The New York herald., 1861-12-31
General Rosencrans and the Western
Virgknians.

s Rosecrans, the officers and men under his com
mand for the gratifying that has attended their
efforts to protect the loyal people OF Western Virginia
from hostile invasion and secure them in the enjoy.
ment or their constitutional rights.
Resolved, That the SKIN and energy displayed by the
officers in command, and the bravery and sefdenia
hbted by tho soldiers in the army within the division
OF Western Virginia entities them to the gratitude and
admiration Of all loyal people throughout the nation
and we hereby congratulate them on tho successive
forward movements, by of which without defeat
or rereat they have boon enabled to drive invading
force beyond natural barriers which separate loyal
from disloynl people.
Resolved, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be
lutons Brgader General W. g. Rosscrans, and 70 the
commanding officers Of each division Of the Union forces
in Western Virginia.
The resolutions were adopted.
Opening or Skating ON Central Park.
THE LOWER POND IN GOOD ORDER--TwEETY THOU
SAND PERSONS ON THE ICE--rHE LADIES ENJOYING
THE REALITY AMUSEMKNT-G0OD SKATING Ex-
PECTED TO-DAY-SKATING OUTSIDE THE CITY, ETC.
The prospects Of Sunday afternoon were not totally
bghted yesterday for although the uppcr pond
in 1t condition 70 be used the lower the end
Sixth avenue in first rate order. The ice WAS
hard and slippery in fine condition for skating
Of the annoying holes closed by frost Pre-
csding night
As the American flag WAS sent alort in the
morning. anxious crowd of cnes Who with skates
under their arms, looking at the ice from the
rounding banks, longing for the chance get upon
rushed down the pathway with "hooray," and we,
soon busy engaged IN the opera Of fixing the steel
clad runners to their feet rather to their boots 1t
WAS not long after this before "chdren Of a larger
growth began to find out that the Park pond was in
skating orde and adjourned their other occupations
glide Along its icy surface. During the morning, how.
ever, the number Of vsitcrs comparatively small
but and the afternoon approached the be
gan to assemble in large numbers, and looked from
moving about with rapdity that only skating the
volvng wheels Of some complicated steam propelled
Amid the sombre garments Of black coated rougher
specimens Of the genus 0no those OF the fur bedx-
zened brilliant color rboned and gayly dressed darngs
known as the ''crnonss.n g0odly number were pre-
sent and have they not improved in their skatng9 Tho
bellies Of last season who carried on the palm with such
ecat will have this season great many rivals. Those
who merely Learners then good skaters now.
Among the proficient lady skaters who present
MissJ wstcrmeyer Mss Fanny Creighton, Miss Roberts
and many others whose reporter did not
learn Several gentlemen Of skating talent present
who We're trying TO get clubs among whom noticed
Mr.. J. Hnnes, Mr. MCMILLAN Mr.. Creighton, &c Now ID
the time TO get up the clubs IL win not do TO leave it
till tho last moment for thsico will 60 away again almost
before you are aware Of IT, And as the ladies' have
persevered in accomplishing the art Of skating he gen
tlemen must not be behndhand, but be ready keep
them company on the ice as well as in the parlors.
As the lighting arrangements for this pond have yet
been Ice had 70 to be cleared Of yisiters BY SIX
O'Clock last evening This did not disturb many of ths
for biting wind arose the went down. Therefore,
minutes suniced to warn or the Others Az the
pond was cleared gang Of men were set to work r.
clean the ice with scrapers and brooms, TO
the loose and minute particles that had been up from
surface by the skates. In short time this pond will
be III up and skaters this ice also after
they were in habit Of doing last year with that Of the up
per pond.
booth has yet been Atted up ON this pond for the
hire Of skates but the outside Of tho Park in the
Deghborh0od Of the pond skates be had the Park
ratesv ten cents hour The keeper Of this booth
was formerly on the upper pond, and has temporarily
erected his establishment 10 accommodate the vsiters
the lower pond until proper arrangements be made
under license Of the Park authorities.
Unless the weather changes there will be good skating
on the pond to-day. About twenty thousand persons
visited the ice yesterday; but 1t not then gene
rally known that skating was allowed the Park, We
may safely look for greater number Of vsites to-day
large number of spectators lined the banks and as
from the broad sidewalk Of Fifty ninth street the pond
can be easily seen, many passers by turned for few
minutes to gaze on the moving, living mass the icc
At Williamsburg the Union Skating Association in
full feather and several persons tried their hardest
cut pigeons wings on the Ice little girl yesterday
however, took the palm-beatng her senior compet
tors all hollow As no skating Is allowed this pond
on Sunday, the ice was in good condition yesterday.
We notice by exchange papers that skating parks have
been established at Troy, Utica, Hudson and several
other places up the State. The the mcrrier and
we may hope 10 see the bellies and beaux from up the
country coming to town TO challenge the Central Park
skaters to match. Prepare, then, to receive them with
due honors.