New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-30
FROM roRrREss MONROE.
Dovphea-fcdncss ~ the Rebel PnPers-
Activity among eur Naval Forces
Chris,,,as i'm the KIospital-Flsy Of
Truce cpeYations.


From Own CoTsspondsnt
foATRKs. hoSEOg, Obi r. INT Comfort Dec Y, i3sl
The Ricimond Inquirer OF he Path is decidedly
sorowful over the rebel prospects, and especially
over the probability that the question with England
will be settled without war, il view Of al of which
the rednouthed rebel editor frankly tells bis readers
lha, there is nothing in tue Confederate prospects on
whi.h TO congratulate thems as Q sessor when con
,ra,ulaions are in ord,r. The Redmond Dispafea
Of the same date, which send herewith, in the same
gloomy strain, utiers a warning "to our countrymen
our Legislators, both State and Confederate" against
being lulled into dream Of security hat England
will lie drawn into this wsr our side." Private
adyiees tfor there such) confirm what is apparent
from tie tone Of the rebel press that the ebes bave
within the last week. become depressed in Tropotlon
to their raion the week previous over tie proc peet
that England would be drawn ibto this war on
tue rebel side. That prospect was the eoSa pop Of
the Rebellion, end rs that hope des oct bke a can
die, even Tie Richmond Inquirer cannot rearess or
d,cuise Whist amounts to the confession that aks lost
There ID much activity on ship well ss go shoro
in this department. jast at present. Tie injurious
consequences hitherto resulting from premature
publication OF particulars concerning expeditions and
important movements, afford reason enough why,
with reference TO present movements At this p<int,
little in detail should be said. The navy particu-
larly active. Gunboats, store spy and tugs arrive
and depart. almost in fleets; bu, where they 60 the
rebels will not find out from me. Guns OF shs ne 81
formidable description placed on decks where be-
fore there were those not ofsutcien eaiber5
gunboas are having their arnaments increased by
the addition of /" Long Toms" longer and larger
than any that heard Of in days when guns
Of that coenomen were terror Flag Oflcer Go'as-,
borough is thoroughly in the work. and il would bel
an omission Of which would feel myself guilty J,
(tbough not over.much given to Especial mem
TONS were to allow the opportunity to pass wish-
ont bearing testimony TO tho activity, ZEAL and Ca
Eacity of Commander Case, of the flagship. lem
cure that the new navy lew was not framed for
odeer like lin, except to advance them to higher
sphere of duty.
Capt. Follet Of the ith Artillery has rsesD.!y
arrived and assumed command Of bis company. II
is sad that Gen Wool designs that he shall inmedi'
ately lave Il bat eIy Of ho~iizers. Capt. Howard
s expected daily aud will have pand Of ,be baf-
terry lately mounted by Cap. Mendsnhall, WHO viii
leave under orders.
COL Harun's Cavalry regiment i, getting in lac
couditiou mention shis fact simply to state thu,
the regiment was sent here rom the Pctonss more
to get rid Of ii than anything else, there having been
more horses TO cay nothing about the Uenl brought
into the service than anybody knew What 10 do w'1h,
ind especially more than there was forage for. The
horses had necessarily much run do~u, IS . the case
wiIh the cavalry generally tLa' h>s been On ise
Potomac for aiy considerable length OF tine. Tie
r, glmept lad not been An hour here when II was
determined by Qulrterrlsser Ts.lmadSn 10 do 'ne
very best for it. TIE alt wac, that n ten cays
every horse was housed, six immense barns, con-
suming upward of million fesl Of lumber, having
been erected. The horses were served with proper
forage from the Grst mom., and the result Is, the
regiment 10 getting into fne condition and PROBABLY
will soon, If il does not now, exceed any on the
Potomsc Perhaps I ought not to any this, shce II
nay lead to an exchange for some other OF the very
MANY regiments Of ca.sAyy in and about Washington
that need resurrecting.
'Commissary Taylor iis building several immense
so ehousee inside tbs ftrtress-s measure prompted
conclude by prndert, al considerations growing out
of re cent questions. Other steps have been niated
for similar reasons.
Christmas day watproperly obsery es at the General
Hospital TIE cid ballroom Of IT, ao,e' buclng,
used since the sick have occupied it as reading
room and chapel fo ihs convasscsnis is beautifully
deco,a,ed for tbs holiday week by tue brilliant ever
"a eens which abound in vicinity the ehpy bright
red berries adding to the tasiefunos' oil the scene
On Christmas E,,e appropriate services were held in
the chapel by the Rev. Mark l.. Cheysis, post chap
lain Of Fort MQiros; goody audience Vt attentive
li,seners were present. The great public event eli
,be hospital oA the 25th was beautiful dinner, OF
tie approved staples, turkeys, chic sns, fruit, Sc,
Which were done justice " by the large number of
recovered men now there. Lack oi means of trafs-
roralion to South Carolina bas left an unusually
large proportion oil convalescents here being those
l.fi sick by ths regiments that left lately. The brave
fellows are sager N rejoin their regiments, aud
anxious fos activity, but nevertheless eijoy item
selves well for the interim and feel grateful 10 tho
efficient surgeons whotave ministered " them while
sojourners Tue thoaghifuness Of the surgeons pro-
yides the uen with literary snd social epjoymenis.
A piano Las been loaned to the hospital and placed
in the readipg.room, aud frequently In the evenings
delightful n,nsie and songs ae dsconrsed there.
Papers and books have been contributed from the
North 70 large extent for this practical means Of
sidiug and comforting The soldiers.
The hospital is under the charge Of Br.gade-Sur-
geon Baniecou and Acknowledgment Smith and
White Of ,ls United Ststcs Array, and contains now