The Union and journal., 1861-12-20


es for Lord Lyons are false. No ultlmatum
from the English Government, in regard to
Mason and Slidell, Is expected Mt the begin.
ming OF diplomatic correspondence ON the
subject.
The Military Committee Of the Senate will
report against the bill submitted by Senator
Wilson, TO abolish the distinction between
regular and volunteer forces Of the U. States,
They consider il unconstitutional and inex.
pedient.
A gentleman ust arrived from Missouri
states that Senator Polk has gone over to the
rebels. and is taking counsel with them at
Memphis.
A prominent and influential citizen Of Ma.
ryland, who has recently been in Richmond,
reports that the Union sentiment in East Vir,
ginia is rapidly increasing. He says that II
Congress shall not legislate unfayorably on
the slavery question, that portion Of Virginia
is safe for the Union.
Adyices from Port Royal state that the
10Th New York regiment, Col. Rosa, LETT
Hilton Head and prccceded to Tybee Island.
The 10Th and 10th Penn. regiments now oc-
cupy Otter Island, IN st. Helena Sound
The island possesses strategic value from the
fact that il commands the entrances OF the
South Edisto river, and other important river
points.
Gen. yiclc and bridade were ready to de-
part on a second expedition.
One of the guns of Manning battery was
lost in landing on Ship Island. The Mass.
Goth and the 9th Conn. were comiortablyen
campcd near the lighthouse, and the Salem
battery near the fortifca,iOn.
The Constitution lett nj Ship Island her
splendid rihed long range guns, and also six
fine life boats. During the day the Consti.
tuition sailed, q naval enga cement took place
within sight. between the U. 5. gunboat New
London and steamer De Soto, and two armed
rebel ycssels. the Pamlico and California,
which were attempting to run the gauntlet
from New Orleans to Mobile. Nobody was
hurt on either side.
Our naval authorities at Ship Island refused
to carry Gcn. Phelps slavery proclamation
over TO the main land, and Lieut.. buchanan,
of the U. 5. navy. commanding Fort Massa-
! chusetts, gave orders that IL should not be
posted or read within his lines as long US he
was in command.
/
Gen Buell. has telcgaphed to head quarters
the following:
To Major Gen. McClellan.-McCooks di.
vision is at Mumiordsyllc; Gen. Mitchell a,
Bacons Creek Zollcoler is either retreating
across the Cumberland river, or is preparing
to do SO at the approach of any superior
force. Gen. McCook reported that the rebels
attacked the Now York pickets in front o
the railroad bridge at 2 O'Clock to-day. Theil
forces consisted of one regiment ot Tcxar
Rangers. two regiments of infantry and on'
battery Of six guns. Our loss was eight
enlisted men killed and ten wounded. Th'
rebel loss was thirty.thrce killed, including
the Colonel of the Texan Rangers, and abou
fifty wounded. The rebels rctrcatcd inglo
riously.
(Signed) d. C. Buell..
Brigadier General.
Capt. Thomos to-day captured ducking
boat containing rebel mail and SPY com
municatons.
Richmond and Norfolk papers Of yestcr
day, have been received here.
The Examiner says We have some further
particulars of Col. JohnsOn's repulsc OF the
enemy on the 'Allegbany Mountains. 1t is
not known with what loss the enemy were
driven back, but they are said to have lcii
20 or so dead on the field, and having, it II
supposed, carried of u number Of their killed
during the progress Of the action. They
were not pursued. Among the killed on oui
side was Capt. Anderson of the Lee battery
and Lieut. Thompson Of the Marion Guard.
The victory is said to have been dearly bought
by a considerable loss on our side. Ii is
thought that it is not unlikely cur success
will be followed up by an assault upon the
enemy's entrcnchments on Cheat Mountain,
which are about lG miles distant from the
scene of the late battle, which was on the
summit Of the Allegheny, on the Pike from
StauntOn.
The Ccntrovillc, Fairfax County, cores
pondcnt of the Richmond Dispatch, writes
Dec. 18th, that the Notifications around Cen.
trcvillc are now complete, and present quite
formidable appearance. The field fortiG.
cations ara built very strong, some of the
works being Fashioned forts. constructed in u
manner that shows skilful engineering on
the part of somebody, Gen. Beauregard, ]
presume. Great care seems tO have been ta-
ken with the embrsures, which are built To
combine convenience for handling the guns
with the best method for protecting the men.
They are very strongly built with hurdle and
sandbags, and will stand heavy caDnOnad-
giving way. The guns have been put in po.
sition. and all that is now asked is for Gen.
Mcclellan to bring on his yankees. Differ
cnt artillery corps are drilling in these bat
terics nearly every day, and some have be-
come proficient marksmen. All have oh.
taincd perfect range Of any point where n
hostile battery conld be planted.