The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-16
Further about the Sumter.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
ENGLISH QUESTION.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Letters from the South,
intercepted by the government, state that two
agents Of the rebel government, TO proceed 10
England and France, have been appointed, and
are TO reach their destination by way Of Tam
pico. One was stated 10 be Beverly Tucker,
Buchanans defaulting Consul to Liverpool.
A member Of the Court martial that tried
johnson says that il came out on the trial that
there are five or six other soldiers in General
Franklins Division who enlisted for the purpose
Of cesertion to the rebels, and who are connected
with female spies in Washington.
Thare are still nearly fifty soldiers in custody
who have been nyicted of offences, the punish
ment Of which, by the articles Of war, is death.
They are mostly cases Of sleeping on post. Their
fate Is undecided.
Col. Mcleod Muphy's regiment today gave
another successful exhibition Of their skill in
pontoon bridge building at Alexar der, just east
Of the navy yard. In one hours time they con-
strucied bridge Of 200 feet in length ON the
Eastern Branch. Hon. George Bancroft and
Judge Roosevelt parsed over on horseback, and
returned. A file of soldiers were then ordered
across on double quick. A loaded four-horse
wagon followed, and then large crowd Of dis
tlnguished citizens.
* copy Of the Norfolk DAY Book, OF the 18th,
was received by the Government today. 1t
advocates the further obstruction o! the water
approaches to that city, and enlarges upon the
importance TO the Yankees Of its possession in a
strategic point Of view II announces, without
stating the authority, that fifty Of the national
| prisoners at New Orleans had taken the oath OF
| allegiance aud had joined the rebel army.
Salt is low selling at Thirty dollars a sack in
| Charleston.
This afternoon Gen. Wadsworths Brigade,
and that formerly commanded by Gen. KEYS,
the two consisting of eight regiments of infant
| ry and three companies Of artillery, engaged in
sham battle near Blunsons Hill. The engage
ment lasted two hours, and the firing was very
| heavy, alarming the town. The troops engaged
gave evidence Of great proficiency in field move
ments.
| A member of the House from Pennsylvania
states that Immediately after the appointment
Of Gen. Halleck to the Department Of Missouri,
Gen. Fremont wrote 10 him, (the said mem
ber,) saying that this was the wisest and best
appointment the President had made.
An order Is 10 be Issued by Gen. Mcclellan,
permitting the mptineers Of the New York 10Th
Regiment, who have been for several months Al
the Dry Tortugas, to DO Transferred TO Port
Royal 10 rejoin their regiment, and again bear
arms. The same course will probably be pur-
sued In reference to the mutineers Of the New
York Thirteenth, Milne, and the other regi
ments now laboring at the Tortugas.
Nothing definite 10 agreed upon in reference
TO the proposed bankrupt act. On account Of
the varied Interests involved In itha decision
the Committee propose TO recsiys mamoriak
and statsnlsnts representing the different inter,
esta a 'ss dia'h BIS .ssfao ~ . .se.A ,Yl.lIaS
Mr.. Hlets pamphlet, alleging mismanAge
! mont Qf the Army Of tho Potomac, 10 beip