The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-20

w ~ WHEN plckct was stationed Te-
NAMED there Tho same day tho pickets in that neigh
borhood surprised, and n sergeant captured in
tree The Court adjourned to Friday morning.
TIE CASE OF COLONEL HALsTED.
Colonel VIM. Hassed, Of the New Jersey cavalry,
tried today by court martial The sybsrsnes Of the
charge that he drew communication for forage hve
horses, and also drew forage in kind thus deraadng the
government Of eighty dollars The evidence very
weak, and Colonel Hasead will undoubtedly he acquit.
ted. He submitted written defence during th' reading
Of which he affected to tears
ARRIVAL OF CAPT. Ricxsrrs FROM RIcHYoSD-Hls
REPoa1s OF THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS THERE.
Capt Jas. ,. Ricketts,, with his heroic and devoted
wifs, arrived in this city to-day and staying with
their relative, Palmer o the corps Of Typographical
Engineers United States Army Capt Ricketts, at the
bead Of his battery, at Bu run received serious wound
IN his left leg, from which he has recovered. His
good constitution and temperate habits and the nt
Tendance Of his wife, have enabled him to endure
tbs pain and Withstand the effects Of any in
jury by which the principal bone Of the limb
shattered. While confined prisoner OF war n Rich
mond Hospital Captain Ricketts, exchanged for Captain
Julius D. Lague who was taken prisoner at Rich Noun
tain and arrived yesterday At Fortress Monroe. His
exchange effected with difficulty the rebels Justly
deemed him accomplished ar.illerist. Captain
Ricketts, graduated West Point 1885, and has been
nearly twenty years in the service. He
Washington, after having made gallant fight his bat
terry having boon retaken three times. Still q captain
while OF his juniors by ten years brgader
generals.
Your correspondent held interview this evening
with Captain Ricketts, and his lady but tncy seemed in
clined withhold information respecting affairs in vr
gnia probably from fear that any revelations they
might make would prove injurious TO prisoners left behind
them. From other sources, however, learn various
ates are not rose colored just now The
blockade Of their ports has produced the co.
rerest effects Many staple articles Of living are
that they command ruinous prices. Salt is
tssmely dear costs four dollars per pound bntcr
seventyhve cents, cotton thread twenty Ave
speo and sewing silk cannot be bad so pressing the
wants Of the people in Virginia fer articles Of prime
necessity that the neVs from England respecting the cap
ture Of Mason and sdel received with spasmodic
joys. Tho rebels began to predict Immediately sitter the
exploit Of Commander Wilkes that 1t would produce
rupture with England 10 the benefit OF xher cause, and
thoy now feel confident Of such result.
Their indignation at the capture OF their Ministers was
much eotensd by the prospective good that would How
from 1t through the hostility Of England.
The promptiude which JEFF Davis is furnished WITH
information from the North IL surprising On Sunday
night he was awakened bya messenger, who informed
arrival Ths messenger forced his way into
Davis residence to convey 10 him the welcome ntel
gencc He receives . copy OF the New YORK HRRALp
every day and is said that he and his Cabinee were
much annoyed the correct Of the state Of the
Richmond defences which lately appeared in the HERALD
The accuracy Of the statements was acknowledged
The rebels are concentrating large force at Cooea
hatchic creek, in South Carolina General Pemberton
II command, and Generals Evans ard Gregg are also