The New York Herald Newspaper, December 27, 1864, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 10,348. THE SOUTH. YHE RAID I8 WESTERN VIRGINIA. Fighting at Marion, Va., on the 2ist. REORGANIZATION OF PRICE'S ARMY. Stampede of Negroes from ; Richmond. They Are Net Disposed to Fight for Their Masters, eb 90 desperate as they might be, abd strives to Strengthen the weak kneed confederates, who evidently comprise a large majority of the rebels who still live. Beays:— ‘The public mind, which was at first considerably agi- (tated by the report of Hood’s defeat, has become as quict an i over is. ia a copy that the details, for Which we are dependent upon Yankeo pal aaa, bare Desa, an usual, ral iv’ hem however, racy, there is ear Bo- always throws our peo- yw of gloom. it it does nos iast long. sleep is generally sufficient to restore all but the ‘weak kneed to the proper tone, We ook as 20 many trifles—only as 0 toa speedy peace—only as 80 of protracting this struggle, which is finally indopeudeuce. From General Thomas’ own gore not perceive that Hood bas been so badiy ‘ted as be would have us believe, The number of the ruin of thearmy. But pecadgy ibe that army to be ruined, our cause is far then, aliowing Savannah and QBarleston, sod Mobile, aud even Richmond, tu be fared, still the war is not over. The necessity of defe img these tow: eat drag upon the wer, Had Lee n@uvre 80 as to protect would bave apnihilated be came very near doiug even he impediment to bis operations, We bave not most distant belief that Grant can or will take ‘Biehmond; but were he todo so Richmond is not the eoafederacy, por is it even Virginia; it is simply Rich- moné,an nothing more. Its fall would place Lee's ‘army at liberty te mancuvre where he chose. Ho simply sit down befure it and watoh Grant. it ‘Would be but a repetision of the relative situations of Bewe and Washiogton when the former Phitadet. phe, or, ratber, when Philadelphia took the former; and 0 it would be with regard to Savannah and Wilmington. Lat our people, the weak kueed bright side; we this. ere 9 probably sball be agatn. 'Xemember Burke, quoted by us the other day; by itself. As | touched the public cause E Jeff, Davis te Draw His Rations. ‘The rebel President has been compelled, owing to the Iaigh price of provisions in Rebeldom, to ask for an ad- vance of wages. The Committee on Military Affairs in the rebel Senate on Thursday last reported a bill ‘to pro- ‘vide for Jighting and warming of the Executive mansion nd for the supply of forage aud commissary stores for provide the fuel and light for the Executive mansion, ferege for six horses and the same commissary stores epee the same terms as they are sold to commissioned @fcers, Jeff. bas no disposition to pay $100 a piece for tl miserable privates of Leo's live go without things—or all of these things? Superfui- ; they are all nesessary to sustain the strength in bis exhausting campaigns, What docs the constitution he Confederate States it the President shall receive a fixed oompen- |, Belther more nor less? A fig for it! Mr. Semmes rered ‘constitution eo Bow settles them with way to ! i + H 3 r ( i it Sen- tes that Our unconstitutional currency is not par that the President may hereafter be paid for his fends; ‘valuable service in par fi }, and ttien the articias received s lew, articles siways equivalent fudds, vball be accounted for in the same manner, persons vow receiving unconstitution rrency take note of this, And in tho meantime when the aster General has flied the Presidential grates and the President: icks with forage; when he Quart jater General bas suvpiied the Presidential b all commissary stores, and double in quan- Uty the allowance of a general in command of an army, ‘us hope that those two officers will send tho re- r, if there be any, to tho tronches of Richmond, Fitz Lee's cavalry, It is true that even six borses @re pot equal for an afternoon ride without fail aliow- ‘ence of o7ts; but six thousand wili go all the-detter in a @harge, if thoy gota little bay and an ear of Indian Corn. The Confoderacy Under a Cloud. I ghee the Richmond Enquirer, Dec 24. ‘There is no denying the fact that for @ time ‘he affairs @f the confederacy are wnder a cioud. Tho march of Sh through the heart of Georgia bas been accomp!:aht be has been allowed to establish bis commun cations: Jong an expedition. Savannah ence captured, ho will cndeavor mot only to mate the ealuable Line of the Savannah river veeful for sirateqival it we do not by times impede the will also march at once upon Bramch+ of 0 Tennessee his been peremptoriiy checked, and bie army loat the compactness, the eificiency and tho spirit which had signalized it after a few months’ services un- Ger Joboston, [ike the march of Bragg into Kentucky, ‘whion ended with tho battle of Murfreesboro, won by the men and lat bea the commanders, the move into Tennce- been brilliant, ‘Was it was useless ; and the aifair of Nashville scoms to Bave been the battio of Winchester over in, Amiser- @dte brigade of Yankee cavalry turns the fisnk of our ar- our intrenchmente aro abandoned and the ermy There ie reason to believe that Forrest imilar diversion in Kentucky, and ‘of the most efficient part of his forces that had been sent Kast Tennessee and West Virgioia detached on ersion? Breckinridge—whom the Yankees bad men, at Sparta, in Tennessee, an was soaitered from the banks of the i waters of the James—was far of in Of the Yankees, which cost us our more, has the appoarance of a ij tu i i ff e35e it i Bocas © be, meet ee rads aa Of the toube srek puree SUB Je, tae war: bis meal othe fe the ‘Austria’s nobie ar Sr Liedeo"and rewurved to tenes. ‘The eset won; thas i £ - i a § i as gS &3 : HA F Hl i H if ii £8 i i : he iy o8 i #4 ee323 Hi i men of true nobility and lofty purity; we amply sufficient to act on the defepsive, aud, if need be, ave we not for the offensive also a reserve of two hun- dred thousand able and devoted men, read: bauner whene' be beyond our own expectations, and evem the ons ravaged by friend and foe, year year, thi pour ferth bountiful supplies for eoldier io and bis beloved ones at bomo, But, above all, we bave to trust in Him in whose hand lies the ate of map, and who alone can give us victory and Uberty. The fate of our enemy in every pitebed battle that we have fought bas taught as that the battle ts not always to stro and we ought to remember that mot the wisdom of all our councils nor the valor of all our brave men oan a1 us anything without assistance from on high. For this we have ever, If ever cause was righteous, so is ou! was savage, rothieas and deserving p it, Bo is ours; if ever war was forced upon a nation and carried on for b and holy purposes, so is ours, There ts no Fenson then to despair of final success, no ground for falnt-heartedness when the sun is clouded over fora few moments. We bave but to nold outa little longer, te make a few more sacrifices, and, above all, to be strong ia faith to ourselves, our cause and our God, and victory and peace wil! surely be oars. The Georgia Exempts. LETTER FROM GOVERNOR BROWN, OF GBORGIA. Executive Dsraurwent, Macon, Ga., Dec. 9, 1864. Hon. Watres R. Starzes, of Virginia:— Sin—Io what purports to be a published synopsis of a recent discussion in the House of Representatives, in Congress, you are reported to have stated thas the num. ber of persons exempt conscription by me in this ‘State, including the militia in State service, amounts to abvut fifteen thousand men. produced a very paragement, ‘he past summer and falla larger portion of her white male population than any other State in the confederacy, I take i to publish this note addressed to you, tocorrect an error into which you have fallen. the fifteen thousand men to whom you refer, all but or @bout fourteen hundred and fifty are the militia who ee oe ees renee ence of the State goverament, A large —— of them are over fifty years of age, and would not, i€ put out of office, be subject to Confederate conscription. The militia organized, and in service, are composed Partly of county officers under fifty years of age, partly Of Confederate bonded exempts, and partly of men de- tailed by the Confederate government as agri. eulturalists, &c., who are held by the Supreme Court of this State to be subject to militia duty, and bave been ed by tive service as part of the militia. Much the howe’ 18 composed of- boys men between rt seced the old ener re 7 her rights and maintain ber sovereiguty, avd she will, ia pds allianes, neither permit the “entire machinery of ber State government to be stopped,” her “courts of Justice to be closed,”’ the + mag! —— »’ nor hor ‘State lines to be obliterated.”* early dry Tegiments of her soos have — under arms in Virgioia, and those of them who vive are now defending the capital of that glorious old com. monweelth while a powertul army marches through their own beloved State; ocoupies and desecrates their own capital; barns thelr cities and villages, destroys bun- dreds of miles of the ratiroads of their State, and plun- ders them of their property, leaving thelr wives aud children without bread. me of Coorg may be permivied to return od. sirite may be permi arn @ biow fp Bo aelouce: Tt denied, avd she ts left ithout an infantry force, while ber capital is the hesd- General Sherman, to confront his powerful eserves in the State, and eserves, amounting ia the je 0 @ lew thousacd men, inany of them witb physical strength to endure the hardships of the camp. Not a thousand men of ali ber large number Of splond'd regiments and battaliovs of veteran iofautry, in Confederate service, were left upon her soli, or per mitted, prior to the oceapancy of her capital by the eoemy, to return to ber when her territory was being overrun, her cities, towns, villages and private dwell fogs sacked and burned. With these facts before you, I leave it to your own men of candor, which yur char- tative, authorizes mo to od remarks do justice gall — = made t experiecce, turn Jover to Confederate control her State oiticers, and ber old men and boys, to be takea from her mits; which would leave her perfectly powerless even to ward off the blows from vital ports, should the artaies of the onomy again pass over her territory. Had tho sone of Georgia been permitied to return to the soli of Georgia, as asked by her Executive a time since, the army of General Sherman would have passod over it nor desecrated her capital. rospect(ully, &c. Very JOSEPH E. BROWN, OUR RAIDERS REPORTRD DEFEATED AND RETREATING. {From the Richmond Enquirer, Deo, 23.) Although there is stil! no official news of importance from Southwestern Virgiaia, enough ts known to warrant the belief that the euemy has been punished severely by Witcher aod Breckiuridge in several conijicts, and that he is now making with ail spe0d back towards Toaonessee. Among Other injuries inflicted by the enemy during the raid was the destruction of the ollices of the Abingdon Virgiman and the Bristol Register. FIGHTING NEAR MARION, VIRGINTA. (From the Lynchburg Republican, Deo. a ba eral le at levgth dofinite inteiiigeuce from ¢ Breckinridge na late as Tuesday evening, in the following dovpaich, kindiypiaced at our disposal by the geatle- man to whom it was addrossed. the despatch is from an officer Position to obtaia correct information Dsus, 20, 1966. A. donpaich from General Breck nriige to-day, dated a | Mount Airy, sixieen wtes west of Wytiorile, saya be hia fought the e1 ny for two daya success uily. near Marion, ‘Tne enemy bad retired from his front, but whether they wore retreating to Kast Tennessee or not he bad not ascer- tained, Since this despatch nothing authentic has been ro ceived, though passengers by tho Wosatern care last ofght brivg reports that it was reported at Dubiio yestorday morning that General Mary had overtaken tbe enemy & short distance beyond Marion, and a fight was Eero, yosterday. We think the report bighly pro- vie, though we bave nothing by telegraph to con- firm it. We have yet beard nothing reliable concerning the salt works, but it is generally believed thoy are safe thus far, It 18 proper to say that Dublio, who ts ia a The Trans-Mie pot Department. PRIOR REORGANIZING M18 ARMY—IT 18 PRONOUNCED THR LARGEST COXPS IN THR RERRL ARMY, ‘From the Richmond lispatch, Dee. 23.) A ey joman, direct from the i'rans. Missiselppi Depart. ment, briugs information that General Price bas or- 20d the a Drought out of Missouri by bim into w brigades. General Joe Kelly and General Jota ir., bave each @ division, General Jeff. mands Kelly’s bri Colonel Jobo T, recruited a regimeat thousand eight trong, On the 18th of November General Price was iesuing rations to thirty-three thousand men. Hin expedition into Minsouri was as completely successful as bis orders pormitted it to be, He has now the erat is @ Mie. corps in the army, and every mas Sourian, General Pagan, wht, be deveched | ~~] eaptured Fayetteville, with i men, on the 4th of November. General bt = protium jou Various sensational rumors 4a 10 tbe situation arow Mobile were current in jesterda: an yet, uniess it wae landed party io Southern M had not reached the Mobile and Ohio Raliroad om the 10th, as the despatch from Btenatodia sbows. The limes were undisturbed on that day, They did pad leave Amquate, Perry oounty, Miss, W YORK H NEW YORK, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1964. Hise Hie i i i POLLARD, ALA., OCCUPIED BY OUR ‘The (« oot burn! men retired ia the direction were pursued thirty miles, losing a portion of |, baggage and supplies, and leaving many dead negro troops on the road. Our force, commanded by General Liddell, acted with @. T. BEAUREGARD, General, 1s an important station atthe junction of the “Mobile and Great Northern’? and ‘Alabama and Fio- vida” railroads. It is seventy miles north of Mobile, 2, Ben 3t) our Indian troops in re clothed ment, fully and iain the vicinity of Fort Smith, ing Yankee wagon trains. they The Rebel Ind Genera! the Trans. Mississippi armed ajl bis men, and attacking and Escaped OMlcers mseoutaxte by the Y [From tbe Ri Dispatch, Dec, 23. Twenty odd Yankees, ‘captured by some Colonel Smoky Mountain, were brought her this week, Among them are two majors, six captains and twelve lieutenants. They eseaped from the guard at Columbia, 8 C., and were making their the fede- ral lines, when Thomag’ “ingins” gobbled, em up.— Asheville (N. C.) News The Rebel Ge: [From the Richmond Whig, Deo. 24.) ‘The Charlottesville Chronicle says the country will be pritited to learn that the gallant Geveral Fitzhugh Lee recovered from bis wound received at Winchester on she 101n of Aree and bas again gone to resume bis oommand, bas been in Charlottesville a day or so, and lett yesterday, He will be welcomed by his old comrades, who, we tr will mot again be deprived of bis valuable services, Among the ‘‘cavallers” of the South, few have acted a more conspicuous part than this istinguishod officer, Fits Lee Again in jadd Conduct of Hood’ im Columbia, T (From the Richmond Whig, Deo. 24.) A dent of the Montgomery 2, writing from Columbia, Tenncsece, describes the evacuation of the by the Yankees and the entry of the Confed -—“some of the boys plundered confeet! me with nicknecke, Some wi everything was plundered. for spoile was at its height, General Forrest, with tho good taste charcteristic of both of rode along the pavement weighted to the gunwales with protty girls and Plundered the homey from bundreds of willing lips. To gee them running to the streets, raising their little hands in joy, and orying; ‘Lor! yonder’s Gen’) For- yonder's’ G Forrest? howd’y, Gen’) Forrest!’ ilar exclamations, and thea turning faces aod pouting the'r pretty mouths with the ports of Savannah and Tederal captives, and received in exchange so far about ‘three thousand. The nine thonsand due us will be de- Avered pear Richmond, so that we sball soon have the eye of welcoming Rome a lafge sumber of our sol- iors Bow in captivity. Great Stampede of Regrees from Riche WOW THEY FIOH? YOR THEIR weacvwna, Tera, Peotinel, 33.) } ameng wreres any nave run ho the Teskees vives tant , in mont ences carrying their trunks and bowsebold On Wedaes- Gay night seven negroes Delongin Hicklar, living jast beyond Uni ut, 6 off, carry! an xnate fureleare. ete cause of ihe “sampade re report ty abroad that male pegrees ‘are to be put into the army. TERRIBLE RAILROAD CASUALTY. the Late Disaster on the Ratiroaa— ‘ars—Heart- Deo. 24.) terse tes a ves, Deen seriously, if not fatally, in- have aiready learued, the accident hap- ‘mail train om the Cleveland and Pittabarg readers to the road, which left thie city at = e passed safely over, but the ack the bridge, entirely demolishing it, the second and third coaches into the e second breaking to two and failing ov the }, where it was entirely destroyed failing on the oust side, where it ravii ‘wost side of the brid; hy fire; and the thir now lies, pretty badly smashed up. After passing the bridge, tho first passenger coach caught fire from the upsetting of the stoves, und ay Bes ae 8 consumed. cr jeyped into the forw: 'd passe happened, Had be remsined in the second car a moment longer the painful duty ef chronicling his death might been ours. bas amber «f soldiers on the train, several of whom, we understand, received slight contusions aud goratches. It was reported that thes - Jand with fixed bayonets. If this be phan J io the world that no greater number we! jared. AB goon ag they could extricate themselves from the wreck those of the parsengérs who were uninjured immodiately set to werk removing the d and those who were wound-d and anabie to free themecives from the mass of sents, cushions, broken windows, burning coals, &c., under whieh they were buried, Among the first taken out was Oliver A. Perry, of this city, who had with bim his gun valuable dog, beiag on a bunting excursion—a past which he dearly loved. It is said he would go, in cold, bleak winter, and stay several days in the wo With po shelter but « but made of containing teen dollars medicine, was found, which, it is supposed, belonged to Mr. Perry. Tbe most melancholy and beartrending berervement js that of the little daughter of J. H. Robinson. Her father, mother and self were on the way (rom their Micbigan to make a boliday visit to friends in Pe ‘yaoia, when death, unboralded and unthought of, t rudely tore them from her, and she is leit alone in this wide world, an orphan, Her lamentations were piteous in the extreme. Some of the wounded were taken to houses in the vicinity of the accident; the dead and the greater tion of the injured Temoved to Hudaoa as speedi- 1¥ a8 ponsible, where the killed were washed and laid out, ado by si in an unoccupied hotel; the wounded received every attentiot edical and otherwise, at the hands of the good people of Hudson. Daring the day, yesterday, tho city was wild with ex- citement, and the telegraph offices and depot wore be- Bieged by anxious frienas and persons eager to learn the particule: the sad affair, which bas cast a deep g' over many a household, The news of the calamity spread vbrough the country liko wildfire, and bi flocked to the scene of the accident, Th description. At the first fatimation of the accident wreckinz trains were immediately sent out, which were soon foliowed by containing bri: materiais and the necessary im- of « pew bri The company Intend to have the road ip running to the shortest ible time. In the meanwhile arrangements bave hy ‘fected for the transfer of gers aud bag- ome om one side of the br! to the other, 6 company are not in the to diame for the acc!- dout, as the bridge was nearly new and the road 10 per- fect order, the cause of the accident being clearly the Dreaking of « rail Dy frost, Rojotcing Over the Capture of Sac vaenaeh, Atsany, Deo. 26, 1864. A salute was fired here to-day, im honor of the capture of Savannab, Cusvaranp, Deo. 26, 1864 A salute of one hundred guns was Gred thie afterncoe \n bonor of the orpture of Savannah, bs Enm, Deo. 26, 1964, ‘The city is decorated with finge, the belle are ringing and guns are firing in honor of she capture of Savannah, The Weather at the Kastward. Boston, Deo. 26, 1864, Weather thick and rainy, Thermometer forty degrees. PortLanp, Me., Deo. 26, 1964, Wind south. Thermometer forty deqrees, Extensive Shaw and ptoapect of rain, RICHMOND. Zeeape of a Libby Prisoner from Riehmond. Great Depression im the Rebel Capital. The Enemy Erecting a New Line of Works, Boy Ror. Bee My. William H. Merriam’s Despatches. ‘In From? ov Ricumonn, Deo. 24, 1864 MOCAPED YROM LIBBY PRISON. Bartholomew McFardin, of Company D, First New York cavalry, came into our lines, frou Richmond, at Wileon’s wharf, yesterday morning. He was taken prisoner in the Shenandoah vajiey, near Suicker’s Gap, by Mosby's gang. Just before he left Libby one nuadred prisoners from the Fifth (Warren’s) corps arrived in Richmond, and were at once stripped of all clothing and valuables, | the rebels goieg sofar as to cut the Gogers off such as wore rings. MeFardin himself witnessing thisfoutrage, ag well ap the shooting of a Union prisoner twice through the breast who demurred to parting with bis gold wateb. HOW ms ESCAPE Was BrrecTED, The manner of McFardin’s escape was as fol. lows:—Passing through Gordonsville the rebels stole his Union uniform and clotwed hi ia the dirty clothes of the confederacy. Last Sunday, stepping to the door of the prison in his rebel suit, be emerged—a friend holding the door open. The guard, supposing bim ‘but the door, you to be & genuine rebel, s2id to bim, “si damned fool! don't you see As this een utt ® the door, and dtc passed arout jemainieg in conceal pec ahd ere srs ran ort final! niekon for our lines, guided thre enem, picket by bis friend asd's solored worms ” He represents tha! greatest depression exists !o the rebel capital, and in this respect confirms w! Pe ‘Of deserters continually coming within our STRONG WOUNDED. ‘Lieutenant Colonel Strong, of the Sixteenth New York beavy artillery, was badly wounded in the le't foot yes. terday at Duteh Gap by a rebel shell. He was brought to these headquarters, where Dr. Craven, Medical Direc- tor of the aren , decided tbat amputation would be ankle jecessary iat, which operation was accord. gly periormed yesterday afternoon, Colonel SI who bad served long and faithtully at Dutch ‘ab ut concluded bis military Iabors at that post two or three days more would have found bim s*fe with bie regiment; Dut bis wound will d Weave the service, with which ably connected since early in the war, ‘Delongs tn Sandy Hill, Wash! FRENCH 8U} ‘The Freoch Consul at Ric! yeaterday by flag of trace, accompan! by two French subjects, beg 4 to France in the corvette Adon, which came up tbeJames ip the afternoon to take tl on Doard. The Consul returned to Richmond at seven o'clock this morning, The Adonis to Fortress Monroe this foreneos. mond came within the lines ted In Fromt or Ricnwoxd, Dec, 25, 1864. ° DEATH OF COLONEL RAULATON, OF HBW TORE. Tt cannot be longer doubted that Colonel Raulston, lately commanding the Tweaty-fourth regiment New York cavalry, and for some time past a prisoner of war, died im the Danville prison on the 10th of this month. Some Gays nines the rebel papers alluded to an outbreak of the Prisosers of war confined in that foathsome prison, with the bope of effecting an encape. 1) was averred that Colonel Raulaton was at the head of the ehterpriee, and ‘was mortality sBot In tbe breast, ‘IQR PRICE OF TURKEYS 1” RICHMOND. ‘The country poopte vurroanding Rictmoad were yes- terday selling tarkeys at the clevated Ogure of one bun- dred dollars each, and not very good turkeys even at that, This faet was the source of exceeding great lamen- tation in the starving capital, 4 NEW LINS OF auBrL worms, ‘The revels on Heckman’s front (Weltzel’s),on the north of the James, have just erected a new and important line of coatineous earthworks, running from the redoubt on the James river bank to Fort Gilmer, directly in face of Fort Bursbam—tbe old rebel Fort Harrison captured by General Butler last September. These works were evi- dently constructed with a view ef preventing any sur- aad to render the line of rebel defence complete wees the chain of forts beyond Fort Burnham the old redewbt on the river. MOVEMENTS OF REBEL TROOPS, Additional rebel forces, other thin Hoke’s, left this front yesterday for some other destination. MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN. % *Dr. Jobn J, Craven, United States Volunteers, nas been eesigned to duty here as Medical [rector-in.Chief of this department and army ip the absence of Dr. Charles McCormick, United States Army. Dr. Uraves brings with him great popularit, joyed in amother important sphere of medical ph Mar + boc to great executive aad Professe@vat qual: fications. 109) Rappabannock,end bag just returned as r ie leaving for City Point. It is understood that he destroyed » large number of horses, captured a great many deserters from our army, whom he caught to make their way through the rebel lines, jay with some other property. The only jes On our ride was the death of Captaia Obenteif- fer, of the First New York mounted rifles. GURRILLAS ON JAMES RIVER. Yorterday, as the United States stesm transport Wyo- ming was passing Smithfield, a town nituated on the ieft dank of the James river, she was fired into by revels. Part.os ow th amer who bad field glasses with them distinctly sa: ig on the SmitbOeld shore, sittiog and standing by a Mr. Charles H. Hunnam’s Despatch. Herapquanrene, in Froyt or rsaasee’” } Dee. 24, 1864. PREFRNTATION OF COLORS TO THE SIXTU INDIANA VOLUNTRERS. ‘To day a handsome stand of colors was preseoted to the Sixth regiment Indiana volunteers, from the State in which the regiment was raised, Brigadier General Berry, Adjutant General of the State of Indiava, pre- sented the colors in behalf of ‘State, and addressed the regiment at some length. His remarks excited the enthusiasm of the troops, and were greeted with many hearty cheers. Lieutenant Colonel Hill accepted the colors in bebalf of his regiment, and mad ble response to the remarks of General Berry, TURKEYS FOR CHRISTMAS, Dr. Joho H. Brinton, medical has distributed a number different corps. berries and celery have not been forgotten, There delicacies will enable our bre soldiers to enjoy @ Christmas dinner somewhat similar to that of their (riends at home, orveyor of the army, Turkeys smoogst the The New York Herald Correspondents in the Field. The following extract was written from the Army of the James, by Licuteuant J. S. Hay, Quartermaster, Ninth Maine Volunveers, to the St. Croix Hera’d, pub- lished at Calais, Maine, of which Lietenant Hay is editor and proprietor, Lieut. Hay formerly published bis paper At St, Stephen, New Bruvewick, and alwaye beld Union sentiments, the advocacy of which brought apon him the batred of the British secesh sympathizers, who mobbed his office and burned the building thrice in succession; but, undaunted, he crossed the St. Croix river, estab- lished big paper in Calais, and, while fighting the rebels on the border throug bis paper, is engaged at the front serving bis adopted country in the fletd:—¢ Five Mites rrom Ricnwonp, Oct 26, 1 ‘evious letter wo retired y ight told us thal bing our mea on the Duteb he bospitalities extended to us by our Naw Yous Henan, at whose be juarters at City Point sojourned, we entertain ful feelings. And here, by the way, it may be of our readers to know something of the extent of ‘made by the proprietor of that paper to obtain has a correspoedent with corps in s2erz b=} iz? i Lj i 3 valley, eooupying some PRICE FOUR CENTS. proximity superior Tecilitien for gaining oficial information nt about important movements. ‘arted for the front in an am- Mr. Cadwi of suppiies were moving to were enabled to get some idea of the operations carried on here There employed in irangportation, route where » pontoon bri whose popularity throughout ‘a thoroughly established. All witb him speak in the warmest of thie entire department of bis prompt and gentiemanly deportment. HEWS FROM WASHINGTOR. Wasninaron, Deo. 26, 1864. SALUTE 1# HONOR OP THE CAFTUAR OF SAVANNAB. Thesleeping world of Washington was arotsed at an early bour this morning by the thunders of ope hundred guns, fired by order of the War Department, in honor of the fresh victory of Bherman at Savannab. No bulletin was needed to explain the occasion of the salute. All knew {it was for the capture of the chiof seaport of Georgia. THE FINANCIAL MEASURES BEFORE CONGRESS. The Ways and Means Committee, mont of the members Of which bave remained here during the holiday recess, ‘will resume its labors this week, and prepare the impor- fant financial measures for presentation immediately upon the reassembling of Congress. The committee has @lready placed on record its opposition to auiborizing the | fssue Of apy more gold interest bearing bonds. The Beoretary of tbe ‘Treasury is urgentiy Pressing @& request to be authorized to fesue @ sufficient amount of legal tenders to meet the require- mente of the government, bat this request meets with steady opposition in the committee. It is most probable, fo fact it ie already defaitely understood, that a com- Promise between the views of the committee and the wishes of the wecretary will be effect. ed by Dringing in @ Dill to authorize the issue of four bundred millions in notes bearing ten Der cent interest in currency. This expedient, or some- thing of the kind, ie absolutely necessary, and without delay, to meet the urgont requirements of the govern- ‘ment, and clear off the vast amount, now uesrly two bundred millions, of unpaid requisitions that have acou- mulated in the Treasury Department and await liquida- tion, THE OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS. Business bas been very generally suspended pre to day, and the people generally bave devoted themselves to the celebration of Christmas and Sherman's victory. The departments were closed, and 20 public business transacted. Nothing bas transpired of imterest to the outside world, or to relieve Drevailing duliness ¢on- sequent upom tne holidays. Our Washing! Correspondence. Wasuineron, Dec. 25, 1864. (OMIEP JUSTICE CHASE AND THR PRESIDENCY. ‘Those politicians who counted upon Mr. Chase rétiring from the poiitical arepa on assuming the position avd duties uf the Chief Justice of the highest tribunal are Geatined to oom be relieved of that delusion, Mr. Chase has vo idea of being politically shelved... Bis influence wil) soon be seen in political circles in mare ways than one, Circumatances which bave transpired here within the last few days go to show tbat the Chief Justicesbip feonly a experiment on bis part, and that it is only accepted and bela for the purpose of accomplishing other objects of ambition. How long be may hold that position ana discharge its duties, depends upon future developments. That be does not intend to rely telly epom bie resord to that court to gratify bis feture ambition, ie certeis, Yet, at the sametime, the rapidity with which we are making history, the con- atant ebb and Gow of political affairs, politicians and poll- tos, to suit the changing events of this revoletipnary age, may compel bin to be satisfied with the honors of ‘that position. ‘will not rest there without a strug- gle ia the fold of ‘That be ocotempiates playing @ prominent part and operating with a bold band in the combinations for the next Presidency, is officially aa- nounced by hi—es least it has been so declared by Mr. Chase to his copfidentiel friends, in the assertion which De has. made, “That the position ef Chief Justice was only an experiment with bim, whicD circumstances ina ycar ortwo may cause bim to decline.’ Mr. Chase does not want bis opponents to know that be bas any such inten. tions. The publication of this letter may bring a denial of ‘the facts from nim or bis friends, in order to carry out his design. But such denial will be of no avail, The facts hore stated are official—at least as much eo as they & be without Mr. Chaso's signature being attached to em. LOUISIANA AND THB RECONSTRUCTION POLICY. The question of admitting the members elect from Louisiana and of hewn J &@ recobstruction policy, bi for several days past formed one of the principal featur: of consultation ip official circles. There is every indica. tion that there will be a compromise between the con tending factions of the republican party—a comprom in which one side ylelde @ little, and the other almost everything. It is now understood In oficial circles that a Dill is to be Seon presented satisfactory to both wings of the repubiican party. In what precise way it ts to moke its appearance it ia not clear at the present. The point of the compromise is, that the Sumner, Wade, Stevens and Winter Davis faction to consent mission of the Loutsiana delegation, wh’ and the supporters of bis policy hi on that sub- heir assent and support to the policy of seceeded States as Territories, to be re game way as original territory is admitted into the house- bold of the family of States, Every effort ia made to cover up the steps that have ‘deen taken in reference to this matter; but sufficient fa bave leaked out to show that the above are the cardinal Points of the compromise. What other points are in- volved in this mysterious proceeding and political patcb- work of the republican party remaios for time to develop. This compromise, if such it m: yo called, bas the ap- pearanco of a onevided affair, like the bandle of a jug. A compromise in which the President yields ali Wade and Davis radicals, who w upon him at the commencement of the late ca may yet prove that Old Abe was so anxious for their pport that he promised them to me io consideration of their suppert ia A matter of course Congress will not adopt such a measure without # lively discussion, inasmuch ag thia same Congress endorsed and passed the Wade Davis bill of last year, when the President was opposed to it, there is certainly no reason t. doubt but that this com- promise measure, which embodies esseatially the samo will be pat through now that Mr. Lincoln has ‘over to the radicala, (bjectio re raised to tt by ervative mon of the party on the ground that upon the national statute books a |i Kei emphatically recognizing the rignt o and the declaration that the moment soy any rights in the Union nor at the protection of the government, When this war was commenced it was understood that It was to be prosecu ted to epforce the laws of the goneral govera- ment bad rebelled and refused Now we find in those States which thors to obey Jaws. torritory, obtained js is tho foxat which 10 be Invited to participate in. With such books, Mf the peopie of Georgia were to lay down t liog Jem. Da ir Brown to Inform th government that they were ready to return tothe Union and obey all laws of The United. States, they would be received with the re- sponse, we know of DO State of Georgin; a Stato of that name seceeded from the Union, and cannot now be recog. nized except asa Territory, If the people tahabiting Territory den to form @ conmection with the United Statee, they can do #0 by conforming to the acquirements of the organic acte, the same as al! conquere: itories, What shape this question will take borore is is over, what division it will make 1 the preseot y combina. tions, time alone cao tell, ye poy 4 pa Tonge that ibe prosent Congress only , but ox. tremely impracticable. The support which any propos! Bitton 9 measured by ite imprncticabiiity, The more visiouary {t 1s, the more supporters it bas, CONSTITUTIONAL AMRXDMEBT. canvass for the pastage of the constitutionel amendment is kept up with groat activity. ite now claimed that there are one hundred and eight votes for | with some seventeen more doubtifal. With e full biicana @ still further lease ‘continuing to oppose evegs measure, right or wrong, brought forward by admivistration, and defeat the ot (onal amesdment, sia! if they see any ig the measure in f the Letter List. { ington Star, Dec. 16,) We notice tha Fefused to continue the publ cai eh of the lotter hat adver tisement of the New York city i’oss Office, om the around Of the inadequate rates allowed by Congress for that class of advertising. Im this city, with the enormouely increased rates of Printing office expenditures over any o:her city ip the q@ountry, the price allowed for printing the letier list ia even mor retchediy toadequace than that complained Of by the Hararp in that city. sation for printing the advertiwement was fixed print wages bave advanced in this city more than one hundred per cent, and the ovst now of setting up the ad or figure work, charged by Price and a bait) is ninety cents per thousand ems. price of paper has risen in the same time from eight ac@ 8 balf to twenty-eight cents per pound, and ink and every other article going to the product of a daily paper im nearly the same proportion. The price paid by the department for printing the lie is One cent per namo, and in that way the pay per line is from two to three cents only. Further, we are required to publish at the head of each list nine squares of ex- Plapatory matter, for which no compensation is alowed partment. the prominent space we are thus obliged t@ or sell at this inadequate rate is worth to twenty five cents per line; and to m of loss must be added that (rom the {ois {mportant disappointment of regular customers through beviog their advertiseeuts displaced in consequence of the t= gth to which the letéer list tn this city hes grows oi ke commencement of the war. It is to be hoped that Congress will speedity increase the rate of payment for this work. Otherwise every Bewspaper in the land, whose advertising space is of any value to fh, must perforce follow tha example of the ‘Agnato to throwing up its publication, THOMAS. THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY. Movements of Lyon’s Forces. TBE PURSUIT OF-HOOD CONTINUED Great Flood in the Ten- nessee. HOOD'S PONTOONS SWEPT AWAY. Battle Expected North of the Tennessee, ae. The Louisville Despateh. Lovievitts, Deo 25, 1864. 4m ofeer of the Sixth Kentucky, Watkina’ brigade, reports that six bundredjof Lyen’s cavairy went from Husabdetbtows to Heydensvilic yesterday, and eanece- ading was heard at Muldrah Hill from the direction of Etizabethtown last evening, supposed from @ collision between Generals MoCook’s and Lyon’s forces. Headquarters are advised that the remainder of Lyon’s troops, estimated at two thousand, with but one piece of artillery, left Elizabethtown at two o’cloekx this morning, going Cowards Heydensville, inquiriog on the route she wey to Greensburg. Lagrange’s brigade, of MoCook’s command, was reported closely upoa their rear, Lyon Dimseif was at Hodgesville yesterday. His forces did Bot assail Muidrab Hii! this moroing, according to theie previously asnounced intention. 1 ‘The damage to the railroad is so slight that it will be in runsing order on Wednesday. On Friday night Lyon’s force was reported to have burned express train No. 4, which contained a detach- ‘Meot of two bundred soldiers and three officers en rowle for Nasbvilie to join Thomas’ army. The officers and solders were paroled, the former retaining thelr side- arms. ae., ee The Nashville Despatch. Nasnvitis, Dee, 24, 1864. ‘The river is twonty feet bigh and stationary. It ts reported that Hood cannot cross the Tennessee on account of the stage of the river, which, in macy Places, bas overflowed ite banks. Hood's pontoous are said to bave been swept away ‘ Thomas’ headquarters are still at Columbia, although our advance ts pushing after the Pebel army. A battle this side of the Tonvesseo river is conideatiy Predicted. The care will run to Duck river to day. Tt i# rumored that Hood’s soldiers have abandoned their wagon traijos, WILMINGTON. THE FLEET OFF WILMINGTON. REBEL ACCOUNTS. . Wrumncton, N. 0,, Deo. 21, 1864. The Yankee fleot is still riding at anchor of the bar, With nochange in position, Their Monitors are not yow visible, Tho weather is stormy, and it is exceedingly rough outside, Should the gale cease the enemy cannot land under forty-eight hours. ' Witminotom, Dec. 23, 1864, ‘The federal fleet have been driven of the shore by the storm, the masts of the Wabash and Colorado being only ole, It t# uncertain whether they baye sought a port, or gone South, The wind is bigh and the sea very rough. Wisvaros, Deo, 28, 1864, Twenty-six vessels of tho federal fleet reappeared this morning. There bas been no ether change since last despatch, The wind has subsided, and the sea is becom- ing smooth. \ The Opera. Fra Diavolo was given last wight for tho third time, with the same cast as before, and with considerable im- Provements in many of the-parts yoo \s last presentan tion, Lotti sang and acted with more vigor. Lorini’e voice was restored, rendering ine part of Lorenzo more, acceptable, which, theugh » very small one, ie yet in- dispensable in many of concerted passages, Of Mise Kellog’s Zertina nothing more can be said than that she sets and draws the part well, and that it te excellentiy. adapted ve ber vooal capacity. Her reception last night was genis! aod kind. She was encored Ip two or three, eongs very cordially, The brigads, Dubrusl and Weine Neb, by their admirable acting, gave life to the opera throughout, end quite sustain ite olaim to the title of, comic. To-night Madame Zucch! takes her Benefit. Shq bas judiciously selected Norma for the occasion, & rele fom whieh ede te peeullarty qualified by the fine eonception dramatic art