Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-23
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
GENERAL scorT's RETURN:

GENERAL scoTI's RETURN:
= The fact that Gen. Scott has so soon returned to
the United States Tin the Arago) is understood by
his immediate friends here to have been the re-
sult Of bis belief that he possesses information
concerning the state Of the affair Of the Trent on
the other side Of the water, Of Importance to our
Government; and therefore hastens here with T.:
H will be remembered that our avoidance of
collision with England on two former occasions
lin that Of the northeastern boundary difficulty
and that Of Gen Hsrney's Oregon imbroglio-was
due In great part TO Gen. Scou's personal efforts
to settle the questions then in issue between the
two Governments peaceably. He doubtless hopes
we trust justly-that in this case his prospective
similar exertions may terminate "a happily The
mass Of the people Of both countries wish him
God speed" Ia this labor Of exalted humanity
NAVY YARD.
There has been no arrival from the fotilla since
our last report; consequently we have no river
news.
The trial trip Of the Pensacola on Saturday was
In every way a decided success. She walked
past the King Philip and Mount Washington
easily, although those boats have heretofore
been considered fast She started down about
eleven O'Clock a. m, went al far a. Indian Head
and returned TO her anchorage about four O'Clock
p. m, with IS pounds of steam. she averaged
nine knots per hour with ease. President Lincoln
did not attend, as was expected, but Secretary
Welles and his Chief Clerk were present
The brig Delaware, which LEFT some days since
with load Of coal, Is at anchor of Fort Wash
ington, having returned, unwilling to venture
within range Of the batteries.
HOW TO DO IT.
In the course Of General Ord's recent engage
ment near Drainesville, Colonel Jackson (of Pa }
dismOnntad f,ar ia har. nd Ia
on foot leaving his stead In the care of his coored
servant, in the rear of the command The servant
mounting, amused himself with gslloping TO and
fro, ir view Of the hght, until perceiving two
secesh soldiers, who had just fired. their pieces
about to scamper Of after their absquatulating
friends, he dashed into their path, and raising
carbine tcithoEt a cap on is nipple, ordered them
TO lay down their arms; which they did. He then
ordered them to face about, and at the point OF
his harmless piece drove the heroes safely into the
midst q our troops Thus taken, they remain
among the prisoners Of war captured on tia
occasion.
THE surTRISe PRISONERS.
See the letter from the Hon. Alfred Ely TO the
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, printed elsewhere In to-
days Star. We earnestly sutreat every member
Of Congress TO read IL, and before Christmas TO
take such legislative steps az may be necessary to
remove from the fair fame Of the United States
the blotch Of the neglect, up to this time OF our
gallant fellow citizens now languishing, well
nigh naked, In cold damp, and loa,hsome Rich
mond military prisons.
COTTON COATS.
The clothing Of the " secssh" taken In the re-
cent battle at Evansville proves that the enemy
are, indeed, intense sufferers for want of proper
quartermaster's stores. Thus, three fourths of
their coats are OF cotton cloth-not woolen-liaed
In some instances with a heavier cotton cloth or
padded with cotton. The coats Of the South
Carolina troops engaged were colored by being
dyed with tobacco juice! To keep Of the YER
min, hey,
INDIANA TROOPS.
lndianas apportionment Of the Union volun-
teers was 81 900 men but she already has s.. 900
In the neld. Well done, Indiana :! But one
brigadier general has been appointed from IndI-
ana, however. Ii 10 not wonderful under the cir
cumstances, that her delegation In Congress are
urgent that the President shall call Gen Morris
again Into the field, In the capacity Of a major
general Of volunteers.
MAJOR GENERAL MCMILLAN
Major General Mcclellan Is somewhat an in
valid to-day from the effects Of a cold. Thus by
The advice Of his physician be yesterday after
noon and to-day confined himself to his chamber
IL believed, however, that he will be able to be
out and about a. usual tomorrow.
ras NAVAL "Rxr1RINs" LAW.
This forenoon the President signed the bill re-
Gently passed by Congress To retire from active
service all officers above sixty-two years Of age, or
who have been forty years In service SO 1t Is now
Law.
DFrom shillington, Odeon Building, we