, 1861-12-12
Z0LLlCOFFER FALLING BACK.
OUR SHIPS AT PENSACOLA.
The Sumter Again Escaped.
FROM WASHINGTON,



WASHINGTON, December II, 1861.
The court martial is now sitting On tho case
Of private johnson, Of the Lincoln {McRey-
nolds) Cavalry, who was taken By Col Taylor |
Of the Sd New jersey, last week, when at |
tempting to desert to the rebels. The evidence
against him is purity his own confession, and !
is believed to he conclusive; and it is thought |
he will be shot.
Wisconsin regiment Of McDowcl's civil
sion gave the alarm last night of the enemy
approaching in force. AL the divisions on the
other side Of the river except Smiths were put
Immediately under arms, and SO remained all
night, and until this morning Scouts were
sent out last night, by Mcdowell, Heintzc1~
man, and Blenkcr, who reported no enemy
to bc found this side of Fairfax Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell te1egraphed that a reconnoi
tering force Of Blenkcr's had been mistaken
for the enemy. Our troops were rapidly and
fully prepared for action.
Gen. Stone teleg1aphed this morning:
PooLEv1ILE, Dec. II, 945A IN.
Rumors of increased force near Goose Creek, but
from personal examination from the heights carly
this morning cannot see as many signs Of hostile
troops az before. If large force il near Goose
Creek Or Lccsburg, it is concealed.
1t is rumored that the rebels are eoncentra-
| ting troops near Ocraquon, on the lower Po-
| tomac.
| Winter quarters arc now prepared for our
! troops, and vast quantities Of lumber are 60
ing over the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
| to Generals Franklin and HelntzcIman. The
soldiers arc building log huts at some points,
! and at others are making their tents as COM
Portable as possible.
Gen. Martindale was witness in Col ker-
rigan's case to-day. His testimony went to
proYe the utter INSTRUMENTATION and entire
lack OF discipline Of bis (Keuigan's) regiment.
Reyerdy johnson appeared as kerrigan's
counsel.
The Star of this evening says that it is at
liberty to say that If Thad- Stevens said in the
caucus the other night, that Mcclellan threat
ened to resign unless Cameron's report was al
tered, he stated what was not true.
There was sham fight in front Of the Navy
Yard today, between boats and launches,
armed with rifed howitzers.
The Republican CAUCUS re-assembled to
night, and was not very lively. The debate
continued on Bingham's resolution recon-
mcnding the immediate passage Of la" con
r tiscatiug rebel property and freeing thci
.. slaves. Mr. Edgerton Of Ohio voted for it
, passage, and thought We should act and no
! talk. There was desu1tory conversation, al
most all for Binghan's bill. Among th
speakers Was Mr. Chandler Of Mich. who wa
in favor Of urging the Government with bill
c and resolves until there is a decisive movt
. mcnt on the part Of our now dormant army
C Mr. Socrates n. Sherman Of n. T., Ogden
a burg district who thought VIC should strlk
slavery whenever we could, both Us
VAT policy and from motives Of b
Is uanity. He believed there Ind been Z
% betrayal OF any secrets by the slave
o1 certainly none to his knowledge. Hesaid III
Clellan had forbidden one New York 1egimcl
N | to allow 20 slaves who had come within the
H. lines to leave them. He thought We eon1d1
H. put down rebellion without touching proper
,s- and elaves. MI. Pomeroy Of n. T. depree
of ted strife, and feared the breaking up Of t
nd Republican party. He believed in party.
en- muEt not quarrel with the Administratio
,p- There is no longer Republican party in OH
lc- New York or Pennsylvania Still he Pouaere
cit Fus in favor Of the conhscation Of the proper
- of rebels, but not Of loyal men. There VT
st. | several other speeches, all to the same CT
ln- clusion, and with apparently no great diver
ty Of opinion
Senator Wilson's bill gives each Congre
~ ~ ional District twoCadcts in the Military Ac
ots emy, which will make the whole numb
ro1 csen under present circumstances, toward Il
I'm hundred
h;s It is believed upon good authority t
- q Archbishop Hughcs's mission is to sp;
eho which has not behaved well toward rs
~, late.
80 Since Gen. McCle1lan's order for the rele
, N Of $50 prisoners, the enemy have sent bacl
in answer to the first instalment Of ours.
The President and wife, with several &
'oR- erals and military and civic dignitaries, II
, as | at the wedding OF Capt Griffin, (of Grif
that Battery, and Miss Carroll, Last night. Gri
eet- to-day, with his bride, were surprised
,cia- a reception at the camp Of his battery, III
meet triumphal arches Of cTergreens. a
has Gen Butterfeld, in honor Of the bridal pa
aa44th reviewed his brigade by drill.
n of Goodrich brings to the State Departn
,ers. dates somewhat later than the mail, by
first Inst steamer. The news Of Mhson and 81
had not yet been received. Minister Ad
was troubled about the Nashville, but had
It OF no correspondence yet. The statements
no" lishcd touching the opinion Of the Law Of
'gSr. Of the Crown, respecting the 1awfn1ness
It of oa;.n,o that of Mason and Sudcll, Is
frmed.
erts. The Government has adVices that the r
vas have Strengthened their line on the Oceo
lanp BY seEenty-iiyc Thousand men IRON soatn
cTtAIlarf