The St. Albans liairi—Keleaae
ot'thc KohberM.
MONTREAL, Tuesday, Dec. 13.—The
case of the St. Albans raiders was re
opened to-day before Justice Coursal.
At the commencement of the procee
dings. Mr. Kerr objected that the Court
had no jurisdiction in the case. He de
nied in toto His Honor's right to sit there
at all on this investigation.
Mr. Dcrlin said that after having gran
ted a delay of a month, they had now
met to hear evidence for the defence, not
to liated to a legal argument.
Justice Coursal, said the mutter in ques
tion was most important, sincehis authori
ty had been denied, lie had given the
argument on both sides his most serious
consideration, and had come to the con
clusion that the case came under the Im
perial Act, and that he was bound to obey
the Imporial authority, in a national
question, like the one under considera
tion, the Imperial Act was absolutely su
preme, and must be his guide. < )ur own
provincial act to carry into effect the Ash
burton treaty had not received the spe
cial royal sanction requisite. The case
was a most exceptional one, and being a
treaty matter between the two nations
he could do no other than allow our own
act to give way before that of the Impe
ria legislature. The revised imperial
act must rule horein; aud that, act icqui
red that the warrant under which the pris
oners were arrested should be signed by
the Governor-General. If the court could
have reserved the point for a higher tri
bunal, it would most gladly have done so.
But since the liberty of the subject was
involved, there admitted of no delay ;
and since lie lia 1 not had the warrant ol
the Government, be had come to the
conclusion tl.t the.court posse- e< 1 u.i ju
risdiction in the case, and he must order
the immediate rclea.c of the prisonei
Mr. Dcrlin then arose, and.in a most
impassionel speech, implored His Honor
not to discharge the prisoners upon the
remaining indictments, but, in fairness
and justice, belli to the coun.cd for the
United States and for thoso of the private
prosecutors, the banks, to allow of a hear
ing. lie contended that the prisoners
could be dischar. '. only on th ■ one par
ticular indictment, and the court Owed it
to the counsel to be heard on the othon.
Mr. Johnson, Queen's Counsel, arose
and said, that bo!h those v.ho reprc en
tcd (lie United SiatcH and those who rep
resented the private interests in this affair
had upon them a grave responsibility.—
But he thought Mr. Derlin was mista
ken in the view which he tool: of the
judgment of the court. Theconrt meant
the prisoners were discharged on the one
charge which lmd been inve tinted.
The court hero said Mr. Dcrlin had
understood the judgment right. The
prisoners were discharged iu every case
before him.
Mr. Ross, counsel for the United States
wished to spe.'k. lie said he did not in
tend to call Ilis 11 on or'.--just delivercnce in
question.
He declined to hear further, saying
that if be had no right to arrest those
men on one charge, as lie held that he
had not, then neither had lie a right to
detain them on any other. These men
had been arrested on magistrates' v. \r
rants. upon his own, aud then on moti m
of the police, and now, when His Hon
or's own jurisdiction was called in ques
tion, becacsc his warrmts were null and
void, lie saw that he had been mistaken.
And it was (ho duty of every British
Judge, on finding that, to rectify his er
ror. The court, theresorc, ordered that
the prisoners be immediately discharged,
and was prepared to incur the responsi
bility of its own act.
Tho St. A1 bin (t?9l<ler».
If ever a nation was gathering wrath
against tho day'of wrath, it is Great JJri
tian; and the sentiments of the mass of
her people are reflected with entire faith
fulness by the Canadian "subject of the
Crown." Not content with getting out
pirates and blockade-runners, and with
supplying the rebels with arms and mu
nitions of war, they, by every means in
their power, prevent the execution of the
decrees of justice upon rebel assassins. l
outlaws and pirates. Justice Coursal, of
Canada, in the case of the St. Albans
raiders, gives the latest and foulest illu -
tration ol British insolence, injustice and
lying. Thirteen scoundrels, who were 1
among the party who crossed from Cana
da to Vermont, and robbed and murder
ed unarmed Americans, aud plundered
banks and private dwellings, have been
discharged by the mock judge, Coursal !
Six separate warrants had been served I
upon the prisoners. They were tried j
upon oue only. Scarcely giving decent j
time to protect the dignity of a Court, the j
justice discharged tho entire number,
on all the warrants! He iiad issued i
some of the writs himself, yet forsooth
he thought he had no jurisdiction ! A
manly clear aud eloquent appeal from one
of the counsel prosecuting the prisoners
was treated with contempt, and the exul
tant pirates, greeted with cheers within
and without the dishonored Cout-room,
were liberated, once more to ply their
trade of arsou, robbery aud murder.
Though the presistent bad faith of
British officials might have prepared the
American people for any outrage on jus
tice, right, or national comity, yet this
new insult will stir up iudiguatiuu ten
fold deeper and hotter than any which
has preceded it. It shows the deliberate :
intention of Great Britain to protect reb
el murderers aud pirates, on land and on
sea, and uuder every possible combina
tion of circumstance-. It shows that
their hatred of this Republic deepens
and intensifies the nearer the restoration
of the Union approaches. It shows that
they love slavery and hate free institu
tions. aud that they will postpone the
downfall of slavery until the latest possi
ble moment. Yet there will be a day of
reckoning; a«d when it arrives a long
and bloody account wili be settled be
tween America aud faithless England.—
Phiia. Bulletin.
8&" Two hundred aud fifty women and
children—not a mau among them—refu
gees from Georgia, recently arrived at In
dianapolis, ludiaua. They ere pitiable
objects, and enlist the sympathy of the 1
jund-hearted. ,
Our Relations with Great Britain,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—The discus
sion which sprang up in the House to
day on a resolution from the Committee
ou Foreign Affaire, excited more interest
than any thing thus far this session, and
indeed takes rank among the most inter
esting passages in the history of this
Congress. The following is the full text
of the resolution. It was drawn by Win
ter Davis, and lacked only one vote of
the unanimous approval of the Foreign
Relations Committee:
Resolved , That Congress has a ennsti
tutional right to an authoritive voice in
declaring and prescribing the foreign pol
icy of the United States as well in the
recognition of new powers, as in other
matters, jind it is the constitutional duty
of the President to respect that policy,
not less in diplomatic negotiations theu
in the use of the national force when au
thorized by law, and the propriety of any
declaration ol foreign policy by Congress
is sufficiently proved by the vote which
pronounces it,and such a proposition while
pending and undetermined, is not a fit
topic for diplomatic explanation with any
foreign power. This was of course in
tended as an assertion of the rights of
Congress as against the famous declara
tion by Secretary Seward, in his letter to
the French Minister of Foreign Affairs,
disavowing last winter's house resolution
about the Monroe Doctrine, that such
subjects belonged to the President and
not to Con .res, Mr. Davis in order to
avoid taking up time with the debate,
moved the previous question. This de
feated the resolution. Many had heard
it but impciiectly, and remembered the
Wade L>;i vis manifesto, feared it contain
ed some attack on the President and while
others were opposed on principle to al
lowing anything to pass without debate,
except in case of the most pressing ue
cesity. the resolution was accordingly
tabled I ML \ ote of sixty-nine to sixty
three. "
Winter Davis instantly asked to be cx
| eased from further service as chairman of
the committee, safing. '-That, while he
bowed with equanimity to the will of tho
majority, yet, if the House had no self
respect. be must hiniseef be permitted to
| have some. Chairmen of committees
i were supposed to represent tho general
political policy of a majority of the House
1 and this vote showed that on the whole
! question of the iig4its ( of Congress, on the
i subjects his committee was required to
ci uaider, there was a gulf between him
aud the House which he could never
i This action caused a general flutter.—
! Members began to protest against excu
sing him. Others discussed the merits
) of the resolution just tabled, and the de
i bate took quite an exciting turn.
Howes, of Massachusetts, thought, it a
! good occasion to revenge himscllon Win
ter Davis for a severe castigation he had
; received last winter, and made a sarcas
! tic attack upon him.
i Thad. Stevens attacked the Secretary
; of State, and declared he had scoffed the
I House iu the face, and treated them like
a pack of inLschcvious school boys. Otli
| "is tried to get Winter Davis' resolution
I off the table in •rder tope.-i it,but found
I piirlinicnfr.ry difficulties. Others propo
-ed a resolution somewhat similar, and all
I took occasion to compliment Davis higli-
Finally Davis took the floor, and in a
twenty minutes' .speech, which extolcd
admiration from the whole House as it
clustered about him, and from the crow
ded galleries as they leaned forward to
j Mtell his words, recited the points of the
ease; passed Dowcs by with a single
' i ontemptuous phrase ; thanked the mem
] hers for their generous expression of rc
j gard, and renewed his request to be rc
| iieved from further service.
1 A very large majority voted against re
| leasing him, and so the matter was cn-
I ded for tho present. While it lasted the
! scene was quite exciting.
('flptlircof < 01. !>i<'k Morgan.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Dec. 17—10 p. in.
i —Major Geiural Di.c : —Dispatches have
j been received to-day from General Foster,
I who had a personal interview, on the
i morning of Wednesday, the 14th. with
General Sherman, at Fort Me A lister,
which had been taken by assault on the
proceeding day. Savannah was closely
besiged. and its capture, with the rebel
forces there, was confidently expected.—
It was to be summoned in two days, and
if not surrendered. Sherman would open
his batteries upon it. General Foster re
ports that Sherman's army is in splendid
condition, having lived ou its march on
turkeys, chickens, sweet potatoes aud oth- <
er good things of the richest part of;
0 eorgia.
Nothing has been heard from General '
Thomas to-day. Unofficial dispatches
state that the Provost Marshal at Louis
ville, reports five thousand prisoners and i
thirty-nine pieces of artillery as being al
ready secured. It is ascertained that in
transmitting Gen. Thomas' report last
night a mistake was made at Louisville
or Nashville iu the estimated number of
our casualties. The dispatch written bv
Gen. Thomas stated that his whole loss
would not exceed 3,000, aud that very
few were killed,
A dispatch from Lexington this eveu
ing. states that on the 13th iust.,at Kings
port, Teun., (ion. Burbridge had fought
with liasil Duke's Brigade,formerly Gen.
John Morgan's, and routed it with a loss
to the enemy of one hundred and fifty
killed, wounded and prisoners, and their
train. Dick Morgan, brother of 'ohn,
was captured. Sigued
EDWIN M.STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Heavy Loss to the Hebelw.
WASHINGTON December M- —Admi-
ral Lee reports to the Navy
under the date of December Bth, that
Lieut. Comuiauder Fitcli defeated and
drove the left wing of Hood's army ou the
Cumberland river, on the 4th iust.,(pre
viously reported) with heavy loss to the
rebels, including several of their promi
nent officers. Also captured two trans
ports from, the eueuiy. No casualties are
reported on our side.
Voir Mrs. Choat, the widow of Bufus
Cheat, died iu Hauover, N. 11., a few
days since.
£ltc Cittern.
THOMAS ROBINSON, |
CYRUS E. ANDERSON, j*- Q " ors -
M. W. IPSAS, Publisher.
BUTLER PA.
VCMEfIDAT DEC. 31.1*01.
«#-" Liberty end Union. Mow and Forever, One
and'nieparabte.'I—D. 1 —D. Webster.
ttf European papers bung us the
news that the result of the November
election has gone far to dispel the fond
hopes of rebel sympathisers in that coun
try, in the final success of their cause.—
There is little doubt now but that before
the end of another year we will again be
a united people.
As our hands, as well as ourself,
will wish a few days recreation, there will
be no paper issued next week. The glo
rious war news contained in the present
number is sufficient for a holiday feast.—
By our next issue we expect to record the
fall of Savannah. We wish our kind pa
trogs a pleasant time of it during the
Holidays.
Attention All!
By reference to our local colui|in, it will
be seen that there is going to be a full op
portunity given to all interested, to have
the rolls of their respective district cor
rected, so that 110 future complaints may
be heard. The board desire us to call
special attention to the time fixed for our
county—which is from Tuesday the 3d,
to Friday the Oth of January. Let com
mittees from every township meet with
the board and have the rolls made per
fect.
The Chief* J uwtlee.
It is wonderful to notice with what cor
! responding progress all the various depart
ments of tho government move. When
! noticing the advance of public sentiment
ane years ago. wc often felt sad over the
j thought, that the Supreme Court would
| stand as n barrior to progress, for a long
time to come. How we have been dis
appointed. At the end of the war that
Court will be as sound as the Senate.
Gov. Chase, who was some time since,
appointed Chief Justice, inplace of Judge
Taney dee'd., has already taken the oath
of office. With all due respect for the
i learning and personal good qualities of
i tho deceased, the country will be rcjoi
| ced to know that the seat of him who dc
! elared of one part of the human family,
that u they had no rights that a white man
was bound to respect," is now occupied
by one who, above all other public men
of the present day, has insisted upon the
equality of all men before the civil law.
| Lung may Justice Chase live, toadoru
I the high position to which ho has been
I called—under his rulings the U S. Courts
| will be open to all, even the humblest of
j her citizens.
Glorioti* Xctrs! !
For some week- past the country has
| been full of anxiety, not because there
was any cause for serious apprehension,
but because the different movements then
going on in the various parts of the vast
j field of military operations, were undevcl
! oped. But suspense has at last given
I way to glorious realities. Sherman had
| undertaken an extraordinary movement,
| a march through the very heart of Geor-
I gia. The llebel authorities promised to
bring hiui to grief. What woull be the
i result? Where was he going &c., were
j in the mouths of the loyal millions.—
i Their great anxiety is now over, and Sher
man and his gallant army is in tho rear
of Savannah, if not in it—its doom is sure.
Hood had pressed Thomas back to Nash
ville, aud great anxiety was felt for him
and his army, but there too, things have
changed. In a well ordered engagement
which lasted two days. Hood's army is
badly beaten, loosing about 5000 men,
aud 89 pieces of Artillery. Hen. Can
by with a well ordered corps has cut off
Hood's communication with Mobile, while
Foster has done a similar service at Sa
vannah by cutting the Rail Road between
that place aud Charleston. The same
fate has befallen Brackcnridge in East
Tennessee So that upon a view of the
entire situation glorious victory perches
upon our banners. Thanks to the gal
lant Union armies and their brave com
manders—they will bring as peace by aud
by; let us not, by word .thought or action,
throw a hindrance in their way.
Death of lion. It. It. Heed.
Intelligence was received iu the city
yesterday, stating that Hon. R. R. Reed,
Representative iu the last and elected to
the next Legislature, had died that morn
ing, at his residence, near Washington,
Pa. Deceased formerly represented the
20th District in Congress, and was an up
right, honorable and useful citizen. He
took a large interest in many of the lea
ding philanthropic movements of latter
days, aud by his untiring industry and
perseverance contributed greatly to their
success. In his doath the people of Wasli
sngton county suffer a great loss.— Pitts.
•Com., of Dec. 10.
The above, which we fiud in tjie Com
mercial of Friday, will be read with deep
regret by many iii this community, whose
good fortune it was to be acquainted with
the Dr., and therefore,'to know his many
philanthropic and christian virtues. An
an early, ardent and energetic friend .of
the colonization society, he had no supe
rior. Since the commencement of the
present civil war he has been one of the
mast faithful members of the Christian
Commission. We will never forget the
solemn circumstances surrounding our
last meeting with the Pr.—it was on one
of the most disagreeable mornings in ear
ly 3lay—after the battle of the Wil
derness—with lain Jailing Mid wind
blowing as we seldom saw before; on
that inhospitable region (fold Virginia,
known as Hell Plains, where, under the
interest of the Christian Commission, du
ty had led him, to minister to the wants
of the noble martyrs to Union and I/iW
crly, who had suffered in that great bat
tic—there with the rain pouring™ down
upon his unprotected person, forgetting
his owu comfort and health.
4 Tli* plaintiff v.tfeft alone ho heart,
pcei hut the dying man."
Surely the last end of such an one is
! peace.
I'rcsidcn t in I Election.
Official Vote of Pennsyl w ania.
The following is the official vote by
counties of Pennsylvania, home and sol
dier's votes included, at the Pre iiiential
election, held November 8, lstil ;
Coi NTi«». Lijtcoi.x. McClki.mn
A.!»nn
Allpfcht-nv -Vl'.' 12.414
Aun-ln.ni; 3.241
U-iv.r
1 l>lf-'t !!•**.
i llorku "-• I " WO
I Illilr : V- V - 2.1' Ml
| !1, nlf.'i.l a,iw;
llm-k-. fi .43" 7,5u5
I notlpr 2,11(7
cmlx-in 2.244 8,113#
I :n:. -232
(Hrl.oi, 1.721 2.2'.l
; fviilre.. -.»17
, l„ ,t.r *ll.
Clnrioii.*..*.. . ii^W
nrnHcM I-'"" 1 2 "II
: 111,,...,, I.'-".. a. I a.-,
r.ilunil.i'i I b'-'U 3..\.,7
(Tai.f.rd I 114 »
! r.cnlioi 1i.n.l : WN 4:c->
1«m,h1„...r... M44 4 --'
Itpluwn; <• 3.--.1 I*l
Kin. ■ 3 »s 036
, . . 11,011 5.722
Knvt.Vtp.'.". 3,2*1 4.12.1
I KrruilUii, 3.M12 . 4.521
I l u11..n W" 1
! (Vwn'p 1 5."7"
I lt.-minir.l-n ' ;, -'l 2.477
ln.llm„ 1 4,.u.. 2. ITfi
-1.-II.T~M.
I.I, ' 4:-7. 1.7...1
' | rr MM
I.MU n-nf. 3.40H 1,3M»
I l.rlcinon I 3,75i. 2.77.1
! I
. I.n/rnii- 111.H44
. [.,r.. n „„;- 3,4"! 4.2 7
VrKKin.. 1 J';<.
j M min i,«4a in#
I M- utonr 11 '•' 1.1'.m
i Northampton 0,72i. I
N.irthuml"Mland 2.9K, 3,«JO>
Perry < 2.44*?: *2.440
I Philadelphia 65,701
I Pike : 30Oi 1,180
| !V»tter I "' 4 " OHO
i Pchuylklll ' 7.V.11 9.510
' Pom cruet 2,7 s* 1.719
Pnv.ler 1 J,'«7l». J.3T.S
H nil Ivan ; 309. 070
Hiwmiohimna 2,069
Tioga ' 4,073 1,684
Union I 1,945 1,363
\ 112 nan fro i 3.8411 3.J41
IVarren 2.641 1..*K»6
Washington • <9611 4. •;«.»
NVm i». orel* - nd....V..V...... .""''.'.'.V.V.'.'..' j 4!<"'H ' b.'j; 7
V v..mi tig ! 1.337 14..J
York s,6tihi 8,5*.-0
Total ' 296,389' 27<VM>8
Lin join's majority 2.1,081
Vote of 1V » 47, .4J J
Increaae in four yearn 96,205
The Cmnpaign.
News in the llichniotid papers of the
9th contradicts tin telegrams of yester
day as to the direction and object of Gen.
Warren's movement. It r.ow appears
that his force, instead of turning north
west after crossing Stony Creek, pursued
his way still to the southward and toward
Weldon. aud that Gen. Warren's expedi
tion is really directed against that most
important and hitherto inaccessible front.
He started Tuesday night; marched all
night; was at Proctor's Mills, twenty
miles south of Petersburg, on Wednes
day morning; rested probably during
that day, and is heard of on Thursday
morning at Jarrati's Station, which is on
the Weldon Railroad and thirty-four
miles south of Petersburg. A later but
indefinite dispatch represents him as still
moving toward Weldon, abundantly pro
vided with supplies, and manifestly going
somewhere to stay.
On this evidence, there is no longer
any doubt that (i-en. Warren was bound
to Weldon. lie had a long start of anv
force that could pursue liim, and there is
no reason to suppose he would meet any
opposition on his route. What force
there might beat Weldon we cannot say.
but it is extremely improbable that the
place was garrisoned by troops enough to
ii] pi j-e successfully the streugth of War
ren's command. lie has three divisions
of fan try and one of cavalry, and it is
apparent that this force was so cautiously
aud promptly handled as to steal a march
upon the vigilant enemy which has hith
erto guarded the Weldon Ilailroad as one
of the indispensable means to its protrac
ted defense.
What then is Weldon ? A railway
town on the Roanoke lliver iu North
Carolina, sixty miles south of Petersburg,
a hundred and lifty miles north of Wil
mington, and connected with each by
rail. Jt is the key of the system of
railroads which unite the States and the
Atlantic with themselves, with Central
Georgia, and thence with the rest of the
Confederacy. The possession by our for
ces destroys the railway communication
between the port of Wilmington and
Richmond. From Weldon runs the Sea
board and Roanoke Railroad north-east
to Norfolk. Westward extends the Roa
noke Valley Railroad to Clarksville, Va.,
within thirty miles of the Danville road.
On the Valley road the Raleigh and Eas
ton Railroad ntewects at Ridgeway aud
runs to Raleigh. North-westward from
Raleigh the North Carolina Railroad
reaches to < i reensborough, thirty-five
miles from Danville, and atGreensborough
connects with the main road to Columbia.
S. 0., and so onto Augusta, Ga. Rut
the jjap between G reensborough and
Danville has never been completed, nor
has the {jap from Clarksville to Halifax,
so that the possession of the Weldou
Railroad to Petersburg is essential iilike
to the railway communication between
Wilmington and Virginia, and to that
between Virginia and South Carolina and
(icorgia. In a word» Gen. Warren's
movement upon Weldon, if 'successful,
isolated the Rebel capital from the whole
Confederacy.
We see 110 reason to doubt the success
of the expedition, nor fEoesitseem un
likely that Warren should be able to
hold Weldon if lie desires. Uis said be
destroys the railroad as he marches, and
«o. whether he holds it or not, makes it
useless for many weeks to Lee, and ut
terly cuts him off from communication
with Charleston and Savannah. If, hav
ing accomplished thus much. Warren
docs not choose to occupy Weldon per
manently. be has an easy march to Win
ton on the Chowan liiver, which is with
in forty miles of Weldon, and to which
our ganboats can ascend from Plymouth.
Or from this name place he can establish
a line of supply, if he should remain at
Weldon, or move still further South on
the Wilmington road.
—The news from Gen. Sherman is all
favorable. Richmond papers of the 10th
place him twenty-five miles north of .Sa
vannah on the 17th inst.. and still advan
cing. A rather vague dispatch from
Port ltoyal announces that (Jen. Poster's
scouts were in communication with (!en.
Sherman, and that Poster himself is firm
ly in possession of Poeotaligo bridge, on
the Charleston and Savannah Railroad,
and thirty-five miles from Savannah. As
we are certain to have definite news very
soon, we forbear to speculate on this im
perfect intelligence, content to kuow that
Sherm-n is having his own way.—A'. I*.
Trib u tic.
l v ri: win \i:ivn.
Official Account of General Tliooint.
ItKAiqUAKTKIIrt pF.p't or TIIF. Cl VIII.ttI.AM),
N.VSIIVIILK. Dct*. I<s—ll P. M.
T'j the President of the ( nit-'<! State*.
Hon. E<hcin .)/. Stanton awl Lieut,
dev. I. S. Grant:
This array thanks you for your ap-
I probation of its conduct yesterday,
and to assure you that it was notrais
; placed, I have the honor to report
that the enemy lias been pressed at
! all points to-day in his line of retreat
to the Brentwood Hills.
Brig. Gen. Hatch, of Wilson Corps
1 of Cavalry, on the right, turned the
enemy's left and captured a large
number of prisoners—the number not
| yet reported.
jMaj. Gen. SchofieM's Corps, next
: on the left of the cavalry, carried
several hills, captured many prisoners
! and six pieces of artilleiy.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Smith, next on
! the left of Maj. Gen. Schofield, car
| ried the salient poirt of the enemy's
line with McMullcn's brigade of Mi-
Arthur's division, captured sixteen
j pieces of artillery two brigadier gen
i erals, ?ind about two thousand prison
| ers.
Brigadier General Garraud's divi
sion of (Jen. Smith's command, next
on the left of McArthur's division,
carried the enemy's entrenchments,
capturing all the artillery and troops
of the enemy on the line.
Brig. Gen. Wood's troops, on the
Franklin pike, took up the assault,
carrying the enemy's entrenchments.
In his retreat he captured eight pie
ces of artillery, something over six
; hundred prisoners, and drove the en
emy one mile up the Bentwood Hill
Pmb; •
Maj. Gen. Stedman, commanding
I detachments of the different armies of
: the military Division of the Mississip
j pi, most nobly supported Gen. Wood's
i left, and bore a most honerable part
! in the operations of the day.
1 have ordered the pursuit to be
i continued in the morning at daylight.
] Although the troops are very much
fatigued, the utmost enthusiasm pre
| vails.
| 1. must not forget to report the op
i erations of Brig. Gen. Johnson, in
j successfully driving the enemy, with
I the co-operatiorw of the gunboats un-
I dcr Lieutenant commander Fitch,
| from their established batteries on
| the Cumberland river below the city
j of Nashville, and of the success of
Brigadier General G'roxton's brigade
in covering and re-forming our right
j and rear, in the operations of yester
| day and to-day. Although I have no
i report of the number of prisoners cap
i tured by Johnson's and Croxton's
commands, 1 kngw they have made a
j large number.
1 am glad to be able to state that
the number of prisoners captured yes
terday greatly exceeds the number
; reported by tel<*rraphs lust evening,
j The woods, fields and entrenchments
I are stewn with the enemy's small
! arms, abandoned in their retreat.
In conclusion, I an happy to state
| that all this has been effected with
j but a very small loss to us. Our loss
j probably, does not exceed three thou
j sand, and very few killed.
Geo. 11. Tiiomas, Major General.
JKurl Kiinmoll iuml the C'oiiflcdcr
»uj.
Portlad, ME., Dec. 17. —The I liber
: ua, lrom Liverpool on the Ist, via Lon
j douderry on the 2d. arrived this evening,
ller dates are five days later.
Karl Russell had replied to the recent
manifesto ot' the Confederate Congress,
expressing equal friendship for the North
and South, deploring the war, and pledg
ing England to a strict neutrality.
The London Timet think that .Mr Lin
coln (till make some attempt to close the
war by negotiation.
The federal troops are to be immedi
ately withdrawn from llolstein under a
"demand from Russia.
A meeting was held at Bristol to cele
brate Mr. Lincoln's re-election. Cheers
were given for Jeff. Davis and (Jen. Lee,
and groans for Graut, Butler and Lincoln.
A rush was then made for the platform
and the speakers driven away from it.
The police finally cleared the room.
Liverpool, Dee. 2d, via Grkencas
ti.e. —Cotton ddll, with a decline of Id.
on New Orleans ; market closed firmer on
Friday. BreadstufFs closed quiet and
steady. Provisions inactive. Beef un
settled under recent arrivals.
LONIION, Dec. '1. —Consols closed at
89J ; stocks, Illinois Central 51@53 dis
count ; Erie 3!)(« 40. Bullion in the
Bank of England has decreiscd JE2-41,-
000. ,
WAR DEPARTMENT, I\ ASIIINUTON,"
December 10th.
Gen. Dix, \ew York: The following
official report of the battle before Nash
ville lias been received from General
Thomas :
X<rshriih', pre, 15, ■' j>. m.—l attacked
the enemy's left this morning and drove
it Irom the river, below the city, nearly
to the Franklin pike, a distance of about
eiuht miles. We captured Chalmer's
headquarters and train and asecond train
of about twenty wagons, with between
800 and 1000 prisoners, and Hi pieces of
artillery. Our troops behaved splendidly,
all taking iheir share in assaulting and
charging the enemy's breastworks. 1
«hall attack the enemy again to-uiorrow.
if he stands to fight, and if be retreats
during tlie night, I will pursue him,
throwing a heavy cavalry force in his
rear, to destroy his trains, if possible.
<i. 11. THOMAS, Maj. Gen.
No intelligence has been received from
Sherman later than the published dis
patches transmitted by Major Gen. Fos
ter and Admiral Dahlgren.
(Signed.) E. 31. STANTON.
OHiciiil I>lsj»;ileh from Sherman
ON BOARD TIIK PANKMOJI,
O sabaw Sound, Dec. 13—11:5;). r. M.
To-day at five p m., Brig. Gen. Ita
zen's division, of the 15th ci i'f -'. carried
Fort McAlister by assault, capturing its
entire garrisons and stores. This opene I
to us the Ossabaw Sound, and I pushed
down to this gunboat for communications
with the fleet. Before opening commu
nications we had completely destroyed all
railroads running into Savannah, and in
vested the city. The left is on the Sa
vannah river four miles above the city,
and the right on the Ogeechee at Kinu's
Hid ge. The army is in splendid order.
Weather fine. Supplies abundant.
Our march was most agreeable and not
molested by guerrillas. We reached Sa
vannah three days ago, but owing to Fort
McAlister could not communicate. But
now we have Mc Allister, we can goahcad.
We have already captured two boats on
the Savannah river, and prevented their
gunboats from coming down. I estimate
the population of Savannah at 25,000 and
the garrison at 15,000. (Jen. llardee
commands.
We have not lost a wagon on tho trip,
but have gathered in a large supply of
negroes, mules, and horses. Our teams
are in better condition than when we
started. My first duty will be to clear the
army of surplus negroes, mules, and hor
ses. Wo have utterly destroyed over
2,000 miles of railroads, and consumed
stores and provisions that were essential
to Lee's and Hood's armies. The quick
work made with McAlistor, and theopeu
ing of communication with our fleet, and
the consequent independence for supplies,
dissipated all their boasted threats to head
me off and starve the army. I regard
Savannah as already gained.
Yours truly,
W. T. flimt.MAN, Maj. Gen.
ShiS" The following official reports were
received this evening from Gen. Thomas,
ilatcd at his headquarters, near Frank
lin.
IIKADQL'AUTKK-S DKI-AIUM KNJ, OK THK
CUMBERLAND, near franklin. Dec. 17.
A report just received from Major. Gen.
Wilson states that at fi p. m., to-day be
attacked and dispersed Stevenson's Di
vision of rebel infantry, tyid a brigade of
cavalry, capturing three guns. The 4th
Cuited States cavalry anil Hatch's divis
ion of cavalry, handsomely supported by
Knap's division of cavalry, did the work,
leaking sevcM beautiful charges, break
ing the rebel infantry in ail directions.
Had it only been light, the rebel rear
guard would have been entirely destroy
ed. As it is, it has been severely pun
ished. The whole army will continue a
vigorous pursuit in the morning. This
attack was made six miles beyond Frank
lin.
GKOIU;K H. THOMAS, Maj. Gen.
HKAEQUARTJ DKPAKT.M NT OP THE ri*ngHHNl»,
Near Franklin, Tenn., Dec. 17—8 p. si.
We have pressed the enemy to-day be
yond Franklin, capturing his hospitals
containing over 1,500 wounded, and
about 150 of our wounded also. Gen.
Knipe, commanding a division of cavalry
drove tl enemy's rear guard through
Franklin, capturing about 240 prisoners
and live battle flags with very little loss
on our side. The citizens of Franklin I
represent Hood's army as completely de
moralized. In addition to the captures
yesterday, reported last night. { have the
honor to report the capture of General
Rucker and about two hundred and fifty j
prisoners of the enemy's cavalry in a :
fight that occurred between Gen. Rucker 1
and Gen. Hatch, of our cavalry. The
enemy has been pressed to-day both in
front and on both sides. Brigadier Gen.
Johnson succeeded in striking him on
the flank, just beyond Franklin, captur
ing quite a number of prisoners, the
number not yet reported. My cavalry is
preasing him closely. I am much in
hopes of getting many more prisoners to
morrow. GEO. 11. THOMAS,
Majoi General.
Othor dispatches, unofficial, from j
Nashville, state that 1,000 prisoners were
captured by Wilson, and that General
Rousseau, commanding at Murfreesboro,
reports Forrest killed, and 1.500 of his
men captured. The Superintendent at
Nashville reports that tho railroad from
Nashville will bo open to Franklin to-
I night, and will rapidly follow Thomas,
thus furnishing him supplies and enabling
him to push on.
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. .
gfcv General Sherman's youngest child,
about six months old. died last, week, at
the residence of Speaker Colfax, South
Rend, .Indiana, where Mrs. Sherman is
sojourning.
Mr It is reported that the rebel# at
Richmond design furnishing Lee's army
with a dinner on Christmas.
Order to he Klrielly Enforced.
WASHINGTON, I>CC. IF.—The follow
ing was to-day officially promulgated by
the Secretary of State :
WASHINGTON, HOC. 17.—The Prcsi
dent directs that, except euiuiigrant pas
sengers directly entering from a port by
sea, no traveler shall hereafter be allowed
to enter the United States front a foreign
country without a passport. If a citizen
a passport must be from this department
or from some I'nitcd States Minister and
Counsel abroad, and if alien, from com
petetent authority of his own country,
passport to bo countersigned by a diplo
matic agent or counsel of the I'nitcd
States. Tins regulation is intended to
apply especially to persons proposing to
come to the I nited States from neigh
boring British provinces.
Its observance will be strictly enforced
by all officers civil anil military and na
val in the service of the United States,
and State and municipal authorities are
requested to aid in its execution. It is
expected here that no emuiigraiit passen
ger, coming by sea, in the manner afore
said, will be 'obstructed, or any other per
sons who may set out on their way hither,,
before intelligence of this regulation could
rea nably be expected to reach the coun
try In.in which they mnv have started.
Signed, W.M. H. StiWAHI),
Secretary of State-
Ni;\v \ ouiv, Hoc. 16—The Comma--
riu/ Aiti i i h •> r .< \\ ashington gpecial says:
Sa\ innah is known to have been fortified
in ha rear by n triple line of earthworks.
It may therefore demand a brief sigc ere
it surrenders.
'I he Revenuo Department has dcfcct
<•■l il.e Collector at Detroit in appropria
ting ! i-ro sums of money for private spec-,
illation. The (iovernment will not bo a
loser as his bonds were ample.
BALTIMOUK, Dec. L(J—The American
has just received a dispatch froto Annap
olis. statins that the steamer Varunu bad
just arrived from Charleston with news,
that Gen. Sherman had captured Savan
nah, with 1100 prisoners, after eight hours
lighting.
ItiMl Jlt'ii in Oilier.
The Keenhvj Journal (Chicago)
lias a leader deprecating the choice
of immoral, lewed, intemperate men
for responsible public trusts, that we
heartily indorse. It is said to be iv
covert attack on some candidate in
that State ; yet we can see nothing
in it that points to any individual,
unless it be soma one already made
infamous by his vices, which we do
not credit. Hut, whatever may be
its impulse, the article itself is right,
and its sentiment should be every
where indorsed. A licentious intem
perate loose-living politician is at
once tin unfit executive or legislator
of a moral, decent, self-respecting
people; and they are wronged and
shamed whenever sncli a one is thrust
upon them. No righteous and noble
cause is credibly-represented by such
a man ; and, if he is foisted into of
fice in its behalf, he will certainly
discredit and probably betray it. Let
blacklegs and panderers to every form
of vice be represented by their cro
nies and customers; but let tli" Good
Cause be represented bj men worthy
of it-elf.
We do not reproduce The Jour
nal's strictures, because they may
contain personal allusions wUech we
are not sharp enough to detect: but
we subscribe to its doctrine most im
plicitly.—N. Y. Tribune,
Tli«» .SI. AlliiuiM liaider*,
JI*4I><4IURTFCH* DEPARTMENT or Tar. KXBT,
NEW VUBK t'ir*, Doc. 14.
(IKNCHAI. onitKß. !I7. —Information
having been received at these Headquar
ter- that the rebel marauders who were
guilty of murder and robbery at St. Al
ban . have been discharged frulu arrest,
and thai other entorpri-es are actually in
preparation in Canada, the Commanding
Geueral deems it due te the people of'the
frontier towns to adopt the most prompt
and efficient measures for the safety of
their lives and property. All military
commanders in the latere are therefore
instructed, in ease further acta of depre
dations and murder are attempted, wheth
er by marauders or persons acting under
commissions from the rebel authorities at
Richmond, to shoot down the perpetra
tors if possible while in the commissions oP*
j their crimes, or if it be necessary with a
view of their capture, to cress the bouml
' ary between the ( uited States and Can
ada, said commanders are hereby direct
ed to pursue them wherever they may
take refuge, and if captured, they are un
der no circumstances to tie surrendered,
but arc to be sent to these headquarters
! for trial and punishment by martial law.
, The Major General Commanding the l)e
--| partraent will not hesitate to exercise the
i fullest extent of the law with the severest
rigor the authority he possesses under the
rulesof law, recognized by civilized States,
in regard to persons in hostile expeditions,,
after committing acts of depredation with
in our own. Such an exercise ofciuthor
ity having become indispensible to pro
tect our cities and our people from rob
bery and murder, it is earnestly hoped
that tho inhabitants of our frontier dis
tricts will abstain from a.i acts of retalia
tion on account of the outrages committed
by rebel marauders, and that the progress
of redress will be left to the public authori
ties.
By command of Maj. Qen Dix.
[Signed] I). VAN BUKKN,
Colonel and A. A. G.
tacT Ihe rebel papers, whose editor
are engaged in proving that Hood won a
great victory at Franklin, are unable to
make room for the published list ,t>f one
hundred and fourteen commissioned of
ficers of the rebel army who were made
prisoners in that engagement.
Judge llookc, ingoing the West
ern Circuit, had a great stone thrown at
his head; but from the circumstance of
his stooping very much, it passed over
him. •• You see," said ho " had I been
an upriyht j udge, I might have betii kill
ed."