New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26

Special Dispatch to The N. Y Tribune
wAsasGros. "Wednesday. Dec. %. lsji.
THE STEAMER TRENT AFFAIR.
This morning NJ. MERCER, the French Minis.
ter, called at the State Department, but failed
to see the Secretary, who was at the Cabinet
meeting. 1t is coDjectured that his purpose was
to communicate bis instructions received by tho
America, and that those instructions embraced az
urgent appeal to the United States to peacea-
bly, adjust the question with England. and.
perhaps, also an offer of mediation.
Should the Cabinet conclude, as there is
reason to believe it may, in the last resort to
surrender Mason and Slidell, there will be q
sharp resistance on the part Of some Of ito
members. But let us wait.
VOLUNTEER CAVALRY OFFICERS.
The Board organized for the examination Of
Officers for the Volunteer Cavalry is holding
daily sessions. II ia understood that they End
large proportion Of those already examined
unit for their places, and lave so reported
them to the President, who must finally pass
upon each case.
MOVEMENTS OF THE REBELS OPPOSITE.
A deserter from CentreyilIe who came within
our lines to-day Gays that recently portions OF
several regiments were moved thence forward
To Fairfax. Centrevllle he calls impregnsble,
adding that il is to be defended by not far from
100. 900 troops. The whole army had been Tor
more than three weeks in almost daily expec-
tation of an attack by Gen. Mcclellan, bus
after waiting 30 long in vain had settled into
the conviction that there would be no advance
this Winter, and were making preparations 10
20 into Winter quarters.
The 81, 600 Rebels Oh the Lower Potomac
are also, according to deserters recently ir'm
that quarter building log hats ard making
themselves comfortable, 10 expectation that th-y
will not be disturbed by Gen. Mcclellan before
Spring.
GEN. SUMMERS INJURIES.
Gen. Summers injuries are more serious uAa
was M first supposed. His spine suffered 80
severe shsck from his fall that II i thought
doubtful whether he viii ever again be able 10
mount his horse. He has been relieved 81 Dis
own request from the command OF his dEiSiou'
which is for the present assigned TO Gea'
IIeintzelman, who retains his own DIVISION a.'o'
DINNER TO GEN. M'CLELLANs STAFF.
This evening dinner was given BY c@.
IIayelock to the other members oi Gen. NV
Clean's staff.
BEgpAN's sHARpsHo0TERs.
Berdans Sharpshooters are 10 DC h'h'"
with the Spencer rifle, which, it is SAID can
be fired eight times in succession ana reioaa01
again ms rapidly as common musket. Id ."
mean time the Sharpsbooters are be'og uSeu
enable somebody TO become Briga0er'0'"'
eral.
TIE PENSACOLA.
! The Pensacola will make trial "TRIP o'"A
tho potomac as far as Indian Head "
morrow morning. The President VIII
passenger and perhaps witness oil lu'
a...r,I ooaration of the /" Sickes cut-otL
THE OBSERVANCE or CHRISTMAS.
! Chr;s,mas was heartily ObserFed l"
camps across the river. Most Oh 'h0 ''"'
were tassefally decorated with e.efs.'e"'' -.
o,b.rwi.e ruraIly ornnmented. AT Camp Ba'
.ars.M Halls Hill, there was fantastic p',
rade of the Ellsworth Regiment winch
great mcrrment. ,,., and tho
...aI orasr of movements was carefully 10
D'ua Thsre was a mock trial of the ofhec'S
and other dougs, which served greatly "
lain the men and their friends, who "s'' -
attendance in large numbers
THE ISSUE OF PASSES.
The following order has been promr,sa'sa'
HEADQUARTERS Assy o. ran e rVi -
owxxx.r onpnns No ST. lna. ,Sa a. psssss WBSh
dsrstmdiug appears to prevail on 'ne 's"'''