Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23
Prom washington.

Prom Washington.
WAsHrNGroS Dee 20-The promotions and
appointments in the army OF the United States by
the President since the publication of General
Orders No. 6S, of August 18th, have just been
officially promulgated
From the pamphlet IL appears there has been
$50 promotions and 650appOintments OF all kinds
in addition to the sixty Brigadier Generals of vol
unteers, the whole number of these being about
no.
Among the destinations are James Shields, of
California, TO be a Brigadier General
The appointments as ABIDE Campsto General
Mcclellan number twenty two.
Thirty one officers have been honorably
tired under the law upon that subject.
Last Monday there were thirty -se-en resgna
tons of volunteer officers in the army of the Pc
tomac, and on Wednesday twenty four, or about
seventy-fve during the week. A few of these
resigned to take higher appointments in other
regiments.
Ifany correspondence has taken place between
Lord Lyons and Secretary Seward il has been of
informal and confidential character as no Off
eial communications have passed between them
with reference to the Trent affair.
A brief dispatch from Gen. Haleck to the army
headquarters confirms the truth of the reported
success of General Popes expedition in Missouri
A special to the Herald says:
General Ord started at six o'clock this morn
ing. 49,
His command consisted of four regiments of
the Bucktail Rifles. Lieut.. Col Kane and Eas-
tons battery, consisting of two "a FOUNDERS and
two l2-pound howitzers.
They proceeded on a foraging expedition in
the direction of Drainesvile.
Gen. Mccall. anticipating that they might be
attacked, ordered the LIST and ID brigades to toll
low at 5 A. III.
The brigade of Gen Reynolds advanced on
Leesburg and took position Difficult Greek
TO await further orders.
Two hours later, Gen. Mccall, with his staff
and an escort of cavalry, followed in the same
route.
Meantime Gen. Ord had advanced to near
Drainesville, when his command was suddenly
fired upon by a force in ambush, in ! dense wood
adjacent.
This was the signal of a battle, and brisk
engagement promptly ensued
Gen. Mccall, who arrived few minutes pre-
viously, took command in a moments time.
Easton's battery was planted alongside the
Thornton House, and fired rapidly and with ter
rible effect in the enemys ambush.
Col. kanes Bucktail Rifemen were placed in
advance, and fired upon the enemy wherever they
made their appearance.
The rebels, who had battery of six pieces,
returned the cannonading, and replied to the ri
fes with musketry.
hour, when the enemy retreated rapidly, our fire
being too hot for them.
Our troops stood up bravely under the sharp
volleys of the rebels Their steadiness was
praised by Gen. Mccall and his officers.
The rebels took the direction of Fairfax Court
House, leaving on the field a number of their
killed and wounded
Our troops pursued them a short distance, and
returned. Several bodies of the rebels were
ed nd 6o6 nricf,
taken. Gen. Ord captured eight wounded pri-
soners. and two caisscns with ammunition.
In their haste the enemy left behind arms of
all description, clothing, &c. Their loss is est-
mated at $50 killed and wounded
Among their killed was Col Thilor, of Frank
fort, KY. commander of the first regiment OF
Kentucky rebels
The forces of the enemy consisted of three in
fantry regiments, LIST and 18th Kentucky, aud
10Th Alabama. with a cavalry regiment, and a
battery, all commanded by Col John II Forney,
of the 10th Alabama, acting Brigadier General.
The dead rebels we're left the field
The loss on our side was six killed and eight
wounded. most of whom belonged to the Buch-
tails Col. Kane received a slight wound.
At o'clock. p. NJ, our troops had returned to
camp, bringing in fifty wagon loads of forage.
80 WAsHISGroS, Dec. 2l.--The Herald's special
says: ftf s
According to our lates. advices from Wash
ington apprehensons of a rupture with England
upon the late affair by the Trent may be dis
missed.
Our Cabinet we are informed, looking to the
absorbing and paramount issue, the suppression
of the Southern rebellion, win yield to the pres
ent demands of England the conditions of her
neutrality, even it these demands involve the
restoration of Mason and Sldell to the protection
of the British flag, and disavowal of and an
apology for their seizure by Capt. Wilkes
The President in his special message commu-
nicated to the Senate Yesterday. referred the
whole subject of the tripartate expedition to Mex
leo, and asks the Senate to advise him what
course to pursue.
The Ttmes's special saws:
Elk Minister Joses, of Iowa, has been arrested
on a charge of writing letters from bogota TO
JEFF. Davis, protesting the utmost anxiety for the
success of the dsunion movement and promising
to join him on his return from New Grenada.
Thos. Francis Meagher was to day appointed a
Brgadier General by the President. Also, Gen
Palmer, of Illinois. sa.Ef