The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26


troops would show themselves on Pohick Hal the enemy
would probably be there give them bate Accordingly
early this morning four regiments OF nfansry-sho one
hundred and fifth Pennsylvania, Colonel mcknight the
Sixty-hrd Pcunsylvana, Colonel Hays; the Thirty
seventh New York. Colonel Hsyman and the Third Michi
gan Colonel Champn, with Captain Beames battery,
squadrons OF the First New Jersey cavalry,
dor Captain D. Jones the whole in command OF General
amison proceeded along the elsgraph road rohics
church, twelve miles from Alexandria When troops
reached the hill they up line Of battle.
squad Of rebel cavalry seen on hill
milo or more TO the right. The battery
was Immediately placed in position, and one
shot fred al them. They seampcred of in moment.
Our forces waited couple of hours, but nothing more
was seen OF the rebels during the day No rebel flag was
found floating fitm Pohck church, aud General 1anson,
finding that the enemy was disposed accept the op
perunity for skrmsh returned with his command late
in the evening.
After his return the band OF Colonel Hays regiment
visited his headquarters just before atoo and sercnadcd
him.
The troops delighted at the manor in which they
spent Christmas Day but somewhat disappointed
that they did not have brush with tho enemy
EXPECTED ARRIVAL or GENERAL SCOTT.
The arrival here of General Scott is looked for with
much interest
AFrAuss ON THE UPPER POTOMAC.
Information from Wiliamsport represents oil quiet in
that vicinity. The report Is confirmed that tho main
body of Jacksons forces has retired TO Matnsburg and
probably TO Winchester, leaving the Virginia neck,
opposite williamsport, small body OF troops, Will,
others performing picket duty above and below that
point, not in all over 200 nea.
Early on Monday morning man who emerged from
the ruins Of Cclscns mills with lrebranl in his hand
having been milking his way TO the cribwork Of
t1,.
shot down by sentinel bsIongng to Colonel Kenleys
command on the Maryland side. Colonel Kenleys rcgi
mcnt guards tho fotoyaac from Dam No 6 10 Hn.
Geek, connecting with General kcy's pickots at the
latter place.
HEALTH or GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
The health Of neral Mcclellan Is yot sufficiently
restored FOR him active duty but although
hidden by bis physicians leave his house his energetic
mind controls and directs all the operations Of
army.
TUE PRESIDENTIAL EXCURSION POSTPONED.
The excursion upon the Pensacola did not take place
to-day 1t has been postponed to suit the Of
the President.
ACCIDENT TO COLONEL BEKDAN.
Colonel Berdan seriously injured to-day, He
trying breech loading rifle about to be adapted for
Of his regiments Of sharpshoo.ers The charge blow
the breech, making seycrc confusion Of his right check
and fatally injuring the right eye.
ARMS FOR BEgDANs sHARpsHoorERs.
The Secretary u War Las ordered for Col. Bcrdans
brigade the Spences magazine rife" THIS gun fires
eight times without charging, and be re-chargel
ready for eight additional! rounds in almost the same
time that the ordinary masket be loaded once
In appearance it is unlike The Sharp rifle. There l.
the least leakage Of gas all the parts work freely
Neither caps prince required the decorating pow
der being in metal caitrlge with the powder AMI ball.
This rife has been tested by Colonel Berdan and The Ord
nance Board These expensive weapons will Ne given
to any other CORPS II is understood that ths order was
made at General Mcclellan s personal request.
Captain Grover, Of the Tenth Infantry Uniled
States Army, time ago appointed b. Colonel
Berdan Colonel Of his first regiment Of sharp.
shooters has just arrived from New Mexico and Will
report at once for duty
ARREST or AN ALLEGED SPY.
middle aged woman, ard very well dressed, with
strongly marked masculine features, arrested day
Suspicion Of being sly at the Of Dr. Ship
pen having charge OF the division hospital in General
McCall's division Sho pretended 10 have powders and
liquid tonics TO sell 10 The soldiers, beirg peny sup
piled with both. nr. Shipper examined Ito cen.
tents Of Of the bottles. and found IL q
most dclcteriors compound. Her Inconsistent sto.
res about herself her pass dating back nearly three
months and the fact Of her being proving about
Of the way places at strange hours the night
her Mrs. stinson residence Bargor Name,
and prctcnds to have and tligcea ncphews in
the Union army Upon being questioned The names
and regiments CT the latter, she cylccd very spco.s
hcstancy.
EXAMINATION or CAVALRY OFFICERS.
The Military Board for the examination Of cavalry OH
GERS is stiI work, Ncthieg Is positively known Of il
proceedings There is to believe that tho axs Is
kept rapidly in notion and tina! officers Of al grades
from celores down. its victims. Colonel Van Alon
the President Of the Board has recommended General
Mcclellan the ndisorimnate renewal or all co!oncs Of
volunteer cavalry who have had military experience,
and the appointment their stead OF occrs tho regu
Jar army This accommodation is supported by facts
dedccl from experience. 1t apparent TO the committee
that good colonel makes Invariably good company
officers aud ultimately good regiment The volunteer
cavalry regiments that have been placed nGor the COM
mand Ct colonies selected from tie regular army how
ever dsorganizcd and undsciHiined at Grst are now
among The most efficient tie service. This arm or the
service above an others, reeds particular attention
THE COLONEL OF TIE VAN WICK RlGIMrSr
Captain Jordan, Of the Fourteenth United states in
fantry, has accepted the Cocnc'cy Of The Van Wye.
regiment of New York Volunteers.
NEW UNIFORMS FOR PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS.
New winter uniforms yesterday given ont to the
Third Sixth Tenth and Elcv Pennsylvania rogiments
They we're an acceptable Christmas present
THE CAUSE or SICKNESS IL CAMP
BY careful examination it has been ascerained beyond
doubt that nine enths Of all tho sickness in carp ia
caused by sleeping upon the ground the neglect be.
ing susceptible Of improvement much dissatis.
faction among the soldiers.
THE PICTURES IN TIE WHITE HOUSE.
IN giving description OF the recent renovaons and
embellishments in the Presidential mansion we
stated that certain pictures Of Queen Victoria and
Prince Albert which supposed had been presented az
permanent addition to its collection OF valaables had
been carried off, without any right Of ownership ly Mr.
Buchanan, when he retired to Wheatland. This ia ai
error. When the Prince Of Wales visited the White
House, the autumn before last no mentioned TO Miss
Lane that be had nc engravings or his father ana
mother on board the Hero, at Portland which II would
crafty him II she would accept She OF course replied
that it would give her vefy great pleasure 70 receive
them Shortly after the Prince reached Portland Miss
Lane received roll containing the two prints She had
them handsomely framed, at her own expense and had
them suspended in Of the principal apartments OF tic
Executive mansion. When Mr.. Buchanan retired from
Office she Of took the pictures to Vhcaand with
hav did no rpmoinier of hor nor,,c., ..