The New York herald., 1861-12-07

Ben McCulloch is said to have gone into winter
quarters on Pea Ridge, near Bentonville, Arkan-
sas. Nothing positive is known of the movements
of his colleague, General Price.
Our list of the forces composing the rebel army,
revised to the latest moment, is published in to-
days paper. It will be found interesting, as en-
bracing, not only record of the generals and
other officers in command Of it, but also the names
and locations of its camps, positions Of the different
regiments, and list of killed and wounded officers
The various estimates Of the strength of the rebel
army are also given. Our own estimate, founded
on the records which we possess in regard to the
number of troops actually in the field, makes its
strength to be $50 900 men.
The Canadian companys screw steamer North
with dates from Liverpool and Londonderry Of the
2lst and 22d ultimo, reports that the recent cap.
ture Of the American ship Harvey Birch, by the
rebel privateer Nashville continues to create i'm
mense excitement. 1t appears that the captain Of
| the Harvey Birch had gone to London to consult
| the American Minister. The crew were vowing
vengeance against the crew Of the Nashville, as
they were placed in irons for refusing to take the
oath Of allegiance to the rebels The officers of
the Harvey Birch declare she was on soundings
when the Nashville bore down upon her. Colonel
from North Carolina, and, with Commander Pc
gram, had gone to London. 1t was further stated
that Commander Pegram wants the Nashville
made into ship Of war at Southampton, but that
some legal difficulties raised. Questions are
also raised whether the neutrality proclamation
has not been infrnged upon by the landing Of pri
soners Of war. 1t is reported that the Nashville
has several spare officers on board for rebel ships
| preparing in England, fact which we have stated
| before.
The London Times, in alluding to the case, points
to the recent visit Of the United States steamer
James Adger, and says it would be to the interest
of England to keep them both out of her harbors;:
but if this cannot be done, they must be let in
alike.
The London Star, although wishing the COM
mander Of the Nashville to be punished says if he
can produce commission from the Confederate
States the government must let him go, as they
have already recognized those States as bellige-
rcnts.
The arrival Of Messrs. Mason and slidell who
are quietly sequestcred at Fort Warren, was
expected at Southampton, by the steamer La
Plata, due there on the Goth ult
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The steamship North American, from Liverpool
2lst and Londonderry 22d ult ar rived at Portland
yesterday. Her advices are day later than
those brought by the City Of Baltimore.
The rebel steamer Nashville was at Southampton
awaiting repairs. The burning Of the ship Harvey
Birch by the Nashville, and the landing Of the
crew Of the first named vessel, had caused consi-
derable excitement and the question was discussed
whether the neutrality proclamation had not been
in-frnged. The Captain Of the Harry Birch had pro-
ceeded to London to lay the case before the Ame--
rcan Minister. Underwriters were raising the war
risks on American vessels.
No tidngs had been received of the missing
steamer North Brton.
In Liverpool cotton had declined one quarter Of
a penny per pound, chiefly on lower and midhiing
qualities.
tant
Fort Pulaski, near the mouth of the Savannah
river, which is now threatened by the Union gun
boats under Captain Dupont, mounts one hundred
and fifty guns, and was intended by the govern
ment to garrison three hundred men. That and
Fort jackson, which was built for only fourteen
guns were all the defences Of the city Of Savannah
at the time Georgia seeded.
The Halifax Nova Scotia) SIM jnstifes the
taking of Mason and Slidell from the British mail
steamer Trent and argues that the act was strictly
in accordance with the laws Of nations. It also
publishes a long communication from James Whit
man, who takes the same ground.
| bill has been introduced in the Kentucky
Legislature requiring all voters to take the oath
of allegiance to the United States and subordinate
allegiance to the State of Kentucky and they must
/ also swear that they have not aided in any way
| the so-called Southern confederacy.
| The side-wheel steamer Union, recently pur
| chased by the government in Maine, left Portland
on the 4th inst for Annapolis, Md.
The Fifth New York Zouave regiment and the
Seventeenth Massachusetts, returned to Baltimore
from the Eastern shore of Maryland on the 4th inst
The government gunboat Benton left St. Louis
on the Sd inst, bound for Memphis and New Or
leans. The Benton is powerful steamer. double
cased, with forty-fve water tight compartments,
and carries eighteen heavy guns.
| The severe cold weather on Monday and Tuesday
| nights last shut up Lake Champlain, and naviga-
ton is closed on those waters for the season.
| The only case of general interest tried in the
General Sessions yesterday was an Indictment for
forgery in the second degree. John Hopkins was
convicted of attempting to pass counterfeit FIVE
dollar bills on the Columbia Bank of Chatham Four
Corners. He was sent to the State prison for five
years and four months.
The New York canals may now be said to be
closed for the season. large number of loaded
boats, as is usually the case, are frozen fast along
the whole line Of the Erie canal and their freights
must necessarily be transferred to the Central
Railroad in order to reach their destination. The
closing is little earlier than the average time.
In 1851 the canals closed on the 5th; in 1854, on
the Sd, and in 1855 on the 4th The days on which
navigation closed on the remaining years since