The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-31
J GENERAL NEWS.

vicinity, in the business of transportation
and supplies for the army, is really awful.
In purchasing and furnishing horses and
wagons the game is positively shocking"
The French papers say that there will be
scarcely any Cognac brandy made this year.
As for pure brandy, in this country, nobody
expects it. 1t is an article now not known.
The late Col. Baker contracted debts in
Philadelphia and New York, in raising his
regiment, and the debtors are said to be now
clamoring foo their pay, intending to make it
out of the wreck of his estate if the govern
ment will not settle their bills.
Smith O'Brien, who has recently visited
Hungary, speaks in the highest terms of the
intellectual culture Of the Hungarians.
tits stated that the Secretary of War has
reported favorably upon an old claim which
was made by General Scott upon the Govern.
ment subsequently to the war with Mexico,
and which had been rejected by Jefferson
Davis when he occupied the position now
held by Mr.. Cameron.
The extrncts of letters, from England and
France, relative to affairs in this country,
written by persons from this side of the At
lantic now travelling in Europe, which we so
frequently see in the newspapers, are worth
no more than the opinions of any other let
ter writers. These persons have generally
no means of knowing the views or sentiments
of prominent statesmen The best sources
of information are the leading newspapers
in England and France.
The newspapers go over and over again
the details of the battle of Edwards Ferry,
giving different accounts of the same partic-
ulars, and repeating the same incidents al
ready narrated.
Advices from Havana to the 25th instant,
state that the Confederate steamer Theodore
left Havana on the 23d for Charleston with
arms, provisions, coffee, and twenty passen.
gers, including Mr.. Meade, the late minister
to Brazil. The Tn .odora landed Messrs. Ma.
son and Slidell at Cardenas, and they went
over land to Havana They were presented
by the English Consul to the Captain Gene
raj of Cuba, aud were received with the
highest consideration. The American Con-
sui at Havana telegraphed to the steam slpop-
of-war San Jacinto, at Trinidad on the 9th
instant, to proceed to Havana.
The interview which has lately taken place
between the sovereigns of France and Prus-
STA has already set afoat great amount of
gossip, and ru nor is busy with the proposals
which, it is alleged will be laid before the
King of Prussia at Compeigne. There is
great reason to believe, however, we are glad
to say, that the King Of Prussia is at present
more bent upon domestic reform than foreign
intrigue. There is chance, we think, that
no is likely to justify the hopes which the
Liberal party entertained at his accession.
The battle at Edwards Ferry supplies an
other proof that sharpshooting is the chief
characteristic of this war; Of the California
regiment, the Colonel was killed, the Lieu
tenant Colonel, Major and Adjutant wound
gu, dHu NV CdPSusAo dTc uchu VI AulooiD ~
and two wSuddsd elOf the Fifteenth Massa-
chusettst ksc ~ Colonel and Leuten.
ant Colonel 49, souo1sa efve captains kill
ed and three Voc Re two regiments
were il iaa the / a hAfl le, and suffered
most ssYsyslSa |scsq ,sas
The BriAishs n 6St will meet on the
18th Dsssmber. ! lortnight after the meeting
of Congress. n Arisish government will
by the middle Of December be fully advi,ed
of the progress and prospects of the war, and
of the policy of the Federal and Confederate
governments in regard to it.
The Scientific American describes breast
plate, which, it is said, is being extensively
worn by the officers and men in the army
1t is composed Of thin spring steel. and is
worn between the cloth and lining of COM
mon military vest. 1t has two leaves, which
lap at the edges when the vest is buttoned.
SO as to cover the entire chest 1t weighs
only three pounds and half.
Correspondence with the Western farming
regions, especially in Illinois, concur in rep