The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-24

was the original object or the regulation 70 correct,
.wars Of the Importance OF free between
ne Atlantic States and the possessions Of the United
States on the Pacific and would a. al times b. reluctant
~ any way 10 tramme the communication. II 10 believed
however that no loyal citizen will, under the crcum
sancss oDec, 10 the temporary requirement Of psss-
tons were a. she time given exempt from the
quirement that class passengers among whom danger
would MOI proSss as. BE- found sns wM SEWARD
OPERATIONS on THE LOWER POTOMAC.
The HnAiDs Potomac river correspondent makes the
| following report
UNITED STATES STAnYR YANKEE, or MArrAwoxAS CRxxx
PoroAAc RIVER, Dec 81, 1851. !
This mornings little before daylight, the pickes 1t
| stump Neck saw boat with man in il approaching
from the Virginia shore. They concealed themselves till
the maa landed, when they arrested him. He brought
WIN MIN number Of letters, which were taken charge
o. ana conveyed with the prisoner General Rockers
headquarters. Another man was waiting with a horse,
upon which to convey the mali bag He was also arrest
| cd, and the horse seized
Early this morning, Is the Rssoluts was her way
down from Washington, some pckets Of rebel cavalry
were seen at Holland Point between tho White House
ana Craney Island Acting Master Toie, in command,
fred few shells among them scattering the rebels in
all directions number Of them ran out Of house,
near which their horses pickeed, and rode Of
fast As they could. A boats then sent
Shore In charge Of Acting Masters Mate j. L. Punkett
On their way they and children busly
leaving the house On entering, the building found
to DO deserted, but there recent occupa
tion by cavalry.
DxcxxBxR o. 1861.
Yesterday afternoon the new battery the Virginia
shore, opposite Maryland Point, about three
miles below Aqua Creek, opened nre
schooner running up. After firing several
rounds boat put or to the schooner, the crew Of
which tore up her decks and her fire. completely
destroying her. schooner alongside the Yankee
late last night and reported that Of steamers
small black one with sdewheels going the assistance
OF the schooner, blown up by the fire
Of the rebels The story is too improbable for
belief. While the rebel battery at Shipping Point was
firing at the two schooners Saturday the federal bat
terry at Budds Ferry replied Several shots
burst in the embrasures Of the rebel Notifications.
the wind blew from Virginia, the voices Of the
rebels were heard calling OUT each shot told their
batteries, a Bully for you, boysp
COLONEL KERRlGAN RELEASED ON PAROLE.
The court martial in Colonel Kerrigans came to
another halt to-day. No testimony taken and fur
thor proceedings postponed week Colonel Ker-
rgan released PAROLE and went New York this
evening.
THE NAVY.
The President has approved and signed the bill fur
Their promote the efficiency OF the navy provdes that
whenever the Of any naval officer now who may
hereafter be- in tho service Of the United States shall
have been borne the Navy Register forty years.
he shall be retired from active SERVICE his
tered on the retired list Of officers Of thu grade which
no belonged at the time Of such retirement The Pres
dent is authorized assign any such officer shore duty
who shall receive the shore pay Of his grade, and
| to detail from the retired list Of the navy
for the commands OF squadrons and single Ships such off,
he may believe the good tho service requires 10
be thus placed in command; and such officers may IT,
upon the recommendation OF the President they shall
receive vote OF thanks OF Congress their services
and galantry In action against enemy restored to
the active list and not otherwise The President
authority to select officer from the rank Of captain
commander in the navy and assign him the command
Of squadron, with the rank and title Of nag officer;
any officer thus assigned to have the authority and
receive the obedience from tho commanders Of
ships in the squadron holding commissions OF older
date than his that he would be entitled receive were
his commission the Oldest and to receive, when
poyed the pay which he would been entitled IL
he continued the active list All officers retired
this receive pay Of their grade now fixed by
| law.
Captain Morris has officially reported that tho steamer
Pensacola ready for Her steering appa
| ratus is successful.
MEDALS OF HONOR FOR THE NAVY.
The Secretary Of the Navy is authorized cause two
hundred medals OF honor to be presented with suitable
cmbematc devices, which shall be bestowed upon ssch
petty officers, seanen landsmcn and marines as shall
most distinguish themselves by their galantry in action
and other seamanlike qualities during the present war
and that the Of thousand dollars is appropriated
for the purpose Of carrying this section into effect
THE SAVINGS OF THE SOLDIERS.
According TO the general army order just issued, the
Subsistence Department will purchase at cost prices all
sound articles Of subsistence saved by the troops
ployes by economical management Of the
ration. All other sales Of provisions issued by the 60
vernment any persons whomsoevsr strictly for
bidden This regulation is intended embrace savings
from bakeries and in hospitals, well all other say
ngs from the army ration.
THE PHILADELPHIA CLOTHING CONTRACTORS.
The delegation Of Philadelphia clohers visited General
Meigs to-day to inquire as to the prospects of receiving
pay for clothing furnished the army They inform.
ed that 81 900 thither day another
would be transmitted in the Of the week.
WHY THE HOSTILE ARMIES DO NOT ADVANCE
The prisoners at Richmond frequently asked
"why don't the Yankees down this way and fight
us?' And when asked, in response why don't you 70
up and fight the Yankees? the reply is For the same
that you don't advance; you afraid Of
batteries, and afraid Of yours.' ssre
THE COOLIE TRADE.
Official documents show that the cooe trade still con-
tnues the face of all remonsrance aud property
among other things stated to the government Consul
at Batavia writes that Spanish vessels load at a cec.
brated private haunt and it than suspected they
trade with pirates for their victims. The British gov
crnmen admits that coolies kidnapped aud sub
ect to great oppression and misery; but proposes
general scheme Of ameoration in order that the African
slave trade may be suppressed by the substitution Of
coolies arguing that supply Of such Asatics would
fully moe. the demand for aborers countries where
negroes probably employed In this connection
/, may be that representative Eliot has the
means Of elctng important facts the subject Of the
coolie trade official documents having been transmit
ted to the House in compliance with his resolution aud
the bill heretofore reported by him suppressed far as
American vessels are concerned will be pressed on its
| passage by Congress.
IMPORTANT ARMY ORDER.
The following order has just been issued
GENERAL oRDERs-So. IS.
| WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJuTANr GENERALS OFFICE, \
l WASHINGTON. Dec 10 1S6I (