Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-27

The President, in his special message to
the Senate yesterday, referred the whole sub.
ject Of the expedition to Mexico, and asks
the Senate to advise him what course to Dur.
sue.
Special to Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
Ex-Minister Jones, Of Iowa, has been ar
rested on charge of writing letters from
Bogota to jeff Davis, protesting the utmost
anxiety for the success of the Disunion move
ment, and promising to join him on his re-
turn from New Granada.
Thos. Francis Meagher was to-day appoint
ed Brigadier General by the President -
also, Gen. Palmer, of Illinois.
New YORK, Dec. II.
The Tribune learns that among the papers
on Thursday, transmitted to the Senate con-
cerniDg Mexican affairs, was the project of .
treaty with Mexico-the provisions of which
are Of such importance that it is even thought
it would, if confirmed, lead to the withdraw
al Of France from the Spanish alliance
1t provides that our government shall pay
$l6.000,000 to Mexico, to be applied to the
satisfaction of English and French creditors
and for grant to the United States of COM
mercial privileges, the adjustment Of our out
standing debts and the right Of transit across
Mexican territory for troops and munitions of
war. 1t is thought that the treaty will be
speedily confirmed and sent at once to Vera
Cruz.
Especial to Commercial Advsrtiser.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. FL.
A large number of our volunteer troops,
some suffering severely from sickness, and
others disabled by wounds, are leaving this
city and returning to their respective homes,
to recuperate, having long furloughs for that
purpose; Others have obtained honorable
discharges from the service.
1t is generally believed here that Con.
gress, on Monday, will take a recess until af.
ier the 9TH of January.
New YORK, Dec 2l.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, of this morning,
has special dispatch from Baltimore, stating
that news had been received from Richmond,
to the effect that Fort Pickens had opened
fire on Fort McRae three times since the 22d
ult., but with what effect is not known. On
the 30th ult, one incessant shower of shells
was thrown into the fort by Col. Brown.
Special to Chicago Tribune.
WAsHINeToN, Dec. %.
Lord Lyons presented his first official COM
munication yesterday, and Mr.. Seward is
areply.
The New York Herald in saying yester-
day in double-leaded leader, and the New
York Times in printing, that the Cabinet had
decided to return Mason and Slidell, are Tt
terly and mischievously wrong What will
be done, rather than fight, remains to be seen.
Some shrewdly surmise that rather than sur.
render, Seward will favor leaving the whole
fn fho h,,k
be settled more easily.
Assistant Secretary Seward told Senator
that things looked critical, but no.
body save Lyons, Seward, the President, and
perhaps Mcclellan, have seen the dispatches
Others merely guess.
The Sunday Chronicle gives q list Of 80
wounded and killed in the Bucktail Rifles,
and 6s in the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment,
IN the Drainsville fight. The rebel loss, in
men and horses, was increased by the burst
ing of a caisson. Gen. Stewart is known to
have been in command, and is believed to
have been killed. lie owns magnificent
mousse in the vicinity Of Drainsville and is
noted for daring and cruelty.
Some Harpers Ferry and Springfield rifles
we're found on the field and many shot guns.
some of the knapsacks bore the letters o. S.,
doubtless captured at Bull Run and were
illed with rations, short cake, hard biscuit
nd boiled beef.
The rebels were ambushed to attack our
nen. They advanced along the road, but
hey did not fall into the rebel trap, but took
lp strong position on a hill commanding
he rebels Nineteen of the Rifles held o
,rge brick house in the village, on which
hot AMI shell rained The rest of the regi-
nent formed in line of battle and charged
,ayonets, when the rebels att, mpted to flank
ur men, and drive them back The column
hen advanced through thick underbrush, but
ound no living foes Their dead were left
N the field
Gen. Mcclellan speaks of the bravery ard
evotion of our troops in the highest terms.
When the fire from the woods wa. very heavy,
ot all of them obeyed orders to lie on their
aces in the cleared ground, but they stood
unnecessarily exposed and were thus woun-
ed. Col. Kanes wound is severe, the ball
assing through his cheek, breaking tooth
nd was stopped by a bone. He bandaged it
astantly and resumed his place.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. %.
A large arrival of prisoners from Sedalia
7as expected at hall past seven this evening.
Jars were sent to Sedalia yesterday, sufficient
0 bring down seventeen hundred men, and it
Vas arranged they should come down to-day,
ut owing to an unexpected delay they will
lot be here till noon to morrow.
McDowelrs Medical College was taken
Of. A large force of workmen, in
;luding l5 slaves belonging to the rebels,
aiken from the county Jail, were at work
;leaning the premises and putting them in
,rder.
OrrEkv1LLE. Dec. %,
learned yesterday that among the prison
rs taken by Gen. Polk, last Thur day, was
he notorious Col. Magofin, of Georgetown,
fissouri.
About two weeks ago Magofin sent word
o the commanding officer that his wife was
eriously i'll, and begged to be permitted to
ee her before she died. He was informed
hat if he would give his parole as prisoner
f war, his request would be granted. He
lid so and went home, and the next heard of
i'm was that he commanded the whole force
nat defended the bridge which Col. Dasi is
ook by assault, and that he fed with his
,arty and was not taken until somc time after
he rebel force had surrendered, and in con-
sequence of the darkness of the night he was
lot recognized until the next day.
SEDAL1A, Mo-, Dec. %.
"a cars loaded with prisoners, taken by
Zen. Pope, 60 to st. Louis tonight.