davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1861-12-25
IMPORTANT FEom NORFOLK,
The Rebels Preparing a Naval Expe-
dltfon+

Fort Monroe dispatch to n. 7. Times, 2lst.l
At Norfolk an expedition on q large scale Is
being fitted ont to proceed against Hattcras
Inlet and retake what was captured from them
By Commodore St1ingham. The fleet will
consist Of eleven large side-wheel steamboats,
and prppeneTs, and number Of ships
launches taken from the Norfolk Navy yard.
It is expected to rendezvous at Roanoke
1e1apd, and when Joined by the gun -bosts now
fitting out at the Nagy-yard aud iron works at
Norfolk, will at once proceed to the coast Of
North Carolina
Commodore Lynch Of Dead Sea exploration
notoriety, now commands the rebel naval
force infesting the waters Of Virginia and
North Carolina The expedition against Hat
teras Inlet is to be in command Of Arthur Sin-
clair, late Of the United States Navy, ind q
resident Of Norfolk
Fully eleven hundred men are now employed
at The Norfolk Navy Yard, a large portion Of
them being engaged in rifing old and new
guns.
The mechanical direction Of the yard is un-
der the supervision Of Wi1lin1n F. William
son, a resident Of Norfolk, and for many years
an engineer in the United States Navy. The
practical working man Of this department is
IN Engljsh1nan named Carr, and he has now
q recent importation Of large number Of his
own countTynen with him, who are engaged
in making proJectilcs and rifed guns after re-
cent English patterns When the yard was
left by our forces, an immense quantity o1
timber was stored in the shed, not one-fourth
of which has been removed from the vet o.
! mud dncks
, 1861-12-25

{. E. SCRITEN, ddrertising Ageat, 63 Dear
bo,n-Sf is authorised to rscers advertisements for
tbs and all the Le0d;ng Papers Of the Northwest
, 1861-12-25

e. The reports and speculations by
telegraph are 20 uniformly to the efec: that
Mason and Sliden are to be given up to
England, intesspersed with ru,nors that
they were even to be sent forward by the
steamer from Boston to-day-tfat We HAY
as well take the warning and be prepared
fo1 such conclusion when it comes. It
may not he Just yet, indeed it is certain
thu, i; will not be to-day; but that it viii
I've seems foregone, for these newspaper zu-
1nors arc usually launched upon the public
some weeks in advance, to prepare the way
1nr the more authoritative declaration.
But if they are given up, we feel assured it
will only be upon the found that England
sl1;lll hencctorth herself recognize the invi-
o1abiiity Of the hag-conceaing principle
which We have maintained for half cen
tury against the world, and in this view
the seizure and surrender are probably
worth Ill they shall have cost of feeling on
both sides the Atlantic. It certainly will
not crush US though it may for q moment
wound our pride. Nations are eternal.
We avert the present threatened danger,
''ut may yet remember against England
'llc Lack Of sympathy she has manifested
in this hour OF OUT national tria1
, 1861-12-25

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tr1bune.l
CARO- December e. 1851
A gentleman just from New Orleans, states
that the city is strongly fortified and will be
hard to take. They have but i few gun boats,
and even these are poorly protected. He says
they will make desperate fight. British sub
jccts II New Orleans are not molestcd, but
they do not pay respect to any other Nation
ality, impressing all they can. He says they
ex1llt over the prospect Of 9 fight with Eng
land.
Five tug boats arrived here from st. Louis
to-day, for mortar boat service. One Of the
new gun boats, built at Mound City, arrived
to-day.
Our scouts captured j rebel By the nan1e Of
Lee, near Belmont, charged with carrying
news to the enemy.
Two prisoners will be sent to Fort Lafayett
from here, tomorrow.
, 1861-12-25

CA1Ro, Dec, British subjects, with
passports from the British Consul at New Or
leans, and two Northern men from Memphis,
arrived here last night from Columbus, and
were arrested as spies, but to- day released
They report great activity at Columbus.
They eay q floating battery, With thirteen
guns, is anchored in the river ut Columbus !;
also three gunboats.
Hollin's steam ram Manassas has certainly
gone to New Orleans.
They say there is strong Union feeling in
Memphis, but it is suppressed:
The gun boats ut Mound City are ready TO
receive their armament
q. s. Marshal Phillips, has two men arrest
cd, who will be taken to Fort Warren, Boston,
tomorrow. Particulars unknown
A rebel prisoner named Lee, from Missouri,
above Belmont, has just been brought H.
, 1861-12-25
ESCAPE OF col, C0RCORAN,
Statement of Lieut. Hard, who hat
conc North.

NEW YORK, Dec. e4.-Thc Times publishes
an interesting stateIncntmadc by Lieut. Hur1,
Of the I'd Maine regin,ent, who was wounded
and taken prisoner at Bull Run, and has re-
Gently been released. He, together with Col.
Corcornn and some 800 others, was confined
in the Charleston jail at the time
of the great confagration there, and
they only escaped from the jail, which
was burnt, by 1eaping from window,
no effort being made to seize them by the
Char1cstoniars. Col. Corcoran, Lieutenant
Hurd believes, escaped during the confusion,
as lie expressed his determination to try to
reach Beaufort or the North, and has not since
been heard FROM According to Lieut.. Hu1d'a
representation, the national prisoners now in
the South are treated in the most brutal and
unjusiifable manner.
, 1861-12-25

FORTRESS MONROE, {ria Baltimore) Dec. q
The sHrmish yesterday was slight affair.
The Colonel Of the Goth New York regiment
started for Newport News at 9 O'Clock this
morning, and proceeded to New Market
Bridge to look for 4 man who had been lost in
the woods the day before. So ne hear, while
near the bridge, they found themselves sur
rounded by rebel cavalry and infantry, num-
bering 200 men, but succeeded in cutting their
way out without loss.
Reinforcements were sent for to Camp Ham-
i1ton, and the remainder OF the regiment was
sent forward. The Naval Brigade, under
command OF Col. Wardrop, was also under
arms, and proceeded as far as HAmpIon bridge.
Six Of the Goth regiment were slightly
wounded Twenty Of the enemy were known
to have been killed, and number wounded.
Seven dead bodies were found this morning !;
one was that Of an officer, and WAS taken to
Newport News. He wore buttons lcttcred
"a Il. NJ perhaps the Anhama Minute
Men: His name is supposed to be one John
Hawkins.
1t is reported that whole company Of ne.
groes was engaged, and two of our men are
known to hare Been shot by them.
The Richmond prisoners are expected here
in q day or two.
Tie gunboat Young Rover, which is sta
toned at the mouth Of York river, reports IL
extensive conflagration in Yorktown about :
week since.
, 1861-12-25

~ The Boston aunkies who, headed by
Mayor Wightman sent goodies over to Mason
and slidell, have their counterpart in st.
Louis, where secessionists who have actively
conspired to bring upon Missouri tile horrors
of civil WAT, are the recipients Of mawhish
sympathy on the part Of SO called Union NEIL
The Democrat Of the 24th, sharply rebukes
this false sentiment and pertinently says:
Ii Union men interfere. let Cen Halleck make
them responsible for the amount Assessed against
their fricnde and then it will not interfere with
the object in view. Let Gen. Hailcck do this, and
he will have few petitions in behalf OF tyl1tors.
, 1861-12-25
TIE RETURN OF GEN. SCOTT

AAAA Ut NIANs SCVAAe
The return Of Gen. Scott to this country
by The Araso, spoken at Halifax on Satur-
day and to arrive in New York to-day,
gives rise to various spcculations which are
not to lie set at rest until an explanation is
fully given Of the reasons that have thus
carly induced him to forcgo the health ad
yantages, 1t was known he intend
Cd to seek, by winters residence
in Southern Europe. Those who saw the old
hero leave Washington 8 few weeks ago,
shattered by advanced age, scarcely be-
licycd that he would ever again revisit his
native land. Apparently he was the
last to he selected for mission
abroad, from his physical fccl'lcncss
and well nigh helplcssness. And yet inthe
interim he las given, through the London
press, sound and able letter On the new
aspect Of American afairs il1 the Trent case,
and is now at home sg:in. Among the
various surn.iscs it is significant that those
originating at Washington, assign reasons
for his return, oi no pleasing kind, and
hint that il is probable that Gen. Scott in
t],c threatening aspect Of affairs did not
choose to expose himself abroad to whut
his prominence would entail, on the out
l.ro,t- IF VAR
, 1861-12-25

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago TfIbnnc.l
QC1EC1, H.. December "A, 1851.
Col. Bishop, Of the North Missouri cavalry
rcgfm ent, marched out from Macon City, yes
terday, with about 120 men, and succeeded i'll
surprising a band Of nearly 400 rebels, captur-
ing 13 prisoners, go horses, and putting the
balance to flight. he also killed ten Of the
rebels and wounded number more. This is
the substance OF q dispatch sent by Col. Bish-
op to Gen. Prentiss today.
The troubles Oh the North Missouri Rail
road are reported tonight to be still con
tinued. An important bridge, name not
given, is reported burned; and 4 great extent
Of track torn up.
Ten inches of snow fell here on Saturday
nirl,t and yesterday.
, 1861-12-25
THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.


WASHINGTON, December 81, 1851.
Not more than twenty-one Senators were
present at the session today; the majority Of
them, as well as many members Of the House,
having left the city.
Mr. GRIMES, Of iowa, offered resolution
iDst1uctfng the Committee On Naval Affafrs to
inquire into the manner in which Ear vessels
had been fitted out. He had heard rumors OF
great extravaganza at the navy yards in this
respect Agreed to.
9eEeral petitions were presented, praying
for the emancipation Of the slnves Of rebels,
without compensation; those ofioyal citizens
With compensation.
Mr. HOWE, Of Wisconsin, gavc notice that
he would introduce bill to amend the Fugi-
tive Slave law.
The Senate went into executive session, and
On opening the doors, adjourned till Thurs
i1nY-
, 1861-12-25

t. Our reports from Western Missouri,
where Gen. Pope is operating, sre most
cheering. The rebels have ibecn driven
from Lexington, and the place is again in
OUT hands. Gen. Price, at Osceola, hearing
Of the movements being made, and Of the
capture Of his recruits and supply trains,
took sudden fright and is now on the full
retreat towards NcCulloch, in the South.
His lop-eared villains are greatly dejected
in mind, and what little there is left of his
"grand army is likely to be lost before he
makes another halt
, 1861-12-25

The next term Of this Institution for Young Ladies'
Will begin on THURSDAY, Jan I'd, 1861, de35 E1 2F
TOR SAL two seated
II Poney Sleigh, two single SEATED Swell Cutters.
Also, secondhand two scaled Sleigh, suitable for
family livery, At Carriage Factory. coEneE Gtsse
md Twelfth streets. H. HlLLEiS.
dc15 ke93t
, 1861-12-25

U Although the assurance Is oft re-
reated that there is no danger Of compH-
cation Of our relations with England, the
Government is no: disposed 10 be caught
mapping in its war preparations, We have
evidences cf this in the proposed large In
crease Of the Navy, 1,y an addition Of iron
plated ships: by the appropriations recon-
naended to put our coast dcfences in order {;
and now by an order, issued to the leading
fcundcfies Of the North, to prepare 1900
guns for the forts between Old Point Com
fort and Portland.
, 1861-12-25
FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC.
Strength Of the Enemy-Our Picket.
Extend to Hancock and Cun1ber
land.

WnL1AsfspoRT, Md, Dec 24-The rebel
force threatening this point probably docs not
exceed 600 men, with four pieces Of artillery.
Intelligence received yesterday from the
other side Of tie TiTer shows that the rebel
commander, being foiled in al his attempts,
has withdrawn his entire force towards Mar
tinsburg, lea7ing three OF four companies Is
pickets.
The seth Illinois regimen: having received
urms is now at Hnncock- Gen. KeIly's nd
vance guard extends to that place, besides
guarding the railroad all the way from Cum
bcr1and.
J. B. Wharton, relation Of ex-Senator
Mason, residing at Clear Springs, is under ar
rest for attempting to brihe picket to carry
q dispatch to the other side.
, 1861-12-25

U The rebels in eastern Missouri, along
:hc North Missouri railroad, have made
their work Of destruction complete. The
road will be closed for at least month,
and the damage is estimated in money at
not less than 100000. We have troops in
that quarter, and only hope they may be
able to put some of Gen. Halleck's severe
t1nra1fs it}tn pYarr!4inn
, 1861-12-25

SPRINGFIELD, Dec. 34-The War Depart
ment has ordered that Col. Marshalrs First
illinois Cavalry, which was in the seige Of
Lexington, be recognized and filed up in1-
mcdiafely.
Adjutant General Fuller has issued an order
directing al companies and regiments to COM
pletc their organization the present week, in
order to be paid off
The skeleton companies aud regiments ct
Camp Douglas, Chicago, having been consoli
dated by Adjutant- General Fuller, he will now
do the same at Camp Butler.
Illinois has in the ncighborhood Of 1900
men in the State camps.
, 1861-12-25

CHuDRENs' SKATES, and Skates Of erey descTfs
ton, for the Holidays.
, 1861-12-25
TITECANADA ASPECT.

The roaring Of the rebel sympathiscrs
Taid agents and subsidized newspapers in
Canada is not, VIC are glad to say, TO be
taken US indications Of the feelings and
hopes Of the masses Of the Canadian peo-
rle. 4 letter now before us, from dis
1iuenishcd source in one Of the Provinces,
SAYS riiat, in spite Of The clustering and
bravado in which a few are pleased to in
dulsc, the great body Of the Canadian pco-
ple are earnestly desirous Of keeping peace
with the United Sl:tes. They, as reasons
1;lc men, know that the Canadas would be
made the seat Of war, and, says the gentle
man n hom we quote, "aee are not suTs
enough cf tie Loyalty ct large classes Of our
3xe1@c to a7zcac US to indulge tile hope tdnt your
tn1us,on could be preuented," We presume
i.c refers to the Irish and to the people Of
French descent; and possibly to small
hut not uninfluential class of native Cana
tians and English immigrants whose politi-
cal policy locks TO the separation Of Canada
from the Crown, and its incorporation into
The American Union-elelnents, In any
civil disturbance Or foreign war which
would make themselves powerfully felt
Nevertheless it is certain that exuaordi-
nary war preparations haye been inaugura-
ted throughout the provinces The impe-
rial government has ordered out contin-
gent Of militia amounting to about 150. 900
men, who are 10 be put in state Of readi-
ness for immediate hostilities. There are
in addition to the militia some 10000 vol
upteers in the province who have beer
drilling for months in anticipation of trou
bic between the mother" country and tht
Estates" The seizure Of Portland, tht
possession Of our principal lake ports, ant
the destruction ofthe Erie Canal are anon!
the possibilities in the event Of war with
out preparation on our side.
In this connection we can attention t
the extraordinary exhibit presented on tn
second page Of this issue, as to the Cana
dian GunJoat FAc4,'' concerning which il
tercsting questions viii arise, and certainl
give timcliness to the communication {
the Secretary Of War, given on the sam
page, relative TO immediate measures fo
Lake coast defences The following ma
tcrs should bc Immediately considered
Congress and by the various State Legisl;
tures interested: An inquiry as to wh'
had best be done with the Reciproci!
Treaty and trade with Canada; the col
ccntration Of the new recruits at all Il
exposed strategic positions from Maine
Michigan; the erection Of proper defense
to he in rcadiness by the opening Of spring
and the creation Of q feet Of gunboats {
the lakcs. Ali these should engage the q
tention Of the General and State Cover
ments, without delay.
, 1861-12-25
Chr Grihuue.


E Secretary Cameron has sent squad
of 800 troops from Washington to,keep the
important works On the Sault St Marie
canal from molestat1on should any national
or border troubles occur with England. It
isa wise prccaution which the West viii ap-
1>rrfi1fp and honor
, 1861-12-25
MASON AND SLIDELL.
Reports that they are to be Given up.
ALLEGED REASONING OF SEWARD

New YORK, Dec. 24-Thc Express states
rumor this afternoon, that in an interview
which Lord Lyon held with Mr.. Seward, the
latter read to him letter that he had written
to Minister Adams, two days ago, in which he
said that if the British Government claimed
Mason and slidell upon the ground Of Illegal
capture, as contrary to the Law of nations, and
would consider the surrender as settling
the principles for both Governments, they
would be given up.
PREMATURE REPORT OF THEIR DEPART
IRE FROM BOSTON TODAY.
NEW YonK, Dee. 24.-Thc report is quite
current in the street, this morning, that Ma
son and Slidcll are to be restored to liberty and
sent forward to England tomorrow by the
Europa The sources from which this in
formation is derived are French, with some
confirmation from those who are supposed to
have unusual facilities for early information
from English connections though the report
may be proved unfounded.
BosToS, Dec. aass.-Nothing is known in Bos-
ton in regard to Mason and Sliden's leaving in
the Europa tomorrow, and the rumor to that
effect is doubtless unfounded.
, 1861-12-25

W Instructions have been prepared at the
General Land Office, directing the discontinu-.
ance, under the Act Of December q, 1858, o.
the Land Office at Vincennes, 1ndiana, and
transfer Of the archives, &c, to the office at
Indianapolis, Ind, after the Goth Of the pres
ent month. The undelivered patents remain
ing in the Tmcennes Office, will be delivered
to the General Land Office ut Washington, for
delivery when called for.
, 1861-12-25
LEXINGTON CLEAR OF REBELS.
our Troops Visit Lexington. Mo-. and
Drive the Rebels Outline Place In
our Possession

O1rEnvuLE, No, Dec. M.-The caynlry
which Gen. Pope sent to Lexington have re-
turned. In addition to the two ferry boats
and The rebel foundry Which they burned, and
the rebel officers and privates captured, (prc-
yiously 1eported,) they killed the notorious
Arkansas Robinson and drove every band Of
rebels from the country for miles on either
side of the route. They report the country
duite clear Of the rebels.
, 1861-12-25
GEN. PRICE BADLY SCARED.
His Remnant of an Army Make q
HaAty Retreat South.

JEFFERSON C1rT, Dec GA gentleman
weeks, arrived here to-day. He reports that
on Thursday Inst Gen. Price's camp at Osccola
was thrown into confusion BY the newa that
the Fcderals were upon them They beat 3
hasty retreat, and when last heard from were
ut Humansville, going south.
, 1861-12-25

NEW YORK, Dec. p The Commercials
Washington special says it is not expected
that Congress viii transact any further
business until after New Tears.
Thc Mexican Treaty is before the Senate
Committee, but will not be reported upon
until after the holidays. .E
, 1861-12-25

G Congressman Ely, exchanged for Mr..
Faulkaer at Richmond is expected to arrive
in Washington early this week The ex-
Charge Of prisoners is proceeding sys:emati-
ca!ly, and to the entire satisfaction of the
Government.
, 1861-12-25

EyThe Board OF Steamboat Commissioners
is now in session at Washington, their annual
meeting in accordance with the act Of 1852. It
is noticeable that from the war their occupa-
tion is largely gone On the Mississippi and
Ohio rivers the steamboat business is almost
annihilated- The Ohio river boats have been
cleaned out, salted, painted and laid On an even
keel, prepared for inactivity any length Of time.
South OF Baltimore in the East and St. Louis
in the West there is no occupation for United
States steamboat inspectors. The Cournis-
eioners find themselves unable to make COM
parative tnble Of steamboat explosions in con-
sequence Of the revolution in business caused
by the rebellion.
| ~- It Is now understood that the purpose
t Of Gen. Danks's Division at Fredericksburg is
| the re opening and holding the Baltimore aud
| Ohio Railroad between Harper's Ferry and
! Cumberland. His division was not fairly
| quartcrcd In its new encampment before twelve
| thousand confederate troops were on their
| march toward Hancock town on the rail
| read midway between the two limits Of Fed.
| eral possession. Another column, unde,
jackson, started for the vicinity Of Williams
| nort. That We must have the uEc and main
tenapce Of the vast means Of transportation
afforded by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
is alike understood by government and th'
| r1,1A;r
, 1861-12-25

B On the 21st, the Tenth regular Infantry
and sturg1s Rifles, Of Chicago, were detailed
as Gen. McClellan'e Body Guard.
, 1861-12-25

ArcH1soN, Kansas, Dec. 24-Orders have
been given to several agents Of the Overland
Mail Company TO take no more express freight
from any source until further orders. This is
in consequence Of the company having been
fined by the Government for reported neglect
Of mail matter
, 1861-12-25
Gen. Popess Prisoners at s.. Louis
Their Quarters. ..." ~.

ST, LOUIS, Dee. p 24--:- About .1ooo Of the
rebel prisoners taken by Gen Pope arrived
here late last night, and were allowed to n
main IN the ears until this morning when they
Tcrc escorted by their eaptozs, under Col.
Davis, to Dr.. McDovell's Medical College,
where they we're quarte7ed for the present
, 1861-12-25

B From the Toronto GLOBE Of the Goth,
VIC learn that two Of the British soldiers be-
longing to the Tooth, or Prince Of Wales reg
in,ent, tried to desert from their posts at
Toronto and join the Americans, and SO far
succeeded as to get about seven miles from
land across the lake. They we're pursued by
the owner of the vessel they had taken to
effect their escape, but not until after an eI-
citing chase, when in consequence Of the
wind 1ulling, their Sails became useless, and
discharge Of duck shot fired from gun
wounding both the soldiers, prevented then
from using the oars.
, 1861-12-25
Extent of the Damage PerpetrAted-
The Road UaeIeSS for 4 mQUth.

WAnREsTos, Mo. Dee. 24.-Thc damage
to the North Missouri Railroad may be
summed up as follows: The bridges at StuE-
geon, Centra]ia, Mexico, Jefstown and War
renton ore burned; also, one station house,
and post Office; twenty cars from so to 10
culTerts, large and small; three or four water
stations; 10000 ties; from 200 to 800 telegraph
poles; 5 miles Of iron and 10 miles Of wire arc
rendered useless. Two trains, one having
car loads Of hogs and several cars Of hemp,
and the other having two CATS Of merchandise,
are in the possession Of the rebels, and four
engines are lying where they can be seized by
them. Some Of the men who belonged to the
trims, have arrived here, from whom learn
that the persons who did the damage are
yet encamped along the road, about 800 being
tinsburg, Mexico, Centfalia, Sturgeon and
Allen. At Centralia they went within half
mile Of the Birye Sharp Shooters, and destroy
ed a bridge and water station; and two freight
trains We're captured within four miles Of tile
camp OF 4 detachment Of the same force. At
Repick, the work was directed BY practical
railroad men, and the right course was always
taken to make the destruction complete.
Where the track WAS taken up the rails were
removed. The ties were gathered in piles and
set on fire, aud the rails thrown across the
piles, so that when the centre Of the rails
become heated the weight Of the cold ends
bent them 60 as to render them useless. In
destroying the bridges the fires we're kindIed
around the corners, where they would sooner
throw the bridge down; and the trussel grid
crs, which spanncd the open culverts were
burned with the Ties to heat the rails, is were
also the frames on which the water tanks
stood. Usually the houses Of railroad men,
and ill Union men in the vicinity Of the road
were surrounded and the inhabitants assured
that no harm was intended them while they
remained in doors.
We hear Of scarcely any pillage Or other out
, 1861-12-25

Extent Of Damages On the North Missouri B. 3.