Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-16
THE TIMES DECLARES 1T A CLEAR vIo-
LATIoN OP THE LAW OF NATIONS.
Important Letter from General Scott
WASHINGTON, Saturday, December Il.

WAsHHGToN, Saturday, DecemberIl.
It is probable that Senator Polk, of Mis-
souIi, viii be expelled from the Senate. The
evidence Of his completely with rebsls is re.
ported to he conclusive, aud the Senate is de-.
termined to purge itself of all traitorous
members.
NEW YORK, Saturday. December IA.
Captain Briggs, of the brig Joe. Park, reports
was overhauled by the pirate Sumter, which
had the American flag flying, in latitude 50
north, longitude 42o, when he was ordered to
hesve to, and an officer came on board saying
the brig was prize to the Sumter, at the same
time the pirate run his "rag" up, and drawing
down the American flag.
The brig was thoroughly overhauIed aud
every thing valuable robbed feom her, we only
being allowed our''clothes; 1876 Sovereigns were
taken from Captain Briggs, who, with his
crew, was put aboard the pirate, and the yes
sci burnt. The Sumter sailed north ward, not
lotipg steam, and reporting herself to various
foreign vessels az an United States craft.
October 9th the schooner d. TfoVbridge was
captured.
sAN FRANCISCO, Wednesday, December H.
The steamer Golden Age sailed for Panama
to day, Carrying 400 soldiers and $3.50 900 10
treasure. Among the passengers is General
Shields, who accepts Brigadier Gsneralship.
The fIeshet from the recent rains extends
throughout the valley and other portions OF
the State, doing immense damage to farmers,
| carrying off bridges, fences, &c. Parts of
Stockton and Marysville were overfo wed, as
we'll as Sacramento. The entire number of
lives lost is not known. A number of brick
buildings have fallen at Marysville. The loss
of property at Sacramento is estimated at
$500, 900. Communication With many districts
is cut off and busineSs suspended. The
weather for the past two days has been appar.
emily settled, and the waters have receted.
MAS SYRACUSE, Mo-, Friday, December lS.
Scouts biiog 10 news of proposed meeting
of rebel recruiting officers, aud tho formation
of a rebel camp 10 the timbeTs.
The FEDERAL troops in this district are kept
actively employed. Squadrons, or companies,
or battaliOns of cavalry, and sections of light
sriillery, if required, are ordered out by Gen
eFal Pope with silence and mystery which is
always productive Of good results. The com
msnding officer alone knows where the blow
is to be struck, and rebel spies in camp are thus
thrown off the track, ard the expeditions so
sent ont are almost invariably successful.
Scarcely q day passes without bringing news
of q skirmish and the capture of squads Of
Prices recruits.
The expedition sent north few days since,
| under MsjOr Marshall, routed q band of rebels
| under Joe Shelby, aud captured 4 Captains
| 2 Adjutants, Lieutenant, 40 men, with arms
horses, wagons, mortar and other articles.
The capture of leading secession reoruiting
officers, and the breaking up of their embryC
| camps, is doing much to restore peace AnC
| quiet. Those VINO are disposed to lay dowr
their arms and return to their allegiance, art
| suffered to do so.
| Prices army is on its last legs. His mel
are leaving in large numbers, ana if the pres
ent vigorous policy against those in arms, o
who furnished aid and comfort to the3 enemy
is pursued, better stare Of things is sure {
follow. r. r.U. ..s.... a-I f5-t
General Pope, who is now in command o
the district embrased within the lines of tn
Missouri and, Usage Rivers, has estaslishe
schools of instruction for commissioned officer
at each cantonmeAt, post and. station With
| this district, and the most rigid rules are oh
served for the acquisition Of military know
edge. ...r '.u. 80.
The school for the instruction of cornpsu
officers 10 presided over by colonies of regi
ments, and the school for regimental fel
officers by the brigade commanders, to whoI
two rtcilatiOns in tactics aud regulations ar
made. No officer Is permitted TO be absen
from these Rotations, unless on guard, ,detache
service or siek in hospital, and in such case
the recitaiOps are required as soon thereaftG
as practicable. Regimental and brigade oficsl
are held responsible for the strict observanC
of these orders, and the names of officers Wh
are carsIess or inattendve, or who fail to az
auire thelesSops set for them are to be reporte
TO headquarters, and such officers will be exam
ined by board appointed for the exspipatiO
of volunteer officers. 4.s aT. 20 Eptg O.
The Division commanders will be present
least once q Gay at soma Of the recItatiOns
the schools within their divisions, and will civ
such strict and constant supervision as will a.
sure them that the requirements Of this ordt
, are fulfilled. The General Commanding th
district will at least once In two weeks vis
7 every cantor ment, post or station within b
! command, and will assure himself either b
personal examination, or through some ofic'
designated for that purpose, that the officers
this command are making that progress
acquiring the knowledge necessary
enable, them properly to discharge the
duties which ought to be expected, and he her
| by notifies all officers within this District, TIL
. no considerations Of rank or personal feelin
will deter him from the promptest aud mo
stringent measures against any officer who do
not devote himself assiduousIy and earnest
a to the acquisition OF that knowledge WhiC
! alone can &c him to hold 3 commission.
"a cantOnment has been established
| Lamine River, and MBjor COrse, Of the Six
; Iowa Regiment, appointed Provost Marsh
+ thereof. All COlonslS of regiments ere to
{ held Responsible for their reglmental tran
. | portAtion, and are required to keep It
] effectiVe order and ready for the march ~ 81
2 moment. ANY failure In this regard VIII
|, called out for the march or for review and
| spectiop, will be considered and treated
, | gross neglect Of duty. ''h' h'f' b'n9ta F"
Phs ssls.of llquorIs positively iprohlbitsd
| eTSIJ camp, pOsI VI sLauVA ia the Dis .Iijti Q