The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-18

Ine ftn anu otn regiments QI the Irlsn
Brigade. under ''Brigadier General Thomas
Francis Meagher,"', took their departure
from NV York on Monday for Annapolis.
A continual fire is now kept up against
Gen. Mcclellan by members If the U. S..
Congress, and a portion of the press at the
North and in the West.
| The Norfolk Day Book, the only paper in
Norfolk, is now printed on a small half
sheet, and sold for half a dime copy.
A letter in the New York Herald from
Gen. Phelps division at the mouth Of the
Mississippi, says, that the recert procama-
ton of that officer causes considerable dis
satisfaction among the troops-and an allu-
sion to the "landed wealth and exclusive
privileges of the Catholic Church." &c., gives
particular offence To portion Of them.
1t is argued in the New York Herald that
England cannot aft 'rd to G., to war with the
United States, as she would be certain, in
that event, to lose Canada and the West H.
dies.
A man who had been to Richmond and
Charlottesville at work, came into General
Heintzleman's lines a few days ago, escaping
the pickcts, and reports that the Confederate
army IN the Potomac has lately been in.
creased instead of diminished He a SO
states thar considerable sickness prevails.
Great activity prevails in all kinds of
work at the Washington City Navy Yard.
The late English n, WIS has caused great
excitement at the West. Business is much
unsettled. The Western papers, generally,
call upon the United States Government,
mot to back down an inch"
The feeling against the United States is
growing stronger in Canada, according To
the Canada papers.
i The oath of allegiance to the United
States was administered to the employees
of the Congressional Globe Office on Friday
4 last, by Justice Dom.
The U S. Navy Department has intelli.
gence that, on the 28th November, the ship
Montmorenci, of Bath, Me, arrived at the
port of St. Thomas, having been overhauled
on the 25th ult. by the Sumter. The ship
was last from Wales, loaded with coal fol
the British Mail Steam Company at St. Tho
mas. The ship was ransomed for $40, 000
and allowed to proceed after taking a guam
tity Of paints and other ship stores from her
1t has been determined to change the col
or of the rantaloons worn by the artillery
cavalry and infantry of the United States
from the dark blue color to the light or sky
blue worn by them few years ago.
On Monday evening, Rev. j. R Keech, O.
the Protestant Episcopal Church, at Spring
field, Hartford county, Nd, while riding
along the road, was suddenly taken ill. ane
died soon after, at friends house in the vi
entity, of heart disease. He oficiated in hi
church on Sunday, as usual appearing in
excellent health. f -
In the U S. House of Representatives yes
terdav, Mr.. Bingham, from the Judiciary
Commlttee, reported bill authorizing the
Provost Court Of Alexandria to retain and
safely keep any pr perty now in its posses
sion, taken as the property of persons in
arms against the Uuted States; passed.
On Monday, ioraging expedition, con-
sisting of three regiments Of Infantry and q
squadron Of the Harris Light Cavalry, un
der com mand OF Gen. Wadsworth, aud sew
eral regiments of infantry aud squad on
Of Aver,Ips Cavalry from Gen. Porter's d..
vision, advanced along the district rad on
the Lees burg Pike, 20 with II half mile Of
Fairfax Court House, here they succeeded
I in Obtaining forage; and Confederate
picket who was communicating by means OF
signals, the adyai ce of the expedition, was
shot near the Court House.
A propeller, some warehouses, and 50.
bbs. of -four. at Buffalo, ~ Y, were de
stroyed by fire on Monday
U. S. CoNGREss.-ln the U. S. Senate yes
terday, Mr.. Lane, of Kansas. made speech
ON war matters, in which he spike of want
ing close quarters. not winter quarters Mr.
Carlisle, of Virginia, replied to him, arguing