New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-13
THE NEW FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW
THE CONFISCATION BILL SAFE.
THE CASE OF COMMANDER POOR.
TRAITORS IN THE LAND OFFICE YET
ANXIETY FOR ACTIVE SERVICE,
spesisl Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune
SLAyE-CATCHING BY SOLDIERS.

sresisl Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune
WARRINGTON Thursday. Dec. II. 1851.
sLAvE-CATCHlNG BY SOLDIERS.
Senator Sumner read to Secretary Cameron
this morning a warm and indignant letter from
Gov. Andrew demonstrating against the EN-
ploy ment Of Massachusetts men in the dis
graceful business of slave-catcbiDg, as had been
done on the Upper Potomac. Secretary Cam.
eron promptly referred the letter to Gen. Stone,
with the emphatic request that be would SET
to il that the men of color who entered the
camps under his command were treated liber.
ally, in the spirit of the orders concerning fugi
tiyes from Slavery which the Secretary of Wal
had already given to commanding Generals.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL.
Senator Clark's amendment to the Fugitive
Slave bill, of which be has given notice, is in
tended to prevent Rebel masters from using Mr..
Mason's continuance. 1t will provide that the
claimant must prove that he is loyal before he
can avail himself of its provisions. 1t is, how.
ever, hoped that other legislation will render
the adoption of this amendment unnecessary.
THE CONFIsCATION BILL.
The unanimity in both Houses in favor Of
the propriety of confscatiDg Rebels property,
and emancipating their slaves is such that i,
is believed there will be little difficulty in OBJ.
tanning even two-thirds vote.
DiRECToR-GENERAL OF NAVAL ORDNANCE.
Should Senator Hale's bill creating Di.
rector General of Naval Ordnance become a
law, Capt. Dahlgren, now in charge of the
Washington Nayy-Yard, will without doubt re.
ceived the appointment.
THE CASE OF COMMANDER POOR.
Commander Charles H. Poor, who was Of
tensibly bockading the Mississippi when the
Sumter escaped has been before two courts,
which disagreed in opinion. A Court of H.
quiry, composed of some Of the highest officers
in the service, adjudged him guilty of want OF
energy, Encouragement, and gross neglect. Iu
compliance with their recommendation Court
mander Poor. But Secretary Weles, although
unable to remand the officer for another trial,
witbholds his approval from the verdict.
THE CASE OF DIR. FINLEY.
The court-martial, which has had Surgeon
General Finley before it, has dissolved, the
Surgeon. Gen. and DR.. Tripler having amieably
arranged their differences. The question
whether the Commanding General can order a
cOurt-martal in the case Of the Head of a
Bureau had already gone before the President
and may be passed upon, to avoid the question
in future cases.
COL. WAITE ASSIGNED A COMMAND.
Col. Waite, Fifth Infantry, who was released
from Texas on his parole, has been assigned
the command at Rouse's Point.
DEsERTER TO BE SHOT.
Vim. II. johnson of the Lincoln Cavalry,
whose trial we noticed last night, has been
sentenced TO be shot, and will be executed TO-
morrow at an hour to be fixed by Gen. Frank
lin. Division Commander. His crime is fla.
grant. According to his own confession, be
enlisted in order to desert, that he might thus
reach New-Orleans where his mother resides.
In carrying out his plan, he got beyond the
lines, but mistaking our pickets for the
enemy's, ran toward them throwing up bis
hands and crying that he was deserter.
They assured him that they belonged to the
other side" took his arms, and said that he
must prove his good faith by giving informa-
ton. Thereupon, he told them that they could
capture a party Of our men. behind hl.
where they really were, aud gave abundant
details touching our strength and position.
lie was taken prisoner, and contaminated
as soon as possible.
THE ENGAGEMENT AT FORT PICKENs.
A private letter from an officer in Fort
Pickens states that Col. Brown had oil his
guns shotted for two or three days. waiting
until oil the rebel boats that had habitualy
Piled between Pensacola and the Navy-Yard
were safely hived at the latter when be
opened fire. The result was, two OF them were
sunk and others disabled, Warrington and the
Navy-Yard were burned, and the flag-stsiis OF
Forts McRae and Barrancas were shot away
The Rebels loss Of life was unknown. There
were one killed in Pickens and seven wounded.
Many shells were thrown at its flagstaff,
which was not bit, although the rebel guunery
was unex pectedly good. A shell, three day
after it was thrown into Pickens, exploded, ap'
parently without cause, aud killed SIX men,
beside wOundng q number.
The War Department received dispatch TO-
dsy from Col. Brown at Fort Pickens, briefly
telling the result of the bombardment OF war
rington, Fort McRae, and Pensacola Navy
Yard. Warrington was destroyed, Fort Nc
Rae sienced, and the Navy-Yard fired. oui
loss was q Captain of q gun killed and six mer
wounded. The only damage sustained BY for'
Pickens was the dismounting Of one gun.
THE KERRIGAN TRIAL.
The trial of Kerrgan was again postponed