ing that for the subsistence of a human Yankee slaves.-THE Marine Brigade, under the Comcarcass vegetable diet was the most proper! For mand of General Ellet, and a portion of Colonel the honor of the country, this Northrop should Gresham's command, returned to Natchez from be ejected at once." an unsuccessful expedition after the rebels under Wirt Adams, who had mounted a battery on Ellis's Cliff-THE English steamer Minna, while attempting to evade the blockade of Charleston, S. C., was captured by the United States gunboat Circassian. -PRESIDENT LINCOLN, in his Message to Congress, appended his Proclamation of Amnesty.(Doc. 32.) In a -THE following is an account of an affair that took place to-day, near Great Western Furnace, Stuart County, Tenn., about twelve miles December 10.-Major-General Grant, from his from Canton, Ky.: "The guerrilla, Colonel Mar- headquarters at Chattanooga, Tenn., issued the tin, who lately robbed the citizens in that secfollowing congratulatory order to his army: "The tion of nearly all they possessed, passed through General commanding takes this opportunity of Golden Pond, Tenn., with his gang, taking returning his sincere thanks and congratulations horses, and plundering indiscriminately. The to the brave armies of the Cumberland, the citizens of the neighborhood organized a squad Ohio, the Tennessee, and their comrades from of fifteen men, composed principally of the late the Potomac, for the recent splendid and deciEighth Kentucky cavalry, headed by John Mar- sive successes achieved over the enemy. tin and F. M. Oakley, and started in pursuit of short time you have recovered from him the the guerrillas. They came upon them about mid-control of the Tennessee River from Bridgeport night, in camp, eating a supper furnished them to Knoxville. You dislodged him from his great by one Dawsy Griffin. The citizens demanded a surrender, which was refused by the rebel leader, and the order was given by Martin to charge upon them, which was done in a handsome manner, resulting in a complete rout, and the capture of all their arms, horses, clothing, camp equipage, and two contrabands. Three of the rebels were killed on the spot."-THE National House of Representatives unanimously passed a vote of thanks to General U. S. Grant and his army, and ordered that a medal be struck in his honor, in the name of the people of the United States. -PRESIDENT LINCOLN sent the subjoined congratulatory despatch to Major-General Grant: "Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and Knoxville is now secure, I wish to tender you, and all under your command, my more than thanks-my profoundest gratitude for the skill, courage, and perseverance with which you and they, over so great difficulties, have effected that important object. God bless you all!" This was immediately published to the armies under the command of General Grant. stronghold upon Lookout Mountain, drove him from Chattanooga Valley, wrested from his determined grasp the possession of Missionary Ridge, repelled with heavy loss to him his repeated assaults upon Knoxville, forcing him to raise the siege there, driving him at all points, utterly routed and discomfited, beyond the limits of the State. By your noble heroism and determined courage, you have most effectually defeated the plans of the enemy for regaining the possession of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. You have secured positions from which no rebellious power can drive or dislodge you. For all this the General commanding thanks you collectively and individually. The loyal people of the United States thank and bless you. Their hopes and prayers for your success against this unholy rebellion are with you daily. Their faith in you will not be in vain. Their hopes will not be blasted. Their prayers to Almighty God will be answered. You will yet go to other fields of strife; and with the invincible bravery and unflinching loyalty to justice and right, which have characterized you in the past, you will prove that no enemy can withstand you, and that no defences, however formidable, can check your onward march." December 9.-President Lincoln granted a pardon exempting E. W. Gantt, of Arkansas, from the penalty of treason, which he incurred -GENERAL GILLMORE again shelled Charleston, by accepting and exercising the office of Briga- S. C., throwing a number of missiles into differdier-General in the service of the rebels. The pardon also reinstated General Gantt in all his rights of property, excepting those relating to ent parts of the city. The rebel batteries opened fire, and a heavy bombardment ensued for several hours.-THE steamers Ticonderoga, Ella, -THE steamboat Brazil, while passing below and Annie, left Boston, Mass., in pursuit of the Chesapeake.-THE new volunteer fund of New-Rodney, Miss., was fired upon by rebels on shore. York City reached seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Three women and one man were killed. -ROBERT OULD, the rebel Commissioner of sion of so much vilification and abuse, I am directed to inform you that no more will be allowed to be delivered at City Point. The clothing and The government sels Restless and Bloomer. December 11.—The annual report of the rebel Exchange, addressed the following official letter to Brigadier-General Meredith, the agent of the Secretary of War was made public. He refers to the operations of the army in its several de- National Government: "As the assent of the partments, and says that the campaign in Mis- confederate government to the transmission, by sissippi was certainly disastrous. It is difficult your authorities and people, of food and clothing to the prisoners at Richmond and elsewhere, has to resist the impression that its disasters were not inevitable. That a court of inquiry, to in- been the subject of so much misconstruction and vestigate the whole campaign, met in Atlanta in misrepresentation, and has been made the occaSeptember, but in consequence of the vicinity of the enemy, requiring the presence of witnesses and judges at other points, it has been temporarily suspended. It is expected soon to reas-provisions already received will be devoted to the semble. A deficiency of resource in men and use of your prisoners. When that supply is exprovisions, rather than reverses in battle, caused hausted, they will receive the same rations as our the withdrawal of the army to Middle Tennessee. soldiers in the field.” He alludes to desertion, straggling, and absentee- -MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE, in obedience to ism, and says that the effective force of the army orders from the War Department, resigned the is but little over half or two thirds of the men command of the army of the Ohio to Major-Genwhose names are on the muster-rolls. He re-eral John G. Foster.-THE rebel government saltcommends the repeal of the substitute and ex-works on West-Bay, Florida, were destroyed by emption provisions, and that all having substi- an expedition from the United States armed vestutes be put back into the field, and that the privileges which Congress granted to put in substitutes can be regularly and constitutionally abrogated by the same power. He says that no compact was entered into between the government and the person furnishing a substitute, as has been alleged, but only a privilege which government accorded. Instead of complaining of such abrogation, the person ought to feel gratified at what has heretofore been allowed him. He recommends an abridgment of exemptions and the conscription of them all, making details according to the wants of society at home. He says that the three years' men, when their terms expire, cannot be finally discharged, and should be retained, allowing them to choose the existing company under its present organization in the same arm of the service. He recommends the consolidation of such companies and regiments as are reduced below a certain complement. He pays a glowing tribute to the heroism, endurance, and unfaltering devotion of the soldier, and of the lamented dead who yielded their lives as sacrifices upon the altar of liberty, and closes by saying that our very reverses, showing a united and determined endurance of every thing for independence, must convince the enemy of the futility of his efforts to subdue us.-Richmond Examiner. December 12.- General Scammon attacked General Echols at Lewisburgh, Va., routing him effectually, killing and wounding quite a number of the rebels, and capturing many prisoners. General Kelley's Despatch. December 13.-Major-General Grant, from his headquarters at Chattanooga, Tenn., issued general orders concerning the property of secessionists in his department. Corps commanders were directed to immediately seize, or cause to be seized, all county records and documents showing titles and claims to property within the revolted States, in their respective districts, and to hold the same until they could be delivered to an authorized tax commissioner of the United States. December 14.-Between two and three o'clock this afternoon, the forces of Longstreet turned upon and attacked the pursuing column of cayalry under General Shackleford. The line of battle was formed at Bean Station, Tenn., on the Cumberland Gap and Morristown road; anda until that liberty and independence for which fight ensued which continued until nightfall, when they have been so earnestly contending shall the rebels succeeded in driving the Nationals have been at least achieved, and made sure and about half a mile. Colonels Wolford, Graham, steadfast beyond even the probability of a future Foster, and others were engaged. The musketry danger; and that, in spite of the reverses which fire was very heavy. The whole movement was have lately befallen our armies in several quarmade with a well-contrived plan to cut off and ters, and cold and selfish indifference to our su~capture General Shackleford and command; and ferings thus far, for the most part evinced in the a heavy force of rebel cavalry moved down the action of foreign powers, the eleven millions of left bank of the Holston River, with the inten- enlightened freemen now battling heroically for tion of crossing at Kelly's Ford and coming in all that can make existence desirable, are fully his rear. This portion of the programme was prepared, alike in spirit and in resources, to enchecked by General Ferrero, who sent the bri- counter dangers far greater than those which they gade of General Humphrey to hold the ford. have heretofore bravely met, and to submit to The rebels fired across the river with artillery far greater sacrifices than those which they have upon the brigade, but with little effect.-(Doc. 36.) | heretofore so cheerfully encountered, in prefer-THE United States bark Roebuck captured ence to holding any further political connection a small sloop-boat called the Gopher, containing two men, sixteen bags of salt, and one box of notions, off Indian River, Florida.-GOVERNOR THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE, of Kentucky, addressed a letter to Captain Edward Cahill, recruiting colored troops, questioning his right to recruit in that State.-COLONEL WATKINS, commanding the Kentucky brigade, returned to Chattanooga, Tenn., from a cavalry reconnoissance as far as La Fayette. He captured a rebel signal station, and six officers and forty privates. The rest of the large force of rebels fled. -AN expedition sent out by General Wistar from Yorktown to Charles City Court-House, Va., under the command of Colonel R. M. West, returned to Williamsburgh, Va., having been successful in the accomplishment of its object.— (Doc. 26.) December 15.-President Lincoln's Amnesty Proclamation was under consideration in rebel Congress. Mr. Foote presented the following preamble and resolution : with a government and people who have notoriously proven themselves contemptuously regardless of all the rights and privileges which belong to a state of civil freedom, as well as of all the most sacred usages of civilized war." Mr. Miles regretted that the gentleman from Tennessee had introduced such a resolution. The true and only treatment which that miserable and contemptible despot, Lincoln, should receive at the hands of this house was silent and unmitigated contempt. This resolution would appear to dignify a paper emanating from that wretched and detestable abortion, whose contemptible empof the civilized world. He moved to lay the subtiness and folly would only receive the ridicule ject on the table. Mr. Foote was willing that the preamble and resolution should be tabled, with the understanding that it would indicate the unqualified contempt of the House for Abraham Lincoln and his message and proclamation alluded to. Mr. Miles said there would be no misunderstanding about that. The motion was unanimously adopted. "Whereas a copy of the truly characteristic proclamation of amnesty recently issued by the imbecile and unprincipled usurper who now sits enthroned upon the ruins of constitutional liberty in Washington City, has been received and read -THERE were yesterday in the Libby Prison by the members of this House; now, in token of and its dependencies at Richmond, Va., over ten what is solemnly believed to be the most undi- thousand abolition captives. In this number are vided sentiment of the people of the confederate included nine hundred and eighty-three commisStates: sioned officers, domiciled at the Libby under the "Be it resolved, That there never has been a immediate supervision of Major Thomas P. Turnday or an hour when the people of the confed-er. By the record it appears that nine were reerate States were more inflexibly resolved than ceived on the fourteenth instant. Twelve died they are at the present time, never to relinquish the same day. The arrivals for several days past the struggle of arms in which they are engaged, I have not been very numerous. On last Friday night, Captain Anderson, of the Fifty-first Indi- ing general order: "The recent affair at Moscow, ana cavalry, (Streight's command,) Lieutenant Skelton, of the Nineteenth Iowa regiment, (a redheaded, bullet-eyed, pestilential abolitionist,) escaped from the hospital of the Libby Prison by bribing the sentinel, one Mack, a member of the Tenth Virginia battalion of heavy artillery. This person was purchased for four hundred dollars.Richmond Examiner. -THIS night, about eight o'clock, Rosser's brigade, of Stuart's rebel cavalry, came upon the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, from the south, near Sangster's Station, Va., and destroyed two bridges over Pope's Run.-(Doc. 115.) -AUTHENTIC information having been received that Acting Masters John Y. Beall and Edward McGuire, together with fifteen men, all belonging to the confederate States navy, are now in close confinement in irons at Fort McHenry, to be tried as pirates, our efficient and energetic Agent of Exchange, Judge Ould, notified General Meredith that Lieutenant Commander Edward P. Williams and Ensign Benjamin H. Porter and fifteen seamen, now Yankee prisoners in our hands, have been placed in close confinement and irons, and will be held as hostages for the proper treatment of our men.-Richmond Enquirer. -A LIST of steamers destroyed on the Mississippi River since the beginning of the war, was made public. Over one hundred and seventy five were burned or sunk. Tenn., has demonstrated the fact that colored troops, properly disciplined and commanded, can and will fight well, and the General commanding deems it to be due to the officers and men of the Second regiment West-Tennessee infantry of African descent, thus publicly to return his personal thanks for their gallant and successful defence of the important position to which they had been assigned, and for the manner in which they have vindicated the wisdom of the Government in elevating the rank and file of these regiments to the position of freemen and soldiers." -THE Richmond Enquirer, in an article on the exchange of prisoners, held the following language: "The Yankees are not going to send their negro troops in the field: they know as well as we do that no reliance can be placed upon them; but as dépôt-guards, prison-guards, etc., they will relieve their white troops. This is the use that will be made of them. Should they be sent to the field, and be put in battle, none will be taken prisoners-our troops understand what to do in such cases." -PRESIDENT LINCOLN sent a message to the Congress of the United States, communicating a letter addressed to him from a committee of gentlemen, representing the Freedmen's Aid Societies of Boston, New-York, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati, in relation to the freedmen under the proclamation of emancipation.—THE United States bark Roebuck captured off the mouth of Indian River, Florida, the English schooner Ringdove, twenty-three tons burden, of and from Nassau, with a crew of five men. Her cargo consisted of one hundred and ninety bales of salt, three bags of coffee, two half chests of tea, and three barrels of whisky. When first discovered, she attempted to escape, but on being fired at, ran aground on the bar. December 16.-A fire broke out this evening in the hospital of the One Hundred and Fortyeighth New-York regiment at Yorktown, Va., and in a few moments the building was all on fire, and as there were no engines or water near, it was impossible to subdue it. The Government bakery also took fire, and communicated it to the Arsenal. For several hours, the loaded shell stored within exploded, until the magazine was reached, when a terrific explosion took place, -FOR Several days past the detectives at Richscattering the building and shell in every direc- mond, Va., have been on the hunt for parties tion. The loss was estimated at one million dol- who are either suspected of stealing the clothing lars.—MAJOR-GENERAL BUFORD, commanding a sent by the Yankee Government for the prisoners division in the cavalry corps of the army of the now in our hands, or receiving the same, knowPotomac, died at Washington, D.C.-THE steam- ing it to have been stolen. Several soldiers, er Chesapeake was recaptured in Mud Cove, Sam-wearing the confederate uniform, have lately been bro Harbor, Nova Scotia, by the National steamer seen with blankets branded "U. S.," and in some Ella and Anna, under the command of Lieuten- cases, shoes, with the Yankee mark on them, ant Commander John F. Nichols. have been sold to citizens at uncommonly low December 17.-From his headquarters at Mem- figures by some of the guards of the prisons. phis, Tenn., General Hurlbut issued the follow-| Several individuals have been arrested on the 19. "We are all embarked in the same vessel, we are all tossing upon the same stormy sea, and, in the event of shipwreck, none has as much to lose as the officers of the ship, and especially the man whom we have ourselves called to the quarterdeck, and who has every conceivable motive to do the utmost for our preservation that human wisdom and energy can accomplish. "Would to heaven that, for a time at least, till this hour of imminent peril be passed, the voice above charge.-Richmond Examiner, December should be willing to postpone all minor differences to a period when the enemy shall not be -COLONEL CARTER, of the First rebel Virginia thundering at the gates, the country has a right cavalry, with six other persons, was captured at to demand that the voice of faction shall be Upperville, Va., by a detachment of the Twenty-hushed, and that every man shall smother his second Pennsylvania cavalry.-AN entire com- private griefs, and give his heart and hand to the pany, belonging to the Third North-Carolina common salvation. rebel cavalry, was captured near Washington, N. C., by a party of the Fiftieth Pennsylvania regiment, commanded by Captain Blakely. Yesterday, at sunset, the Nationals left Washington, and after a march of twenty-four miles, came upon the enemy's camp. The night was dark and rainy, rendering it possible for the troops to come upon the rebels unheard, and a complete surprise was consequently effected, the enemy being taken in their tents asleep, without the firing of a gun. The number taken was thirty-of dissension and discord could be hushed, and four, with their horses, equipments, and arms. The surprising party was led by Mr. Henn, who acted as guide, and who previously had been of great use upon cavalry expeditions. On this occasion he entered the rebel camp alone in advance of the attack, and reconnoitred the enemy's position.-THE rebel partisan Standwaite, with a portion of his force, made an attack upon the outposts of Fort Gibson, Ark., but was repulsed, and compelled to retreat across the Arkansas River.-A BODY of Stuart's cavalry made descent at eight o'clock this night upon company I, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth New-York regiment, stationed at Sangster's, three miles west of Fairfax Station, Va., slightly wounding one man, capturing four, and burning the tents belonging to the company. a The attack was unex the counsels of patriotism and prudence govern the pulsations of every heart, and the utterance of every lip. We can assure Congress, that nothing so disheartens the true friends of the country as the fault-finding abuse heaped upon the public servants, at a time when we should all be engaged in beating back the public enemy. "It would be mournful enough that our cause should be borne down by our vile and dastardly foes, but a far deeper humiliation, an unspeakhands. But the people will not let it perish able disgrace, that it should perish by our own either by the hands of indiscreet friends or open foes, and we warn them both to stand clear of an avalanche which will inevitably fall upon their own heads.” -CAPTAIN LEEPER, commanding National pected, but, nevertheless, the guard made a gal-scouts in South-East Missouri, overtook three lant defence. On being charged upon by the guerrillas, belonging to Reeve's band, near Black enemy, they withdrew behind their encampment, River, and succeeded in killing the entire party. pouring in repeated volleys upon the rebels, and finally compelling them to retire. -A FIGHT took place at Fort Gibson, between a party of guerrillas, under Quantrell, and six hundred National troops, belonging to the Indian brigade, commanded by Colonel Phillips. The engagement lasted five hours, and resulted in the complete defeat of the guerrillas. December 18.—THE Richmond Despatch of this day contained the following: "We can assure such members of the confederate Congress as feel disposed at this decisive crisis in the national affairs to give undue prominence to querulous complaints and denunciations of the government, that they do not represent the public sentiment of the country-nay, so far from that, they are arousing in the minds of a people whose salvation depends upon the harmony and cooperation of all the public servants, deep and stern dissatisfaction. "At this solemn moment, when every patriot officers who have served in the army of Ten -THE chaplains of General Lee's army held a meeting at Orange Court-House, Va., to-day. Most interesting reports were made, showing a high state of religious feeling throughout the army. The great success of the army is due to the religious element which reaches every corner of it; whilst, on the other hand, I am very much disposed to fear, from what I have been told by |