The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK ERALD. WHOLE NO. 9249. NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1862. PRICE TWO CENTS, "IMPORTANT FROM PORT ROYAL ARRIVAL OF THE VANDERBILT. BATTLE OF PORT ROYAL FERRY. / ‘DECISIVE UNION VICTORY. Sharp Skirmishing and Flight of the Rebels. The “Seceshers” Destroy their Fortifica- tions and Give Up their Position. Noble Conduet of the New York Seventy-ninth and the Michigan Bighth, A FLAG OF TRUCE FROM THE REBELS, Names of the Commanders and Trqops Engaged, &e., &e., &. By the arrival of the Unitod States steam transport ‘Vanderbiit, Captain Lefevre, from Port Royal, yesterday, we are put in possession of some particulars of the battle of Beaufort Ferry, Port Royal, which will be porused ‘with interest by those who wish success to the cause of the Union. The result of the engagement at Beaufort has beon an overwhelming defeat of the rebels, who became seized with a panic when confronted by “Yankee? builets and ‘‘Yankee”’ steel. Below we give all the particulars that could be gleaned about the battle. ‘The Vanderbilt left Port Royal on the 3d inst., and arrived in this harbor a little after nine o’clock yesterday morning. She was detained in the snow storm for some time, and consequently did not reach the Battery until nearly one o’clock. She brings 3,697 bales of Sea Island cotton consigned to Colonel Tompkins, United States Quartermaster, and also the result of the battle. THE BATTLE NEAR PORT ROYAL FERRY. ‘Tho battle of Port Royal Island took place on New Year's Day. It was brought about from the fact that a woek or ten days previous the United States steamboat Mayflower, while on a reconnoigsance and making a cir- cuit of Port Royal Island, was fired upon by rebel battery, and one man killed. For this insult Gen. Sherman, acting in concert with Commodore Dupont, planned tho expedition which has proved a complete suc- cess to our arms and a discomfiture to the rebels. After the defeat of the rebcls at Hilton Head they re. treated to Port Royal Ferry, and there, strongly fortified and intrenched, they awaited an attack from the federal o COMPOSITION OF THE EXPEDITION. ‘The military portion of tho expedition consisted of Gen. ‘Stevens’ brigade, namely—the Roundhead regiment, Col. Leaguro; Eighth Michigan, Col. Fenton; Fiftieth Pennsyl- vania, Col. Christ, and the Seventy-ninth, New York, Major Morrison, together with the Forty-seventh New York, Col. Frazier, and the Forty-cighth New York, Col. Perry, the entire force,bemg under the command of Gen- LJ. Stevens. The naval portion by the gunboats Pembina, Seneca, Ellen and Ottawa, ali under the command of Capt. Ray- mond Rogers, of the fagship Wabash. MOVEMENT OF THE TROOPS. ‘The troops wero marched from Beaufort, during the ‘S1st of December, to the mouth of Brick Yard creek, within which had-been prepared fints and other boats for the éransportation of Gen. Stevens’ command. They crossed early on New Year’s morning, having accomplished ‘the passage by eight A. M. They had then some four or five miles to march before reaching Port Royal Ferry. ‘The Ottawa and the Pembina were meanwhile delayed by the state of the tide at or near the mouth of the creek, one of them getting aground. A delay also oc. curred in the movements of tho troops, owing, it i5 stated, to a misapprehension by Colonel Fenton of the orders issued to him; this delay, however, was but slight, and occasioned no serious inconvenience. The Seneca, in this time, had performed her portien of thd task, fired into Boyd’s Neck in an alarming manner, and afterwards, in conjunction with the Ellen, shelled the work at Seabrook, a mile or two to the west of the ferry. THE ADVANCE OF THE TROOPS. The troops under General Stevens advanced towards the principal battery (at the ferry) in advance of the gunboats, and on the way a skirmishing took place that still longer impeded hem. A force, judged by Goneral Stevens to be about one thousand strong, was posted in some woods on his right, and the first knowledge be ob- tained of its existence was by a firing from a light bat. tory. A part (at least balf) of the Michigan Eighth was deployed as skirmishers, to ascertain more particularly ‘the position and strength of this battery, and despite its firing advanced to wishin a hundred yards of it, acting ‘with great coolness and courage, and succeeding entirely im discovering the position of the’ guns, and algo in draw- ing a heavy fire from a body of infantey. Having thus accomplished their object, they retired as skirmishers rapidly, but in complete order. THE MOSQUITO FLEET OPEN FIRE. The Ottawa and Pembina, being in range of the ferry, ‘opened fire upon it with such effect that if any force re- mained until then in the battery it was driven out before our troops arrived, they being 80 completely bewildered ‘a8 not to attempt to come from under cover of the woods, nor even attempting to offer any further opposition to the advance of our troops. Some nine or ten of the Michigan Fogiment were wounded in tho skirmish, including Major Watson. One of the wounded has since died, GALLANTRY OF THE NEW YORK HIGHLANDERS. we Seventy-ninth New York was here ordered to JH: on and enter the fort, which they did in the most orderly and brave manner, but on reaching the fort found it ontirely deserted—all the guns, exeept one twelve pounder, having ‘been removed. When the Union regiments were in possession of the fort, thé gunboats were signalized, and they immediately closed in, inorder to cover our troops; and they at once commeneed the destruction of the fort, ‘The gun was secured, the battery leveled, some remains of camp equipage, tents, &c., were demolished , and two buildings, used for military purposes by the rebels, wero-burned. | ‘The rebels seeing this, and evidently anticipating an ad- ‘vance of our force, set fire to numerous other buil-tings. RESEL PORTIPICATIONS DEMOLISHED. al Ammall force of Unionists also crossed 40 Seabrook, under cover of the guns of the Seneca and Ellen, and completely demolished the fortification there; but it wae deserted beiore our troops arrived. At night our whole force was at Port Royal Ferry, completely covered by the guns of our four men-of-w ‘The insult to the Mayilower was suitably punished, and in the morning our forces were removed w Port Royal island, Not a man was lost aw tie Union side during | their with drawal. THY GVYOGRAPAY OF THE SHAT OF OFERATIONS. Port Royal Ietand, on which Beaofort is situated, is | thirteen miles long ond seven miles wide, avd is formed Dy the Broad river on sts wesicrn side and the Port Reyal | on the cactern ghore, ‘These are couneeted at the nor | of the inland by the Cooeaw river; and the Port Ro; sisel!, which is really only a strait, loses ite name ‘upper portion, and is called Brickyard crock. Oyponite the janetion of the [. oad «nd the C¢ aw I Neok "To the north of Port Royal Island tw the main lay’, and Abont half-way botween the two points where the Co suw intergecta the Broad and the Port Royal (or I ord | creck) ia Port Royal ferry, distant ten miles acrowe the gland from Neastort, A correct apprehension of the | geography of the niry is nibookenry t tellig Die avy account of the fight, Meisities CTY TROOPS BRGACED: Prieier : - Maxey Gregg. TROOPS. ah German Artillery, Battery A, Captain South Carolina German Art Battery B. ‘South Cagolina Firat ‘ariilery, Golonel De Saussure. South Firat regiment, a South Carolina Fourth t, ea, Sonth Caro}ina Ninth reskeant,' e South Carolina Twelfth regiment, Colonel Dunovant. South Carolina 1, Colonel J. L. Orr. South Carolina Fifteenth regiment, Colonel THE Uxion TROOPS ENGAGED. ‘The following isalist of the officers engaged inthis | heard of the attack on Sumter. He instantly offered his movement :— COMMANDING OFFICER. ‘STAFF. Assistant Adjutant Gencral..Capt. Stevens Ass’t. Quartermaster General.Captain Wm. Lilley. Ass’t. Commissary General. .Captain L, A. Warfeld. Surgeon... s++e+-Dr. George 8. Kemble. REGIMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA. James A. Ekin, Elizabeth. lock, Darlington. > Brown, Hendersonville, —— Moore, New Castle. —— Squires, New Castle. — Van Gorder, N’castle —— Dick, igs — Lackey, Washington. Liwutenant Colonel, Major. Bi ad Assistant Surgeon, Chaplain, Hervey Herman. Company - Daniel F. Burkert. Company D. .Gordon Z. Dimmock. Company :Wm. F. Dich), Company ‘Adolphus W. Bolerius. Company ‘Wm. H. Telford. Company H. Charles Parker. Company ‘1: ‘Samuel F. Bossard. Company K. :Jemes B. Ingham. EIGHTH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS. ° Willian M. Fenton. . Frank Graves. -Amasa B. Watson (mortally wounded). ~ David B. Harbaugh. ‘Asa Gregory. -H. B. Shank. .&. B. Wooster. iam Mahen. Assistant Surg Chaplain... Company A.. Company Be... +++ -Gilbert E. Pratt, Company C ‘Ralph Ely. : Company 1 Ls... Benjamin B. Chureb. Company E. ‘Mathow Elder. —— Walbridge. E. W. Lyon. 7A. B. Turner. .J. L. Quackenbush, John Pierson. -David Morrison. .Lawrerco Biattie. ‘coon. ++ James E. McDonald. -Heury Heffron, Chaplain... ‘Rev. Mr. Rizer. Sergeant Major ‘Rebert Armour. Company Leaders. .First Lieut. John Faleoner. Brevet Lieut. John Windsor. Lieut. Wm. Simpson. tain John moore. vaptain Robt. McNie. Brovet 2d Lieut. K. Gilmore. Act. Capt. W. Elliott, .Second Lieut. W. T. Lusk. FORTY-SEVENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, Lient. Colonel Commanding. .James L. Fraser. - Daniel Lioyd. E. B. Cox. . C. Bingham. “Fred. A. Sawyer. .-G. B. Van Brunt. is Surgeon .. Assistant Surgeon. Chaplain... ‘E. H. Brown. “D. Simpson & G. F. Stephens. «E, Pendieton, Captains. Company Av.s..sceeseecseeAe R. Nicholson, Company Bi...... “8.6. Johnson. Company C... ssssad. Noble Warren. Company D... seed. L. Smith, Company Georgo Tucker. Company R. George Newell. Company -Charles A. Moore. Company H. +++ Lient. Com’ng J. J. O'Malley. Company 1. :Pavid Alien, Company K. J. H. Reynold. FORTY-EIGHTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. William B, Barton, Oliver T. Beard, Anthony W. Goodale. Irving M. Avery. A. Perry, M.D. . Mulford, M. D. +W. P. Strickland, D. D. “Samuel H. Moser. Company t Com, any F Company Company G Company F Company To... eee Company K....... wa e SKETCH OF GENERAL STEVENS. General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, better known as Govor- nor Stevens of Washington Territory, was, up to the timo ‘of his joining the Second brigade of the Southera expedi- tion, under General Sherman, the commander of the remnant of the gallant Seventy-ninth Highlanders, most of the oMfcers of which have been until very recently prisoners in the South. He is about forty-five years of age, and was born in Andover, Mass, He entered the Military Academy at West Point in the year 1835. He graduated at that Inetitetion as the first scholar of his class, standing so high above all othors that it is said there were fifteen degrees betwoen himself and the cadet next in rank. His high rank was attained without remarkable labor, for be learned almost by intui- tion—a single reading of the most abstruee proposi- tion im mathemetics being sufficient to enable him to master it. Upon leaving Weet Point, in July, 1839, he was appointed a Second Litutenant of the Engineer corpss and was for eeveral yearsampioyed ineuperimbonding the construction of seaconst fortifications, one of which was the important fort near Muckeport, npon the Pexobscot river, In July, 1840, he eas promoted to a First Liew tenuney, and in 1847 and 1848 he wes the Adjutant of the corps. Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico Lieutenant Stevens served on the personal staif of Gone- ral Seott, and was in all the Battles on the plains of Mexi- 0. His bold reconnoissanass, personal gallanuy and profound knowledge of the principles of war atiracted the attention of his general, who spoke of him es “the moet promising officer of bis 9ge.”” He was breyetod Coptain, commission dating August 20, 1847, and Major September 13, 1847, for gallantry in the battles of Con trerae, Cherubuseo and Chapultepec, ond in the last bat, tle, viziethe attack on San Cosme gate, receiv ed a revere gunshot wound in the foot, from which he still suffers. He assisted in the United #tatos Const Survey of the Atiantic sincs 1849, and when Genorad Pierce became President he wat placed in charge of the Pacific Railroad survey. Tn 1858 he resigned his connection with the army om being pointed Governor of Washinglory Territory and ox ay Commissioner of Indian Affairs. rhor Stevens’ trea. ties with the Tadians are records of his ability during his dyninistration of those offivcs, In 1867 he was returned | A delonate to Congress. Ho was Chairman of {he Kroekinridge Exocutive Committee in the Presidentiay | cary of 1500, and although t witimately aeao. 4 with the Southern loners, he was never talon to (heir treasonabie counetia, aud et the first declara ’ ton of wecemiontgm he openly denovneed them. His jn ‘De Saussure. | crate, Holt and Stanton, At the close of the session of of Gon.) | brilliant reconncissance at Lewinsville, where he acted +-Dan’l, Leasure, Newcastle. | labor was not limited by his rank. = Fintey, Hatansbure. | The Rebels Defeated, with a Loss of Bighty Brev. 2d Liout, G. Hamilton, | Major ... ‘macy and influence with President Buchanan enabled him quietly to perform what was perhaps the most important service of his life. He urged upon the President the Prompt dismissa of Floyd and Thompson from the Cabi- net, and pressed him to trust to the counsels of General Scott, He was, during the winter, in daily consultation ‘with officers «° the army in relation to the defences of IMPORTANT FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC, the city of ‘ingter ! exercised @ controlling in- fluence over |. on these acts he deserves the grash ABINFOR tude of the co. _y, no less than those other noble demos | CEMENTS FOR THE UNION TROOPS. Congress Governor Stevens proceeded to Washington Ter- p i preepterichaingy- seat at tenucy | AWE REBELS COMPELLED TO RETIRE, ke, Key ae. services to the government, and left for the city of Wash- ington, determined. to fight for tho Union,even in the ranks. Although a mere colonelcy was offered him, hig Frepenick, Md., Jan. 6, 1862. ‘Advices from Hancock, Md., show Gen. Lander’s arri- val there; also that Gen. Jackson, with a large force, and one twenty-four and two twelve pounders, appeared op- ‘posite Hancock, and threatened to shell out our troops unless they evacuated. ‘Gen. Lander gave them a fitting response. ‘Mhey commenced shelling, which continued up tothe advices last night, doing little injury to the town 40 our troops, “Aan carly hour this morning the Third brigade loft Hancock, leaving the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania iamsport. ci rest of the division are under preparatory orders, are complete, and they are awaiting the order to march. 4 as Brigadier General, the safe retiring of his command from a superior force, and the engineermg works he has erected near the Chain Bridge, show that his field of IMPORTANT FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA, . Sharp Fight with Rebels at Huntersville. = Pour or Rocks, Jan. 6, 1862. Mackgon, the rebel, summoned General Lander yester- day, to surrender or he would bombard Hancock. Gene. ral Lander took no notice of his summons or his flag cf truce. ‘The rebels then bombarded Hancock, injuring some ‘buildings and sending one she!) through the hotel. Uur artillery replied, compelling them toretire. They also ‘set fire to the Cacapon bridge and destroyed it. ‘Teecommunication is still interrupted with Cumber- land, A fection of Knapp’s artiltery have gone to Hancock. Oug loss in men, if any, is unknown, Bodies of the enemy have been observed moving up tho'river for some days at this point. Colone! Geary arrived here from Frederick to-night. ‘The rebcls have six pieces of cannon. Killed and Wounded, ; &e., &e., &e. Cicman, Jan, 6, 1862, Aspecial despatch to the Gazelle from Huttonsville, Virginia, says that an expedition, consisting of 400 of the Fifth Ohio, 300 of the Second Virginia, and forty of Brocken’s cavalry, which was sent out by General Milroy to attack Huntersville, was a complete success. ‘They attacked the enemy on Saturday morning, con- sisting of 400 cavalry and 350 militia. After skirmishing an hour the enemy retired with a loss of 80 killed and wounded. On our side none were lost. $80,000 worth of army stores and clothing were captured and destroyed. Frapeniox, Md., Jan. 3, 1862. To-day General Banks and staff, accompanied by their ladies, took @ special train hence and joined the Vico Cinorxnats, Jan. 6, 1862. ‘The Commercial’s despatch from Huttonsyille says that Huntersville was a depot for supplies in Western Vir ginia, ‘Their cavalry were armed with Sharp’s carbines, and attacked us two miles from Huntersville. We droye them from pcint to point. Finally they beat a hasty retreat out of town as we charged through it- ‘Their suppliés, consisting of 350 barreis of flour, 300 salted beeves, 3,000 pounds of salt, large quantities of sugar, coffee, rice, bacon aud army clothing, worth from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars, were entirely de- stoyed. We captureda large number of Sharp’s carbines, sabres and pistols. Tho Stars and Stripes were left.float- ing over the Court House. Our troops returned to Hut- toneville in fine spirits. Progident and family at the junction. They procecded thotieo to Sandy He Point of Rocks @ national salute was fired by in Knapp’s battery, attached to Coionel Geary's command. After reaching Sandy Hook the party pro- ceeted to the Maryland Heights, where, on arriving at thebattery, they wero entertained by an exhibition of out a picket station between Harper’s Ferry and Bolivar, whore tho Union residents were stopped in their infércourse with each other. The party then returned to uhis city. Fo-riight a general invitation was issued for officere and citizens to call on thé Vice President and ladies at Gen. Banks’ headquerters. From, seven to ten o'clock, not_ ‘withstanding s heavy fail of snow, several hundred Ia- @i@g. and gentlemen paid their respects to Mr. Hamlin, his ,danghter and several ether ladies. The excclient of Ninth New York regiment were present aud several of their best pieces. ‘The Vico Presi- ‘and his retinue took lodgings at the United States and will return to Washington in the moraing. great feature of to-day was the instaliation of the ly elected ofticers of Columbia Lodge No. 58, of Free Masons A procession was formed at the . Collgisting of severaLlundred resident and visiting 18 (the Jatter being composed principally of officers i and privates from the army), headed by the d of the Second Massachusetts regiment. After para- ‘through some of the principal streets the body pro- led to the Lutheran church, where the following offi were installed for the ensuing year: 8. Wile , W.M.; Horman ©. Kehler,$. W.; Gideon Bantz, J. ; Henry Goldenberg, Secretary, John B. Overton, rey. An cloquewt and interesting Masonic address CHIEF OFFICERS OF TROOPS ENGAGED. ‘The following form tho staff of the Commanding General and the field officers of the regiments engaged in the skirmish at Huntersville:-— COMMANDING OFFICER. Brigadier General...... R. H. MiLROY. ptain W. G. George. Lieutenant Zeb. Baird. FIFTH ONIO VOLUNTEERS. -8. H. Dunning. J. H. Patrick, William Gaskill, SECOND VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, johu W. Moss. Aseistant Adjutant Gener: Aid Colonel Lieutenant Coionel. — Owens. delivered by Rev. Brother Quint, Chaplain of the Se- CAVALRY. Massnehusetts, At threo P. M. the body adjourned hae So ee aan eee etre eat ew ees! be - wi nt — rpeieen Qeacte movuy Peete ‘character, were drank. General Milroy was formerly Colonel of the Ninth In- diana Volunteors, and sorved with General McClellan during his brilliant campaign in Western Virginia. He has sinco served under General Rosecrans and Reynolds, with great credit to both himself an: his State. OUR FIRST SNOW STORM. ‘Your corresponded feels compelled to acknowlelge the courtesy of the Committee of Arrangements by a special invitation; and a toast and remarks euiogistic of the press, which wore happily responded to by Capt. Foulk, of Pittsburg. The day wasone of unal'oyed pleasure an: will long be remembered in the annals of masonry in Froderick. Gen. Bauks was prevented from participat- Ag in tee affalr by the arrival of Vice President Hamlin. di Court Martial continues ita daily labors, and has isposedof many important cases. On the occasion of General Banks’ New Year's recoption, the Court paid their respects to bim in full uniform, forming a striking feature of the day. The General complimented them upon the faithful and rapid execution of their arduous duties, and intimated an intention of continuing them permanently for the division. ‘The military telegraph has been completed to Romney, with a branch to Williamsport. Messages have been sent from Cincinnati to Alexandria on a single cirevit. Refugecs continue to arrive here from Virginia by way of Harper’s Ferry, Williamerort and Hancock, and after a-preliminary examination here are sent on to Washing- ton. This morning a gentieman arrived here from the Fouth with a large package of letters to various persons in the North, most of which were unobjectionable in their character. General Shiclds, Senator McDougall and the Unton. CARD FROM GENERAL SHIELDS. ‘TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BULLETIN, San Fraxcisoo, Doe. 6, 1861. Since my roturn to the State, afew days ago, my at- tention has been cailed to the following paragraph, which #ooms to have gone the rounds of the papers in my ab- sence:— Sleighing in the Central Park, on the Avenues and Other Places—Bright-cyed Beauties, Snow-clad Streets and Tink.~ Mng Bells the Order of the Hour—Inci- dents of the Storm—The Day in Brooke lyn, &e. Snow began to fall at about one o'clock yester- day morning, avd continued until the ground was covered to four or five inches, in depth. It having frozen quite hard for some time before, the ground was prepared to receive its fleecy burthen, and the snow lay slumbering upon its bed until morning began to gleam in the horizon, when it was disturbed by the unceasing traffic of life. Ata late hour on Sunday nitht there was no appearance whatever cf tho pure white goddess which comes to adorn this nether sphere, and people retired to rest little thinking that their vision would be met with such @ visiter on arising in the morning. The merry tinkling of the sleigh bells, how- ever, saluted their ears on awaking, and the reality of slow-clad housetops, streets and avenues, with mifffled milkmen wreathed in snow flakes, assured (hem that the first snow storm of 1862 had been ushered in Visions of sleighing careered in fleecy clouds throngh the brains of the little ones, and they clapped their hands with childieh glee as they recdived tho assurance of sleigh rides during the day. And these expectations were not doomed to disappointment; for the snow continued to fall during the entire morning with greater or less strenguhy and sufficient to guarantee a good day's sport. ‘The main portion of the city which was taken up by the votaries to this pleasure was, of course, the Central park, and thither hundreds, aay thousands, of steighing parties, on pleasure intent, sleighed their way. The differeut drives of the Park were crowded with those vehicles, and the scene, at the time, was a peculiarly en, livening and agreeable one. The parties who appeared upon the ground, most of whom were ladies, were of quite a select character, and sleighs of all colors and adornments whirled through the snow with their precious and beautiful freights, The marry tinkling of the bell, reverberated musically through the snow-ciad del!s of the Park, and the glittering whiteness of every object, the warm breath of the foaming steeds as it circled through the freezing atmosphere, the muffled forms of the haud some young ladies as they chatted enthusiastically in the whirl of the advance, formed a delight ful scene of enchantment which should be seen to be appreciated, There were single-horsed sieighs, two. horsed sloighs and four-horsed sloighs, all carcering jovi. ally through the snow, with their burthens of laughing coantenances and healthful flushes, fhe belles and peau ties of the city turned out in as large force as we have yet seen them, and Fifth avenue was represonted with ail it® «pomp and circumstanee.”” On the different avenne railroad lines four horses wer, put to cach car, anil then moved but quite elow!y on their trips. Some of the river steamboats were detained for @ Short time; but no accidents whatever are reported, The river being flooded with jee, and it snowing quite hard GENERA Senator McDougall, of Call lem speech at Jack- sonville, flinols, lately, and the Jacksonville Jowrnal, in a eich of his remarks, aayx:—"The speales referred to an interview between himacif ond General Shields, in San o, in the fe en sted in the seer mM movement at that Line, and visited Cal fornia to further its inte: nd tried to induce the 7 ‘0 join lis fortunes ‘This paragraph, short as it is, contains three separate ‘and distinct faisehoods:—‘That Shields was enlisted in the secesvion mavoments at that tim atany other time) is falsehood » ited Califia a to further its interests,’ faisehood No. 2. “That he tried to induce the speaker (Senator McDougall) to join hls for- tunes with it,’ falsohood No. 3. If Senator McDougall is correctly reported in the above paragraph, it is only left for me to pronounce him the author of a base lie and a despicable calumniator. Your obedient servant, JAMES SHIELDS. CARD FROM SENATOR M'DOUGALL, TO THR EOIIOR OF THR HERALD. Aston House, New Yorn, Jan. 6, 1862. 1am advised that a question has been made concerning ‘ statement made by mo at Jacksonville, Illinois. Not having the paper making that statement before me, I can only now repeat what I purposed to stato at Jacksonvilje. What I then intended to say was that Mr. James Shields, in the fall of 1860, stated to me at San Francisco, Califor- the secession of tho Southern (cot- thought they had just cause for #o- coasion ; that the South had both the will and the power to achieve success, and that it was sound policy to favor them. If it is supposed that in discharging iny official duty as a Senator of the United States, in acting upon the nomination of Mr. Shields as @ brigadier geno-al, Tean be influenced by menace, I trust that all such hopes will prove unfounded, J. A. McDOUGALL, Philadelphia. Parcapetrura , Jan. 6, 1862. A destructive fire took place this afternoon in the bui ness portion of the city, which threatened at one time serious results; but through the energies of the firemen aad the power of the steam fire enginos the flames were stayed, after cansing a loss of $75,000. Tho fire brcko out im the largo warehouse No, 45 Fourth above Chestnut, which was ocecupied by Destractive F ir during the morning, the Staten lelahd forryboata wor, | Lowis, wholesale druggist, being — com- } creer tecedbeener ete, re were | uinieated to” the floor by the’ upsetting of | pong afore “yf pape ey bub ranas usual | 4° stove, and the floor being saturated with ir ing ervoon. ; ; cewential ‘oils instantly took fire, the flames ascend in | tie wreaths beer Wencra doctcort ase wae deverersy | from story to story with furious rapidity, which wore wr we encouraged by the inflammable nature of the contents, Wien snow falls in New York, ase matter of course it | ind goon burst from the roof and spread to the adjoining alge fails in Brooklyn; and the citizens of thet Guy are as | dinge—-No. 48, occupied by Wm. Mann, stationer and prowe to amuvemanit on the score of wirigliiny te we are, | { blauk books, and No. 47, occupied by J On Fiathush avento. Myrtle ioovarsoes f Bell pet dealer, and J. Miles & Son, boot and where sn i, abd Tost night aioigting wes kept virers. The Untire Interior of Lewis’ ware- J. might well be , an night sieighing was kept destroyed, only the wails being left standing. ap eareugnons Long Teta WHR mech “gue Oo te nrtion of tho lower stories of Jamies nk road teams dashed along tn undimtshed " in bu longer rs notnbe F peethivn wendiien gieaiet 60: th y | Man's buiidin Tho lossor are estimaved Content as they were Borne Ons wititened + |G, W. Lewis! lose, $25,000—Insured for $15,000 in the On the ‘Sesasion of tight exeursita ve Lge leltnd aves mercial Insurance Company of this city’, Northern vio parties aro inaugurated at th en on “ile Boad, | rarico Company of Loudon, and Washington Ineu. | —_—— Fe pany of Providence, R. I., each for $5,000. Inauguration of the Wiss nn's loss nearly 40,000; insured for $80,000 in by w y he owners of Lowis & M 000, esses of migor jraportan NEWS FROM EUROPE. Arrival of the Bohemian at Halifax. FOUR DAYS LATER INTELLIGENCE. The War Feeling Subsiding in England. Arrivalof Rebel Envoys in Germany En Route to Paris and London. NEWS FROM CHINA AND JAPAN, &e., &e., &e. Haurax, Jan. 6, 1862. ‘The steamship Bohemian, from Liverpool on the 26th, via Londonderry on the 27th of December, arrived here ‘at two o’clock this (Monday) afternoon. ‘The dates per the Bohemian are four days later than those already received. The advices from America were unfavorably construed in London, and the funds were drooping in consequence. ‘Tho English papers are still discussing the Trent affair ina hopeful view—that the rebel commissioners will bo given up by the Cabinet at Washington, and a war be thus averted. The English papers calculate on the despatch of tho French government reaching Washington beforo Mr. Seward sends his reply to Lord Lyons in regard to the demands of the British government. The papers express tho hope that the Freuch despatch will reach Washington in time to influence the reply of Mr. Seward. ‘The London Times has a criticism on Secretary Chase’s financial report, and expatiates at some length on thy extraordinary extension of the borrowing system, de. claring that it excceds anything in England’s history. Pending the receipt of news from America, in response to the English advices by the Europa, there is much speculation as to what decision the United States govern- ment will arrive at in regard to surrendering up Messrs. Slidell and Mason. The result is being quietly awaited. ‘The prevailing opinion, however, is in favor of peace. In Liverpool peaceful hopes preponderate, and cotton is rising. War risks at Lloyds have a downward tendency. A number of gupboats bad been ordered to the Mersey. It is reported that tho frigate Aigiers has been stationed off the Straits of Gibraltar to prevent the passage of pri- vateers, The frigates Liffey and Melpomene were to leave Gib raltar on the 21st inst. for America. The London and Liverpool markets were all closed in consequence of the holidays. ‘There had only been one day’s business done sinco the sailing of the Asia, on Tuesday, whea 1,600 bales of cotton were sold in tho Liverpool market, half of which was sold on speculation at 140. a 34d. advance. "The Manchester. market also ox- hibited a corresponding improvement. ‘There was nothing doing in the breadstuffs, provisi or produce markets, which would reopen on Friday, the 27th ultimo, if Tho Bohemian reports:—On 2d January, in latitude 48 10 north, longitude 48 39 west, exchanged colors with the American bark Petrea, bound west. January 3, at fonr A. M., in latitude 47 10 north, longitude 61 wast ¢x- changed night signals with a steamer, supposed to be the Jura, bound cast. The steamship City of Baltimore, from New York, ar_ rived at Liverpool on the 25th ult. ‘The steamship North American, from Portland, ar- Tived at Liverpool on the 26th ult. The steamship City of Manchester, from New York, arrived at Liverpool on the 24th ult. France. ‘Tho Paris Presse says that new Southern commissioners have arrived at some German port, and are now en roule to Paris and London. It is reported in Paris that the Orleans Princes are to return to Europe forthwith. Franco is about to send reinforcements to the squadron: off Mexico, and also to the squadron off the northwestern const of America. It is also romored in Paris that a squadron of observa- tion is to be sent to the eastern coast of America, unde? Admiral Renaud. Tho Paris Bourse closed Sat yesterday at 67f. 25¢. for the renter. Spain. ‘The Madrid Correspondencia says that Spain is to send from six to seven thousand men to Mexico, and that the Spanish squadron will sail in three divisions. Portugal. Lisson, Dec. 26, 1861. Great excitement is existing here in regard to the death of the late King. His body is to be disiuterred and ana. lyzed. The public are greatly stirred up in regard to the matter, and troops are patrolling the streets. News from China and Japan. . Losponperny, Dec, 27, 1861. Advices from Canton, China, of the 15th of Noveinbor say that Mr. Burlingame, the American Minister, had been well received there, and that he subsequently lef, for Shanghae, en route to the eapital. A few foreigners had been invited to visit Pekin. Tho rebels were near Ningpoo, and tho inhabitants wero fleeing to Shanghac, where alarm had subsided. Hong-Kow was reported to be invested by the rebels. It was reported that the “Braves” there had attacked foreigners in the streets and houres, and that placards were posted up threatening the extirpation of the Euro- peans. News from Japen is received. but it is unimportant. Financial and Commercial News. LONDON MONEY MARKET. Consols closed on Thursday at 90% # 9154 for money, ‘but declined on Friday to 904% a 903g under American ad- vices. The weckly return of the Kank of England shows an inorease in bullion of £145,000. : ‘American stocks were quiet and steady. Tho latest sales were:—Illinois Central shares, 493g a 483g discount; Erie Railroad , 2834 0 2534. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET. ‘The sales of three days amount to 31,000 bales, includ- ing 6,500 to speculators and 1,000 to exporters. The market is bowyant, with an advance of Xd.ald, The sales on Friday were 15,000 bales, including 6,000 w speculators and exporters, Use market closing with an advaucing tendency at the following quotatious :— sy ri ey 4 miditing American descriptions, LIVERPOOL BREADSTUFPS MARKET. ‘The broadstufls market is generally quiet, with a de clining tendency. LIVERPOOL PROVISION MARKET. ‘The provision market is firm and steady. Arrival of a Prize Schooner. Tho schooner Wm. H. Northrop, hailing from Nassau, N.P., and from Havana December 1, was brought into this port yesterday morning, by Prize Master Rhoades and five men from the gunboat Fernandina. She has a cargo of eightoon bags of coffee and a quantity of quinine and other medicines. She was taken on December 25, off Cape Fear, by tho gunboat Fernandina, while attempting to run the blockade at Wilmington, N. C., and ordered to this port. She was formerly a Charleston pilot boat, of about cighty tons burthen. Movements of Transports. ‘Tho United States steam transport Baltic, lying at the foo, of Cana} street, North river, is now taking in provisions, hay and cate for Port Royal. She will also carry three hondved horses of the First Massachusetts cavairy, and sail abort the 11th inst, » United States steam transport City of New York, has now y completed loading, lying at the 4 Boe! tes steam tra + Roanoke is now on ; foot ko stroot, Kiet river, Cor repairs, IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. An Amendment to the Tariff Act Passed by Both Houses of Congress. The Old Duties Only to be Levied on Bonded Tea, Sugar and Coffee, The Increased Duties Already Paid to be Refunded. INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, The Balls’ Bluff Battle and the Conduct of the War as Viewed by the Abolitionists. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army Abroad Again. The New Banking Scheme Be- fore Congress, &e., &e., de. Wasnxetox, Jan. 6, 1862. MEETING OF THE CABINET. A mecting of the Cabinet is in session to-night. It had not adjourned at ten o’clock. Secretary Seward returned to-night, and is in the Cabinet meeting. REPORTED BATTLE ON THE breer POTOMAC. ‘The city is full of rumors of a desporate fight on the Upper Potomac. At headquarters it is known only that the rebeis have been firing at Hancock, and our own forces have been firing at the rebels across the river, and that neither have been able to reach tho objects aimed at. No later despatches have been received. GENERAL M'CLELLAN ABROAD AGAIN, General McClellan was ¢o much improved in health to- day as to be able to ride out, General Marcy rode out also, for the second time since his recent severe illness. PROBABLE EFFECT OF TH SETTLEMENT OF THB TRENT AFFAIR IN ENGLAND: Private letters received here from distinguished English policians, settle all doubts as to the acceptability of theset tlement made of the Trent affair. Thesecorrespondents state that the rabid hostility of the English people towa:ds the United States had greatly abated, and that even a proposition on the partof the United States for an arbitration would enable the peace party there to avert hostilities. the grounds stated in Mr. Seward’s desjatch to Lord Lyons, will effectually extinguish the war fever, and pro- duce a reaction in fayor of the United States and adverse to the rebels. ‘The return of the rebel prisoners, even upon DISLOYAL FEMALES ARRESTED. ‘The discovery of treasonable correspondence with re. dels, alluded to in previous despatches, has been care. fully investigated, The rumors tn reference to it had in the meantime grown in immensity, and pointed to a member of the family of General Lorenzo Thomas, Adju- tant General of the United States Army. This morning it was currently reported that General Thcmas and his fa- miiy were under arrest. Upon proceeding to verify the report your correspondent found him attending as usuay to the duties of his oflice, and only indignant at the ims putation of disloyalyy to any one connected with him: It is now presumed that this absurd story of the implica- tion and arrest of General Thomas was maliciously put in circulation by parties anxious to injure him. An investigation of thefacts instituted this morning shows that the lady criminatet by holding trearouable correspondence with the enemy, is the daughter of a neighbor of General Thomas, and nota member of his family ,or in any way connected with him. This is only ‘one of the several discoveries made within'the last few days, in which females occupying high social positions are implicated as the correspondents who aro in the habit of furnishing important information to the enemy. Consequently there has been a very great abridgement of the privileges heretofore accorded to the sex. oot. THE NEW FINANCIAL SCHEME BEFORE CONGRESS. ‘Tho bill to provide @ national currency, secured by @ pledge of United States stocks, and to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof, under consideration in the Committee of Ways and Means, provides for the establishment, in the Treasury Department, of a separate bureau for the execution of this act, and all laws that may be passed by Congress respecting the issue and regu- lation of a national currency, secured by @ pledge of United States stocks. The Chief of the Bureau is denomi- nated the United States Bank Comptroller, to be ap- pointed by the President, at an annual salary of $5,000, and adeputy, at a salary of $2,500, with the necessary clerks, &c. It provides that any chartered bank or banking association, whose capital is not Jess than one hundred thougand dollars, may, upon application in the munner prescribed, avail itself of the benefits and privi~ leges of the act. Under the provisions of the act, bank” ing associations may be formed by any number of per- sons, not less than five, upon the conditions set forth. Thirty per cent of the capital is tobe paid inat the be- ginning, and the remainder in instalments of at least ten per cent at the ond of each succeeding ninety days. Every association organized under this act shall be @ body corporate, entitled to exercise all the privileges of banking under the restrictions imposed in tho act. Upon compliance with tho preliminary provisions required, and the delivery to the Secretary of the Treasury of any number of United States stocks bearing interest, the assdciation shail receive from the Pank Comptroller circulating notes of different denomina- tions equal in amount to the current value, but not exceed ing the par valueof the stocks deposited, and also not to ‘exceed the amount of capital ; aid in, These notes are to be filled up and signed by the President, Vico Prosideng and Cashier of the association, They are made receiva- Die at par in all parts of the United States in payment of taxes, excise, public lands, and all public dues, and made alogal tender for all debts and money demands. The associations are required to make qvarterly reports to the Comptroller, and those located in New York, Philade!- phia aud Poston are also required to publieh once a week daily reports of the average amounts of loans, discounts, specie, deposits and circulation. Failure at any time to redeem any of the notes put in circulation by an asociation when payment is lawfully demanded to work a revoca- tion of the privileges granted. Provision is made for the redemption of the notes of a failing association, ard for winding up ite affaire. The interest upon the stocks deposited may be drawn by the association. Upon a de. preciation of the value of the stocks at the Stock Ex change of Now York city for four consecutive weeks, tho interest is to be retained by the Comptroller until the depreciation shall have been compensated, the sums thus retained to be invested every three mor Pe in similar stocks, and upon arise of the stocks fr | 7 consecutive weeks to the price at which th ps pledged, the surplus interest accumulated a° to bo returned to the association. Each am “4 invested quired to keep on hand lawful money of t° oqual to twouty-live per cent of itso tion. Dividends are to be declared ¢ and November. The associations nation at the will of the Seer: tho Comptroller is to make ar AFFAIRS ON THE LOWEP ciation is re- ae United States atstanding circula- emi-annually, in May , to be subject to oxami- Aary of the Treasury, and 4 Qnnnal report to Congress. + POTOMAC—FIRE AT AQUIA 4 Stones parsed the robel batteries wlay night. ‘ on Thursday nig! Jt was clear, but no shots wero fired from the rebel bat’ ve ries. . On Thursday afternoon a grat fire occurred att was suppor’ d that the rebels had determined to evacy ‘a the place, and adopted the Russian system of Iny is stdin all Debit 4a them in their ration’ But the arrival etree of enrevat the station hag since beon observed, the ep. #, Freeborn, island Bello, Lalianee sind Cetin JCONTINUED ON FIGHT PAVE) ‘The steamer Steppin