THE PRESS. PUBLISHED DATLT, (BUNDAYS EXCEPTED,) BY JOHN AY. FORNEY. OFFICE KO. 417 CHESTNUT STREET. THE DAILY PRESS, Twelve Cents Per Week, payable to the Carrier. Mailed to Subscribers out of the City at Six Dollars Ter Annum, Four Dolors for Eight Months, Three Dollars for Six Months—invariably in advance for the time ordered. THE TRI-WEEKLY PRESS, Mailed to Subscribers out of the City at Three Dol lars Per Annum, in advance. DRY-GOODS JOBBERS. 1861. p o 1861. R O E FALL O S I) TT S. RIEDEL, SaißE>. & CO., IMPOBTEBS AM) JOBBERS OF DRY GOODS, HO. 47 NOBTH THIRD SHEET, PHILADELPHIA Prompt-paying merchants are respectfully Invited to examine out large and carefully-se lected stock of desirable goods, which will he sold at prices to snit the times. ae2B-2m 186 L TO CASH BUYERS. m H. C. LAUGHLIN & Co., Mo. 303 MARKET STREET, Are receiving daily, from the PHILADELPHIA and HEW YOBK AUCTIONS, a general assortment of MERCHANDISE, bought for CASH. CASH BUYERS are especially invited to call and ex amine our Stock. ses-tf IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS. JJLTJE CLOTHS, DOESKINS, and BEAVERS. We have just received, PER STEAMER EDINBURGH, A full assortment of SLUE CLOTHS, DOESKINS, and BEAVERS. We shall continue to receive additional supplies by each trrival. Also, A LARGE STOCK OF BLACK DOESKINS, Ac.f Constantly kept on hand. IIDGWAY. HEIJSSNER, & Co., n023-6t No. 206 CHESTNUT STREET. CARPETINGS, J ARGF. CARPET STOCK SELLING OUT AT GREATLY REDUCED RRICES, CLOSE BUSINESS. BAILY & B BOTHER, Na. OQO CHESTNUT Slfetl. sell-tilths 3m CARPETINGS. J. F. & E. B. OENE, 00. 4 TAPESTRY VELVET; FRENCH AUnUSSftN; 1 PINE AXMINSTER; ROYAL WILTON; EXTRA ENGLISH BRUSSELS; HENDERSON * CO.’a VENETIAN; ENGLISH INGRAIN CARPETS i ALL OP NEW CHOICE STYLES. AKI> SAYING BEEN INVOICED BEFORE THE LATH advance IN SHE TAROTi Will be sold at MODERATE PRICES. %u29-Sm MILITARY GOODS. ANDREWS’ ORIGINAL CAMP,OR TRAVELLING BED TRUNK. ( Patent applied for) "For sale by W. A. ANDREWS, HCIS-2m No. 612 CHESTNUT Street. SUPPLIES. 50,000 pairs ARMY DRAWERS. 20,000 GRAY FLANNEL SHIRTS. 10,000 RED 500 dozen FINE TRAVELLING SHIRTS. For sale by BENNETT, RUCH, & CO., MaßUfaetMMß ef Amy OAids, nol3-2m 215 and Qir CHUECH Alley, Plata. Army contractors AND SUTLERS SUPPLIED WITH BRUSHES at the lowest rates. Always on hand, a large stock of CAVALRY BRUSHES, Government standard; wagon brushes, Government standard; And every Description of Brushes required for the Army. gEMBT.E & VAN HORN, ocl6-9m 321 MARKET Street, Philadelphia. WOOLLENS. WELLING, COFFIN, & Co., 116 CHESTNUT STREET* Are prepared to deliver on contract 3-4 and 3-4 Dark and Sky Blue CLOTHS AND KERSEYS. MS-3& JHDIGO BLUE KERSEYS. INDIGO BLUE CLOTHS, every variety of Goods adapted to Military Clothing* for sale at tho lowest prices BEGEffEIfTS EQUIPPED AT BHOBT NOTICE. BENJ. L. BERRY, CLOTH HOUSE, SO SOUTH SECOND STREET. ws-tf FLANNELS. ■“■■WELLING, COFFIN, & CO., 116 CHESTNUT STREET, At. prepared to make contract., for immediate delivery, Of WHITE DOMET FLANNELS, AND ALL WOOL INDIGO BLUE FLANNELS, Bf Government standard. ocd>tf LOOKING GLASSES. JTMMENSE SEDUCTION LOOKING GLASSES. OIL PAINTINGS, ENGRAVINGS, PICTURE AND PHQTC9BAPB FBAUSSr JAMES S. EARLE & SON, 816 CHESTNUT STREET, Announce the reduction of 25 per cent, in the prices of all A*} Manufactured Stock of Looking das sea also, in Engravings, Picture and Photograph Frames, Oil Paint* tugs. The largest and most elegant assortment in the country. A rare opportunity is now offered to make puri •haws In this line For 'tab, at remarkably Low Prices EARLE’S GALLERIES, Jy9-tf 810 CHESTNUT Street. HARDWARE. Hardware. MOORE, HENSZET, A CO. Have now on bud, and are constantly receiving, a large assortment of HARDWABE, CUTLERY, GUNS, Ac., to which they invite the attention of purchasers for Msb or short credit. No. 427 MARKET Street, and ocB-2m No. 416 COMMERCE Street, Fhilada. TbRAIN PIPE.—STEAM-PRESSED A/ STONEWARE DRAIN PIPE. PRICE LIST.” 2-incti bore* per yard**i, 4 » i44i Hunts. 3 « « *♦ . 30 « 4 “ “ « 40 « 6 « » «* 50 «i 6 « « *« 65 *4 r “ “ “ i.mmimmi S& tt .llO « 125 “ 10 «« « “ 150 « 12 ii » « 200 “ A liberal discount allowed to Dealers} aad to those or dering in large anftntitießt JAOTOBY—SEVENTH tod Germantown road. S. A. HARRISON, WlHf Wwctouw 10X0 OHBSIOTX Btroot. 9 <» «• 0 “ “ “ ••• VOL. 5-NO. 99. TOROTHINGHAM & WELLS, 31 SOUTH FRONT AND 35 LETITIA STREET, SHOWN AND BLEACHED SHEETINGS, LOWELL, IPSWICH, HAMPDEN, SHAWLS, BEAVER CLOTHS, TBIOOTS, CASSIMERES, FLANNELS, TWEEDS, BLANKETS, AND ARMY GOODS, FROM THE WASHINGTON (LATH Bat State,) AND OTHER MILLS. ocl-Sm SHIPLEY, HAZARD, & HUTCHINSON, No. 113 CHESTNUT STREET, COMMISSION M BOHANTB roi TBI SALS or PHILADELPHIA-MADE GOODS. flc2B-6m QITY BONNET STORED SEASONABLE PRICES- La&M’ sftd M!SSAS> BAilh4ta, CUUfeL’a Tnrlmna, Cape, Ac., tlie best and most fashionable, and at the low est prices. Bonnets made over, or bleached, and re trimmed j Millinery Goods in quantities to soit. BE4- YEB, FELT and FLUSH Goody for Children. KENNEDY’S FRENCH FLOWERS, FEATHERS, AND GENERAL MILLINERY GOODS. No. 729 CHESTNUT STREET, BELOW EIGHTH. ocS-3m furs. •JpURSI FURS! GEORGE F. WOMRATH, NOS. 415 AND 417 ARCII STREET, HAS NOW OPEN A EULL ASSORTMENT OF LADIES’ FURS, To which the attention of the Public is invited. no22(jal E S’ J. W- PKOCTOR & Co. noI4-lin x • ROBERT SHOEMAKER SHIRTS. FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC WINDOW AND PLATE GLASS. WRITE LEAD AND ZINC PAINTS, PUTTY, Ac, JUST RECEIVED, per “ Annie Kim ball/ 1 from Liverpool) Slander, Weaver, & Man* dor’s preparations: 25 fts Extract Awnitl) in 17b jars. 25 lbs Extract Hyoscryaini, in 1 lb Jars. 50 lbs Extract Belladonna, in 1 lb jars* 100 lbs Extract Taraxaci, in 1 ft jars. 50 fts Yin Bal Colchici, in 1 ft bottles. 100 fts 01. Succini Beet., in Ift bottles. 500 fts Calomel, in 1 ft bottles. li)0 fts Rl Hydrarg., in ilb jars. WETHERILL & BROTHER, mhB 47 and 49 North SECOND Street. CABINET FURNITURE. nABT^FURNITURBISSrS LIARD TABLES. In connection with their extensive Cabinet Bualnees arc oow manufacturing a superior article of BILLIARD TABLES, And have now on hand a full supply, finished with the MOOR* & CAMPION’S IMPROVED CUSHIONS, which are pronounced, bp all who have used them, to be tuperior to all others. For the quality and finish of these Tables the mana fecturers refer to their numerous patrons throughout the Union, who are familiar with the character of their work. an2s-6m JiRESH MINCED MEAT. The subscriber begs leave to inform the pnblic that he is again prepared to offer his justly celebrated NE PLUS ULTRA MINCED MEAT, In large or small quantities. Orders through De spatch Post will be punctually attended to. JOSHUA WIIIGrHT, SPRING GARDEN and FRANKLIN Street), no!3-2m Philadelphia. QOAL OIL I COAL OIL! GEORGE W. WOOTTEN. AGENT FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN OIL COMPANY, MANUFACTURERS OF COAL OIL, AND RE FINERS OF COAL AND CARBON OILS. - WM. F, JOHNSTON, President, GEO. OGDEN, Secretary. Also, Agent for BEERS, JUDSON, & BEERS, Patent Glass Coues for Lamps, and whDlosnlo dealer in Dith. ridge’s Patent Oval (fire-proof) and Eastern Flint-Glass Chimneys, Lamps, Ac. Burners to burn Coal Oil with out Chimneys. Cash buyers or prompt payers are respectfully invited to examine our stock. no2l-lm pORTLAND KEROSENE OIL. We are now prepared to supply this STANDARD ILLUMINATING OIL A? GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. Z. LOCKE & CO., Son Aobhts, 1010 MARKET STREET, •eg-OD rniladelfbl*. COAL-OIL LAMP WITHOUT A CHIMNEY. THITSINS' PATENT OOAL-OIL LAMP bnfflS All kinds of coal oil without the use of a chimney. Burners and Lamps, wholesale and retail, by R. H. WEEKS, General Agent, noS-lm 16 North SECOND street.. fCIRCULAR PRINTING, BEST Vy and Cheapest in the City, at RINGWALT & PWWK’ft 34 South THIBD street- ao2tt COMMISSION HOUSES. OFFER FOR SALB SHIRTINGS, DRILLS, JEANS, SILECLAS, CANTON FLANNELS, FROM THK MASSACHUSETTS, GREAT PALLS LYMAN, DWIGHT, LACONIA, EVERETT, CABOT, CHicor&E, and BARTLET MILLS. LIKEWISE, A FULL ASSORTMENT OF MILLINERY GOODS, SEASONABLE GOODS SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK SALES. LINCOLN, WOOD, & NICHOLS, NO. 725 CHESTNUT STREET. CHOICE FURS, WABKANTED WELL SEASONED AND RELIABLE, "VEBY REASONABLE PRIOES, I-ABI3 c!6Ak AKp FUR EMP6MSM, 70S CHESTNUT STREET. DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. & CO., Northeast Corner FOURTH and RACE Streets, PHILADELPHIA, WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, IMPORTERS AND DEALERS MANUFACTURERS OF AGENTS FOR THE CELEBRATED FRENCH ZINC PAINTS. Dealers and consumers supplied at VERY LOW PRICES FOR CASH. eeSl-tf MOORE & CAMPION, No* 281 Booth SECOND Street, 38 §OUTII SEC Ottoman Reps. Brown Ottoman Ilopa. I‘urplo Modes, &c., Ac. Richest Printed Reps. EYRE & LANDELL. n 023 FOURTH and ARCH Streets. SC All LE T LONG ANI) SHORT SCARFS. Scarlet Scarfs S 2. Scarlet Scarfs $2.50. ; Scarlet Scarfs $3. Scarlet Scarfs S 5 and $B. • n 023 EYRE & LANDELL. ESKIMO CLOTH FOR CLOAKS. J_J • Black Beaver Cloths. Black Ribbed Sealskin. Black Cloth Cloaks. n 023 EYRE A LANDELL. POPULAR SHAWLS— Large and full assortments of tho following Winter Shawls: Long and Square Scotch Blankets. Fine American, of all styles. Dlncß and While Checks and Browns. Children’s Long and Squnre Blankets. Fine Stelias, Scotch borders. Broclie, from low to extra fine. Black Centres Broche Chaine Laine. Light G rny and Dnppled Berlin. Friends’ Shawls, of all kinds. CLOAKING CLOTHS. Water Proofs, Kepellants, Aqua Scutum. Spangled and Frosted Beaverß. Black Beavers aud Tricots. SHARPLESS BROTHERS, SblS CHESTNUT and EIGHTH Sh-eata. Bargains in dress goods. NEW AND CHOICE DRESS GOODS AT EXTRAORDINARY LOW PRICES. Rich Silk Plaid and Printed Reps. Plain Reps and Velours de Epingle. VERY CHEAP BLACK SILKS. Rich Printed Magenta Cloths. Rich Printed Merinoes 87j£c to $1.25. Rich Printed all wool Delaines from 31 to 75c. 3,000 yards Mohair Brocades at 14c, worth 25c. 2,866 ynrds Printed Delaines at l3c, -worth ISc. A choice assortment of Blanket Shawls, NEW STYLES OF WINTER CLOAKS of Beaver, Tricot, and Water-Proof Cloths, Handsome Velvet Vestings and Cassimeres. H. STEEL & SON, noS l?o. 713 Word) TENTH streets «d> eVe tSoates. Gentlemen, take notice.— Will open this morning— A full line of Merino Shirts and Drawers. A nice assortment of Gent’s Mauds. A full line of Cotton and Merino Hose. A nice assortment of heavy Cassimeres. Two lots of fine French Black Cloths. Thirty doz. L. C. Hdkfs, from Auction. Twelve doz. Suspenders from Auction. Strips Oleths f«r Twilled Flannels, White, Red, anl Gray, Gloves in great variety at JOHN H. STOKES, nolB 702 ARCH Street. Will open this day an im tnense stock of all wool De Laines, the balance of a large importation, consisting of 1 lot neat figured dark grounds, at 31 cent 3, usually Bold at 62)£ cents. 1 lot chillis', colors, at 37 cents, nsually at 75 cents. 1 lot, yard wide, Plaids, at cents. COWPERTHWAIT & CO., no9-tf N. W. corner EIGHTH and MARKET. House furnishing d liy GOODS.—SHEPPARD, VAN HARLINGEN, & ARRISON, Importers and Dealers in Linen, and House ForoiehingjDry Goodß, etc. Have now on hand a full assortment of Linen Sheeting, Table Cloths* Napkins* Table* Diaper Towelling, eto., etc., imported under the old tariff, or bonght a great sac rifice. N.B.—Five per cent, allowed on purchases as above, if paid for on delivery. no27tf (CLOAKS! V/ Tlio Largest, Cheapest, and Best-assorted Stock in the city* TVTEW CLOAK STORE! jS\ The most Elegant assortment in the city. The arch-street cloak and MANTILLA STORE. NEW FALL CLOAKS. WATER-PROOF TWEED CLOAKS* BLACK CLOTH CLOAKS. SYEBT NOYELTY AT MODERATE PRICES. JACOB HORSFALL, au3l-6m N. W. cornor TENTH and ARCH Sts LADIES’ BLACK CLOTHS. Men’s heavy Overcoatings. Men’s fine Dress Cloths. COOPER A CONARD, no 7 NINTH and MARKET Streets. T7LANNELS— JD Yard wide, fine white extra at 38 cents. Shaker Flannels, warranted genuine. COOPER & CONARD, no 7 NINTH and MARKET Streets. TTANCI GASSIMERES- Of every grade and style, from 62c to $1.50 per yard. Black Cassimeres, some extra fine lots. COOPER A CONARD, no 7 NINTH and MARKET Streets. Dress goods. Reps, Merinoes, Poplins, Detainee, Ac. Black Poplinß, Merinoes, Delaines, Bombazines, Ac. COOPER A CONARD, no 7 NINTH and MARKET. pLOAKS— \~J Ready made or made to order. FINANCIAL. Rational loan. The undersigned are prepared to deliver the Seven and Three*tenths Treasury Notes upon payment* DBEXEL & CO., Bankorß, Dr. yernon pierpoint, MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, ENGLAND, Author of “Skin Diseases and their Remedies,” anil “Diseases of the Rectum.” Maybe consulted at his Residence, 1012 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PHOAI 10 O’CLOCK A. 31. TILL 8 O’CLOCK P. IL, Oft.BV Dr. PIERPOINT has been especially succssful in his treatment of the following diseases: SKIN DISEASES or Every Nature, NEURALGIA, RHEUMATISM, DYSPEPSIA, and DISEASES of the REG CUM. n025-tf Philosophical instruments, School Apparatus for Class Illustrations, Globes, Drawing Instruments, Ac-, made and for sale by JAMES W. QUEEN A CO., 924 CHESTNUT Street. Priced and Illustrated Catalogues of §5 payees furnished gratis, and sent by mail free, on application. .no2l-lm rPERRAPINS, OYSTERS STEWED J. AND FRIED, AND CHICKEN SALAD—lnvi tatfon Cards and other notices will be distributed in all parte of the city, with punctuality. . The undersigned is at all timeß prepared to present, for the inspection of Ladies and Gentlemen, a list of the things necessary for a large orsmall entertainment, as the case may be, thereby -avoiding all unnecessary profusion and waste; and flatters himself, that by his long expe rience is business, he will be able at all times to give, as heretofore, entire satisfaction to all who favor him with their patronage. HENRY JONES, Caterer, No. 250 South TWELFTH Street, above SPRUCE. ocl-dm ! OSWEGO ' STARCH. ITS ADVANTAGES 1!! It requires only HALF as much as of other Starch! It irons best when w et, and does not stick to the ■ iron l It gives a crißp and gtoßsy finish to the Linen! It I& faiAPfe Aiohoimeal tlmn “ Cheap Starch l” #3“\Be sure it is Kings/ord's you get! | It is for sale by all good retailers. ALLEN & NEEDLES, AOESTS ron TUB siasctagxubbbs, No. 42 South DELAWARE AVENUE n023-12t and 41 South WATER Streat. Lamp shade manufactory OF V. QUARRE, Southeast comer of NINTH and ARCH Streets, Wlttleea]? Establishment. Retail Store, opposite, No. 831 ARCn Street, For convenience of Lady customers, who will find there the moßt suitable article for a Christmas present. n025-tde3l PHEAPSUGARS.— O. DONOGHUE, \J 23 South WATER Street, ib now Belling Steam- Refined Sugars, Syrups, Coffee, and Adamantine Candies at reduced price?, to prompt coph httyenu &Q2Q*?t* HOUGH & CO., No. 25 South TENTH Street, Opposite Franklin Market. No. 29 South NINTH Street, First door above Chestnut. COOPER & CONARD, NINTH and MARKET Streets. 34 South THIRD Street. APPOINTMENT, %\t | jms. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1861. More British I’eelmg, The Edinburgh Review )vas established in 1802, with the avowed purpose of defending the Whig party in England,per fas el n e/as to advocate Whig principles, in fact, whether right or wrong,—to carry out the leading prin ciple, avowed some thirty years later, by Mr. Joseph Hume, that he would vote black to be white, and white to he black, if lie thought that his doing so would keep the Whigs in, and the Tories mil of, office. What the Edin burgh Review was at first, it has continued until now —minus the talent which originally made its reputation, when such men as Francis Jef frey, Ilenry Brougham, Francis Horner, and Sydney Smith were its directing spirits. It sank low indeed when it fell into and under the editorship of Sir George Cornwall Lewis, the heaviest philosopher and historian living, who now is War Secretary in that curious body, tho Palmerston Ministry. Of course, Sir George still writing for the Review, he fre quently uses it as a medium of conveying to the world the ruling ideas which take the place of principles in his own mind andemocrat says: Considerable ap prehension is observed to exist in the minds of the people that the gunboats, not quite finished, will not be able to get out of the Mississippi river, unless they nre sent away within a very few days. The latest reports from 'Mat island represent the Stage of water at five and a half feet, and some of the boats are said to draw five feet. A few days of dry, cold weather will lower the river at least a foot, in which case our war vessels would be in pretty much the same condition of the Cincinnati gunboats, that, by reason of low water, were caught in a tight place at Louisville. These contingencies, the people may rest as sured, have all been duly considered by the hont bullders and the naval commanders. Their means of information are superior to those of the commu nity, and it may safely be supposed that they are acting with a full knowledge of everything that Bi&y kiftdSV promote thfe success of the great naval expedition of the West. If the water is fail ing too fast, the boats will he hurried out and com pleted at Cairo. If they are not able to carry off their guns, lighter draught vessels wiU bo employed to transport them, THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. The Fiendish Spirit of the Rebels. jFrom the Eaglo J The subjoined intercepted letter from James Blackburn to his wife has been sent to us by (Jen. Nelson with a request that it shall be published. In complying with the request w? PKJIt portions of the letter which are strictly of a private nature, and publish only such parts as exhibit a fiendish hatred towards men in Kentucky who have only offended in remaining loyal to their country and State. James Blackburn was a schoolmate of tho editor, and our personal relations were friendly. He is a son of Edward Blackburn, of Woodford county, and a brother-in-law of Thompson Flour noy, of Arkansas, in which State he has himself re sided for several years. Wo have no doubt that the devilish and murderous spirit exhibited by the latter are shared by most of the renegades who have lifted their traitor bands against their native State, and all hesitating Union men may see from it what they have to expect if they shall ever be placed at the mercy of such men os our quondam acquaintance: Abingdon, Va., Oct. 2,1861. My Dear Wipe : I have left you and our chil dren in the land of the despot, but God grant that I hi ay soon be able to make the Union men of Ken tucky feel the edge of my knife. From this day I hold every Union traitor as my enemy and from him I scorn to receive quarter, and to him I will never grant my soul in death, for they are cowards aiid villaitts mdugh. Bfothw lUmv aud I Arrived here without hindrance. I have had chills all the way, but I hope to live to kill forty Yankees for every chill that I ever had. I learn that Hardee is still in the Arkansas lines inactive, and if this prpY??to be true, I „0I tender J»y rSSlgSfltfoS »ttff go immediately to Kentucky. I hope I will do my duty as a rebel and a freeman. Since I have the Union men of Kentucky I intend to begin the work of murder in earnest, and if ever I spare one of them may hell be my portion I want to see I'hioh bleed flow deep OhOUgli for My horse to swim in. Your husband, James Blackburn. A Secessionist Killed. John Millikcn, who was formerly the postmaster at Paducah, has Met a deserved fate. Since Seces sion was first planned in Kentucky, he has been among the foremost in the rebellion, and when the Federal troops were about to occupy his town he left for Mayfield, and has since then been unscru pulous and unsparing in bis persecution of every one who was loyal to his country. On Tuesday of last week he entered a house, where he found two Union men, and commenced in the most vitupera tive language to threaten them, and, having lashed himself fjato fary, be finally struck one vf them. As quick as the thunder follows the lightning's Hash, the report of a musket was heard, and the ruffian received its entire contents, killing him in stantly. This terrible retribution will, it is hoped, hay§ the effect to deter others from the commission of similar outrages. While the Union men in that vicinity are disposed to be peaceable, the Seces sionists are violent, turbulent, and aggressive. Our friends are extremely anxious to reach Paducah, that they may join Col. Williams 5 regiment, but the rebels will not permit them to leave their homes, and they subject them to all kinds of indig nities. MISCELLANEOUS WAR NEWS. From Fortress Monroe. Baltiuobe, Nov. 27.—The Old Point boat has prriyeff, b\it brings no news of importance. Ths passongors report that a Sag of truce went up to Norfolk yesterday, but brought nothing whatever in relation to tho fight at Fort Pickens. This is considered ft geed sign, indicating a victory of the United States forces. The United States transport Constitution ar rived yesterday with troops, destined to take part in general Butler’s expedition against some South ern port as yet unknown. Successful Reconnoissance to Drawes ville. Washington, Nov. 27 The following despatch was received to-day from Gcnoral McCall, dated Camp Pieipont: “ Colonel G. D. Bayard, with seven hundred men of the First Cavalry, Pennsylvania Reserve, marched lost night at nine o'clock, with orders to proceed to Draincsville, and capture a party of the enemy’s pickets understood to be there. He has i'ust returned, at noon to-day, with seven prisoners, laving killed two and wounded one of the enemy. “Two of the prisoners arc cavalry, with their horses, arms, and equipments. The remainder aro footmen. “ Colonel Bayard bad his horse killed, and is slightly wounded. And lam sorry to report that Surgeon Alexander and one of our men are tyflUflff?ff, The prisoners will be forthwith sent toWoehing ton." The Lower Potomac, Washikgtoh, N«y. 37. —The rebel blockade of tho Potomac does not seem to hare been rigorously enforced this week, as various vessels havo arrived here with cargoes of coal, wood, and other domestic supplies. There is no news from below this morning. The Wyandani is taking in stores for the flotilla, and the JMount Washington will go down to-day. The Notional Intelligencer of this morning says > “ During the last few days quite a number of livct craft have palely passed the batteries and at- TWO CENT'S. rived at our wharves, among them some eight of ton laden with fine oysters, of which our citizens and soldiers, will have an abundant supply for Thanksgiving. Considerable quantities of wood, wo are glna to loarn, have also ranched da by the 1 river route, and a large quantity is reported l to be on the way. Several vessels taking advantage of a fine northwest breoze, have left the city for points below Two large schooners arrived ycsfwdav laden with coal, ut wbith we trust we shall jouu have an abundant supply—at least sufficient' to bring down tho price of the article to some reason able standard.” Officers 1 Retried', Wasni NCTON, Nov. 27. —Tn addition to those heretofore announced, the Army Board have re tired the following named officers, in consequence of physical disability. Major Henry B. Judd, Llewelyn Jones, and Christopher S. Lovell. The President has approved the finding Colonel Stephen it. Long has been ordered to as sume the duties at the head of the corps of Topo graphical Engineers. The fifty-eight volunteers from the Maine Volun teer Regiment, now at Tortugas, will be temporari ly detached for duty to companies of regulars. The Banquet to Captain Wilkes. A banquet was given to Captain Wilkes and the officers of the San Jacinto on the evening of the 26th at the Revere House, which was attended by about one hundred and fifty guests. The affair was got up by a committee of gentlemen who were sadly deficient of a knowledge of their duty on such occasions, inasmuch as they did not furnish the slightest accommodation to the press. Among the invited gucsta were the Governor, Chief Justice Bigelow, the Commodore of this station, Mayor Wightman, and a number of dis tinguished citizens and strangers. Hon. T. Wiley Edmunds" presided. After the cloth was removed ho made. a welcome speech to the distinguished guest, which was loudly ap plauded. Captain Wilkes, on rising to respond, was re ceived with tremendous - applause, the company rising and giving him three times three cheers, which were thrice repeated. %■ Captain Wilkes thanked the company for the kind reception they had accorded him, and for their en dorsement, of his acts. He spoke but a few minutes, giving a rapid and compendious account of the cruise of the San Jacinto in pursuit of the priva teer Sumpter after her arrival at the WestJlndies, which was ended by the capture of the rebel emis saries, Slidell and Mason. Captain Wilkes remark ed that he would have suffered the rebel commis sioners to pursue their way if they could have shown a pass from the General Government. The noble sailoris opt much of a speech-maker, but he has an honest, smiling countenance, and won, by his genial and bland manner, upon the ready affection of the company. Governor Andrew, on being introduced, said he rejoiced 16 be present on an oftoasion Uko thU, for the purpose of paying the utmost honor to the illustrious commander who was tho guest of the evening. Enough bad been done during the past two weehs to make the name of Wilkes history. He had performed the tiidSt illUStfi urge him pre maturely on do not understand the difficulties in the way, nor comprehend the terrible risks of ano ther defeat. General McClellan says proudly that he does not moan to give general battle to the enemy until hq considers success to bo reasonably certain. THE WAR PRESS. Tub War Press will be sent to subscribers by mail (per annum in advance) at. Tliroo Copi?a Fivo “ i« ** Ten “ « Clubs will be charged at the same rat/', thus : 20 cepios will cost 524 ; 50 topics will cost #OO ; and 100 conics #l2O. For fl Club of Twenty-one or over, we will send an Extra Copy to the gettcr-up of the Club. Postmasters are reuuested to act aa Agonta for Tjie War Tress. The Stone Fleet—Destruction of Rebel Harbors. We have already given an account of tho Btone fibct which baa been purchased by the Government fortbo obstruction of the Southern harbors. That portibn of the fleet which was purchased in New Bedford te thus described by tho Mercury: “Tile flej!t which sailed from this port on the rnO’nk'g- of fii;* 2!l!h insfim?,- consisted c*f sixteen vosteJs, The crcirs consisted of four tech men oaoh, except tirr South America, which carried sixteen. The cost of these ships to tho'Governmont was about SiO per ton. Borne of them were worth double that rum per tou, andnli would'havo brought more than that if -they had been broken up. Here, at least, tiiu Dmartniniit has got full i/alus for tbs money It Has expended, and in the fitment of the vessels the Government has had the benefit of tbe supervision of somnof our most experienced ship owners. “The destination of. this fleet is a nntfof about which tho public hza the largest liberty to specu late. Whether the 3Vfl thousand tons epstene ar« to be used to increase the 1 base of the Rip Raps, or whether the ancient catapult is to be brought into use, and the stones are to be projeeted, or whether they are taken South for the arming of the slaves, or whether they are to bo sunk at the entrance of Charleston or Savannah, we aro not informed.' Tho fact, that' at light watermark in each vessel a' hole has been bored, into which' a lead pipe has been inserted, tho ends carefully bailed down-on " either side of the vessel, a plugdrlven in from-the 1 ' outside and another from within, and both secured by a rod passing through them, and Listened within 1 by a nut and screw, fuvors the sinkmg’hypothe9is; • and the additional fact that, at the last moment, an 1 ' old sea-captain suggested putting two 2-ineh augerd v on bonrd each ship, makes it violently probable'' that there Sixteen whalers tiro to ho put to the in. glorious use of stopping rat-holcs. “In due time we shall hear tho result of thi3 * novel expedition. It has been admirably managed in its inceptien, tho ships are in charge of expe rienced navigators familiar with the Southern coast, and the orders of the Department, whatever they are, will be executed to tho letter. IVc have large faith in the enterprise; and as it is an exceedingly pacific mode of carrying-on the war all our citizens 1 will join in wishing it success.” Another stone fleet is fitting out, to COnsist Of twenty-five vessels, which WiU he feudy to sail la a - few days. Of the “ effectiveness” of such a stone blockade there can be no doubt. The main ship-ohanne! ‘ leadiDg to Savannah is but 250 yards across in the narrowest place, and can be perfectly barred b v half a dozen of those vessels. Oli&fleiitSfi- harboi ‘ls ’ ‘ equally eligible to tho same treatment. Once sunk, ‘ these old hulks become points for the accumulation of alluvials, which the rivers bear down, and- of the sands which the tides carry back. There is a ■ natural tendency in such porta to form obstructions, and all wc have to do is, as the physicians say, to - “assistnature.” Becoming thoroughly embedded " in the sand, these accumulations but advance with time, forming unconquerable obstacles to reopening the harbors, and establishing a blCCkftde which tbe highest pressure diplomacy of the world will be ut terly powerless to “ raise.” The Mason-Slidell Case [From tho Moutroal Guzettc,] A telegram from Washington, in other columns, conveys the impression that Lord Lyons will pro bably wait for instructions from home before taking any step in a matter so important as the Mason- Slidcll affair. It is to be expected that the British Will liCt with deliberation. But we doubt if any authentic report of his views has been com municated to the press. The inventive faculty of the Washington correspondents is so great that one can scarcely believe anything they say. Some of them, ftr inetonce, the ether day, represented Lord Lyons to be la a tearing, undiplomatic rage, threatening all kinds of things if the prisoners were not delivered up; also, that other foreign ambassa dors at 'Washington were in a similarly pleasant state of mind, saying what they would do, &0., if the ease were theirs. It is filKMt needless to s&y that this delightful sensation stuff has found plenty of echoes; almost as needless to add that we hare not been able to find room for it. We pointed out yesterday the inconveniences which might arise from such an extension of tha> rule respecting the carriage of despatches and di plomat! ve agents by neutral vessels, if the rule were so enlarged as to cover the capture of Messrs; Mason and Slidell. It would render all the English Hiftil steamns liable tv capture by Confederate ves sels, and to confiscation. Le Cottrrier dts Etats- Unis also points out that the rule, if held good against a neutral vessel proceeding from one noutral port to another, as the Trent was doing, would justify cither belligerent in stationing cruisers in tliA British OlifiiiEkAl—AVcii i& ike Straits of Dover —-and. capturing all the mail steamers bearing American agents of either of the belligerents, and despatches from the continental embassies to that in London. It is filthat tli« rule thus &&t&ud£d w&uld be come simply unbearable to neutrals. It must be as signed some rational limit, and a vessel loaded or cleared from a neutral port for a neutral port, bear ing despatches only tp the neujpgj Pf BPtt" trai ’Governments, ought to be exempt from tho penalties which the Northerners claim they have a right to inflict upon all vessels carrying contraband of war. We apprehend that a Spanish or English vessel, carrying powder, £o. } to Cuba, would net be lawful prize, though the Cuban importer might have really ordered such stores with a view to sup ply one of the belligerents, else the Government of Cuba might be hindered of supplied for its own army. And £0 in respect of arms and stores sent to Ca* nadafrom Great Britain, some of which have un doubtedly been imported for sale to the Northern States, but were not. therefore, lawful prize while on the high seas, and under a neutral flag. The right to search for contraband cf war. is for that evidently shipped to, and intended for one of the belligerents, and for despatches sent from one bel ligerent officer to another. We apprehend that General Scott could not have been lawfully captured on the steamer that took him to England, though iio should have oarried despatches to Air. Adams. If not, then Messrs. Mason and Slidell were net liable to capture on the Trent. Nashville, Tennessee. The New York Tlnie.s gives the following de scription of the proposed new capital of the Rebels; The city of Nashville—to which Jeff now proposes to remove himself, his satellites, liis secretaries, bis bureaus, and bis Congress, and whore ho pro poses to set up a Government, which will probably last for some weeks yet—is the capital of the State of Tennessee, and is situated on the Cumberland river, two hundred miles (following the windings of tbs stream) above its junction with, tho Ohio, The cityads built chiefly.on the-south side of the river, on The slopes and at the foot of a hill rising about two hundred feet above the water. The city has (had) a population of about 30,000. Among the other inducements for establishing the capital here WAS dSUhtISSS thS fast of Its being a great railroad centre, as well as having river navigation generally all the year round. There are five railroads radiating from Nashville—the Tennessee, and Alabama, the Louisville and Nashville, the Edgefield and Ken tucky, the Nashville and Chattanooga, and tha Nashville and North-Western. Steamboats ascend from the mouth of the Cumberland to Nashville, and the river is navigable by stoamboatsof 1,500 tons for fifty miles above, tho city, and .by smaller boat? to the falls, five hundred miles. Unlike Richmond, Nashville is a remarkably healthy city, owiDg in part to the rocky site on which it is built. As Davis has shaken with the ague nearly half the time he has been in Richmond, he will doubtless be glad of the chance to get cured of that miserable disease, by nehenge of elimito ladleeallsa. Nash ville is generally well built, and there aro.numerous imposing public buildings. One of the finest of the former is the new Capitol, situated on an eminence one hundred and seventy-five feet above tho river, usd ewHrueteff inside andoutofabeautiful variety of fossliifcrouslimestone. It is threestwieshigh, In cluding the basement. At each end there is an lonic portico of eight columns, each four feet six inches in diameter, and thirty-threo feet five inches high; and each of the sides hns also a portico of. six columns. A tower rises above tha ooutri of thereof to the height of two hundred and six feet front the ground. It has a quadrangular rusticated base, forty-two feet high, surmounted by a cirouhtr bell thirty, seven leet high, and twenty-six feet eight inches in ffifimeteri With eight fluted Corinthian columns, de signed from the choragic monument of Lysicrates, at Athens. The dimensions of the whole build ing are 138 by 238 feet, and it .cost over a mil lion of dollars. It is approached by four ave nues, which rise from terrace to terrace, by broad marble steps. The edifice is considered tho handsomest State Capitol in the Union. This is the building in which the Secession Congress will hold its sessions. It was held out by the citizens of Nashville as one of the principal inducements to re move the capital to their town. There are many other fine public buildings—a court-house, a peni tentiary, theatre, hospital, university, State bank, etc. At Secession time the periodical press of the city comprised five daily newspapers, eight weeklies, and eight monthly publications. Several of these, papers hare persisted of late ; but in addition to them, the late Louisville Courier (Secession) is . now printed there. The Nashville press hns long been the most respectable in Tennessee—noted for ' moderation end solid sen??. The commerce of Nashville bos,been very large) and was carried on by river, rail, ami turnpike roads. A great part of this is, of course, now de- . stroyed—though the fact that.it. has been inade.a. military asff provision depot has prerontsi ita. falling into as great a dilapidation as some of the . ether cities of the State. The average annual shipments are 30,000 bnles of cotton, 6,000 hogs heads of tobacco, 2,000,000 bushels wheat, 0.000,000 , bushels Indian eorn, 10,000 casks bacon, and 25.000 , hogs. The neighborhood is a famous stock-raising country, and has a high reputation for blood jackasses, mule 3, cattle, sheep, hogs, and cashmere goats. The Southern Methodist Book; (fonccrn, one of tho largest book manufactories in the Unitqai States, here carried on itsoperations Sumo, years, ago they got a, large number of printers, from this, and other Northern cities—moat of wbom.Sopn.gpt rliFgupted nmL returned, nnd the Best,. let\ before- Saaussion.tmipai l’hfl value of taxable property, ia (has been) about 515,000,090, Eqvqu mUes from, the city is the State Lunatic Asylum, where Dsv.is, if he escapes the gallows or thepenitentiary, way yet be .glad, to find a refuge under the plea that So eoistcn.wna.hut a frolic of insoity. "TWQlia,miles csst from the city, is tho “ JAirmitnge,” the ceto irateil residence of Andrew Jacksoq, which, will constantly remind the Confederate Congress.of the fact that “The Union must and shaft; bo pre serve^,’* A* late letter written, from, there s»y,B; : “-The blight of Secession har. arrested thp,. progress of Nashville. A walk ov.ar the bushjcsi.por : tion of the city, a survey of the austomless.appearanoe of the open and a count.of the closed stores, on the publio fquuriw in Market, Cherry, C(A|