The New York Herald Newspaper, December 30, 1862, Page 1

» mh, * WHOLE NO. 9604. WMPORTANT FROM VIRGINIA. Moyementd- of the Hostile Armies on the Rappahannock. Tho Rebel Raid on Dumfries and Occoquan. SHARP SKIRMISHING WITH THE ENEMY. The Rebel Troopers Driven Off +. with Considerable Loss. Rumored Fight Between Stonewall Jackson and Gen. Sigel’s Forces. Burnside’s Lana Communica- tions in Danger. Panic CRDRIDARADLE BAcrTEWENT Ay ALEXANDRIA, oe &e., &e. ‘Bmapgvasrans, Any oF sere} Dec. 28, 1862. ‘lage of trace cross the Rappabantiéck every day, prin- Gipally to transfer to the other side citizens who came ‘Mito our lines to escape the bombardment. _ Ohks GoIgids are taking advantage of the pleasant woa- ther im providing against the cold weather by building Bate. ‘Babivy Gring walt beard yeaverday evening in the direo- ‘thousand rebel cavalry, with four guns, ‘ae attackt of four Pegiments of Sigel’s infantry at ‘Peatiee: The coment’ looted tit) dark, and was renewed agai this morning. The cannonading was intense, and ‘Mppabeely Dearéy ‘this point than on yesterday. The ‘Aelagrapti limes consed to work yesterday afternoon, aod ‘upto four P.M, to-day no official intelligence has been imcamp at Alexandria to Meir regients. Among.-the Teamsters and “ Sutiers. “ W. BH. Wood, of the Seventeenth Daa ‘been deteited to accomplish this duty. of our gunboats in the ay has of late procured large sup- of enttle, horses and:forage from the peninsula coun- t General Pleasanton captured one bun- dl 7 eed of estilo, which had veen thus col- - Meoted, en rowle for Leeds. or of ‘staf, who had crossed into county. for the purpose of getting married, ‘The citizens of the pentusula state that they have lost en : since the beginning of tbe war- “ " have been resumed. Sedlibeean as omys cavalry num. infantry. is tated thas several sutier's wagons have —e———— ‘Gn Frigega : officer and two privates ‘wore seigtd én this si@} and sent back to their side. Ihe qqebangeol newspapers bas also been interdicted by Gen. Bareaide. Wasuincron, Dec. 29, 1862. ‘There was great excitement in Alexandria late yester- (Mai evening, growing out of the harried arrival there of eeveral.of our cavalrymen and teamsters, the latter Being mounted on horses cut from their own wagons. Ty ‘Wat Stuart’s rebel cavalry, with yappeared at Pohick church, several ‘miles from Mount Vernon, on Saturday night, and on __lBandag proceeded to Acootink, which is only twelve miles froin Alexandria, and there attacked two or three compa- ‘Qies of our troupe, and that they captured a wagon train oo. 5 “aoe sa im arriving at the precise truth, '¥0 the many, conflicting rumors in circulation in bo matior. But that a rebel reconnvizsance ps ssa yy ‘neighborhood is beyond questiov, and that the rebels cfeated much alarm is equally certain. Mitiary men whe have seen brief official despatches Griving tn our cavaley pickets and killing four or five of them. Tae {editing oaptare by our troops, which at one fame wes 2 for Yoooquan and Accotiak, where they made their demonstrations. _ Due it ig elatmed, must be made for the feamsters and others, as ail Guach accounts are undoubtedly exaggerated. from Richmond state that the iron-clad gunboat h a dailg trip to Drury’s Bluff. Particulars of the Rebel Raid. % . ‘Wasananon, Deo, 29, 1862. ‘There has been excitement here during the past ‘twenty-four b oosasioned by greatly exaggerated at from one to two thousand. The ‘& lunge boay of rebel cavalry, with Dad mado one of their character- at Dumfries, where were Seventh aad sixty.sixth Ohio ‘The rebels cut the and attacked our ss the rebels retreated, <enrrying with them for ® short distance the two captured ‘eannon, The Union troopa retired toward Falmouth. "Before leaving Dumfries a depatoh was sent to Lead. condition of affeirs, and troops . put in motion to cut off the retreat of the maranders, Various parties started out for this pur- ‘Which was one under Genoral Geary, who the repel cavalry between Dumfries and and drove them south of the road uyon be i Bie forced them to take a course, ‘They then proceeded on to the Gocoquan, where they Ynad a slight engagemént with ® portion of the Second Pootinalvania cavalty, which was obliged to retire. It ie station, where they the telegraph operator, and ponding to Washington for supplies aroused, and # message ‘wan rowuried ae if interided for the commander of our ee dare te, ce vari of nos ‘wires, in the direction of Vienna. . oh itime Orders had been seme to Fairfax Cour Rony 0d aforee wae despatched thence to intercept the maron oF PAWEL Prawn; bot me che Dnien troops Loa we vee a Eo tyes off A resident of Vienna, who came im thie af, ruoon, atates thet there were im the party aiwut ue NEW YORK, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1862. STUART'S RAID ON BURNSIDE’S REAR. Scene of the Recent Rebel Raid at Occoquan, Pohick Church. thousand cavalry and five pieces of artillery, who were pushing on with all rapidity im the direction of Leesburg . ‘They had been obliged to abandon the guns taken at Dumfries, and had with them twelve wagons and twelve ambulances, which they had evidently captured on the way, and in al) about forty prisoners, including citizens whom they had seized along the road to prevent informa- tion being conveyed of their movements. Various effurts have been made to cut them off, and it ig believed that a force which has been sent out from Fairfax Court House under Colonel Wyndham will be successful, although Colonel Wyndham’s hores are. much fatigued from a previous effort to overtake the raiders- But they are certainly in better condition than the rebels, who have been making this forced night and day march for two whole days and nights. The wagons they captured were empty. They had also several sutlers’ wagons, the drivere of which bad suc- ceeded in escaping by cutting their traces and running off upon their horses. ‘Quite an excitement was occasioned. in Alexandria by the arrival of these fugitives, and a number of sutiers there took fright and commenced hurrying their goods across to this side of the river. It isnot likély that the Army of the Potomac will long remuin idle. Its immediate destination, however, is only ® matter of conjecture. Rumors have been current to-day that an attack had been made by Stonewall Jackson upon General Sigel's corps in the vicinity of Stafford Court House, and after the repulse of Jackson he had drawn a portion of General ‘Sigel’s force into an ambuscade and captured a large umber of prisoners. There ie reason to belfeve that this report is a pure fabrication, as no information of such an engagement has been reeeived here in any official quarter. Additional Details. Wasmineton, Dec. 20, 1862. A rebel force of cavalry with a bettery of artillery suddenly appexred at eight A. M.on Saturday in front of Dumiries, then held by eur Fifth, Seventh amd Sixty> sixth Ohio Volunteers, with a section of two pieces of Mc- Gelvey’s battery. The rebels were at firet estimated at four thousand sirong. They cut the wires leading to | Faimouth, attacked our troops, who had three men killed, and were driven off. oy In the meanwhile information reached these headquar- ‘ters per telegraph before they succeeded in cutting the wires leading in this direction. Troops from this quarter were instantly put in motion to, if possible, cut off their retreat. To that end General Geary marched from Wolf run immediately to the relief of the troops engaged at Dumfries. After being worsted, before Geary’s arrival, they | pushed direct for Occoquan, where they had a slight en- gagement with fifteen hundred troops stationed there under Col. Candy, résulting in considerable loss on either side, onrs maintaining their position. They next decamped up Bull ran, crossing it at Wolp run, Thence they wentto Annandale, via Burke’s Sta. tion, where they camped on Saturday night, thus avoid- ing points where we had troops stationed. At daybreak yesterday morning they were again in the Saddle, making for the vicinity of Vienna. To the meantime our troops at Fairfax Court House did their best to head them off in that direction; but being yafantry could not get up im time to doao. They were last seen in the vicinity of Lewinsburg, where their num- ber was estimated at but one thousand eavalry and four pieces of artillery, at nightfall yesterday, when they were under whip and spur, evidently bent on escaping in the direction of Leesburg. ‘They certainly got nothing for their pains but fifteen empty wagons belonging to Colone! Kellogg’s cavairy command. ‘Throughout the line of their raid they bad occasional | sRirmishes with Colonel Kellogg’s cavalry, who, though forced to fall back, exchanged many shots with them, with no damage to his command that we have been able to hear of. His heaviest skirmish with them was at Ac @otink. At one time they had possession of one of our guns at Dumfries, but were forced to abandon it to us again in their retreat. LATBR PARTICULARS. We have just received reliable information that the rebels were badly repulsed on Saturday at Dumfries. On their retreat they fel in with our troops under General Geary, between Dumfries and Wolf run, and were driven by them south of the road. They aimed to take the direct road to the shoals. They took the telegraph operator at Burke’s Station and bis instrument, and burned the Orange ana Alexandria Railroad bridge at Aceotink, an inconsiderable structure. Besides the fifteen empty wagons of Colonel Kellogg's command that fell into their hands they took eight or ten gutlers’ wagons which @ame across, the drivers in nearly all cases having succeeded in escaping by cutting the traces, mounting their teams and flying before them. ‘They seized all the citizens along their path whom they thought might give prompt information of their proceedings. ‘They passed through Vienna at about twelve last night, their rear guard passing there about three A.M. They had five guns and about twenty-five wagons and ambu. lances, nearly all of which they hall doubtless picked up. ‘They went (rom there to Hunt's Mills, and then struck over towards the ox road at Frying Pan. Including the citizens they caught they were carrying off about forty prisoners Jn all. THE BANKS’ EXPEDITION. Who Farnished the ‘I runsportation? A apecial committee of United States Senators arrived ‘at the St, Nicholas Hotel yesterday to investigate imto the subject as to who is reaponsible for the purchase and char ter of nae Sonn Reg ition. ——s CI this they w' ire everythi ing to all rf contracts whiéh have, eee made ‘with the ‘War Department for some time past. ‘The committee consists of Senator James A. Grimes, of Jowa, chairman; Senator Lott M. Morrill, of Maine, aad Senatgt Anthony Kennedy, of Maryland. ‘the proceedings will bé conducted with closed doors, Mr. @. Ty! mn, Ser- Zeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate, aml his depu- ty, Mr. 3. H, Colbrath, accompany the committees to assist in summoning the witneases and to act as door- keepers. The committee have already summoned Com- modore Vanderbilt and Commodore Van Bromt to appear Hofore them. The proceedings are to be reported in full amt laid beiore (he Senate at the carliest nomen. The inv@etigation will be resumed this morning at (en o'clook, 1p pxlor No, 388 of the above named bote). Accotink, Dumfries and WAR GAZETTE. OFFIOIAL. Notice to Ladics and Childr to Go South. ‘The following notice was issued from the War Depart- ment this day:— Wan Derarruexr, Jopor Apvocarn’s Orricr, Wasnincton, Dec. 20, 1862. } Notice is hereby given that the applications made by ladies and children togo to their families and friends in the South have, with very few exceptions, beon granted, provided the requirements stated on the 24th ultimo, as to wearing apparel, &c., are complied with. As all the applicants—oxcepting those advised to the contrary—are permitted to leave, the publication of a list of the names is unnecessary. Steambout transportation and subsistence will be pro- vided from the city of Washington to City Point, Virgi- nia, James river, the day of departure, Wednesday, January 7, next; and it is desirable that all applicants reash this city at least one day previous to the day of leaving. ‘The steamer will stop at Fortress Monroe, and applicants from Norfolk and vicinity will be received on board at that place by complying with the requirements. The number of applicants are 381 women, 226 children, 10 servants and 6 schoolboys. L. C. TURNER, Judge Advocate. IMPORTANT FINANCIAL REPORT. Intending An Additional Sam of $200,000,000 of ‘Treasury Notes to Be Issued. Wasuincton, Dec. 29, 1862. “It is stated to-day im financial circles, that a telegraph ‘was sent to New York this morning, advising that the Secretary of the Treasury had copsented to the further iseue of two hundred milivonsg? Treasury notes, ‘This will carry the eirculating medium from three hundred and Reventy-seven millions, the amnount estimated on the Ist of November by Secretary Chase, to five hundred and seventy-seven millions of dollars. But the latter amount may be reduced by the withdrawal of bank notes from circulation, under Mr. Chase's policy of taxing bank notes. It is a subject of much talk among fnanciers that the Secretary, in bis estimate of the amount of the circulation of the Ist of November, 1961, included all the gold and silver,in bapks, It is very certain that a large portion of this was in no senge circulation, but a permanent deposit of bullion or gold upon which bank issues were made, 80 that the real circulating medium on the Ist of November, 1861, was not three hundred and fifty-five millions, as stated by the Secretary, but at least a hundred millions less than that sum. If these two hundred millions more of Treasury notes are to be added to the government aud bank circulation on the 1st of November, 1862, the volume of currency will be double what it was on the Ist of November, 1861. The price of gold will appreciate accordingly. GENERAL NEWS. Wasuixcron, Dec. 29, 1862. TRS FINANCIAL PROJECTS OF THE SHCRETARY OF THE TREASURY. ‘The Committee of Ways and Means are holding daily sessions. Their finance bill is nearly completed. The Secretary of the Treasury has been in consultation with the committee from time to time, and an effort has been made to conform the committee's bitl az nearly as posst- bile to the one submitted by Lim. A strong delegation of importers from the large cities have made an earnest protest against being singled out as the object of special taxation, dy Seing compelled to pay duties in coin, They contend that they are the only class thus taxed, and insist that they should be'allewed to pay import duties m the same currency as is received for those imposed under the Internal Revenue Jaw. Their arguments have bad effect upon the commit tee and induced the adoption of the proposition that on and after January 16, 1868, duties on imports shall be payable in legal tender notes instead of ovin. ‘The other principal change from the Secretary's bill is that certificates of indebtedness are made convertible into twenty-year six per cent bonds. THE CAPTURE OF THE STEAMER ARIKL. Capt, Sarlorius, the naval officer who was on board o- the Ariel at the time of her capture by the pirate Semmes, arrived here to-day. He has made a report of the facts to the Navy Department, and his conduct has been approved. It is contended here by those best skilled im Such mazters, that the bonds given by Captain Jones for the ransom of the ship amd carge are absolutely in valid. THR FORTHCOMING MBSSAGK OF GOV. BEYMOUR. ‘The forthcoming message of Governor Seymour is bok- ed for with anxiety by all parties here. It ies) ‘or that strong appeals havo been made to lim to avoid auything inflammatory in that document, It ig regarded as the key note of the opposition, and there are rumors that the foreign representatives here ere waiting for it with intense interest, an an esse ial preliminary of their future conduct towerds those » Kevernments. FORRIGN INTERVENTION, Groat apprehensions are expressed that Ist of Janu. ary will bring with it, not only the President's emanei- pation proclamation, but also propositions of intervention from abroad, Thé emancipation proclamation has got yet been prepared. It is believed that it will particular. zm the States and parts of States in which emancipation 6 to be declared, and alo those States in which it is to be auspended. i There appears to be some difficulty about discriminat. ing between loyal and dialo. al portions of the same State, ‘and it is beHeved that Jt will be found necessary to leave OPERATIONS ON THE MISSISSIPPI. The Reported Capture of Port Hudson and Advance on Vicksburg. SC mK MILLINER RARER NE BUR , : MARIETTA S\ckrA AKON ROUGE\! "% the few Union men in certain localities to suffer for the sins of their neighbors, or to exempt a whole State from the penalty for the sake of the ten righteous men who may be found in it, It is not improbable, therefore, that the operations of the proclamation will be suspended temporarily in regard to some of the border States. ‘ THE ABMY FRAUDS, Forney’s organ intimates that the discoveries of frauds have caused the suspension of payments to the army; but this ig an unworthy and flimsy disguise. The existence of frauds, a8 reported, constitutes no ground for withheld. ing payments to troops in the field. NAVAL ORDERS. Lieutenant Commander A. Hopkins and Acting Pay- F.E. Inlay have been ordered to the iron<lad Lehigh. ‘ THE REBEL PRIVATEERS. ‘The Geld Dust from Callfornia to Be Con- veyed by Gevernment Vessels—feere- tary Welles and the Alabama, ae, ae, des. The Califorria Treasure and the Navy Department. ‘Wasnweron , Dec. 29, 1862. Fvoane Keiry & Co:— The Navy Department, at my request,will send the man- of-war Connecticut from Hampton Roads en the lst o/ January, to bring to New York all treasure at Aspinwall from California. Please have consignees sond immedia- tely tothe Navy Department authority, 80 that the Con, negticut can get the treasure. MILTON 8, LATHAM. ‘Wasuixcton, Dec. 29, 1862. On the application of Senator Latham, of California, the Navy Departmént has ordered the armed steamer Con- necticut to leave Hampton Roads on the Ist of January next for Aspinwall, to bring to New York all the tea. sure at that place frem the Pacific coast. Senator Latham hopes to obtain from the Navy Depart- ment a regular armed convoy for California steamers from ‘Aspinwall. ‘The subject is now under consideration. Letter from in N. B. mer. 70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Enelozed is a copy of a note written to Mr. Welles on the 19th of October, in relation to the depredations com- mitted by the Alabama. You will perceive the course pursued by her is in perfect accordance with my tugges- tions, and had those suggestions been carried out ber capture would have been almost certain, But it seems the head of the departmeny at Washing- ‘on, in its inefficiency and stupidity, instead of taking a common sense view of the matter, has persistently despatched the ships detailed for the particular sorvice of ferreting out the intruder to cruise over precisoly the saine ground where she was last seen. For instance, the Vanderbilt left this port in the latter part of October, cruised over the ground where the Alabama was Iasi seen, went to the Banks of Newfoundland, and frem thence took a more southerly course, tuched at Ber. muda, made @ zigzag course from thence northerly, and finally drrived at New York, where she was ordered to report every twenty days. She here coated up, and sailed about the first week in December . very near ly the same time of the \riel sailing for Aspimwall. Instead of directing the Vanderbilt to accompany the Ariel to her port of destination, we flad she was spoken on the 16th of December im latitude forty-one degrees and twenty minutes, longitade fifty-five degrees ten minutes, steering cast, bound to Fayal (Western Piauds), Laving on board 4 new captain for the United States sloop-of-war Kearsage, So it would seem this fine ship—the most formidable and fastest in the navy—has been sent in an ite direc. tion, with no ostensible object, save conveying @ single passenger Wo the islands and bringing back another—the deposed captain of the Kearsage. «i she accompanied the Ariel, a8 comynon sense should have directed her to (io, the capture of the Alabama would almost have been sure. It is painful to reflect how the enormous trade—con- veying to and from Califoruia, via Aspinwall, of valuable cargoes, consisting of treasure, merchandise, passengers and mails, counted by millions upon millions—has been neglected by the government, and left to t itself, Not a gun mm the harbor of Aspinwall, ronte to and fro, to protect this interest—the most im portant of the eountry, in a commercial point of view, at tenet. In conclusion, I think the ware of the Ariel the most mortifying event of the war, Mr. Welles, with his boasted fleet of five hundred ships-of-war, permits a singie ship to make of valuable sbipe, right under bis nose, with impunity, and ail from his blundering and incapa- city. It it high time hb inethcieacy shoud be ousted, and a sensible and efficient man put in bis place, N. B. P. CAPTAIN PALMER TO SECRETARY WELLES. STONIN./ON, Oct. 19, 1862. My Dean Smm—tI have read with cat regret the depre- dations already committed by that piratical corsair ae Captain Semmes, and I (ear before her career bo arrested the property destroyed by her will reach a Mfbulows amount, Now, what will be the course pur- sued by her after they have becowe satiaredtwith this wholeeale destruction? Naturally they will tarn their attention to get hold of something tangible, fi order to pay their crew and reimburse the outitter of the pirati cai craft. Tho California gold ships will be the objects sought after, and they will succeed, too, if the govern- ment neglects to render sufficient convoy for their pro- tection. Now, my theory fer the capture and destruc- tion of the pirate would be to depatoh two of the fastest land snot t second class steam sloops, such as the Canandaigua and Gesippee, as eonvoys to the fortnight ships from Aspinwall, wit! passengers, mail and trea. sure. By this course they would be almost sure to fall in with her, and her capture be almost certain, as | bo- lieve either of the above mentioned vessels would be quite @ match for ber in speed, and greatly her superior in power. Vlease excuse these estious. My only notive is that this pirate mry be c@esroyed quickly, and shit the most energetic measurc# by the ment id at once ter in eequisith mt) bring about go de sirablo a reanit, Very respectfully, Jeet ee ser- vant, LMER, MONTICELLO ey = {FRANKLINTON 1 FANGAPAHOA ore IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE. Rumored Capture of Knoxville by the Union Forces. GEN, ROSECRANS DRIVING THE REBELS, Rumored Engagement at Leba- non, Kentucky, &e., Lourmvmig, Dec. 20, 1862, ‘The Postmaster of Richmond, Kentucky, says Colone} Carter, commanding a brigade, has captured Knoxville, Tennessee, and destroyed four bridges anda large por ‘Mon of the railroad track between Knoxville and Dan’ ridge. Passengers ina train from Leuisville to Sheperdsviile today report that they heard heavy firing up ‘to four o'clock this afternoon in the direction of Lebanon Junction, and reports are current that Colonel Harlan’s brigade is in the rear of Morgan’s forces, and it is supposed may have ongaged them before this time. It is rumered that a portion ef Morgan’s forces are at Bardstown, and that they have destroyed a portion of th® track near Elizabethtown. The rebels have been repuleed three miles from Mum- fordsville, and everything there is safe. General Rosecrans’ forces have driven the rebels into Murfreesboro. It is supposed Morgan is skedaddling out of the State. Governor Morton, of Indiana, is here. It is not true that he has ordered out the militia of Indiana as ro- ported. pvcecail ants ae ‘ IMPORTANT FROM ARKAN AS. ae. we. Gallant Fight with the Rebels at Van Buren. The Town and Considerable Spoil Captured, den Re. Ree Faverteviine, Ark. , Dec. 29, 1862. One of the most difficult and daring raids of the war hag just been made by a part of the army of the Fron- tier. . On Saturday General Herran started with a portion of his cavairy aud infantry for the other side of the Bos- ton Mountains. General Blunt left Canchill at the same time by anotber route. The columns, about 6,000 strong, weat in light marching order, with six day@ cooked provisions, and marched forty-two miles without stopping, Gen. Herron took two batteries, without cais- sons, ‘The artillery and baggage wagons were drawn across the mountains by twelve horse teams. At daylight yesterday morning the commands joined at Lee's creek, three miles south of the mountains, where the cavairy and artillery, numbering two thou- sand, started for Van Buren, leaving the infantry to follow as fast as possible. Rebel regiments of cavalry were encountered at Drip - ping Springs, After a short skir nish they were put to flight, leaving sevew killed and many wounded om the field. Our loss was none killed and but few wounded. Our forces immediately followed the flying rebels to ‘Van Buren, where a splendid charge was made, led by Generals Blunt and Herron in person, resulting in @ com plete victory over the enemy. ‘Tho rebel cavalry rushed aboard some steamboats and escaped to the other side of theriver, « Two steamers and over one hundred prisoners, (among them several officers and Hindman’s express messenger), were captured. A third boat was run ashore, which, with those that took tho rebels across the river, will be destroyed. ‘A large quantity of corn, camp equipage, transportation mules, horses, were also seized. The full extent of the capture imnot yet known. “when the messenger left the infantry and artillery wore about cight miles in the rear, hastening forward ag fast as the nearly impassable roads would aliow. The people of that section were taken entirely by surprise and terribly frightened. Henderson is on the other side of the river with his whole force, unable and unwilling to engage us, ‘The pathway to the Arkansas river has has now been opened, and if the gunboats will open the lower end ef it, the winter’s work of the Army of the Frontier is clearly marked out. Co areDhis Day. | Surana Courr—' ucurt—Part 1—Noe. , 4649, 4051, 4665 , 4660 , 4666 , 4667, 4669, 4673, 4675, 4677, 4079, 4687, 4689 , 4696, 4607, 4708, 4706, 4707, 4700, A711, 4716, 4717 4719) 4721, 4726, 4727, 4799, 4799, 4737. Part 25022" 5024; 5028,'5090, 5082, hogo, 8048, 6060, 5062, 6084, 505 82, 6064, 6074, 078, 5082, 5090, 5092, 5004, 5006, 51 5102, G04, SIA2, 6120, 6122, 6124. 6126, 5128, 019Q | that his wind wae stil! PRICE THREE CENTS. IMPORTANT FROM THE ReportedCapture of Port Hudson by Admiral Farragut. | Advance of the Union Squadron a on Vicksburg. The Retrograde Movement of General Grant’s Forces, &e., be. &., }, Dec. 29, 1862. A report has reached Memphis that @ heavy Union force has ascended the Mississippi from New Orleans, the naval portion of which is under command of Admiral Farragut; that Port Hudson has fallen into the Union hands, and that the fleet has reached a point twelve miles below Vicksburg. ‘This reported advance is gonfrmed by the Vicksburg Whig of the 18th, : A special despatch from Cairo says the reports that Goueral Grant has fallen back to the north side of the Tallahatchie are confirmed, The main body of the army arrived at Holley Springs several days ago. - It is supposed General Grant will epen the Memphis and Charleston Railroadto Grand Junction, and make Memphis his base of supplies. On the 20th the rebels attacked the Union forces, two hundred and fifty in number, at Davies’ Mills, six miles south of Grand Junction, Tne enemy was repulsed, leaving twenty dead and thirty wounded on the field. A number were also carried off. The Union loss was trifling. ‘Tho rebel Van Dorn is now believed to be between Bolivar and the Mississippi. The rebels still bold the road between Colugbus and Jackson, Tennessee. New Madrid was evocuated yesterday. Part of the magazine was blewn up and the barracks burned. Lovisvnis, Ky., Dec, 28, 1862. Reports from Memphis say that our pickets have bees driven into the fortifications, and that the rebeis bave ‘been committing depredations there. IMPORTANT FROM THE GULF. Naval Expedition in Louisiana—Captare Two Rebel Steamers Luaded with Sugar, dc. {From the New Orleans Delta, Dec. 20.) We learn from a gentleman just arrived from Berwick's Bay that an expedition, sent up through Grand Loke, Paso Chicot and the Atchafalaya by Com. Buchaan, sneceeded in capturing two steamers, the Naniope and the Southero Merchant, anda launch. The steamers were loaded with sugar,and the launeh with arms, ammunition and one small brass piece. The crews deserted the boats when the gunboat made its appearanes and took to the woods. ‘The expedition was a complete success, and much damage was inflicted on the enemy. A fing of truce came into Berwick on Wednesday, ac. companied by Colonel Franklin H. Clack, a well-known lawyer offthia city, but at present in command of a regi- ment of rebels beyond the Teche. The fiag was for the purpose ef returning a few paroled meu of the First Indiana, who had been put in charge of some mules to bring them into camp, but were met by rebels on the way and gobbled up, together with the stock. NEWS FROM FORTRESS MONROE. Punapetyaia, Dec, 29, 1862. The Press bas interesting news from the peninsula, up- der date of Fortress Monroe, Monday. General Naglee bad received information from contrabands, which wag considered reliable, that a body of seven thousand rebelry under General Trumble, who had been detached from the army at Fredericksburg to sesest Governor Wise, was appreaching Gloucester Court House with a view, as was supposed, of attacking the batteries at Gloucester Point. Our troops were under arms waiting for the attack, and General Nagle had prepared to attack the onemy in force to-day (Monday), We had two gun- boats in the river to assist in the defence. , A New Blockade Runner at St. Johns. Sr. sours, N. F., Dec. 29, 1862. ‘The screw steamer Princess Royal arrived here op the 26th, thirteen days from London. She is about four hun dred tons register and has a cargo of eight bundred tons” She took in here two handred tons of coal and a few tong of codfish, She sails to-morrow, it 1s alleged, for Halifax. She is a splendid vessel, and well adapted for running the blockade. Spirited Foot R at Bloomingdale. The foot race which was announced in yesterday's issue to come off it the corner of Bloomingdale road and Seventy-second street took place * yesterday afternoon before an immense erowd of spectators. The contestants were Mat, Cassidy, of this city, and Young Gildereleeve, familiarly known as ‘Young Sporg,” who hail# from the fraternal city of Philadelphia, These two pedestrians, i appears, tested the qualities of their legs and lungs some six years ago over in Hoboken, when Cassidy beat his opponent rather badly. Since that time Gildersieeve has had considerable practice, and his friends, betieving that be had vastly improved bis powers of locomotion and increased bis supply of wind and muscle, induced him to challenge Cassidy again, with the hope that this time be would come off vietor. The result, however, showed that if Gildersieeve had im- proved Cassidy also bad lost none of his former vigor. Gildersieeve was beaten on the fullrun about a quarter of 4 mile, coming in some two minutes after his opponent had reached the goal amid the vivas of the spectators. ‘The race was a distance of five miles, or ten times around « half mile track arranged for the cecasion. The track was exccedingly unfavorable for a race—the mud being inches thick—and it was expected that on this ao- count tue race would not be remarkably brilliant. But; considering ail the drawbacks, it was quite spirited, an aflorded consider ratification to the epectators. The stakes were $200 a side, making @ purse of $400, which, besides the entrance fee—twenty-five cents per head— was quite a nice little prize to carry off @ hard fought contest. “About balf.past three o'clock in the afternoon the con- testants mad» their appeurance, attended by their friends, together with the reverees and Judges. idy was dressed in tights, with a white fanned shirt fitting closely to his chest and back. A huge buf- falo robe was also thrown about his body to te chill before starting. His bearing was singularly coob and confident, In appearance he wag about thirty-one years of ago. Young Sport's costume dittered slightly from Cassidy's. He wore no t ‘a small cov- its on his legs, having merely ering (or the thighe and a chook anne! shirt for the chest and back. His look betukened consiJerabie excite- ment, but his promises of suceeas were ond spoken. and he bad the air of a man who feit that if he had Rot exactly an easy t! of it at least that his success was,as certain ®* anything could be. Ip years he wae evidently Cassidy's junior. When everything. waa in readiness the course was cleared, the word was given, and off started the runners at an easy rate. The betting was very extensive, the odds being greatly in favor Of Cassidy, whose friends offered two to one on their favorite, The run around the course ten times resulted as follows :— First round-- Almost even, Casstiy afew inches ahead. Second round—Casaidy a itttle alead, ‘Third rouné—Cassidy a little abead. Fourth round—Gildersleeve a little ahead, Fifth round—Gildersleeve ahead. Sixth Idersieeve 3 Seventh round—Cassidy a few yards in advange, Eighth reund—Cassidy still ahead. Ninth round—Cassidy still further ahead. Tenth round—Cassily @ full quarter of a mile in aa- vance. The whole race was accom eres Sse Sey vioter by the Jadgew, and waa immediately ederied i~ triumph by bis fr Young Sport, after the race, declared that he was ander’ to run another mile, or 4 the impression that he would pot have allowed so large a gap between He ran round the course once more to shhw and that he had beVer aneed and Cassidy: ip him than be exbibied op the last circut,