ron had met the enemy in considerable forcesaid 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.

place. The Federals charged upon the rebels, | an orderly, with the intelligence that the squaddrove 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 case, 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 satis

factory 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 reconnoissance 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

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 but on emerging from the wood, they were met at hand. Captain Bell ordered his men forward, 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 's horse. He was brought back to camp.

When the Nationals returned to camp, fortyfive 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 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, | black flag shall be unfurled on every field—that by taking such steps as will seem most effec- extermination and death shall be proclaimed tive to vindicate the honor and loyalty of the against the hellish miscreants who persist in polState, by undoing, as far as possible, and reme- luting our soil with their crimes. We will stop dying the evils of the legislation of their prede- the effusion of blood, we will arrest the horrors cessors. He urges measures for the payment of war, by terrific slaughter of the foe, by examof the State's portion of the national tax for ples of overwhelming and unsparing vengeance. the expenses of the war. He says the rebel- When Oliver Cromwell massacred the garrison lion must be put down, no matter at what cost. of Drogheda, suffering not a man to escape, he The State must bear her share, and he hopes justified it on the ground that his object was it will be done with no niggard hand. He urges to bring the war to a close-to stop the effusion a loan for the purpose; also, that it is due to of blood-and that it was, therefore, a merciful the pride of the House that immediate provision act on his part. The South can afford no longer be made for raising and equipping Maryland's to trifle-she must strike the most fearful blows quota of volunteers for the war. He also re-the war-cry of extermination must be raised." commends legislation for the summary punishment of persons in Maryland, who shall be convicted of aiding or abetting in any manner those who are in arms against the Government.

-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 Confed

-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 tow-erate States, That the thanks of the people of ard 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 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 re

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 Na-signed he could not be expelled. The resolution tional 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.

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 -THE Memphis Avalanche says: "We un-directed to consider the question of abolishing hesitatingly say that the cause of justice and slavery in the District of Columbia, allowing the cause of humanity itself, demands that the compensation to loyal owners of slaves.-Mr.

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 he would compel every secessionist there to 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.)

-SECRETARY SEWARD addressed a letter to

-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.

-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-looking 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

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 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 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 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.-any way, take up arms against the United (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

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 several cart-loads of potatoes, turnips, cabbages, &c., which were destined for the use of the rebels.—Boston Transcript, Dec. 12.

-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,

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.

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, and evinced that enthusiasm for the National cause which has always distinguished them.Baltimore American, December 6.

-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.

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.

-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 farm 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