The New York Herald Newspaper, January 18, 1862, Page 1

TH WHOLE NO. 9260. ARRIVAL OF THE RHODE ISLAND. Interesting Reports from the Bleckading Squadron. NEWS FROM THE GULF. The Expedition from Ship Island to Biloxi. The Rebel Batteries at Pensacola | suse. from the Again Fired on by Fort Pickens. DESCRIPTION OF THE BOMBARDMENT. Operations of the Land and Na- * val Forces at Port Royal, &e., &e. & —- ‘The gunboat Rhode Island arrived at Fortress Monro® oa Tharsday from Galveston. Her dates are: Galveston, December 28; Ship Island, December 81; Mobile Bar, | that he December 31; Fort Pickens, January 2; Key West: January 8, and Port Royal, January 12, She brings a large mail. ‘The gunboats St. Louis, New London and Water Witch left Ship Island for Biloxi, December 31. Tho result wa | name of the not learned; but as the Rhode Island was leaving the | Mahe, of ‘New London was seen returning, with three schooners in tow. The schooner Venus was captured off Galveston by the Rhode Island, She was bound from Poiut Isabel doubt. rew ‘besides which she had four ‘all of whom on board the Rhode island, Bhe had a 1 clearance, #0 that there will be no oGosiy S eainn ‘the condemnation and sale of both vessel are reported among the officers of the Lieutenant Jo! hn E. Hart has been Vincennes ana First Hina ae om thele wen North, topotber with ting Lieute- ina, are On way Nor! tI aol nani Hunter, Acting Mesters Hopkinson and Devina, Aeron tg “ for exam! bagi distinguished passenger is a young cap- been in all the fights in Virginia; that i. 4 two hundred slaves, worth fifteen ‘and that when captured he wi lam assured by the released, being non-combatants, but as ho refused to ac- cept his parole, and being in uniform, it was thought best ld spend some time in Fort Warren or Lafay- ette, and enjoy the pleasures of a Northern winter. appearance is not at all prepossessing; his face has the appearance of the groat unwashed, and affords but a } omdagg om to his rather striking uniform. He pro- ‘eases to have many friends in New York, and the ability to raise any amount of money. Maybo he has. Tho ‘officer and gentleman is Captain George J. the Bogart Guard, Third Louisiana Volunteers. In conversation with him he informed me that he was formerly @ brevet Second Lieutenant in the First artil- Jery, United States Army. yh the kindness of Lieutenant Semmes, United States Navy, executive officer of the Rhode was Permitted to see and converse with six deserters from for Franklin, La., with s cargo of tin, eopper, lead and | t11¢ rebel army at Pensacola, who taado their escape on ‘wood, valued at ten thousand dollars. She was sent to | Sunday morning, the 22d ult., and sucoceded in crossin; Ship Island. ‘The rebel steamer Florida was inside Horn Island. The | SPPe4r to have been well fed and cared for. gunboat Wissahickon was off that place. ‘The rebel batteries at Pensacola having repeatedly fired at our small vessels, Fort Pickens opened on the rebel | fteamer Times, which was loading stores at the Navy Yard, on January 1. The rebel batteries responded, and ‘the firing was continued until evening, Fort Pickens firing ‘the last shot. The rebel guns were well aimed, and most af their shells burst inside our fort. Only one of our men, however, was wounded. One of.our shots made a large breach in Fort Barran” as. In the evening our firing set Warrington on fire. ‘The conflagration continued all night, and the place was ‘still Durning on the evening of the 2d inst., when the Rhode Island left. The fire was scon at a distance of thirty-five miles at sea. ‘We are indebted to Captain A. T. Whiting, of Company B, Sixth regiment (Wilson’s Zouaves), who arrived hore last night from Fort Pickens, for special favors. OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE. Kay Wssr, Jan. 6,1862, | through Arrival of the Rhode Istand—Bombardment of Fort Pick- ens—Description of the Fight—Remarks Regarding the Bombardment—The Blockading Fleet—The De Soto Run- | cargd, which was partly owned by ting into a French Steamer—Operations of the Steamer New London—Tro ops on Ship Island—Capture of the Venus ty the Rhode Island—Changes and Movements of Oficers of the Squadron—Captain Geo. J. Mahe, of the Rebel Army—Rebel Deserters—Captain, Crew and Pus. aengers of te Venus—Remarks in Regard to the Block- ade—Arrival of the Flambeau, dc., dc. ‘The Rhode Island has arrived, bringing news of an. other bombardment at Fort Pickens on the Ist inst,, which lasted for twenty hours. I am gratified to say that no one was killed, and but one slightly wounded on our side. Col. Brown seems determined not to allow them to remain quiet, or else he may have opened ‘the ball merely as a New Year's gift. H the morning of the Ist iuet. « summit revel steamer ‘was observed from Fort Pickens making her way to- ‘wards'the Navy Yard. She behaved in a‘ very defiant manner, some one on board waving a rebel flag, which @eemed tosay, ‘You dare not fire at me.” This was not to be borne with patience, as Col. Brown had fro- quently warned General Bragg that the presence of these Steamers would.not be put up with. As she approached Fort Pickens opened upon her, when she retreated at ouble quick time. The fire from Fort Pickens was immediately answered from all the rebel bat- teries, and the engagement became general. The firing was kept up throughout the day, and at night Pickens maintained a slow firo from the 18-inch mortars, which was hotly returned by the rebels. About eleven P. M.a fire broke out in the Navy Yard, which continued throughout the night, and from the ‘extent of the conflagration it is supposed that the greater part of the buildings in the Navy Yard have been de- &troyed, and also the larger part, if not all,the town Of Woolsey, which is adjoining the Navy Yard on the north. ‘The firing on both sides was remarkable for its extreme accuracy, Shells in countless numbers fell in- side of Fort Pickens, and it is wonderful that no loss ‘was sustained. Our side returned the compliment in equal proportion, but I have no doubt we will have the old story from Genera! Bragg, that he took it all very coolly, aud their loss was nothing. The'scene during tho night was magnificent in the extreme. Every shell could be traced in its course through the air from the time it left the gun until it exploded; and this, in connection with the centlagration, rendered the whole affuir a sight such as Pensacola, and but few other places, had never before witnessed. ' The illumination was so great that it was distinctly seen by the Uvited States steamer Mercedita, when over forty miles at sea. All cur batteries were engaged, and did their work admirably. Fort MeRao, which ‘had been so roughly handled by our squadron and attery Scott at the lst engagement, appeared to have resumed jis accustome: vigor, for it kept up @ constant fire throughout the the squarlron were present, but took no part in The fight, and it is as well they didnot, for nothing ‘toBSanta Rosa Island. They were all fine looking men, an ir names Albert Johansen, native of ‘Tim Canovan, native of Ireland. Francis Collihan, native of New York. Edward English, native of Baltimore, Md. James Smith, native of Ireland. Joseph Parker, native of Wisconsin. They all vell the same story,and to be intelligent men; Tuey were all enlisted abont the month of May last at New Orleans, for the rebel Marine corps, and at the timo of their were stationed at the Navy Yard where thoy hed been sinoe thelr enlistment, They ail pe that the rebel force at the Navy Yard, ‘rancas, and the surrounding bat. teries, does not exceed seven thousand men. What num- ber isat they do not know. It is the old story with them—enlist or starve. te ok hn favorable ac- counts regarding their food and and say they wargwell ned in the monoy of the country, or, in other Vng- mens 2 ‘They inform me that every build- ing in the Navy Yard was more or less injured by the Sees bomber genset bat aa ther: epomet no one being , Denmark. killed in the Nay I saw conversed with the capfain of the Venus. He informed me that it was his third voyage from Texas, ho having run the blockade twice Before, once going through Vermillion Pasu, and gain |, then proceeding to Brashear city, on the At a river, from which iat Se eee forwarded to New Oricans by the Opelousas Railroad. All the man in the world was invested in this yy ® Mexican, and he is now left without anything. Such is the fortune of war. I give you the namos of the crew and passengers:— ‘Andrew Nelson, German by birth, captain, Poter Hansen, German by birth, mate. xdward Sicklés, American, cook. Charles Kastwell, passenger. Charles Schmidt, passenger, ee a . J. Havens, y All the above are destined for New York, and will help swell the list of those who have been unwise enough to operate against the laws of the United States. ‘The capture of the schooner Venus proves tho existence of un extensive trade between Louisiana and Brazos San- tiago. It is a well known fact that many vessels are trading between Havana and Matamoras, under British colors; supplies and munitions of war are carried from Havana by them, and at Matamoras they are reshipped im vensolsadapted «oe thesaual worurret Loutsiaua, od in this way the Dicokade is broken with comparativo safety. Vermillion Pass should at once be closed by one of the stone fleet. ‘The schooner Victoria, prize to the United States ship Santiago de Cuba, which T have spoken of jn one of my former letters, has been released, for the reason that it is fu acknowledged fact that the’ port of Brazos, from whence she sailed, never has been blockaded. She leaves for Havana the first fair wind, and Uncle Sam will no doubt have to pay for her detention. Wo are now hourly expecting the arrival of the Connec- ticut, or some other vessel from the North, with late news. It is very bard that the news we have received should come to us by way of Mubile and Havana, and it is sin- gular that the government does not send a direct mail to this port by the steamer Columbia. We are depending upon the schooner Nonpareil, which visits Havana in time to meet the Columbia, for our mails; and there are many passengers for Key West who are compelled to go to Havana and seek a conveyance by any means that may offer. The important mails and doe- patches that are received by the Columbia should not be trusted to a sailing vessel. A steamer should be stationed here for the purpose of doing the work now performed by the Nonpariel, and af- ford facilities to the residents of Key West-to go to and fro, from which they -are now entirely debarred. ‘The Unite! States steamer Flambeau has this moment arrived, and | amn informed she will at once tow the United States ship Nightingale to sea, She is last from Nassau, N.P., and reports the Gladiator and Isabel still in that harbor. There has been no change in the conduct of offi- ciais or inhabitants; tuey are equally annoying and insuit- ing, and are delighted at the prospect of a war with the United States, Tho Havana papers of the 3d inst. contain an article say ing that the G‘adiator find auccoeded in entering # Southern port, but the arrival of the Fiambean gives the lie to the as- Ins to be seen since the Flambeau has she will have in entering Charleston the occupation of Tybee and the sink 'y hot; where I am writing the thor- 90 degs., and a norther now would be ‘@ most welcome visiter. Fruitof wil kinds we have in abundance; nearly every cocoanut tr the island is loaded with fruit, and borianas and orang to be iad al- most for the asking. Fortunately, there is but litule differ ence here between summer and winter ; were it otherwise, your correspondent would haye to leave beforo warm Wenther sets in, or else become a fit subject for a tallow chandler. I ain glad to say the health of tho place is perfect, but little sickess, if any, existing. ed, and probably much’ would have Deen lost had they attempted to have opposed their wooden sides to stone walls and earthworks. ‘The dombirdment was the old story of fort against fort, at a distance too great for auy dec Taive result’ Wo gain’ nothing, yet expend a great amount of powder, shot and shell, and they the same. Apart from tho burning of Warrington, the Navy Yard and Woolsey, Tdoubt ifwe fhave doire thein any injury worth speaking of; and as for it is as strong ae before tho first bombard- Thord wero but fow if any accidents worth re cording curing this affsir. Colonel Brown, by way of 0, eagpended a light outside of the fort, that the What his rea- rebels might better soe where to fire at, No doubt they fons wore for 0 doing he alone knows. owere good ones. Leannot conceive what beneft can accrue from these un barments, especially when we have no force to fol- Ww up any advantage we may gain. Colonel Brown is of @pinion that, bud he fvo thousand wditional troops, he @ultake the Navy Yard avd Furte McRae aad Barrancas. , Rotbaps he might, but it remains to be secn if he can. 1 4. Would think that be would wait until the required force a ‘Wivett before commencing active operations of any Kis, “4. O06 thing is certain, the forts and battdFies naw inp Waerion of the rebels aust be efivotually silenced be- Joe WY Atak can be made with ten thousand men, r bo able frowcet of permanent success. = © slid has visited all the blockading fleet as weston. At the latter port the frigate Santee ‘ely vessel, the bark Midnight having sailed for Yard 98 son as ber mails and supplies were 4 Borwick’s or Atchafalaya Pay United . At Southwest w Montgomery was stat Hinton stent, “eto: at Paser-i-l'Outre, the iliesiee! pi and Pas, the Col: Island, the Niagara ‘Vine snes; att Loudon, + (logs eb, Marsachusette, Lowin (prize) en ‘do n excoedingly a on acoount of hor lig she has entirely brok Sound; anda day red vessel name colors, with a cargo of t el’ and cargo were tah ow Pampero, ‘4 Water Witch, Tho New London has chive, and by far the most usetul vessel, ‘ht draught of water, in the squadron; ‘an up the traffic through Miseisaipp! ince, while craising there, she “d the Gipsy, sailing under English ‘yo hundred bales of cotton; the “en to Sip Inland. ‘The 1e Beto Ship teland, ay “%.in tow tho steamer- Twar Milan, disnbled'he Desoto having run into her at ‘telasippi river, on account of ght off the | asses of the b.. , acting ina vory surpicic a eepaeem —- a forwards that the Frenchma ete datas A A river, by permission cf the govern, Wooing en eer Famiites that wore dovitous of UTES iets when run Davis & Co. The +t amer displaye *y Silo, and ail her actions sector Noa ae Yaa a atrengor try ing if our blockade wa. 7 he hen'th amd ecntition of eve. t "2908 00 Ship Island ‘we.¢ oxcollent, and the fortifications \ Vere iy assu- a: b very formidable character. Meyue the srigate Potomac was a “stioned, This + dee NEWS FROM PORT ROYAL, OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE. Hinrox Haan, 8. ©., Jan. 11, 1862. Arrival of a Lightship from New York—The Baltic at Port Royal Ferry—Arrival of Reinforcements for the Rebeis— The South Carolinians Desire to Meet the Massachusetts Troops—Affairs at Tybee—The Effect of the Some eet Blockade—Operations in the North Edislo—The Blockasle of Stono Inlet—Deserters from the Rebel Army—Their Siatements—Presentation to Captain Eldridge, éc., dc. I ayail myself of the opportunity to send a line by the steamer Rhode Island, which arrived this morning from Fort Pickens and the Gulf, She bears some in- teresting intelligence from our forces in that region, which shows that they are active and inclined to keep the rebels as busy as they can possibly desire. As she carries full details ot the events of the past month from the Hrnatn’s specials there, it ie annecessary forme to attempt to give the news from that quarter. ‘The steamer McClellan, Capt. Gray, arrived yesterday from New York, with a fine lightship in tow, which isto bo moored off Martin's Industry Shoals in.a day or two. It is singular that tho Lighthouse Board should have allowed s0 much time to clapse before placing a light at that important point. It will be the only light from the Capes of Virginia to Cedar Keys on the Atiantic coast, and witi be of immense value to marinors who are blown ‘upon the coast. ‘The steamer Bibb, of the Coast Survey, arrived on ‘Thursday, and will immediately enter upon the duties assigned her, Capt. ©, 0, Boatelle, of the Survey corps, assumes commend of her, and the Vixen will return to New York for much needed repairs. Capt. Boutello is now engaged in suryeying Broad river. ‘The McClellan brobgbt @ few Sunday Henatys of tho 6th, and the rebel accounts of the Port Royal Ferry affuit of the 1st aro very amusikg. If we were repulsed on tho ‘Ist we wore not aware of is; and we were equally igno- rant of the fact that we had # second batile on the 2d. ‘There is no doubt that wo drove the rebels back on the 24, but that was the result of the gunboats, shelling, and siot owing primarily to the land forces. The reports we fave received from other sources as to. she heavy loss W YORK HERALD. NEW YORK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1862. Since the affair one entire brigade of Tennessee troops have arrived at Port Royal Ferry and reinforced General Donaldson, who is now in command there, ‘The rebels have received other reinforcemonts, and are now very ni tag of trace wa Royal Ferry on W ‘was sent to Port ‘on Wednes- a , Br . The ‘was to the body of rebel soldier of our men, who was taken who sul was met by some officers, carry bis communication offleer, and return an answer & E 8 & tier Pulls the: death of the private in thelr was too much decomposed to being made possesses employed do not burst with apy degr tainty. The fire, however, is very accurate, and it may. prove a bad customer for us when’ we have occasion to get within from the vicinity § Perative character necessity troops in this quarter to resist our adv: from considered a sufficient excuse for the we communication with rebellion, and finally in Charleston iteelf. Nom she is tho State, but really she is the veriest craven ready to give up the contest after she sound blow. Her day will come ina don’t spend the first of May in the city of ‘pon sta ruin I ahall be greatly mina, propos of Charleston, pretty we the stone fleet sunk in 4 accom] ed tities nel at that point, and effectually elosed twenty tocome. The main ship channel is moral- ye . Unt a careful survey is made no vessel ‘to go out over it, and that survey car Uentroyed by are, the port blockaded, ‘and of the cits rapidly wet sd in war ¢: deny ‘chad the glory of Charleston has ‘departed? Lat the events of the next two months answer. From North Edisto we have further operations in that quarter, and the state of at negro colony at Botany Bay Island. The latter has in- creased greatly of late, and the prospects offa still lurger increase are very fair. Over one t! ban men, women and childrens are now Al |, of the Seneca, has taken the dantly with corn abd other arti there is no re te their suffering On t 2d and sd the de- ce remaining, and also @ house occupied by rebel soldiers, who had fired upon them. Captain Ammer enoourages the collection of cora by the negroes, and feels no apprebension of immediate want. ‘On the 7th the Seneca led to White Point, accom. panied by the Penguin. ‘They saw but few rebels: mostly mounted ets. All the seemed dererted, and it was evident that the rebels no longer used the houres at that point as barracks. v General Shorman are anxious tity stroyed the balan: Commodore Dupont and to hold possoasion of North Edisto in force, asa base of operations; but their force is exhausted, and they are re. luctantly compelled to wait until the much desired rein- forcement arrive. The sooner they are sent the sooner something will be accomplished in this quarter, Both the military and naval arm must be reinforced be- fore operations are commenced which shall materially advance our interests in thisdepartment. May the pro- per authorities take cognizance of this fact. Stono Inlet, one of the most important, if not the most important, channel of communication to Charleston , has been closely blockaded for a longtime yust by some of Flag Otticer Dupont’s squadron. More recently the sloop- of-war Pocahontas, Commander G. B. Balch, bas been engaged in blockading duty off that point, and she has lately drawn the fire of the strong batteries at that point, and ascertained their strength. She bad quite exciting little interview with the rebeis on Cole's Island on the 26ch of December. On the afterncon of that day a rebel steamer came down — one of the inland channels and passed in frout of Stono Inlet. Cosmmander Balch directed a ten-inch sheil to be thrown at her; but it fell short, and after a second had been fired the steamer had crossed the inlet and en- tered a channel on the other side, escaping injury trom our shes. Thesteamer doubtless brought down a recou- noitering party, but the fire of the tas must have prevented the party from obtaining the desired end. Soon after this little affair two batteries on Cole’s Island opened fire on the Pocahontas with refled guns, but ali the shots dropped short. The enemy could not be reached by the guns of the Pocat-cntas, and she withdrew, after obtaining the desired information. While attempt ing to get within range she touched ground, but no injury was sustained by her. Commander Baich bad the last fire, and stood out into deeper water, and came to anchor. thing of importance occurred off Stouo until yester. , when ems dererters came on board, ina sail boat, from the rebel army. They represented theimselves as orthorn men in the rebelarmy,and asked protection. They were wolcomed aboard by Commander Balch, who stived them of his protection. ‘they bolon| # artillory, commanded by Major Lucas, whose head- quarters were ou Cole's Island. ‘They had obtained a p from (he Captain of Company A,of the battery, count signed by Major Lucas, to go outside the bar to drede for oysters, and to return by two o' they had got outside they made rapid way for the Poca hontas, und found an asylum there from rebeloppression. They give a great deal of important information in regard to tho state of affairs at Stono and throughout the Siate, Thy rebels at Stono have been sleeping on their arms for xpecting the arrival of Burnside’s expedition, in want of provisions, such as beof, salt and ‘Tho deserters say that the Isabel, which ran the Diockado some days since, suffered a good deal of damago from the shelis of the Mohi One shell knocked off and sho barely got in afloat. ried in acargo of coffee, but no arma. Sho came off the coast in the night, and in the m ran in in a dense fog. Th anchor of the ad fired a shot at hor, giving the alarm. The } ipped “her anchor and chain, forty and gavo chase. The ’ Mohi pt the batteries of Morris prevented further pursuit. She enteen shot and shells at her, and only coased m it was evident that further expenditure of wider was nseloes, Commander Guerdon, of the Mohi did all that laid in heman r to do to prevent tho Isabel's running in, but the donso fog rendered ali his offorts futile, Fortauately it was not an English steamer, expected off the coast. Isabel returned the Mohi- ean’s fire, but without t we have no cause to take them where they th. Colonel Pam is in command of Coles Island, which is defended by four batteries of fifteen guns of heavy calibre. Major Lucascommands the artiller foree on the island, and is @bundantiy supplied with ammunition and munitions of war. re are about ight hundred and fifty troops on the island. But they will not troubie us, as that is not the road to Charleston. The Rhode Island salle to-night, and I must close to catch the mail. ‘There will be more news from this quarter in future. Ta the following General Order from the Com- mandor-in-Chief, complimenting General Stevens and the men under him for their bravery and gallantry in tho altnir of the 1et:— GENERAL ORDERS—NO. 1. Heabquanrans, F. ©. Hiron Heap, 8. C., Jan. 7, 1963. ‘Fhe General Communding desires to express his grati- fication at the good conduct oxhibited by the troops un- der command of Brigadier General Stevens, wheo en- ‘en the 1st instant, in capturing and destroying the enemy's batteries on the w river, ‘The conduct of this affair, confirms him in the convie- ordered to march Hon that our troops, wi ‘bead, will know no abutclo, and will promptly and in good order ite who.rever order ‘The thanks ot’ the manding General are specially due to Brigadier Gefferal Stevens, for the energy and good ji entevineed in the preparation and prosecu of this affair. on Officer Dupot, commanding blockading squad- ron, and to Commands” R. C. P. Rodgers, commanding the naval portion of this Se ioe, 6a the officers and men under bis command 0 is of the country and the army are likewise dud, The energy, alacrity und efficiency which supported thd Jand forges on this occa. PRICE TWO CENTS. more than what could have been Oliver Eldri , of United States of the Third 1 it iy and Md, to Port Royal,8. ©., ‘Onober’ 15 to November 1361. *\¢ponr Rovat, 8. C., Jan. 1, 1862.” deserved no man did more than Captain Eldr: further the sucecsaful trip of from Baw; _NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. TERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. Passage of the Fortification Appropria- tion Bill in the House. The House Resolution in Favor of Imposing Taxes Adopted by the Senate, Mr. Cameron’s Appointment as Min- ister to Russia Confirmed. Important Changes in the Government Printing Department, Ree Bers ae. ‘Wasmuncron, Jan, 1, 1862. GENERAL M’OLELLAN AT HIS POST. McClellan has resumed the active discharge duties of his office. He was closeted to-day for seyeral hours with the Adjutant General. THE BURNSIDE AND MISSISSIPPI BXPEDITION. No intelligonee has yet reached here from either tho Burnside expedition or the oné from Cairo, Information from these quarters is anxiously and hourly expected. CONFIRMATION: OF MR. CAMERON'S APPOINTMENT. ‘General Cameron’s appointment to the Russian mission ‘wasoonfirmed this.afternoon, after a debate of two hours anda half, Twenty-eight Senators voted in the affirma- tive and fourteen in the negative. The republican Sena- tors who voted against the confirmation were Mossrs. ‘Trumbull, Grimes, Harlan, Hale, Wilkinson and Foster. John Sherman made a speech against the confirmation, and voted im favor in favor of it, The statement in the ‘Trine, that Messrs. Bright, Bayard and Kennedy spoke against, aud Messrs. Doolittle and Collamer in favor, of General Cameron’s confirmation, in executive session, yesterday afternoon, ts all wrong. Neither of these Senators took any part in the debate yesterday, and Senators Bright and Bayard did not vote at allon the question to-day, s THE ARMY APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE SENATE. ‘The Senate bas already rejected a number of the minor military nominations submitted, and it is believed that a number of the brigadiers will fail to be confirmed. The nominations are to receive a thorough overhauling. ‘The ‘opposition to the confirmation of General Cameron is in- dicative of a strong effort to prevent the confirmation of many of those who have been nominated through his partiality. AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC—BOMBARDMENT OF COCKIIT POINT. ‘The steamer King Philip returnod from the flotilla last night, and reports that the Anacostia yesterday bom- barded the rebel battery at Cockpit Point, with what result has not, a8 yet, been ascertained. The rebels fired four shells at the steamer with the usual result—no damage. A despatch from the Hrranp correspondent dis- closes the fact that when the rebel batteries ag Shipping Point were firing at the Pensacola, on Sunday morning, though their shot and shell could not touch the vessel thoy were aimed at, oue of the shells went on shore at Budd’s Ferry and killed a soldier belong- ing to Hooker’s division. The poor fellow was sleeping jp his tent, when the random shot cut him in two, mak. ing his #leep eternal. Tho name of the soldier, and the rogiment to which he belonged, could not be ascertained. THE FORTIFICATION APPROPRIATION BILL. The Fortification bill, which passed the House to-day, makes the following appropriations for the year ending 1803:— For Fort Montgomery, at the outlet of Lake Cham- plain, New York. $100,000 For Fort Knox, at the narrows of tho Penobs river, Maine For the’ fort on Hog bor, Mane Ae For fort Warren, Boston harbor. For fort Wi Boston ha For fort at Now Redford harb For fort at W 's Point, opposite Fort r, New York For fort on the Island, New For fort at , Key West, Flor For Fort J rden Key, For fort at Port Point, San Francis For fort at Alcatraz’ Isiand California For contingen: fortife nc! works. : For bridge trains and equipage for armi field... For tool and siege traing for armies in the field The following appropriations are for the year ending June 80, 1862:— For the fortifications.‘on the Northern frontior, in- cluding the fortiGcations at Oswego, Niagara Baffalo, Detroit and Mackinaw... cae «160,000 For Fort Montgomery, at the outlet of Lake Cham- piain, N.Y... 50,000 For Fort Knox, Penobecot river, Main 60,000 For fort on Hog Island Ladge, Portland harbor, Me. 50,000 For Fort Winghrop and the ‘exterior batterios at Boston harbor, Masa For fort at New Bedford harbor, Mass For Fort Adams, Newport, R. 1: For Fort Schuyler, Kast rivor, N.Y, 25,000 For fort at Willett's Point, opposite Fort Schuyler, WUBIN besedsti 60,000 For Fort Richmond, Staten Tsiand, N.Y. For fort on the site of Fort Tompkins, Staien For the commencement of the casemate at the battery on Staten Island, N. ¥.. wal For a new battery at Fort ‘Hamilton, at ihe Nar- rows of New York.... For Fort Mitflin, near Philadelphia, For a new fort opposite shore. ‘ippi. ‘ yor soslingintios of i For bridges, traius and equipage, RELEASE OF CAPTAIN YOUNG, OF THB CALIFORNIA REGIMENT. Capt. T. G. Young, of the California regiment, who was jovolved in @ diffoulty in Gen. Stone's division a short time ago, and placed under arrest, has been relensed by an order from the Secretary of War. Ho was ox. ranined to day by the Committee on the Conduct of the War, and is to accompany General Lane on his Kansas expedition. {DE PENNSYLVANIA EUECTION CASE, ‘Twenty-tinves republicans and fifty-four democrats and Unionists votod fo coufirm Represcutative Lehman ip hig seat, The sixty-seven against him were all republicans, Sixteen democrats and Unionists were absent or not voting. RETRENORMENT IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES—IM PORTANT CHANGES IN THE PRINTING DEPART- MENT, BTO. Senator Sherman, from the Senate committee to ex- amine and report as to the compensation of all officers of the government, &c., has reported a bill in relation to the government printing, which completely abolishes the 1. Globe, and transfers it to the Superintend, ent of Public Printing, who is created not only printer, but stationer and newspaper publisher general for the whole government, This bill provides that all print ing, engraving, lithographing, electrotyping and Dinding, of whatever description, and all blank books or blanks, of whatever kind or character, required by either House of Congress, the Executive and Judicial departments of the government, the Coast Sur- vey and the Court of Claims, shall be executed and manu- factured in the government printing office. The chiefsof every department of the government are required to fur- nish the Superintendent of Public Printing with estimates of the stationery and materials required in each depart. ment for each fiscal year, and to make requisitions upon him for materiale and work to be done. The Superintendent of Public Printing is to contract for all the materials and to employ workmen skilled in each of the branches of printing, Uthographing, engraving, electrotyping and binding. It {8 also provided that the President shall have his annual ‘Mossage and accompanying documents printed in time for distribution at the commencement of ench session of Congress. The Superintendent of Public Printing is re- anired to publish daily a paper to be called the Congres- sional Record, in the form and style of the Congressional Globe, which shall contain the debates in Congress in full, abstracts of reports of committees, the aunual reportsof the President and heads of departmonts, the acts and reso- Iutions of Congress, the resolutions of each House, and an index of the contents. The Superintendent of Pubiic Print- ing, and every person employed by him, is prohibited from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any con_ tract or agreement to furnish any materials for the print. ing establishment, under the penalty of imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less than one or more than five years and a fino of five thousand dollars. REDUCING THE EXPENSES OF THE GOVERNMENT. The Committee on the Reduction of the Expenses of the Government expect to make a reduction of about $4,000,000 in the army roll, $200,000 or $300,000 in the expenses of Congress, and large amounts in the matter of printing and the navy; also in the United States courts. of law, and collectors of customs, &c., at New York and other large cities. The whole amount of the matter is, that there will be introduced @ series of measures to bring about economy. BRANCH POST OFFICES IN CITIES. The bill which passed the House to-day, relative to th® establishment of branch post offices in cities, authorizes ‘nd directs the Postmaster General if, tu his judgement, the public interost or convenionce may require it, to stablish one or more branch post offices to factiitate the operations of the post office in any city or place, which, in the opinion of the Postmaster General, may require such an additional accommodation for the convenience or the inhabitants; and it shall be deemed the duty of the Postmaster General to prescribe the rules and regulations for the branch post office which may be established. The Postmaster General is also authorized to charge one cent in addition to the regular postage for every let- ter deposited in any branch post office to be forwarded ‘by mail from tbe principal office, and which shall be; prepaid by stamp; and one cent for every letter delivered at such branch office, to be paid on delivery; provided that no letter shall be sent from the principal office to such branch office for delivery, oxcept by request of the party to whom the same may be addressed; and pro- vided the expense of such branch service shall not ex- ceed the receipts on account thereof. The tenth section of the act to establish certain post rates and for other purposes, approved March 8, 1847, is repealed. THR APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MEAGHER. Memorials urging the confirmation of Thomas Francis Meagher as Brigadier General have been sent to the Military Committee to-day from the New York Sixty- ninth and Eighty-eighth regiments, and the two bat- teries attached to the Irish brigade. Genoral Shields also addressed a letter with the same request to the chairman of the committee, Senator Wilson. Colonel Meagher bad an interview with the committee this morning, and on learning from them the part General Shields had taken, he afterwards, in company with his officers, visited the General at his hotel, where Colonel Nugent tendered the thanks of the officers of the brigade for his generous conduct. Colonel Meagher also thanked the Genoral warmly. General Shiclds replied briefly that he didnot know that Colonel Meagher was sware that such a letter had been sent tothe chairman of the com- mittee. The letter was not necessary, but he felt bound to doanything in his power to secure the confirmation of his appointment. There had been hints that their interest clashed in this matter, but he had not even tolerated any man who was disposed to approach him with such @ suggestion. After expressing the kindest feelings towards Colonel Meagher, General Shields ad- dressed some pertinent remarks to the oflicers of the brigade, reminding them that it was their duty to ‘exert all their energies in behalf of the country, and that the foundation of all success is work. He urged them not to neglect the work necessary for preparation. He would add another suggestions, if he dared—banish liquor from the camps. Let us, he said, be temperance men until the war was over, and then we can be jollyonce more. The interview was a private one, and was very pleasant to all parties. THE STRIKE OF THE WORKMEN AT THR NAVY YARDS, ‘The House Committee on Naval Affairs have before them the subject of the employment of workmen and laborers in the several navy yards, their pay, &., aud will soon report whether any further legislation is neces- sary. THE ARMY, Tho President, upon the application of the delegation from New York, to-day appointed Major A. Doubleday a Brigadier General. ARREST OF A FUGITIVE PROM ELMIRA, ‘Wm. Loe, Chief of Police, of Elmira, New York, arrested hero last night Robert Turner, on the charge of making a deadly arsault on Officer Hunt, a policeman of Emira. Turner is one of the four ruffians arrested by Tee last summer on suspicion of knocking down and robbing a Britiel marine officer. Lee left with his prisoner for Elmira to-day. TAX BILLS IN PREPARATION, Parties are busily at work here in preparing data upon which to base a systom of excise duties on articles of yxury for the production of revenue. It is probable that a system nearly like that of England will be estab- lished. ARRIVAL OF CONTRABANDS AT GEN, M’CALL’S CAMP, Two contrabands, a middle aged man and a boy about thirteen yoars old, this morning came within the picket lines of General McCall’s division, Both wero nearly frozen to death. Thoy were properly cared for, and thon sent to this city. PAYMENT OF THE TROOPS. Several regiments acroes the river were paid off to day Among those paid were Mott's battery,and the Four’ teenth New York Valunteers, Colonel McQuade, RYFECTS OF THE COLD WEATHER ON THR TROOPS, Ithas been so icy and slippery to-day that nome of the regiments across the Potomac were called out for drill. Evening parades were held as usual, GENERAL FREMONT'S CASE, General Fremont 1s preparing an elaborate statement im reference to the charges made against his administra- tion of the Department of the West, which is to be pre- wented to the Committee on the Conduct of the War. It ie eaid that ® majority of the committee are friends of General Fremont, and it is expected that they will, If pos- sible, give him every advantag@ia the process of white, washing bis case. The New Nix Hgeiele os, ve dan 88 ‘The bill known as the ‘Ivania Central Dili, was defeated in the lower of the to-day by a vote of 94 to 9. Jan. 1i.—In the Matler of the Prize Schooner Henry C. THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. FIRST SESSION. Senate. Wasumarow, Jan. 17, 1862. {TOR NEW ERNATOR FROM MICHIGAN. Mr. Cnawpiar, (rep.) of Mich., presented the creden- tials of Hon. Jacob M. Howard, Senator elect from Michi- 82, in place of Mr. Bingham, deceased. Mr. Howanp, (rep.} of Mich., ay~ared and took the oath, ABOLITION PETIT Several petitions in fayor of the slaves were presented. ‘THE ARMY CONTRACTORS, ‘ Mr. TRomBULL, (rep.) of Ill., presented a petition from Mr. C. L. Sandford, who represents himself as a contractor with Messrs. Cummings and Tucker. He says that he re- ceived information from the War Department that they (Cummings and Tucker) were authorized to act, but is now surprised to learn that Mr. Cameron says—‘that the heads of the bureaus made all the contracts.” Mr, Sandford asks the passage of a law to legalize the con- tracts made, 60 as to ant ae rae The petition was le aucipation of the . WiLMOT, (rep.) of -, presented a asking for the celle of homeopathic jiu in the army. SAILORS’ AND MARINES’ LETTERS. Mr. Coriammr, (rep.) of Vi., from the Committee on Post Offices, ‘back the House bill in relation to pseantedioss a marines. va ivi prepaid To eater ke earns ee nin ene: bill was passed. Caries, tion, but subseqs withdrew the objection, and it was passed, by yeas, 39; nay, Mr. Powell. Mr. Dixon, (rep.) of Conn. from, the Committee on Ir. 5 4, Contingent Expenses, reported back the resolution to pay. Mr. Stanton the usual Cg and m! ‘Mr. Have, (rep.) of N. H., said that ir. Seston bod already received one mileage. Mr. DEN moved to amend the resolution #0 aso make it exclusive of Tolleags. ‘This was agreed to, and the resolution passed. REMOVAL OF ARMY BAKERIES. Mr. Foor, (rep.) of Vt., from the Committee on Public Buildings, reported a resolution ordering the removal of army bakeries from the Capitol. ‘THE VOLUNTRER SERVICE. Mr. Witsox, (rep.) of Mass., introduced @ Dill in rela- tion to the volunteer service in any particular State, ‘THM YUNERAL OF SENATOR BAKER. Tavmsvit.offered.a resolution to pay one thousand ‘Bout of the t Fund for the funeral ex- if the jate Senator . Reforred. PAY OF THE RIRST MINNESOTA MEMBERS . Mr. Tumut also offered a resolution in rejation to the enh Rea ‘Senators and representatives from Min- of Congress to ¥ rai pte to its consider a- a ORGANIZATION OP THE ARTILLERY. or United States. Referred. EXRCUTIVE SESSION. On motion of Mr. Sumwer, the Senate then went into executive session. ‘Upon the opening of the doors the Senate adjourned till House of Wasamatox, Jan. 17, 1862. ‘THR ARSENAL. Mr. Tram, (rep.) of Mase., introduced a bill trans- ferring the penitentiary building of the District of Colum- ‘bia to the War Department, for the use of the Arsenal. Referred. ‘BILLS FROM THE COURT OF CLATUB. ‘On motion of Mr. Firrom, (rep.) of N. Y.,over one hun- dred bills from the Court of Claims were referred to the. Committee on Claims. rarert mara, tents, reported « bill author:zing the Commissioner of Patents to examine the application of Samuel Bentz for » renewal of the: patent process for hulling wheat, the teaige having ‘by mistake failed to make bis applica for purpose within the time prescribed by law. The patent‘expires on the 4th of March next. The bill was passed by Saenty Sony majority. Mr. Doxw reported a bill for extension of the pa- tont of John @. Mine, for au improvement in the manu- facture of lampbiack, the consideration of which was postponed. ‘THE PENNSYLVANIA CONTESTED ERAT, ‘The House then resumed the Pennsylvania contested election case. A vote was Orst taken on the substitute from the minority of the Committee on Elections, that John M, Butler is not, and Wm. E. Lehman is, entitled to a seat ag represent | nll which was adopted by a vote of 77 against 67. The resolution of the majority of the committee, as thus amended, was then agreed to. BRANCH POST OFFICES IN CITIR®. Mr. Airy, (rep.) of Mase., from the Post Office Com- mittee, reported a bill authorizing the establishment of branch post offices in cities. Passed. ‘THE DEAD LETTRR OFFICE. The House then concurred in the Senate’s amendments athe to promote the efficiency of the Dead Letter 2. ‘THR CASE OF MARSHAL LAMON. Mr. DrLaNo, (rep.) of Mass., mado a report from the Committee for the District of Columbia, on a rea to them relative to Marshal Lamon’s jail regula- tions. The committee say that it was strictly in Marshal La- official discretion to make rules to remedy the ex- isting abuses, and though they can see no necessity for subjecting members of Congress to the idle ceremony-of procuring passes, signed by the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House, yet that there is nothing so pal- pably oppressive and onerous in the regulations as to call for the special intervention of the ise.» Hence the committee ask to be discharged from further considera- tion of the subject. ‘The further consideration of the report was postponed, THE WEST POINT ACADEMY APPROPRIATION WILL. Mr. Simvens,(rep.) of Va., from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported a Bill for the support of the West Point Military Academy, and on his motion the commitioe obtained leave to it during the seseions of the House. He took this occasion to expiain the reasons why the appropriation bills were not sooner reported, adding he had been imformed that numerous libelling letter writers bad been finding fault with the committee for not reporting an equitable tax bill. Thecommittee, how- ever.are gathering facts and work for hours after attend- ing to business in this hati, desired to say that the criticisms and libels of the press would not make them move one minute faster than a due regard to the public interests will permit. MANKIAL LAMON TURNED OUT OF THE MOUER. Mr. Fewton, (rep.) of rising to a question of pri- vilege, inquired by. what Marshal Lamon occupied a place on the floor of this House, ‘The SreaKer replied that he was not aware of such a rule, and had no doubt the Doorkeeper would enforce the rules. Mr. Ketocg, (rep.) of Ill, inquired whether the en- forcement of the rules was to te on the Marshal only? He did not eee anybody interfering with the busi- ness of the House. Then, why should Mr. Lamon be made an exception, when others, not members, were also on the floor? The Symaxgr directed the Doorkeeper to enforce the rules. and expressed the hopé that members would not hereafter insist on introducing their friends hore, Marshal Lamon, who was standing near the main door, then retired. TE PORTINCATION TT. anne resumed the consideration of the Fortifica- aoe the ee = barry ir. ARNOLD, 5 ., suid it were better to act this bill port nh the items being based on metal estimates. It war not to be supposed that this bill om- braced ail the fortifications necessary to tho Atlantic coast and Western lakes. But the Select Committees have the subject under consideration, and will at an early day report tae ten result of on aa ions. ir. DEN, Y., Buggested that wo pete a te pa RAD ‘war within our borders. To this should all our energies be directed. 18 ‘was no time to enter into expenrive precautiona: fo eats ne hoped was tant. us the government, and when shall ensue to the country wo can provide war. ras mea- die- the i i i | it ul ll a it bil rly i HH i i it : F i L 5 H F i i i f iF HE ti ui fi A te i 87. ze i H } Mr. Doxm, (rep.) of Ind., from the Committee on Pa- tative trom the First Congressional district of- » on