New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26

10 Richmond-Freight Sent 10 Union
Prisoners.
From Our Special Correspondent.
FOpTREss MOSRog,
OLD POIsr COMFORT, Dec. "a, lcoi)
| The telegraph viii have given you the particulars
of the skirmish near Newmarket Bridge, on Sunday
last, between party of rebels and foraging party
under Col. Max Weber. The result, especially re
regards the conduct of our troops, was highly ssis
factory. Col. Weber is soldier who knows what
to do on such occasions and inspires his men win
the spirit aud confidence which soldiers must ever
have before they can hope to achieve success. The
rebels r.p as our forces were about depoying to out
flank them and, knowing all the back-door ways,
t,hey made successful retreat. We know that they
had two killed how many more is not bnown-al
several wounded. On our eide six were wounded,
but none fatally The rebels fairly got the worst OF
the business. The feature of the Transaction which
has most provoked comment, is the part which tue
negroes are alledged TO have played in the aii'r. II
is well sttested and beyond all dispute, that lille OF
negroes acted infantry on the occaiion Ied on our
soldiers, and probably woundedour men. They were
seen distinctly to FIRE and maneuyer according ORDER
This is the representation given, which may oe IL
little oolored, but in the main doubt the representa-
ton is strictly correct have taken considerable
rains to ascertain tie facts, and TO settle possible
whether the negroes were resu'aIiy'orgauiIeo
corps acting like other soldiers, or were merely camp
followers-seIvaDts Of ofheer-apTelr ng specially
and on that occasion only Co. Weber inclues 70
the latter idea. Ii is asserted that the negroes bad
Oh their caps something resembling lace. TLis
woud 20 at least as far to favor the idea that they
were soldiers az that they were servants. Anything
like uniformity in dress favors the theory Of dis
tinct military organization. While the suggestion
that tie negroes were but servants forced to play the
soldiers on the occasion, is natural one, the evil
dence afforded by the uniform is inconsistent, aud
goes furthes. to sustsin the oppo.iie conclusion.
The iudspuiabie fact that negroes have been thus
employ cd, that they have fred on cur forces and
wounded our men, has caused considerable feeling,
esI eciay among tie Germans Of the 10Th Regiment,
who are tie only suerers. Groundless reports have,
as consequence, been put in circulation IL Is ~
serted that several hundred con IabaDds' lihe use
of the term is hereafter TO be dscountenancedl have
lately deserted from the Government service, gone
over 10 the rebels, and taken up arms While some
few cases Of desertion may have taken place, tn,
report. which will 40 doubt find lis wayes truth,
into print, is, su persuaded entirely untrue. The
negroes are generally ooniened their weiaie Is sys'
temstioay looked afer and ample provision Is made
for their wants.
see statement in the public journals tbaS there
is much suffering here, and the charitable are az
pealed TO on behalf Of tbose who are represented as
being in state of destituiion at Fortress Monroe.
have made inquiries on this subject and believe that
the case is much oyers,aied, if not entirely misrsp-
l n. L. flar. kl.Fs-f .
pifts Of the charitable might be wonhily applied
bu, there i. no field for ndiscriminhte giving. Tie
number Of the needy is necessarily not great, aud
they are hidden neither in alleys eelars. 30 far
from there being any particular destituiion within
our lines am convinced that az general thing the
negroes are as well oil, and in very many Instances
considerably better of, as to money and tie meals
OF oLtsiniI tie comforts of life than ever they were
before. Tie women who will work can generally
have all tie washing, at good pay, they can do.
Numbers. both men and women, cell plea aud other
things in the camps; and 1t il the testimony Of we'll
informed officers in different camps, with whom j
have conversed that they drive thrifty business,
and obtain not small share Of the earnings I
Of the soldiers. Ii is the purpose OF the Gov
ernmept, embodied in rgid orders and systematic
plans, TO care for every negro, man, WOMAN ana
child. Of every condition. witnin our lnes. Beioie
there plans had been thoroughly sysie matlled there
may have been for a brief time come Inconvenience,
DO, TO say desttuon, TO clothing for the hbores
Nothing Of the kind exists now. Several " eehs ago,
some benevolent ladies in Pennsylvania forwarded
to Quartermsster Tallmsdge quantity Of clothing, |
which was dispensed with scrupuous regard for the
wishes Of the donors. Hundreds will be made happy
by the dispensing Of quantities OF clothing by Tie
Government ON the morrow Christmas Day. Tie
system Of the Government ia such, that II
any negro suffer Lis wants viii be re-
Eeyed- if hey are not, the fault will be bis I
own In the matter of medical attend
ancc they receive the same attention as that be-
slowed upon the soldiers. a hospital il being erected
exclusively for them, and no determination is made,
without !. is in favor Of the =" contraband." The
public that 10 appealed TO in behalf OF the suffering
pegroesat Fortress Monroe would do Wei to rake
cure that they do not overlook worthy objects near
home 10 pursue something unreal abroad.
Within the last few days mai-route, three times
a week. has been established between Old Point aud
Cherry Stone, en- the eastern shore of Virginia.
From Cherry Stone the mail is taken by stage 10
Esstyie, SIX miles in the Interior where Gen. Lock-
wood keeps bis headquarters. This will prove
great convenience, and exert favorable influence
in re-esablishing the former relations between that
section Of the Old Dominion and the rect of the
country.
rO1ite a number Of craft, 70 form q part Of the
Burnside Expedition, are now in the Roads other-
are at Annapolis, and Others still are expected TO ar
l.. IL. IL, to- -