New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-12
OF OUR ARMY.
AN ATTACK EXPECTED
HE NEW MILITARY ACADEMY BILL
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS.
eciai Dispstch to The N. Y. Tribune.

I Specfai Dupetch 10 Inc NJ Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Dec II. 1851
THE ARMY MAKING ITSELF COMFORTABLE.
! A careful observer attached to Gen. Frank.
Inns division says that the army appears to
him to be going into Winter quarters.
! Whether they have received any further orders
than to make themselves comfortable, he can
not state, but certain it is that the officers
are buying large quantities OF lumber, and are
erecting permanent and comfortable huts for
themselves, and stables for their horses. Tho
men are constantly employed in cutting logs in
the woods to build cabins. In the cavalry
regiments the soldiers are detailed daily to
cut logs and haul them, and in making stables.
The Orange and Alexandra Railroad that runs
through the ravine separating the hills on
which are encamped Gems. Hentzelmans and
Franklin's divisions, is constantly used for
lumber trains. Hundreds of thousands of feet
of lumber have been already transported thither
for the use of these divisions, and the hills arc
fast being covered with crop OF huts and
cabins, sprung up like mushrooms. The soldiers
have almost ceased to hope for an Immediate
engagement, and seem to have resigned them
selves to comparative. inaction till Spring.
THE KERRIGAN CASE.
Reverdy johnson appeared as counsel IN the
Kerrigan case to-day. Gen. Martndale testi-
fed TO the charge Of the ColoneI's refusal to
attend the examination of the officers of ais
regiment. A lengthy examination of the Cea-
eral aud subsequently Of Major Savage, ELECTED
the fact, that Kerrigan, when positively or
dered to return to the tent where the General
was examining the officers, refused, declaring
that he was not going to be examined publicly.
The Court adjourned at this stage for want Of
material witnesses.
ILLNESS OF SENATOR wILMOT.
Senator David Wimot went home to-day
very i'll. His friends apprebend that his disease
is cancer in the stomach.
EXECUTION FOR DISSECTION.
1t is probable that the first military execu-
ton for desertiOn will take place speedily.
Private johnson, VINO deserted IRON Company
ID, Lincoln Cavalry, is now on trial. Tho
proofs against him are conclusive. He was
endeayoring not merely to get away from our
army, but to 20 over to the rebels. It 10
understood that an example will be made Of
him. The trial will PROBABLY be concluded TO-
morrow.
GREAT STRENGTH OF THE REBEL ARMY.
! Information received by the Government co.,
irms our chief officers in their opinion that
the rebel army outnumbers ours. Their forces
along tie line of the Occ0quau has been
especially increased by $1,000 fresh men just
brought up from the South. This is certainly
suggestive.
FALSE ALARM.
Last evening the pickets Of the 9th Wiscon-
sin Regiment, near Brush's farm, were alarmed
by one of the Garibad Guard, who came sud
denly upon them. He was Immediately fired
at. The report being heard by the rest of tho
pickets, an indscrimiDate firing followed. The
report spread that the enemy was advancing.
and the brigades of Generals Wadsworth King
and others, were immediately marched out
The alarm was false
EXPECTED ATTACK.
| Last night the troops along the center Of
our lines slept on their arms. Dispatch from
Gen. Mcclellan informed them an attack by
the enemy was probable.
To-day at noon several regiments were or.
dered to be ready for an emergency, aud were
drawn up in line, but afterward dismissed.
Tonight our troops are again on the sieI',
sleeping on their arms. Down below last nisn'
four brigades, commanded by Gems he'n'zs'-
man and Sumner, reconnoitered-the former 70
Occoquan, and the latter TO within three miles
of Fairfax CourtHouse on the Annaapa's
Road-but found no enemy.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY BILL.
The Military Academy bill, introduced BY
Senator Wilson to-day, provides Tor Tue ap-
uontment of two Cadets from each Congress
sional District instead Of one. This VIII make
tina whole number over $50, if the loyal dis
tricts avail themselves of tue bill.
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
Although no formal arrangements ior ."0
change of prisoners have been entertaiuea' cav
party is acting az though they were III 'p'
/ lion Az FIRST 50 Of our men were reea'''
in return for whom 50 rebels, mos'Y '''"'
here. were sent South. Lieut. Kurn ."'n n
peared. in exchange for whom rtoe' on0s''
of equal rank. was set free. Secretary "'..
next released three prisoners taken D! "0
Nsvv and the rebels sent back three Oh o''
officers. Finally, Gen. Mcclellan mace On
der freeing $50 prisoners. In RESPONSE
frat r,t,llmcnt of these, 81 in number, % u
= -, h.v. arrived, Ii the whole num"o'