New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-23
To the Associated Press.
NAshiNN'V"i Se'uiu'1' ~ - ~
THE OCCUPATION or SHIP ISLAND.

TIE OttIPAIlON bI SNIP ISLAND.
Adj. Gen. Thomas las received letter from MAJ
Gen. Butler, who is here accompanied by IA
copy of the report of Brighten. Phelps. Gen.
Butler SAYS he has not received an official cory Of
Gen. Phclpss proclamation, but has information
which renders it certain the printed copies are cor
rect. Gen. Butler concludes as follows:
81 need hardly say that the issuing Of any proc
lamatiOn such an occasion was neither suggested
nor authorized by me, and moet certainly not such
one. With that important exception, / commend
the report and call attention to the clear and bust
ness-lke statement"
Gen. Phelps in his report says be reached Ship
Island in the Mississippi Sound, on the even
ing of the Sd Of December, when the dispatches
with which he was in,ruste1 for Flag Officer Ne
Keon were sent by Lieut.. Window of the X. X.
Cuyler who proceeded 10 Ponsacola, where the
Flag Officer then was and Gen. Phelps's arrival was
made known.
We found in the harbor the United States war
ships Massachusetts and r. r. Cuyler, beside several
prizes, and rot long afterward the steam gunboat
New-London and an armed schooner part of the Gulf
blockading squadron came in. On the west end Of
the Island il partially finished fort. The Island
bears evidence Of having been overlooked in some
extraordinary Storm large trunks Of trees having
been driftcd on some of its higher hummocks.
Gen. Phelps also says:
"Deeming it proper to make known to the people
Of this region the Iemoter objects of this expedition
] have prepared "a proclamation, which shall en-
deavor 10 have disseminated az early and as widely
no poss e, consistent with the more pressing de.
mands. lie concludes, while preparing the report,
"tbe DE Soto and New-London have been engaging
The boats of the enemy in the direction of New-Or-
leans"
OPERATIONS IN MISSOURI.
The following was received to-day from St. LOuis:
"To Major-Gen. GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN: Capt.
Woods scouting party has returned from Rolla. IL
pursued the enemy south of Houston, killed one OF
them and brought in major as prisoner Of war.
About 100 Of Prices men were captured, and re-
leased parole the scouting party not being able to
bring them along. ii. w. UALLKcI,
Major. General
sEoUEsTRATION OF DEBTS BY THE REBELS
Recent Richmond papers announce that the Courts
are actively engaged in sequesering the debts due
in the South to Northern merchants. THE DisPatch
of the 9th reports the proceedings in the of the
c. S. A. agt Wolf, merchant in Richmond 10
compel the defendant to pay to JEFF. Davis & Co. a
certain debt due by him to Elkers Bros, clothing
merchants New-York.
PROJECrIIES FIRED AT FORT ROYAL.
The ordnance report received by the Navy De-
partment from the feet at Port Royal shows the fol-
lowing 10 have been The quantity Of powder and
projectles expended in the capture Of the works on
Hilton Head and Bay Point:
229S0 pounds of common powder, 300 ll-inch
shells "A 10nch shells, 500 9nch shells. 70l S-inch
shells 7OI 32-pound shells, 12S s0-pound Dahlgren
rifle proectiles, SO E-pound Dahlgron howitzer
&C 3Jpound Parrot proectiles, 2O5 90
pound Parrot projectes, 6s-p0und solid shot, 10
32-pound solid shot.
THE CHARGES AGAINST GEN. BENliAM.
Gen. Rosecranss charges against Gen. Benham
have been received at the War Department, and a
court martial will Immediately be ordered. Gen.
Benham is charged with having permitted Gen.
Floyd to escape with disobeying the orders of bis
superior, and with conduct unbecomiDg an officer.
Gen. Rosecrans is expected here, and viii probably
be present at the trial.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 1851 !
THE ARRrHr OF EX-MINIsTLR JONES.
II il believed inat the inquiry which led to the
arrest Of George w. Jones' ex-Mnister to Bosota'
WAS caused by letters Of reasonable character ad-
dressed by him 10 JEFF Davis President OF the
Confederate States &C., and to other parties in the
States which fell into the possession
of The Government. 1t is said, that in letter to
JEFF Davis, among other things, he mahesan earnest
appeal to him Davis as bis old and valued friend,
and az tie President Of tho Southern Confederacy, in