, 1861-12-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
France Appeals for an Amieable Set
tlement with England
Gen. Sumner Permanently Injured
SHARP sKIRMISH NEAR P0HICK
CREEK.
Rebels Brilliantly Replllsed.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-This morning, H.
Mcrcicr, French minister, called at the State
Department, but failed to see the Secretary,
who WAS at the Cabinet meeting. It is con-
jecturcd that lis purpose was to communicate
his instructions, received by the America, and
that these instructions embraced an urgent
appeal to the United States to peaceabiy ad-
just the matter with England
a deserter from Centrevillc, who came in
to-day, says that recently portions of several
regiments were moved thence to Fairflx.
CcntreTille, he calls impregnable, and will be
defended By not fur from LOG, 600 troops.
The whole army had been for more than
three weeks in daily expectation Of an attack
BY Gen. Mcclellan, but after waiting 60 long
in vain had settled into the conviction that
there would be no advance this winter, aud
we're making preparations 10 go into winter
quarters. The $1,000 rebels on the Lower
Potomac are also, according to deserters,
building log huts and making themselves
comfortable, expecting they will not be dis
turbed before spring.
Gen. Summers injuries arc more serious
than at first supposed. His spine suffered SO
severe shock from his Call, that it is thought
doubtful whether he will ever again be able to
mount his horse. he has been relieved, at
his own request, from the command Of his
whole division, which Is for the present as
signed to Gen. HeintzeIman, vino retains his
own division also.
There is a report that Gen...Heintzelman's
command celebrated Christmas by going In
search of the enemy. Late last night inforala~
ton WIS received that the rebels were a5out
toconccta quantity offoragc at Mason's Neck;
that rebel nng was flying from Pohlck
Church and that if the Union troops would
show themselves on Pohick Hill, tho enemy
would probably be there to give them battle.
Accordingly, carly this morning, iour rc:s,i~
ments Of infantry, the 105th Pennsylvania. Col.
knight; the 6sd Pennsylvania, Col hayes !;
the 37th New York, Cot Hayi1aan the 81 Mich
gan, Col. Champlin with Capt. Be.mis's bat
tery. md two squadrons of The LIST New York
caya1ry-the whole in command Of Gen. JAM
ison, proceeded along the telegraph road to
Pohick Church, twelve miles from Alexandria.
When our troops reached the hill they were
drawn up in line Of battle. b squad OF rebel
cavalry was seen on hill mile or more to the
right. The battery was Immediately placed
| in position, and one shot fred at them. They
scampered off In amoment. Our forces waited
couple Of hou1s, but nothing more Was seen
| Of the rebels, No rebel fag was found float.
| ing from Pohick Church, and Gen. Jan1ison,
finding that The enemy "as not disposed to
accept the opportunity for 4 skirmish, re-
| turned.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The flag officer o.
the Pacific squadron says all remains quiet al
| Panama, and throughout the Isthmus. Tht
recent recognition of the Mosqueir.s Govern.
1ncnt, by the authorities Of Panama, seems tt
have tranquilized tie public mind, AMI pro
duced general feeling Of security not expert
| enccd for many years.