SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1864, ! OTIB SITUATION. That General Schofield' won $ victory -fit Franklin cannot be questioned, though the falling back of our army from Frankliu to Nashville, eighteen miles, may be mis interpreted as a retreat. It is aslced, “if we heat the enemy at Franklin, what need -pf retiring?” But the fact is that.this battle was simply the interruption of our movement towards our base. jWhen Thomas left Pulaski and moved north ward lie could not have intended to stop short* of the fortifications of .Nashville, and though the enemy were defeated at Franklin, it was after the day had gone against us, and was in no respect a decisive battle. The exaggerated accounts of the demoralization of Hood’ s army by this re pulse are not to he believed. The truth of the matter is that Hood caught our. forces nt a disadvantage, attacked with all his -force, drove in a part of our lines, was flanked, and badly beaten with heavy loss, and then our army quietly retired touts chosen position, where it is now concen trated, and ready for Hood at any time or in any'way. All the advantages are on our side, and* the result of the brilliant, -fight at Franklin shows how little chance there is of Hood’s obtaining v any ' suc cess. „It is likely that a great battle will be fought, and we have every reason to hope so. /' ' ..-v. v From two sources we. havC>reports that Gherman, is within forty miles of Savan- nah. : The Richmond papers of the Ist in ■ slant admit that-he has crossed the Oconee, -•and .the JSmminer concedes, that Ire will ■reach the coast. That he is now within miles of it is not improbable. About Hie 20th of November, he was at Mil iedgevillo, distant then about 180 miles , from Savannah, in a bee-line. An average l -rate of march of eight:miles a day would ' ll aye carried him eighty miles .up to the date of these Richmond papers. The likelihood of this success is increased by the move ment of General Foster from Beaufort— evidently intended to be co-operative with ; ■SciEEMAN. In a few days we shall.un doubtedly hear from Sherman himself, and ‘ probably his first despatch will be dated -from Savannah. General Greco’s raid on the Southside \ -railroad wasta decided success. Its chief value was as a reconnoissance, proving that ■f ISE has sent no troops from Richmond. England and Brazil, Mr. ’W- DOugal; Christib, the diplo matist who, as British Minister in. “Brazil, unused so much trouble in Kio Janeiro not .long ago, including a quarrel with General 'Webb k our own Ambassador there, lias . been finally .replaced by the Hon. J. G. Scarlett, 'lately accredited by England to tie King of the Hellenes at Athens.' -It may be remembered that the Emperor of Brazil -was compelled to dismiss . Mr, Christie, and send him back to England. His return to Bio being.impossible, he proposes imaMng an attempt to enter Par- liament at the approaching general elec tion,. Mr._ Scarlett, his successor, is son of the famous English lawyer, Lord Anrs-- gbr, formerly Chief Baron of the Ex chequer in England, and is about sixty . years old. Be has had considerable expe rience in the diplomatic service, in which he has been engaged since 1825, and has , the advantage of considerable personal •hnowlddge of Brazil, having been paid attache at Bio' de Janeiro from 1834 to " 1844, and haying been British Ambassador ■■■; there' from 1856 to 1858, It would appear that England was about resuming friendly .relations with Brazil. The matters in dis . pule between the two empires haying been ■ referred to and examined by the King of the Belgians, he has reported that England was wrong ;in every r particular. > Mr. .Bio, by tendering an apology to the EmperoT Bon-Bedro 11. At this mo i ment, when attempts arc probably being made to involve this- country with Brazil, bit account of the capture of the Florida in the port of .Bahia,.it is important that the British minister at’Bio should be a man •with a clear head, good temper, and Lull r experience. Mr. Scarlett has the reputa ’. lion of possessing these desirable qualifiea . . lions. ’■ , Tbe IDast of Mullers The horrible and disgusting .spectacle of a public execution- again'.took place in. England, oh’ the 14th of last:month,- the .subject being Frakz Muller —the victims -.the good people of London. According to custom, the gallows was surrounded by .thieves and sans culottes, while, amid’ unearthly yells and curses, gouging and robbing went on at its foot. Muller, who had been suffering officious persecution from a number, of confessors, protested his innocence almost, to the very last, when, asif weaned with denial, he' said, “ I have: done it,” 1 a reply of/uncertain meaning, as it was given in ' agitation, the clergy man ■■'■iiot- : ';even attempting to repeat* •the -question, and the prisoner next moment being hurried ; into, execution. "We- have always thought that Muller was.entitled to reprieve, and this seems to ’ be the general opinion of his German countrymen, the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar,'; Baxe-Coburg, and even the King of Prussia: having sent private'telegramsito Windsor Castle, urging his, : respite. But’ the English; public, determined thatlie xyas indeed guilty -or ought to be, have at last extracted some' sort of confession, which, whether pleasant - or not to the German papers, with whom ■the; War of Schleswig-Holstein and SfuLf are intermingled, will d oubtless be satisfactory to the British • niind. We notice that, immediately after the supposed confession of Muller, a dis tinguished phrenologist of London made out a chart of his “ developments" in ac cordance with the facts. > . / The Constitutional Amendment. • -As Union and Liberty are one and inse ■ '•y.aiiWej' so Slavery; and Disunion one and inseparable—this is the conviction to -which the opinion of the Korth has ! flb;ally' ■settled. The tendency of the hour is, it)ievefore,to.banish slavery from discussion "by its eradication from the law, and ; we re-‘ juice in'.the indication that the Democratic (party will take part in the coming Congress to remove its own stumbling-block 1 out of - path of national progress, If the moral Jonn of the question has heretofore word lo them an illegal face, to-day the subject is both' moral and legal. A constitutional ’amendment abolishing slavery will at once dispel the Lears and exalt the hopes of the ■ twbole country. The disposition among the leading journals of the Democratic party to meet the question with candor encourages , expectation that,' since the. election has sealed a pro&ise of support to the vital measures of the Government, the 'example of the Opposition will be faithful and sub ..al.au.tial, Because it the most patri •iOtic, the alfclition of •slavery is the wisest .ef party measures.. Let the. Constitution, •purged of the guilt of misconstruction, now icad as its objects were written; “ To' . effect' is. move perfect Union, establish jus-: ties; injure domestic tsran quality, pro vide for the common defence, promote the general • Welfare, and secure the blessings of liber ty to us and our posterity.’’ Northern Sympathy in Europe is not •now in plight, blit prosperity. M.. Lxu one of the': editors of the Betide- ties jirnm Monties, now'in the Norths says, jspeaking independently ;of the arbitrary ' •soovemmemt of France : “ Ask a hundred' .Efenchdieh if they believe in a restoration’ 'pf the Unionj and one in the number will . [tell /you that he does not-* but ask the. un _ ibciidvers'if* they desire the disruption of •tlie Union, and eT • will 'tell you~ ‘ Ho. ’ ft AiiBMBBRT, Martin, among ntates ■' men and publicists ; and Prevost-Para ®or.. Dor cade, r.ud. Lanprey, the best' French journalists." Professor Goldins Smith gives almost as favorable.a view of British opinion. The O’Donoghue is registered among the most earnest our ' Irish friends. The German press is re ported bodily in favor of the North. - Eu rope has become wiser, or America has more knowledge than! before Both, per haps, are better acquainted. lord Russell on America. Earl Russel!) was installed, on*tbe Llth of November, into the office of Lordßector of the University of Aberdeen. It is merely ah honorary appointment, generally con ferred upon public men who have obtained popularity.. The election is made by the alumni or students of the University, who enter the Scottish colleges unusually early, the fact being that, for the younger stu dents, a Scottish University is very much like one of our own High Schools in essen tial points. The young gentlemen selected Lord Russell to-grace their Alma. Mater with his name during the ensuing # year, and he may be the more proud of the com pliment, perhaps, because lie happens not to be a graduate of any University. It is no great distinction to be Lord. Rector of Aberdeen. On the contrary, the office in Glasgow has been occasionally an object of no small interest and public competition.. Brougham, Jeffrey, Campbell, Macau lay, Peel,” Macintosh, Disraeli, and other eminent men have filled the office, And their inauguration addresses ex hibit eloquence and thought in no ordinary degree. On one occasion, Sir Walter Scott was a candidate, - but the Glasgow students objected to his" Tory polities, and rejected him. The de feat was a severe blow to his sensitive mind, and caused no small sensation, not only in the literary circles of London and Edinburgh, but in those of Paris and other lands, where Scott was. honored as the first living author of the age. Lord Russell has been honored by the scarlet-gowned, lads of Aberdeen Univer sity-'rather for his political than his lite rary reputation; for, though he has writ ten a great deal—plays, poetry, history, biography, essays, even a novel—he has not been a successful man of letters. His installation address, which was elaborate and long, was a political discourse, into which he dragged the inevitable subject of the war now raging in this country. As Foreign Minister of England, his words have weight, and he is -too prudent to utter them without grave consideration before hand. It is well known, because he. rather ostentatiously proclaimed it, that his sym pathies as an individual'are strongly with the South; while the policy of the Cabinet of which he is a leading '‘member is 1 to ob serve neutrality. At Aberdeen lie touched upon one part of our question in language which is worthy of a man who claims to act, in public life, as successor to Charles James Fox, who is entitled to credit, amid a lifetime of political failures, - fqr the legis lative abolition of thef&lave Trade. On this subject, it is satisfactory to find Lord Bussell decisive and plain.- He said: “ Thero is another portion of the globe where wo still have to lament the scenes of bloodshed which : are to he witnessed; where we still have to lament the Woody arbitrament of war has not been brought to a close; and, If there is any bright spot on that, dark scene, it is for the African race. [Applause.] For I cannot but .believe that the eivil war in Ame rica, whichever way it may end—whether the States are again united, or whether there is to be a. final separation—X cannot but believe that out of these events ike African race are to receive their freedom. [Applause.] lam suro I need hot speak to you of abhorrence of slavery, because we must all have that abhorrence as strongly as we have had; but there is one thing which makes it impossible that the master and the slave should ]ever live in harmony to gether. With regard to other kinds of property, to ' which the slave-masters assimilate them—with re gard to horseß, dogs, and other animals—it is the interest of the master to keep them well Jed, happy, and contented, He is quite sure that these animals have no conspiracy against him; but with regard to slaves—to the human slave-master knows that the . Almighty has' planted, a spark of freedom in the breast of every man, and he always suspects,'and always fears, that the.diy may come when the slaves may conspire together ;against hig: Interest and against his person. [Applause ] For this reason, then, among many others, we must all wish that among future benefits that are to be eon klTuVofr-Afrirsaji slavery. Trill reach, its termination.” These sentences are not merely humani tarian—they also are eminently statesman like, for they declare that, happen what may, Africap slavery—the bondage, in this country, of colored persons—must be con sidered as annihilated. Nothing can re store it. The. relations of owner afod-slave have terminated. And, if nothing else, come of the ordeal of blood and fire through which we still are passing, this truth,' decidedly enunciated by the Foreign Minister of England, is a result worth all that has been paid for it. A Difference. The New York News places the follow ing passages side by side to prove an iden tity ;■/- v : >v: TEE TIMES. /- : I THE NEWS. • ■ , There Is a prevalent! Respective prejudices opinion here in the North in Tegarrt to, slavery may that it Is fighting for have precipitated a con slavery. It is erroneous, dition of warfare ; but', as Though a passion for a social question, it is not slavery was the immedl- a legitimate subject for ate occasion of the war, it an appealtoiarms, and it does not now sustain the!is certainly not the point war. ' " V (of antagonism- between ..'.Thereis.'here a seeming agreement, but a real opposition. Without' parting the difference, we think, both: statements are wrong. Diyested of all’its black color, the direct cause .of the war was Secession, the;! supposed right to secede, Union and the right to govern. This, however, was only the skeleton of the trouble, without 'its nerves, feelings, mind,, and soul. Slavery was .the animus and Ann of secession, which was merely an adjunct'and ‘ pretext; without slavery secession was null and valueless. ' That “slavery does not now sustain the war” is liable to misconstruction.. Witness the protest of the'South against emancipation, either by its own; Government or ours; the enlistment of colored troops by the North, and their treatment by the South - eman cipation resisted, by our own pro-slavery men ; and the rebel harvests still furnished by the work of negroes. Freedom and Slavery are still the prime movers of the ‘ war, and neither should bo forgotten for the moment, till the one has sheathed its sword and the other has been buried. . "When Slavery is truly dead, Secession, in'; «its doetrine and with it, and •Union and Liberty surmount the sacrifice. No great war was ever permanently solved by lawyers alone. Morals make popular wars, and-such a war as our own. Free dom must decide the question of Union. The World makes an ingenious but alarming parallel between the Chicago Con tention and mineral magnetism: -" If over a mingled heap of pins and ndedles, a powerful magnet besuspended at a' dlstanoo and several of the steel needles on the very top of the heap he observed to stand partially on end, agitated. hut not lifted, it Is safe to Infer that, were the mag net brought nearer, It would -be an overmateh for gravity,' and that only contaot was needed to lift up the' clinging heap,- with the whole mass (if the - weight were not too heavy) of intermingled and on-- tangled pins. Such a magnet Is the Democratic party 5 the South, the mingled metallic heap; the brass pins, on whlch the magnet will not act, the Secessionists; the' steel-needles, the Southern Unionists, Mr. Stephens lying at the top of the -whole pile.” - This is neat; but not accurate, and we are reminded of -the fabled loadstone rock Which drew mariners to shipwreck. Be sides, the real magnet in the ease was the South (not the Chicago Convention), with Messrs. ‘ Ciay and Sanders at Niagara Falls, and “ j&lr. Stephens lying at the top of the whole pile ; ” v “ WASHINGTON. Washington, Dec. 2,1884. POSTAL FACILITIES. ■ The Post Office Departmenthas been notified that the Erie Railroad Company,have placed two addi tional dally trains upon their road to Cleveland, which reduces the number of ears'on a train, and will enable them to deliver the malls for the West on , the schedule time. Arrangements are being made for certain connections with , the trains west, from Baltimore and Philadelphia, which will save about 12 hours time In the travel to Cincinnati and the West. ■ : ■ f Representatives of the several railrokds between Washington and New York were; yesterday and to day, In consultation with the Postmaster General and Messrs. MoDellan and SmvBLY, [assistant postmaster generals, relative to thlssulSjeet and,the making of two trips each way dally between Wash ington and New York In ten hours, a through clear track for the trains being agreed upon as essential to this Improvement. the sections. the mm SHERMAN ADVANCING ON SAVANNAH HE IS REPORTED TO BE BUT FORTY MILKS AWAY. Admission of the Itoftels that he will Reach the Coast. A CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCE FROM GRANT’S ARMY. The Danville Bailroita Out, and a Station Burned. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF REBEL GOVERNMENT STORES. MANY MEN AND CUNS CAPTURED. GEN. TIIOMAS CONCENTRATED TREES MILES FROM NASHYILLE. THE BOAR OF HEBEI. MUSKETRY HEAISD IN THE CITY'S STREETS. FULL PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN, -THE. REBEL OBNKtIAI PAT. CLEBURNE .KUIED. THEIR GREAT LOSSES AND OU R GAINS CONFIRMED, Thomas’ Position Secure, and his Men Hopefnl. Advices from California, Port Royal, Sow Orleans. GENERAL SHERMAN’S ARMY. REBEL: REPORTS OF SHBRM AN’S . WHEREABOUT 8, 1 Washington, Dee. 2.— lt Is .‘said by those who have seon Richmond papers of .Wednesday that they contain only a repetition of the statement that Sher man was still “floundering in the Interior of Georgia,” and that a detachment of our cavalry sent out in the direction of Beaufort were all either captured, killed, or dispersed. opinions or rkbkl papers—official -desp atch FROM GENERAL GRANT. The following has been received at the War De partment. City Point,,Ya., Deo. 1. Hon. Edwin M. Star Jon, Secretary of War :. : The Richmond Examiner of to-day admits that Sherman will succeed In reaching the sea coast. Other papers admit that he has crossed the Oconee. - XL S.-Grant, Lieutenant G eneral. HIS- ARMY REPORTED WITHIN FORTY MILES OF. savannah. The New York ,papers say that a letter dated Port Royal, South Carolina, November 25, received yesterday by a gentleman In that city from his cor respondent at that place, says: “ There is good news to-day by flag of truce—Sher man within forty miles of Savannah.” Another letter, from the same correspondent, says 'that the citizens of Fort Royal have been dalied to arms and organized into a Home Guard, in conse quence of the departure of a part of our troops from that point to co-oporato with Sherman. A despatch just received from our correspondent in'Washlngton reports that the Rlohmond papers of Wednesday contain no mention of Sherman’s movements. GENERAL SHERMAN HEARING; SAVANNAH. New Yoke, Dec.2—An'Augusta despatch of tie 26th alkyls a Richmond paper received here, says that General Sherman’s army was 45 miles south of Augusta, and so far has been bafllad. [This Indi cates that he was far on his way to Savannah.] COENJEKAI, THOMAS’ ARMY. ITS RETREAT TO NASHVILLE—THE REBELS PRESS ING IT. CLOSELY—SKIRMISHING WITHIN THEBE MILES OX THB CITY. XiOmsYiLLB, Deo, 2.—This morning’s Journal says General Thomas has abandoned his strong po sition at Franklin, and has formed his line of bat tle within throe miles of Nashville. Yesterday the two hostile armies were engaged in skirmishing, and the rattle of musketry could plainly be heard in the streets of Nashville. A battle, terrible in fury, is imminent, but we do not believe General Thomas has any fears of the result. He Is not as weak as he would make the. rebels believe, and can offer battle to better advantage to himself in front of Nashville than at any other point. His left wing rests bn Murfreesboro, and when strength ened.by the forces at Chattanooga, If will be strong enough to close upon Hood’s rear and cut off his retreat. - ■; ~ The rebel general Is pressing blindly forward, and Thomas prepared a trap, the bait of which the foe is too eager to nibble. Each hour the threads of the net are more com pletely woven. We will not tremble Tor tho result, but will feel strong and hopeful for the cause, and •confidently look for victory to perch upon our banners. » Our tioops are here, and General Thomas is an able commander. We predict the rebel arms will meet with a terrible disaster.,-Thomas has altered his plans, and will either capture or destroy the rebel army. DETAILS Or.TEI BATTLE AT ERANKLIN—THIRTY STAND OB COLORS OABTURBD, Nashville, Deo. 2.—1 have received full ac counts of the late battle at Franklin and its. out skirts, which must be chronicled as one of the most brilliant in its general results of tho whole war. For three days sharp skirmishing was kept up during the retirement of our army from Duck river to Franklin, during which time a multiplicity of exploits and successes resulted to the national army. General Cox conducted the rearguard, and on the 28th ult. achieved a splendid victory over the re bels at Spring Hill, while General Wilson’s cavalry gained a series of Important suceasses over For rest’s advance, under Roddy, on the pike between Trevino (?) and Spring Hill. - ; ' . During the afternoon of the 30th uit, the rebel army sorely pressed us, under Hood, who had Cheat ham’s and Stewart’s corps, anil a portion of Dick Taylor’s command, numbering in all over 22,000 men.:'.- ;. -■ '■ Owing to Oox’s gallant check at Spring Hill, a portion of the 4th and- 23d Corps were enabled to gain Franklin early In the day, where they threw up light breastworks, extending from one end to the other of the- curves in the liver, and behind which our entire infantry command took position. At 4 o’clock precisely the entire rebel foroe made a charge, and succeeded in making a temporary break in our centre, commanded by Wagner. With characteristic impetuosity, the soldiers or Chea tham’s corps dashed into the breastworks, co-ope rating with an attacking party on their left,'in an attempt to envelop and - destroy our left. I n tbe hick or time the troops of Wagner were rallied, and, throwing'their whole force upon, the rebels, drove back the storming party In great disorder, capturing ’several hundred prisoners. Four times after the robels charged our works in three lines, and were as Often repulsed with great slaughter. The, rebels numbered nearly four to our one, as nearly half of the 4th and 23d corps were in reserve. Our; breastworks were only knee high. They lost in killed - and wounded three timesas : many as we did, while, the number of tbelr wounded is at least six times more than ours, most of our men being wounded in the head, arms, and breast. The artillery fire of the enemy was made with great pre cision, but their ammunition consisted chiefly of shot and shell, while for two hours immense quantities of moye murderous missiles were hurled with fearful fury into - the rebel lines. AH'-the attempts of the rebels to gain a permanent advantage were frus trated, and at- dark the Federal position was un changed,while the rebels retired under cover of the woods, south of the Columbus Pike. The rebel loss, ' as before “stated, is fully 6,ooo,including over 1,000 prisoners, an unusual number of which were officers- - Our loss reached a total of about l, boo. An artillery duel was kept,up till nearly midnight, when our foroes commenced crossing the Harpeth river, bringing all our trains and paraphernalia over In safety before daylight. - The enemy then re tired to Wilson, four miles from this city, at which point our front lino confronts the enemy, / • The falling back of the army is in accordance to the' programme, and the battlo’• at Franklin, al though one of the . most brilliant form, was an In complete afl'alr, and brought about owing to the ne cessity of checking the rebel advance, and insure the lafe crossing ofyhe river by our troops. XM. Nashville, Dec. 2.— Additional reports received Increase the magnitude of the late victory at Frank lin. 'Thirty stand of colors were captured by the Union forces of Gen. Stanly’s corps; tiie 49th Indi ana captured five; the 88th UUnols three; General Reilly’s old brigade 18, and the 23d Corps captured ■four, . , ; - : ; . Gen. Stanly, commanding the 4th Corps, had a very narrow escape, having had his horse killed under him, and was shot In the right shoulder, the ball traversing the back, and going out the left shoulder. He is in the city, and -though suffering considerably, is still attending to duty, o ls confirmed that Gen. Pat Cleburne, of Ten nersedfis killed. General Kimball, commanding the 2d Division of General Stanly’s corps, in the heat of battle passed a rebel major general, who told hinrhe was mor tally wounded. His men succeeded In carrying off the body. It Is believed that Hood’s main army is threaten lng Murfreesboro, and Forrest’s rebel cavalry Is making a demonstration on our front and right dank Commander Fitch is here with a fleet of Iron clads, and sufficient forces have arrived td insure not only the' safety of Nashville, tint another Union victory In case of a battle under any circumstances. Military men all unite in the opinion that Gene rals Stanly and Schofield- conducted the retirement from Pulaski In the face of the enemy with admira ble skiil, crowning all with the magnificent Union victory at Franklin. - ' . . raSEKAit GRANT’S AItMY. SOLDIERS BADLY WOUNDKD, JOE THE BNTER ... TAIN.MBKT OP FNOLIBH- VISITORS—ARRIVAL OF GOV, BBAPFORD, .Headquarters of. the Army of the Poto mac, Nov. 30. —The utmost quiet prevailed along the lines for several days past until yesterday after noon, when our batteries at Fort Hell opened fire for the entertainment of some English visitors. ‘ The enemy’at first did not reply, but after a short time they opened from several points, and for a ffiort time a perfect shower of shot and. shell fell in and around Fort Hell., ' ! Unfortunately, just at this time some of the troops on duty In the vicinity were being relieved, tnd several-casualties occurred, among which was ■he wounding of Lieutenant Colonel Stafford, of he 80th New: York Volunteers, who, It la said, jannot recover. Towards dark the artillery firing TITE PRESS.—PHrLADELPHIA, SAITJRDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1864. ceased, bat the ptcketibkept tq» their exchanges all night. To-night they are briskly engaged In the same pursuit. Deserters continue to come into oar lines daily, all seeming heartily tired.Of the war, and telling of the discontent and demoralization prevailing In their ranks, and expressing their belief of the speedy, disruption of the Confederacy. Governor Bradford, of Maryland, accompanied by a number of prominent citizens of- that State, arrived here to-day. They come to present fl ags to several of the Maryland regiments in the sth Corps, and the affair will probably take plaoe to-morrow. ; . A CAVALRY RKCONNOISBANOE UNDER: OEM. GREOB —CAPTURE OX A STATION ON THE SOCTHSIDB RAILROAD. ‘ Cl?y Point, Ya., Deo I.—Gon. Gregg’s cavalry was sent south this morning on a raoomiolssanoe, more particularly to discover if the enemy were mo ving troops south. The folio wing despatch is just received'in relation to it: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMACfDeC. 1. ' To Lieut. Gen.yGrakt:: } , I have just heard from Gen. Gregg. jHisdespateh Is dated 3,46 P. M. He reports having'captured Stony Creek Station, which was defended by In-, fantry and cavalry In works with: artillery. He cap tured two pieces of artillery, but had no means of bringing them off, so he spiked them, and destroyed the carriages. He has 190 prisoners, eight wagons; and. thirty mules. He burned the depot with 3,600 sacks of oorn, 500 bales of hay, a train oars, and a large amount of bacon, clothing, ammunition, and other Government stores. He destroyed all the Shops and public buildings. ! The 2d brigade, Colonel Gregg commanding, had the advance, and it is reported as .most gallantly carrying the enemy’s.,position. .General Gregg is now returning to camp, No information could be obtained of the passing of any'troops southward, either cavalry or infantry. The bod of the branch road from Stony creek has been graded, but no nils were laid. At Duval station, south of Honey creek, much property was destroyed, and a large amount of railroad iron found, which was attempted to.be destroyed by Are. : When the staff officer who brought the despatch left, the enomy were showing signs of having con centrated; and were following, but he thinks Gregg wilij.be In camp by midnight. 1 Geo. G. Meade,' Maj. Gen. : -E H. McBRIDB’S COKRESPOITDEH'CB. AOTIVri’V AT TUB FRONT—PBTkKSBtfRG IK COM ; MOTION— GENERAL LEE:BEEN FROM, OUR PICKET ' xine, a Vf;--'' I '...S’.- :: . - : BEFORE PETERSBURG,Pe.O 1, 1864,'. Last night there was unusual activity among the troops along the extreme front positions of the line. It was the last of the month, and has’ beea.ushered out with many a rattling discharge of musketry. The evening was one of unusual beauty—tho tem perature exceedingly bland. Above was the modest moon,.displaying only a silvery crescent and the world of silent stars; below, the wilderness of flash and flame—the hostile sounds of war. Petersburg was thrown into Commotion yesterday. That obstinate place has been noticed so little lately, the denizens thought they were never more to be visited by bursting shells. Everybody had re turned, however, and many boldly declared their intention to remain'thcre till spring. :T0 all such, the first discharges aimed at their devoted town must have been provoking in tho extreme. While visiting the picket line, an officer was ob served passing along tbe rebel 'front. One of our men, who had long been a prisoner In Richmond, declared the soldierly-looking rebel officer was no less a personage than General Lee. lam told he frequently makes long tours along the entire front of his fortifications. He is a wonderful man, and at this time the Atlas of the would-be Confederacy. A genera] change of men on picket has been made on both sides. They know not each other. It will re quire but a short time for. them to get acquainted, when there will be much ißss skooting. The soldiers fifing up their Saps when the' tidings ofthe Florida’s fate reached horo. All the military men sympathized with Collins, and if. possible would have demolished the dilemma, horns and all, by a great fight. Now they think the matter hap pily Settled to their great satisfaction, Scouting particacohEtaiitly perambulate tbe wide extent or country in our rear toward Ream’s Sta tion. No enemy has yet been discerned. ' The ene my keeps close within Ms fortifiea,Tines, seldom . moving out when there Is the least chance of losing ' a man. DEPARTMENT OP THE SOTTJMX. AFFAIRS AT FORT ROYAL—ENROLMENT OF THE ■ CITIZENS—PROBABLE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. New Yojik, Dec. 2.—The steamer Melville, from Port Royal, with dates to the 27th, has arrived. On the 26th, General Foster "issued orders for all ' the citizens to be enrolled and report for duty on the 27th, They were to be formed into companies for home protection. The United States forces were to move immediately, their destination being un known. ■■■■■■ - The Melville also reports 'that, after leaving Port Royal, at abont 6 o’clock P. M,,-heavy and quick firing-was heard, but could not tell the meaning. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. NEWS'FROM NEW ORLEANS—BURNING OF. THE STATE PENITENTIARY AT BATON ROUGE. Caiuo, Dec. I.— The steamor Luminary has ar rived with New Orleans advices to the evening of the 25th ult. . ■ The cast wing of the State Penitentiary at Baton Rouge was burned on the night of the 22d, in eon* sequence of the careiossnoss of contrabands quar tered in the building; 140 mules, 50 horses, and 75 sets of harness, belonging to the Govempiont, were < consumed, which, with the building, involves a loss Of $75,000. ;■ V:';.- ’ Nothing doing In cotton. Sugar 19>jo. for good ; common, 20X@25c. ; old yjellow, clarified, aft. I- . ■IN e;v York, Dec. 2.—The steamer Evening Star ' has arrived, with New Orleans advices of the 26th ult. Afire occurred at Baton Rouge on the'-22d ult., destroying a large building used as a Government stable. Over $70,000 worth of property was de stroyed, consisting of mules, horses, ahd harness. CALIFORNIA., HEAVY RAINS—THE STEAMER ANTELOPE ■ NOT Sad Francisco, Nov. 28.—The rains have abated. Six inches fell, giving tho land a good soaking. Farming and mining opeiations will now be re sumed. The reporter the sinking of the steamer Antelope is incorrect. The mail steamer Sacra mento, from Panama, arrived to-day. Also, ar rived, ships .Atacoma,' from Valparaiso, and Cali fornia, from New York. S'ATAI, NEWS. FURTHER OF STEAMER NORTH STAR. New York, Deo. 2.—Nothing has,yet been heard of the steamer North Star. The Sacramento, with the North Star’s outward-bound passengers, arrived at San Francisco on the 28th ult.j so that If any ac cident has occurred it must have been oh her return ’trip.' '■ , The steamer Chesapeake, from Portland, collided .with a ferry boat this morning. Both were some what damaged. ■ ■■. .:■;■■■ The gunboat Adele has arrived 1 here from Key West for repairs. ■ ". • THE MISSING STEAMER NORTH STAB. New York, Dec. 2.—The report that the steamer North Star, how overdue from Aspinwall, had been spoken by the Matanzas, with her machinery disa bled, was obtained from passengers on the latter ,vessel. Captain - Leisegang, of the' Matanzas, says he saw nothing of the missing-steamer. TElie Antecedents or the Rebel Agent Montgomery. Baltimore, Dec. 2.—The party referred to in the statement of the paroled soldier from Georgia, as connected with the incendiary plot to fire Northern cities, is understood to he one Norris Montgomery, a prominent participator in the se cession movements in this city about the-m3mora blo 19th of April, 1861. At that time he was an offi cer in the Maryland Guard, and left Baltimore du ring the first year of the war to' join the rebel army, ■ ■ •’ A Canard Exposed. New Yobk, Dec. 2. —The .despatch appearing In Boston papers of Wednesday, under a .New York date, stating that Burnside, with 20,000 men, had sailed for the South, was not sent from the agency, of the Associated Press, nor can such a rumor bo traced to any respectable source In this city. Trade ltcgulations with the South. PLAOBB 0>" J’X-KCHASI! -M.D AGENTSaI'I-OINTIID— -. HOW ADD AT WHAT EBIOES POBOHASES SHAU BE MADE— ORDER Op THE PRESIDENT. Washington, Doc. ! 2.— The general regulations for the purchase of products of the Insurrectionary States on Government account have yust been pro mulgated, providing for the appointment of agents, by the Secretary of the Treasury, at the following designated markets Or places of purchase, viz,: New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Norfolk, Beaufort, Port Royal, and Pensacola. Tbe price to he paid for any of the products pur chased shall be. agreed upon between the seller and purchasing agent, but in no owe to exceed the ■market valid in tie olty of New Y,ork according to the latest quotations, which are to be daily for warded to the agents, and to the collector and sur veyor of customs, lees a sum equal‘to the Internal revenue, tax, [the permit fee, and such deductions as will cover transportation, insurance, and other expenses, and to such arrangements for payment as may be prescribed in special Instructions. It is further provided, among other things, that the sales of products: purchased may be made weekly at public auction to the highest bidder, not exceeding in quantity one-fifth or the amount re ceived during the previous week, unless under pe culiar circumstances. Any pereon brihging In pro ducts for sale to the purchasing agent, desiring to repurchase and transport the same to a loyal State, may give notice to atttio time of making sale, when, under certain regulations, the ' accom modation will be granted ; but the products sold shall not bo resold until alter transportation to a loyal State, or to a foreign port, and shall be liable to forfeiture for breach of this regulation. The President, having approved the regulations, has Issued an order upon the subject, Ihwhloh he says all persons, except Such as may be In the civil, military, or naval service of the Government, and having in their possession any products of S tates, declared In insurrection, which the agents are au thorized to purchase, and all persons owning or con trolling such products therein, aro authorized to con vey the products to either of the places which have been or may hereafter be designated as places of purchase; and such products so destined shall not be liable to detention, seizure, or forfeiture while In transition or in store awaiting transporta tion. . ' Any person transporting, or attempting to transport, any merchandise or other articles, ex cept In pursuance of the regulations of theVc cretary of the ' Treasury, or transporting, or at tempting to transport , thorn, or articles contraband of war or forbidden by any order of the . War De partment, will be deemed guilty of a military of fence, and punished accordingly. The' War and Navy Departments have revised General Orders, with a view to carry out'the above trade regula tions. ’ ' Counterfeit Notes in Circulation. Boston, Dee. 2 —The pohee have information that counterfeit Jss bills on the Bank : of< North America wguld be put In circulation to-day. ' NEW YORK CITY. - New York, Deo. 2, 1864. ARRIVED FROM NEW ORLEANS. : The steamer George Washington has arrived with New Orleans dates of the 2Gth ult., but they contain no news. THE STEAMER ARABIA BOLD. IThe steamer Arabia has been sold by the Canard company. , THB EVENING STOCK BOARD. . 10 F. M.—Stocks very dull. Gold 232%, and after the call, 231. . . New York . Central, 119%; Erie, P 3%; Hudson Elver, 1X7% ; Reading, 136%; Michigan Central, 130; Michigan Southern, 69%; Illinois Central, 121%; Cleveland and Pittsburg, 111%; Chicago and Rock Island, 104; Northwestern, 40%; ditto preferred, 75%; Fmt Wayne and Chicago, 104; Ohio end Mississippi certificates, 36%; Cumberland Coal, 46%; Mariposa, 35%, MARINE INTELLIGENCE. Arrived, brig Antelope, Santa, Cruz; brig Ocean Traveller, Manzanilla. ’ EUBOPJE. . ARRIVAL : OF TUB • STEAMSHIP, 11 OSINA”—SEVEN ■■ -Di-VB LATEP. NEWS—EXECUTION OF MULLER— ■ HE MAKES A PULL: CONFESSION, OF THE MUR* . DKE—AKEiyAL OF. THE' I’IBATB “ BEMMBS" AT " JAMAICA—-THB ITALIAN QUESTION. AND -THE CITY OF BOMB. . _ Sandy Hook, Deo. 2—l o’clock P. M.— The royal mail steamship China, from Liverpool on the 19tb, via Queenstown on the 20th November, has passed this point, bound to New York, where sbo will .arrive about 2. o’clock P. jvft;. The steam ship New York arrived at Liverpool on the 17th nit. Tho dates, of the China are seven days litter thou those already reoeivod. The British Admiralty have issued stringent or ders against naval"officers engaged in blockade running. -; .Muller was executed on the 14th, after making a ■confession that he had murdered Mr. Briggs, There had been great excitement in Germany at Muller’s .execution, believing him innocent; but his confes sion ot course had a tranqiiiUzing effect. The ship Great Western is still detained at Liver pool, pending an inquiry into the alleged Federal recruits to bo shipped by. her. The local authorities would not move alone in the matter, and numerous affidavits by alleged reorults have been sent to Lon don lor the consideration of the Home Secretary. A large number of those on board the ship declined to go «bore. It is stated that of four hundred or five hundred passengers on board the ship nearly two hundred were engaged for alleged glass works, and persisted th going. ~ . A severe engagement between .the Italian troops and •' CftzEDßßir’S -H-ATB— Lat^p. at Charles O&kford & Son’s, Continental c?^ ...;•; ; ■■■ • •. ' • - - Eyb, Ear, 'and CATAEBH. rocoesEraih by 3". Isaacs; M. I>., Oculist and Aurlst. sy pj Artificial eyes inserted. No charge for cVat,,!, ! SIJBPEKDKKe, GAUNTI.ETS, GLOVES, Of ta cloth, buck,'ete., constantly on hand at c » ’■ Love’s, northwest corner of 'SS'FlßhardCj,, .'Greets. - _____ - ' d s | Rice Cashmere, Silk, and Satis s The most elegant goods ever Imported f ur men. To he had of C. Henry Love, Chestnut streets. Gknti.kmeb’B Hats—AH the latett s>-, Charles Oakford & Son’s, Continental Hotel ■Hunt's Bloom op Roseb—A charming the" ehebkfdoes not wash off or injure the, Manufactured only by Hunt & Co., 41 gong.,- street, and 133 Sonth Seventh street. Whit* Vibsin "Was of Autiolk;.—T rJ , site cosmetic has no, eqnal for tog, and preserving tho complexion, it if L from pure white wax, hence its extraordhajl,, ties for preserving the efdn, making it so ' ft ! ; smooth, and transparent.' It is most sootMab shaving, cures chapped hands or lips, remits pies, blotches, tan, freckles, or sunburn, i z . parts that pearly tint to the Sice, neck, and much desired by ladles of taste. Price s», cents. Hunt & Co., 13b South Seventh strsg 4T South Eighth street. ’ ■ Pi ATS BE TOItSTTE FBANeAIBIS.—For ;■>, ling the skin, eradicating wrinkles, 3 ®t marks, pimples, to.. i Price *L. Hunt a Co. • Seventh street, and.4l S, Eighth street. ossi Pubohabbbs may rely upon getting the bert: at Charles Oakford & Son’s, Continental Si% An Inobnioub Pocsbt-Book.— The beatp, books are those manufactured by Mmrst sj 5 Hughes, No. 44 Worth Sixth street. of one piece of leather, by folding which dj !p with the ■ necessity of stitching, making a , and durable book. ~- y ■■ nois.,, Xiadibb’ .Eubs—An elegant assortment at £. Oakford & Son’s, Continental Hotel. T.aoieb’ Fuss.— A large assortment oife goods at David H. Soils’, 622 Arch street, jj Geobob Stbck & Co.’s Pianos, and H» Hamlin’s Cabinet Organs, for sale only i;; Gould, Seventh'and Chestnut streets. SPECIAt NOTICES, The Discontented Youth, , BT THE BAKD OP TOWEB SALS, "Telline, ye vexing powers of fata.” He cried, in tones of woe, “ Why many have heenbomso great. , While lam placed so low ? • It mine were rank and lofty birth, I’d prize them more than they Who have them, yet know not the worts Of titles which they sway!” “Cease, boy, ’ 5 bis sire did thus commit ’ ‘‘ To mourn your destined state: Your birth has chanced within a land Where r-my may be great. Here you. need not your boasts maintain On what y our race ha ve d one, For all the glories which you gala Shall by yourself be won. “Natureno meaner gifts reveals. Of body or of mind, In us than in the prince who fee La Contempt for all his kind. The proudest noble that does view Himself m nhxrors tall. Looks not superior to you, In clothes from Tower Ham.!*’ We are selling Heady-made Garments, s,je every.respect, style , Jit, material, and weri-nm to any* made to measure, at Kite 50 per cent.; pricss. We have si fall and complete assortment choicest goods in. the market, purchased for » the lowest prices of the season, and sold for cai therefore at the lowest prices possible. TOWER Hits, No. 518 MARKET Sms it BESSETrs Ghat Haiti Bestored to its Osh Youthbul Color—Baldness Pretexted. BOBS NOT SOIL'HAT, BONNET, OR TAB H! LINEN. It is the only attested, article that will a»li without exception,' restore the hair to its original and beauty, causing it to grow whers it las fila or become thin. It is not a Bye. ■ ‘ London Hair Color Restorer and Drssshi." 1 ‘ London Hair Color Restorer and Brsssiaj." I sin happy to add my testimony to the great ral the’" London Hair Color Restorer,” which res my hair to its original dark color, and the hue ss to be permanent. lam satisfied that the preps is nothing like a dye, hut operates upon the seas It is also a beautiful hair dressing, and promt growth. I purchased the first bottle from Idwi .Garrignes, Brnggist, Tenth and Coates street?, can also testify my hair was very gray whefi menced its use.- Mrs. Miller, No. 730 Nerd: street, Philadelphia. Price; 75 cents per bottle; or six bottles sf. S: Br. SWAOfB & 50! It : No. 330 North SIXFS Gkobgb Steck & Co.’a gg frwrfi pianos, rn ASD MASON * HAMLIN’S . CABINET ORGANS. PIANO 1 Over 500 each of these Sna (Hi FORTES, instruments have been sold ‘OK PIANO by Mr. G., aud the demand u iCiS FORTES. . constantly increasing. josj PIANO Por sale only by ]<“ FORTES.’ J E. GOfJLB, jOfe PIANO SEVENTH and CHBSTNBTSts. iCAa. FORTES. 'J nolS-tf 10® A Cough or Incipient Constwi However Sobelx Developed, Qficklt CtEii. SWAYNB’S COMPOUND SYRUP WILD OS: has proved to be the most efficacious remedy re: vered for all pulmonary complaints, Cough, ness. Asthma, 'Bronchitis, Hemoptysis, Spittmri Short Breath, Croup, Wasting Flesh, Pains asi ness, Weak Breast, all Throat, Breast, ana tns? plaints. Prepared oily hy Br, SWATXS iSO* North SIXTH Street, Philadelphia. A Convention op Tobacco Ccn Segar, Snuff, and. Plug Tobacco Kanufacrareis, hers, Dealers, Tobacco Growers, and all otkersis of having the tax applied solely to the leaf, ? same time exempting the producer, and devoW the purchaser the payment of ihe lax, will he e the city of NEW YORK, at 10 o’clock A X, » MARKET Street, near Sixth. &• Colgate’s Honey Soap. This celebrated TOILET SOAP, in sttchtaW 1 stand, is made from the CHOICEST material!.* Hid EMOLLIENT in its nature, FEAGEAFt^ 8 SD, and EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL in its s® 5 the Skin. For sale by ail Druggist* aEdfi j:! tealers. " te&& Jones, Clothing,. A A corner SEVENTH and Mi* 1 ' JONES,CLOTHING, S.E.cor. SEVENTH sol® JONES,CLOTHING; S.E.cor. SEVENTH ami® JONES,CLOTHING, S.A cor. SEfSNTHsnd# JONES, CLOTHING, 8,8.c0r. SEVENTHS®!® JONES,CLOTHING, S.E.cor. SEVENTH an!® TONES,CLOTHING, S.E.cor. SEVENTHand® IONES,CLOTHING, A Acor. SEVENTHand® IOPIES,CLOTHING, S.E. cor. SEVENTH sad® TONES,CLOTHING, S B. cor. SEVENTH and! JONES,CLOTHING. S.E.cor. SEVENTHaad® JONES,CLOTHING, S.E.cor. SEVENTH and ® JONES, CLOTHING, 6. A cor. SEVENTH am® JONES,CLOTHING, S.E-Cor. SEVENTH and® JONES,CLOTHING, S. A cor. SEVENTH and® JONES,GLOTHING, Si*cor.-SEVENTH a»d® lONES,CLOTHING, S. A cor. SEVENTH and* JONES, CLOTHING, S.E.cor. SEVENTH and* TONES, CLOTHING, S. A cor. SEVENTH sad J; TONES,CLOTHING, A A cor. SEVENTH and® oclfl'ttnih if Hotel Burning in Hew Yost Our. poom is on the seeoad floor: We put our boots outside the We toss aside our outer clothes • And think *we’U have a night's tfP-* We lay our sleepy, weary head Upon the pillow, on the bed; , And, (haying safely locked the ar ' jGet ready for a gloritus snore. But soon a most tremendous eofc* Of shouting men and scmaitn# ** Halloa! good people l don't refc * Pox this hotel’s been set on Truly, ’t would he a diemali 3 *? , To perish in the flames and We tear our hair, and screak And rneh elsewhere to spend t n The scamps sent men with pho To mahe a searehudfassfe* If General Dix doth catch He’ll make a foes and scar® A*“GOOD ADVICE : t>f“ Wear GOOD Clothing. ‘ get it CHEAP. ’ . citf . j . tiSTr Thelargest and best stock mi , (,*«-] . ASS’* “ Large ealee, small P rali j;'„ .. git’ll dy, 1 ’ our motto. * WANaMAKHK s S. A cor. SIXTH and 1 4S~ Great Bargains in Overcoats. Wheeler & Wilson’s ' 1 lOCK-STI5 efl - SEWING MACHINE J . S' I THE CHEAPEST, SIMP I^3 ' r ' ,H Salerooms, TO4 |