion of the military commander. Freight and baggage will be subjected to careful inspection. The oath will be administered to all the employees and passengers, and the plans of landing and departure will conform as near as possible to the custom of trade, but all commission and storage business must be transacted with openly avowed Union men. The purpose of this measure is to check communication with the enemy and prevent the conveyance of contraband goods.—(Doc. 198.)

—To-day six scouts of Capt. Gregory’s company, sent out from Lieut.-Col. Anthony’s command, on the Old Lexington roads, Mo., were fired upon by about fifty rebels at the crossing of the Little Blue, from the rocks and bushes. One of the scouts was wounded; two missing. The three returning met some fifteen rebels on Little Blue bridge, with shot guns. The scouts then turned, took another road, and arrived safely in camp. Lieut. Hedgeman sent out twenty men, and found the rebels near the same place, drove them into the brush, and captured twenty horses and mules.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Gen. De Saussure’s plan of defence for Charleston, S. C., in case of attack by the Northern troops, found among other papers in Fort Walker, at Port Royal, is this day published.— (Doc. 200.)

—An interesting correspondence passed between the Presbyterian Synod of New York and New Jersey, and Secretary Seward. The Synod, at a late session, in view of the critical condition of the country, passed a series of resolutions, pledging the influence of its members in behalf of the Government. They also took occasion, while disclaiming any intention of offering suggestions in regard to slavery, to express their full belief that it lies at the foundation of all the present difficulty, and to deprecate its existence.—(Doc. 199.)

—On the 25th inst. a reconnoissance from Port Royal, S. C., was made by Commander Drayton, of the U. S. steamer Pawnee, who ascended the Coosaw River, S. C., finding two deserted forts, of which he took possession. Yesterday morning he returned, and to-day ascended the Ashepoo River, took possession of an abandoned redoubt, and continued up the river as far as Hutchinson Island. The expedition then returned and examined Hunting Island, on the coast, but found no marks of fortifications.—(Doc. 201.)

November 26.—A. J. Clemens passed through Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday, on his way to Washington, to take his seat in Congress as the representative from the Fourth District of Tennessee. Mr. Clemens was compelled to leave his State on the 11th of August to avoid arrest, and since then he has been acting as an Assistant Surgeon in Col. Glider’s regiment.—Baltimore American, December 2.

—A Party of scouts, numbering five hundred men, under command of Col. Looney, returned to Chattanooga, East Tennessee, to-day, from a successful expedition, bringing in their spoils. They captured fourteen horses, and took one hundred Lincoln men prisoners. Some of these miscreants were found concealed in the dens and caves of the mountains. Holloway, the ruffian who killed Col. Anderson, managed to make his escape by clothing himself in female attire. None of the scouts received any injury. —Memphis Appeal.

—The Grand Review of all the Regular Military Forces on the north side of the Potomac took place, in accordance with previous arrangements, about one o’clock to-day, at Washington, D. C.

The several regiments of infantry were commanded by Brigadier-General Sykes, the cavalry by Lieutenant-Colonel Emory, and the batteries of artillery by Colonel H. J. Hunt, the entire body being in command of Brigadier-General Andrew Porter.

Thousands of citizens and sojourners availed themselves of the opportunity to witness the parade. The appearance of the troops, their fine discipline, and general movements, elicited from the vast assemblage a universal expression of praise.—National Intelligencer, Not. 27.

—Gen. Fremont and family, accompanied by Capt. Tracy, of the regular army, and two Secretaries, left St. Louis, Mo., to-day for Washington. He was accompanied to the depot by a large number of citizens, chiefly Germans, and on the east side of the river made a brief speech, regretting his departure, etc.— Chicago Evening Journal, Nov. 26.

—Seven companies of the First regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, under command of Col. Bayard, made a reconnoissance to-night from Langley to Drainesville, eight miles up the Potomac. They captured a few rebel pickets, and on their return were attacked by a force of the enemy in ambush. A skirmish ensued, in which several of the rebels were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and a few of the Federal soldiers wounded. Col. Bayard narrowly escaped death, his horse being shot under him, and two balls passing through his clothes.—(Doc. 193.)

—Commodore Tatnall, with three small steamers and one gunboat, attacked the Federal fleet in Cockspur Roads, Ga. From forty to fifty shots were exchanged. No person was injured. Failing to draw the National fleet under the guns of Fort Pulaski, Commodore Tatnall withdrew.—Richmond. Dispatch, Nov. 28.

—A letter from the Upper Potomac, received in Washington, stated that G. W. Smith, formerly Street Commissioner in the City of New York, was in command of the rebel forces at Leesburg, Va., and in that vicinity.

—Jefferson Davis sent in to the Confederate Congress a Message concerning the secession of Missouri. It was accompanied by a letter from Governor Jackson, and also by an act dissolving the Union with the United States, and an act ratifying the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States; also, the convention between the Commissioners of Missouri and the Commissioners of the Confederate States. Congress unanimously ratified the convention entered into between the Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, for the rebel Government, and the Commissioners for Missouri.—Richmond Dispatch.

—A banquet was given to Capt. Wilkes and the officers of the San Jacinto, at the Revere House, in Boston, Mass. Capt, Wilkes made a brief speech, recounting the incidents of the cruise after the rebel Commissioners, and he was followed by Gov. Andrew, Lieut. Fairfax, Chief-Justice Bigelow, and others.

—The Nashville (Tenn.) Courier of this date lays: “We learn that a squad of twelve men were sent to Franklin yesterday, to arrest some Lincolnites who were said to be committing depredations in that neighborhood. They had collected to the number of twelve or fifteen at the house of one of their number, one Bell; and defying, the party fired at them, killing one man, said to be Lee, of Louisville, and wounding one or two more. Our men then charged the house, and set fire to it, burning it and all of the men in it, it is believed, but two, who escaped. A detachment of twenty-five cavalry, under Capt. Morgan, arrived at Franklin to arrest the parties implicated.”

—A reconnoissance was made by a squadron of the Third Pennsylvania regiment, commanded by Captain Bell, in the neighborhood of Vienna, Va. From Vienna they took the right hand road toward Hunter’s Mill, and had gone about a mile and a half when they found themselves hemmed in on three sides by not only a superior force of cavalry, but also of infantry. The discharges of the rebel musketry placed the horses of the National cavalry beyond the control of their riders, the animals having been but recently brought into service, and therefore unaccustomed to such alarms. The officers, after several ineffectual attempts to got their men in line for the purpose of making a charge, ordered a retreat, which was effected in as good order as the peculiar circumstances permitted. The skirmish was brisk, though of short duration, the rebel cavalry firing buckshot from their carbines. The number of rebels killed and wounded is not known. John Beatty, private in Company H, killed a rebel cavalry officer, and captured his horse. The mark on the nddle was D. S. Davis, Ridgeway, North Carolina. Twenty-nine men were reported missing from the Union force.

—The Convention to form a new State out of Western Virginia met in Wheeling. The attendance was unexpectedly full for the opening, thirty-seven counties being represented. John Hale, of Mason, was elected permanent President. There was no business done beyond organizing and administering the oath to the members.— Wheeling Intelligencer, Not. 27.

—In the Louisiana State Senate a joint resolution was introduced, approving of the Government recommendation to the banks to suspend specie payments, and to issue the Confederate States Treasury notes in the place of their bank notes. The resolution also provided for the submission of the question to the popular vote of the people of Louisiana.

A resolution was offered to inquire into the expediency of the assumption by the State of the collection and payment of the Confederate war tax.—The Governor’s Message was sent into both Houses of the Legislature.—Richmond Dispatch, Nov. 28.

—Gen. Halleck issued orders at St. Lewis, Mo., in reference to the wants of the soldiers in his department, directing the appointment of officers to superintend any delinquencies and apply a remedy; also that prisoners sent to head-quarters at St. Louis must be accompanied with a written statement of the charges against them, and the evidence on which the arrests were made.—(Doc. 194.)

—Col. Jennison issued a proclamation to-day to the people in arms against the United States Government in Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, and Pettis counties, Mo., stating that all who would deliver up their arms, and perform their duties as loyal citizens, would not be held responsible for past acts, and would secure the protection of their lives and property. All, however, who should disregard these propositions, would be treated as traitors, neither their persons nor property being spared.—(Doc. 195.)