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. Saulsbury, of Delaware, proposed the appoint- | place, declaring in the most solemn manner that ment 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, Dec. 4. -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 uneasi aging Southern men and encouraging the few Lincolnites in this section. And there is no excuse for it.-Nashville Courier.—(Doc. 212.) -TO-DAY, a party of exasperated Union citi-ness and apprehension in the country, discourzens 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. -SECRETARY SEWARD addressed a letter to Gen. McClellan, calling his attention to the fact that slaves escaping from the rebels, and prisoned in the jail at Washington. The Secrecoming within the national lines, had been imtary 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 the Government, or those who, in any way, in confinement every one found in arms against 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 those taken from the ranks of the rebels in actual service, should not be treated as prisoners of war, but as spies, and -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 SouthWest, 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-look-should be shot. He further ordered that the ing set of young men. They are fully uniformed, but without sabres or guns, both of which await 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 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 rebelsand quarter them upon avowed secessionists, charging the expense of their board to them, on the ground that, although they had not them selves plundered and driven forth those unfortu- | hunters. The enemy opened a heavy fire with nate people, they were giving aid and comfort their cannon and muskets, which was promptly to those who had done so. responded to by our brave boys, who were armed with muskets and hunting rifles. The engagement continued for two hours and a half, during which time there was a constant fire kept up by both parties. As night approached the rebels retreated with a loss of three killed and five wounded, the Home Guards sustaining no injury." December 5.-THE Navy Department at Washington received despatches from Capt. Palmer, commanding the U. S. steamer Iroquois, in which he stated that the Government at Martinique refused to give the Sumter coals, but allowed her to come to St. Pierre, where she obtained a supply from English mer-IN the United States Senate at Washingchants. Capt. Palmer said the officers of the Sumter were treated with great courtesy at ton, a petition was presented by Charles SumMartinique. He stated also that he had a cor-ner, from the citizens of Haverhill, Mass., prayrespondence with the governor relative to bel-ing that the slaves of rebels might be liberated ligerent rights, the result of which was that the unconditionally, and the slaves of Union men Iroquois was obliged to anchor one marine on fair remuneration being made. league from shore while the Sumter was in port. The citizens generally were in favor of the Sumter, and the authorities threw every obstacle in Capt. Palmer's way to prevent his making a prize of her. Owing to the distance which the Iroquois was obliged to keep from the shore, and to the fact that the bay is fifteen miles wide, the Sumter was enabled to escape. The Iroquois followed on her track, but to no purpose, and the chase was abandoned.(Doc. 214.) Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois, also introduced his bill for confiscating the property of rebels and giving freedom to their slaves. It provided for the absolute and complete forfeiture forever to the United States of every species of property, real and personal, wherever situated within the United States, belonging to persons beyond the jurisdiction of the United States, or beyond the reach of civil process, who had, or should in any way, take up arms against the United States, or in any wise aid or abet the rebellion -making their slaves free as a consequence. -AT one o'clock to-night, the Thirteenth Massachusetts regiment, under command of Col. Leonard, was called out to make a midnight foray into Virginia. Companies A and B crossed the Potomac in a scow. They had strict orders not to make a noise. After several incidents, such as are common to such expeditions, they marched on and drove the rebels from Hancock to Bath, Va., and then drove them from the place last named without firing a single shot. They reached Berkley Springs, Va., about daylight, and stopped long enough to take a bath in the sulphur spring, and then returned, having taken eleven hundred bushels -THE Louisville Journal of this day contains the following: "On the 22d ult., a party of Home Guards from Edmondson and Grayson Counties, numbering one hundred men, advanced across Green River and took possession of the town of Brownsville, Ky., (which is on the south side of that stream, and within Buckner's lines,) and hoisted the Federal flag, which had been taken down a short time before by the rebels. The Guards sent out their pickets in the direction of the rebel encampment, whose pickets extended within three miles of town. The Unionists remained in peaceable possession long enough to dine and refresh themselves, when their pickets came in and gave notice of the approach of about two hundred rebel cavalry and infantry, with two pieces of artillery, commanded by Brig.-Gen. T. C. Hindman, of Arkansas. The Home Guards then proceeded --THIS morning, before daylight, Commander cautiously to the river. Crossing at their lei- Rodgers left Tybee Roads, Ga., with three Unitsure, they had ample time to select their posi-ed States gunboats, and proceeded to Warsaw tion on the north side, which was above and below the ferry, where they were sheltered by heavy timber, the embankments forming fine fortifications for the undisciplined Green River of corn, several cart-loads of potatoes, turnips, cabbages, &c., which were destined for the use of the rebels.—Boston Transcript, Dec. 12. Island, Ga., the rebel fort upon which was found to be entirely deserted. It consisted of an enclosed octagonal work, with platforms for eight guns on the water faces. The guns had been removed and the magazine blown up. An- | a wagon, and seven horses; with all of which other battery, however, still in possession of they reached their quarters near Langley, Va., the rebels, was discovered about three miles up about sundown.-Forney's (Phil.) War Press, on the Wilmington River, (a creek,) which runs December 14. parallel with the Savannah River, leading up from the rear of Little Tybee. The highest point to which Commander Rodgers penetrated was eight miles from Warsaw Bar and ten miles from Savannah, Ga.—(Doc. 215.) -THE reports of the Secretaries of War and the Navy show that the Government of the United States had in service for the suppression of the rebellion, six hundred and eightytwo thousand nine hundred and seventy-one men, all of whom had volunteered. They were divided as follows: Volunteer militia, six hundred and forty thousand six hundred and thirtyseven; Regular army, twenty thousand three hundred and thirty-four; Seamen and marines, twenty-two thousand. -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 Aaburn. 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. 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 a 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 minutes the whole ceremonies were over, and the regiment on its way to camp again. The men looked well, and marched well, TO-DAY, ten six-mule teams, while on a forand evinced that enthusiasm for the National aging expedition, about eight miles west of Secause which has always distinguished them.-dalia, Mo., were seized by a party of rebels, Baltimore American, December 6. and the teamsters taken prisoners.-New York Times, December 8. —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. -A FORAGING expedition, under command of Gen. George F. Meade, consisting of the Sec- —THE Richmond (Va.) Dispatch of this date ond brigade of Gen. McCall's division, left contains an article on the "Confederate Flag," Camp Pierpont, Fairfax County, Va., to-day, lamenting the irredeemable error made by the with a large number of transportation wagons. "Confederacy," in adopting a "national" symThey saw nothing of the enemy, but obtained bol so much like the "old rag." It says the from a farın about three miles from Dranseville, "Confederate flag" lacks the absolutely essenon the Leesburg turnpike, Va., a large quantity tial feature of "wide, plain, unmistakable disof wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, brick, and lum- tinction from other flags," and urges this objecber; twenty-seven fat hogs, a pair of fat oxen, | tion the more strongly, because in the present war, where the opposing enemies are men of cility. The dimensions of the Octarora are: the same race, complexion, and form, nothing| 207 feet over all; 35 feet in breadth; and 12 can distinguish friend from foe, but a broad feet in depth. She is about 800 tons burden, and radical difference between their national and is to draw 9 feet 9 inches water. Her arstandards. (Doc. 216.) mament will consist of two 11-inch pivot guns -A NAVAL engagement took place in Mis-fore and aft; and 6 rifle guns amidships. sissipi 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 apppointed 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 sidewheel 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 fa -THE notorious marauder, Capt. Sweeney, and his band of robbers, who had for some time 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 sole 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 transports, and we hope those 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 Coo- | riflemen opened fire from their concealment, saw River to-day, but seeing no forts or rebel troops, returned.-(Doc. 221.) 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 lead, 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 at the Dam and houses on the Maryland shore, burning a barn and riddling all the houses within range, continuing the fire until dusk. 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. Y. Tribune. 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 disasThe only Union force there to oppose them, trous failure. They have gained little or nothwas a company of the Massachusetts Thir-ing to satisfy them, and should they advance teenth, 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, came 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 further, every inch of ground will be disputed |