Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-27
From Washington.

Q WAsHlN6T0N, Dec. 25.--This morning Al
!. Mercler, French Minister, called at the Stat
Department, but failed to see the Secretary
, who was at tho Cabinet meeting. II Ia copiec
0 tured that his purpose was to communicate hi
instructions received by the America, and tba
: these instructions embraced an urgent appeal Il
tne United States to peaceably adjust the mat
With England.
A desstter from Centreville, who camo In IN
day, says that recently portions OF several resi
ments were removed thence 10 Fairfax. Cen
treville he calls impregnable, and will te de-
iehded Dy not less than one hundred thousand
men, Inc whole army had been for three
weeks In daily expectation of an attack by Gen
mcclellan, but after waiting 80 long in vain,
had settled into the conviction that there would
be no advance made this winter, and were
making preparations to go into winter quarters.
The thirty seven thousand rebels on the Lower
Potomac are also, according to deserters, build.
ing log huts and making themselves comfort.
aole' expecting they will not be disturbed before
spring.
Gen sumner's injuries are moro serious than
az nIst supposed; bis spine suffered 80 severe n
snock from the fall that it Is thought doubtful
whether he shall ever again be able to monnt
his horse. He has been relieved at his own re.
quest from the command of his division, which
ls for the present assigned to Gen. Heintzelmsn,
who retains his own diviaon also.
lHeralds oonespondence.)
A part of Gen. Heintzelman's command col
ebrsted Christmas by going in search of ,be
enemy.
Late last night information was received that
the rebels were about 60 collect a quantity Of
forage at Mason's Neck; that rebel flag was
dying from Pohick Church, and If Union troops
would show themselves on Pohick Hill, the
enemy would probably be there to give them
battle Accordingly, early this morning four
regiments of infantry, the One Hundred and fiftb
Pennsylvania, Col. knight, the Sixty.tbird
Pennsylvauia, Col. Hayes, the Thirty-seyenth
New York, Col. Hayman, the Third Michigan,
Col. Champlin, with Capt. Beamis's battery
and two squRdrors of the First New Jersey cav.
airy, the whole in command of Gen. Jamisop
proceeded along tho telegraph road to Pohck
Church, twelve miles from Alexandria When
our troops reached the hill they were drawn up
IN line OF battle. A squad of rebel cavalry
was seen on bill q mile or more to the right
The battery was Immediately placed in position,
and one shot fred at them. They scaupered
off in moment. Our forces waited couple
of houre, but nothing more Was seen of the
rebels. The rebel flag was found floating from
Pohick Church, and Gen. Jamison, finding that
the enemy was not disposed to accept the on
for q skirmish, retired.
ITO the Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26-The Aag-oficer of
the Pacific squadron says all remains quiet at
Panama aud throughout the isthmus. The re.
cent recognition of the Mosquera government
BY the authorities Of Panama seems to hayet
tranquilized the public mind aud produced
general feeling Of security not experienced for
many years.
Dispatches from Commander Ridley, cruising
of the coast of Texas, have also been received,
rom which 1t tappeaIs that early in December he
captured the English schooner Victoria, of
seventy two tons, from Point Isabel, with a
clearance from the rebel authorities, having run
The blockade Tho vessel was sent to Kew
W est. Seven Of those on board took tho oath
u allegiance, and six were detained as enc
mics.
The schooner Eugene, on the 9Th, was also
'verhauled, but was permitted to depart, no
,ontrGband articles being found on board. The
PERSONS OF two rebel agents, however, were se-
'ured, viz; Thos. X. Rogers Of Todas, and Mr..
!eochary OF New Orleans. The papers found
clearly implcate them as rebel agents, seeking
% make their way to Mexico, thence to other
,arts
n Our pickets toward Drainaville were driven
n this morning.
The Secretary of War directs that no more
loraes be purchased until all NON owned are in
Lctive service.
This morning FIRE occurred in the Govern.
nent stables, near the Observatory, containing
'ver six hundred horses. About two hundred
erished