The New York herald., 1861-12-31
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

~
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1851
EFFECT or TIE SUSPENSION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS W
THE BANKS
The suspension Of specie payment to-day gives general
satisfaction among The business community here There
seems 10 be general desire to keep al the specie in the
country and to give freer circulation to Treasury notes.
On this point Mr.. Spauidng, OF New York who by tho
way, is banker at Buffalo, member Of the CON
mtes Of Ways and Means introduced in tho
House Of Representatives, on leave, q bill to au.
thorize the Treasury to issue demand notes
OF not less than Ave dollars rsdeemable every where to
the amount of ATTY million Of dollars III addition 70 those
heretofore ordered.
CAPTURE OF DANGEROUS REBEL.
William Peacock, occupant Of Peacock Hill was can
tured to-day by scouting party from General ords br.
gade. he corroboFaies the statement yoa three
days since Of body of rebel troops strong having
been in the vicinity of Hawkhurst Mills lie alleges
further that General Bsruregard in command,
and that they were on foragng expedition which be-
ing successfully accomplished, they withdrew to Ma
nasas Our parties Of reconnaissance have long besn
the look cut for Peacock. His well directed rife from
ire, 70 last has laid low many Of pckets have
long been cc1ing TO you, said General Ord And
now suppose you wilIbe shortly looking get me out
OF the way was the Indifferent roply. You will 20 to
Capitol hD reioned the General. The capital hill
ccolness Peacock nearly sixty and has
rebel service He is athletic vigorous sharp fearless
and the most rabid rebel in Fairfax county.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BATTLE AT SORT PICKRNs
TO THE ARMY--DlsMisSAL or LIEUT.. IvEs-sYS.
Renee OF MAJOR CROSS RENTED.
The following orders although dated the 2Is aud 2sth
inst, have not yet been formally promulgated owing to
in issuing them
CRIMINAL ospKRs--sO. 1872.
HEADQrARIERs Or THE ARMY, Ap,r. GEsERA,,'s Osscx
WASHINGTON, Dec Il 1861
The Commanding General las the satisfaction of an
nouncng to the army another skill and good
conduct the part the beIeagured garrison OF Fort
Harvey Brown Fifth regiment OF United States artillery
On the night Of October ., attempt made, by
large body Of the rebels, TO burn the camp Of VIII
batteries and take FORT Pickens by assault.
Tho enemy signaly repulsed from santa
island with heavy loss on their sde after firing
few Of our tents subsequent attempt make lodge
ment the island defeated by well delivered ire
from one Of our shps-of war To put stop 70 such
ssressions, combined fire opened upon the enemys
batteries from Fort Pickcns and the ships of squadron
Pensacola harbor, which kept up throughout the
the 22d and 2Sd Of November. On the drst day Fort
Mcea and several guns in the other hostile batteries
senced, and this was followed by the destruction
under heavy cann0nade OF nearly twothrds Of the
towns Of Warrington and Wolsey, the Navy Yard,
and by very serious damage to the Navy Yard its
buildings. Fortunately but little loss sustained by
us in men or in the condition Of works.
II with pride and ratification that the Commanding
General Gnds in the Official reports the most honorable
mention of each and cvey officer, well as OF the
enlisted men engaged on these occasions.
BY command OF Major General MCCLELLAN.
+. THOMAS, Adjutant General.
L. d. TOWNSEND, Assistant AdiHtant '.eaera'.
GENERAL oRDgns--So. 10
HEADQUARTERS ARxv1
ADJUrASr GENERALS O,r1cs,
WASHINGTON, Lee. rs, 1861.
IFrst Lieutenant j. G. Ives Typographical Engineers
81 ,o tine sa,e asa 5 % a. h
the government is, by direction Of the President of the
United States, dismissed the service from this date
1.-The remainder OF the sentence promulgated in
General Orders No g. OF March Il, 1850 against Major
Osborne Cross, Quartermaster's Department, United
States Army 49, by direction Of the President, hereby
remitted
BY command Of Major General MCCLELLAN
L. THOMAS. Adutant General.
Z. D. TOWNSEND, AssslaDt Adjntaut General
THE TRANSPORTATION or TROOPS By RAILROAD
reply TO the resolution OF the House OF Representa-
tves, requesting the Secretary OF War furnish gene
raj orders issued reference to tho transportation OF
troops and munitions OF by railroad, and also all
orders designating the amount to be paid for pnr
pose tho Secretary submits report from Qnartsrnassr
General Meigs in which ia stated that the ouarermas
General has issued general orders the subject
Accompanying tho report is letter from the War Dc
partmont. dated July ~ 1851. establishing TARIFF of
prices for the transportation troops stores and
directions TO all quartermasers and others engaged
providing transportation. to troops ana stores by
the shortest and most direct route.
The following is general oasis OF pricespasssnssr
per nile two cents and for moving equipments muni.
t.ons supplies accompanying regiments local rates
which wE average about foows:--.Thrty miles or
less TN per pound, there being corresponding
reduction for greater distances that for three hun
drod aud Gf,y four hundred miles the would
not exceed ninety cents per hundred pounds A the
transportation OF horses by full loads ;hirtcon or
fourteen usually charged as 5000 pounds.
Al other supplies forwarded by freight trains charged
local rates according classification Of property which
viii Usually average provisions and heavy freight two
! ar three cents ton Of two thousand pounds Dry
goods clothing light goods win average hree TO ve
/ cents per ton of two thousand pounds per mile.
| PRESENT Arlos or ooLogs TO TIE Ngw YORK EIGHTY
| NINTH REGIMENT.
Hon Daniel 5. Dickinson, who arrived here on Situr
day evening will 10 morrow present stand OF colors to
the Eighty ninth regiment, New York Volunteers (Diokin
son Guards} their camp The city The colors viii
$, ,.co.seG u LIN - II. DueA, ". G. from 'ar plckin
soa . asigiotT .0i the regiment,