The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26
VS. FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, 1901.
THE MASOS-SLIDELL AFFAIR.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, 1901.
THE MAsOS-sLIpELL AFFAIR.
The Mason and Sdel affair is AL engrossng topic.
II Is popular lalacy that Great Britain has presented
al utimatum. The negotiations thus far have been Only
preliminary. There has yet been any Cabi.
net consultation on the subject SO far from
having been supposed, referred TO the scnate
Tor advice there s not much prospect that the advice of
the Senate will BIO asked and BESIDES affair not yet
in shape to be referred the Cabinet for it. ac
ton. -
THE EMANCIPATION QUEsTioE--wIrsRE TIE CONTRA
BANDS CAN BIZ SENT.
Prominent members Of Congress are considering
proposition for the solution IL the contrabandr question
in order to avoid the expense supporting crowds OF
slaves in dleness and to furnish the American mills with
cotton They take the ground that the Indian territory
west Of Louisiana and Arkansas was ceiea
to the United States by treaty and on Ger
tain conditions without proyocation they have
violated the treaties and levied the United states
thus rendering the treaties null and void lhe counties
thus revrrting the government embraces the valleys Of
the Rcd Arkansas and other rivers and contains about
10000 900 acres of cotton land unsurpassed fertility
capable of producing about Is 900 900 bales cotton per
annum.
proposed to apply the principle of Bentons Florida
armed occupation act, and send all contrabands this
Territory and apprentice them to the settlers upon these
cotton lands leaving the question Of their ual dsposi.
ton to DO settled by Congress The OF the war;
all contrabands, fast they into camp, to be
promptly forwarded thither
The country is approached from ST. Louis, through
Springfield, a distance Of 900 miles. The remainder Of
the railroa from Rola through Springfield to Fort smith
can be completed in twelve months II is said that the
plantations Of the Chootaws and chchasaws alone coui
fully supply tho American mills the hrst year Of the
experiment
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
Various kinds Of petitions resolutions and OF
bills being referred tic Committee the Judi
CARY hating their objects different schemes affecting
slavery. Some out and out radical, others more
moderate. They generally introduced by mem.
bers Tor capital at home. The petitions Of the
radical character some Of them icyod OF aud phi
losophy, and advocating absolutely unlawful measures.
Taking the petitioners as Whole they do not number
thousandI mean OF the papers OF those before the
House committee. The committee IN this matter will
report in January. Every effort is being used and
mcndabiy too to avoid minority and majority report
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS or THE BATTLE or DRANgs-
vILLE-GENERAL STEWART AND NINETEEN OTHER
REBEL OFFICERS KILLED IN TIE FICHT-GREAT
PANIC AMONG THE REBELS, ETC.
person who came in to-day from nranosvile brings
the information that the panic among tho rebels succeed
ing the recent fight there mdescribably terrific.
They Ned pe nell in every direction only exercising
hours afcrward company OF the fugitives came near
the Potomac, having lest their way, and anxiously in
qured the direction to CcntcIville.
The party giving this information also corroborates
statement that the enemy came back to bury
their Dead but that they buried by the citi.
zens OF lrancsvile. He says they buried hun
dred and s!xty-lvo rebel, giving each a separate
grave. He present the burial, and counted
the graves Among the dead bodies that of
General Stewart. His remains identified by his
name being written on his undereo,hes Ills sword had
been taken away and shoulder straps removed The
head OF Colonel Taylor shot on His horse was
Killed under him. His body also found idcnti
fed by letters found his Terson and list Of rebel
countersigns for the week ending December Is. Captain
Easton Of the First regiment Pennsylvania artillery has
Colonel Ysyors saddle. Altogether twenty officers
wcro found dead, but with shoulder straps cut off in
every case.
From these it pretty conclusive that such
was the preopiiate flight Of the enemy that
they took but few if any OF their dead with them.
In further corrcbofatien to the number Of
dead left the field a cavalry scouting party
of General Mccalls division rctn;icd headquarters
this morning, stating that they visited DraDosye and
counted enc hundred ana sixty five mounds where
the dead hal been Inferred 1t viii be seen, further
MORE from these statements, That the special report
of the battle published in the HERALD the succeeding
morning gave the number OF rebels killed very nearly
correct, hundred and fifty bens the number we
stated as killed OF the Killed and wounded side
the report in the Herald was exactly correct.
Easton's battery, that played such terrible havoc
among the enemy at the Dranesvile fight, is
volunteer battery, and the skill with which it
was worked reflects the highes! credit this arm
Of volunteer force. No regular battery Of
the longest practice could havo done better AS an in
stance of the skill OF the gunnes but two days beso the
fight Of them sent ball into the centre OF news
paper fastened to the body Of tree thousand yards dis
tant. Another gunner let drop shell at the bottom OF
the same tree. They carried the GOODNESS pre-.
cision into action.
TIE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS.
This has been remarkably quiet day in the city and
In the camps. In the way Of news IT is emphatcaiya
lies non.
There has been general observance Of Christmas day.
ali secular business being suspended Tho street
ings were guarded by few mounted and foot soldiers
be ready suppress any disturbances the city being
visited by hundreds OF volunteers, some Of whom
arrested by the Provost Guard for being absent from their
camps without leave. All the drinking saloons closed
tonight, which may account for tho prevalent good
order.
As It has been agreed that tho meeting Of
both houses of Congress tomorrow shall BE-
simply matter Of form to adjourn over til
W0HuAy3 nearly Ill tNe ScHhtpIS anu REPRESENTATIVES,
have left town. ami the observance Of Christmas has
suspended all movements, civil military and diplomatic
The public functonares Of all grades have sought rcaxa
tonin social amenities, and the soldiers have been en-
ioyng relief from all except Indispensable duties, and
easng upon the turkeys pics knick knacks, whole
wsgon loads Of which have been provided by their friends
Notwithstanding the privileges allowed to-day, the
almost entire absence Of drukennes has been generally
remarked visit to the camps on this side Of the river
found most excellent order and discipline and ceanli
prevailing throughout all Of them. The complete
arrangements Of the Provost Marshal have insured tho
good behavior Of the soldiers urough in the city 1t
Is feared that greater license has been permitted in
instances on the south side OF the Potomac
Our soldiers across the Potomac enjoyed a cenera,
holiday to-day. Dress parades were the only military
duty required. large number had their private
Christmas dinners, speeches and music. good many
visitors crossed the river.