The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-12
ALEX CAMBRIA, VA.
GENERAL NEWS.

ted States army, az present stationed on the
Potomac, is of large proportions, and the
number of horses and mules at ached there
to will undoubtedly number some sixty thou
sand, or probably more. All this vast num-
Der of animals must be provided for daily
Oats, corn, hay, &C., must be purchased, and
the larger quantity is purchased from our
own merchants and the farmers in the State
of Maryland. A glance at the reports of the
Corn Exchange will show the amount of sales
at that mart for the United States Govern
ment, whilst many thousand bushels are
purchased from private parties. All this
vast amount of grain, &C., has to be inspec-
ted and measured or weighed, transportation
must be provided, the shipment attended to,
examined and settled other details of ship
ment familiar to man of business must be
attended to and adjusted and yet the pur-
chase and shipment Of hay, grain, &C., is
not ALL Other equally important purchases
must be made-the articles inspected and
looked after"
The War Department has received an off,
cial despatch concerning the battle at Bel
mont, Mo-, which generally confirms the
newspaper statements. Captain Briloski, of
General Netherlands staff. was killed, and
says the Federal troops fought ali the way
into the camp, under the guns Of Columbus,
and spiked two cannon and brought away the
others, together with two hundred prisoners
The Federal loss is stated at 800, and that of
the Confederates heavier
The steamboat G. w. P. Gusts is now a
lighter for the use of Prof. Lowe. The re-
connoiterins balloon, with gas generating
apparatus, &C., has been towed down to In
dian Head.
On Sunday several soldiers of the volun.
teer artillery quartered east Of the Capitol,
behaved in very disorderly manner, and
exhibited a disposition to resist the authority
of their superior officers. They were put
under arrest, and conducted to the guard.
house, and confined to await the examination
of their cases.
The contagious disease on the Harriet
Lane has been checked, and that vessel pur-
flied.
Alta meeting Of the Georgetown City Couu-
ellis, on Friday, resolution was passed au-
thorizing the sale Of the stock Of the Metro
politan Railroad owned by the Corporation
to New York company, which proposes to
buy all the stock, and proceed at once to
build the road. They propose to extend the
road through Frederick city and Hagerstown,
Nd, and to effect junction with the Penn
sylvania Central also, to construct several
branch roads,
The appointment rendered to Mr.. James
Magruder, of Georgetown. was that Of
Major of New York Infantry, not that Of
Major of Engineers.
The seamen in charge of the naval bate
ries at Forts Ellsworth and Dahlgren are to
be transferred to service on the southern
coast, and their places in the forts will be
supplied by the volunteer soldiers.
An order has been issued from headquar
tiers to arrest military officers at places of
amusement, when found in company with
friends of easy virtue.
1t is stated that ex-President Buchanan
is about to prepare history Of his own time,
and vindication of his administration.
The French war steamer Catinet went
ashore at Ocracoke Inlet on the 9th, and ow-
ing to gale no assistance could lie rendered.
1t is said she blew up, but that her crew
were saved.
1t would puzzle Philadelphia lawyer"
following the contradictory accounts in the
newspapers, to describe accurately the move
ments of the armies in Missouri and v est
ern Virginia.
A new trial has been moved for in the
case of the captain OF the African slave ira
der, recently convicted in New York. The
punishment is death, and. it is said, if the
present verdict stands, he will be hung.
The New York Tribune states that it is now
thought that the action of Judge Freese, the