Litchfield enquirer., 1861-12-26
News of tue ss,eek.

Lord Lyons and Secretery Seward, relating to the Trent cfair, and that if any correspondence has taken place between them, it has been of an in- formal and confidential character.
 THE monotony of soldier life near Washington was broken Friday, by a brilliant fight with the enemy near Drainsville, in which the enemy suf- fered another humiliating defeat. portion of Gen. McCall's Division went out in the morning to secure forage and for reconnoitering purpo- ses, when they encountered the rebels, who had four regiments of infantry. with battery of six pieces of artillery and regiment of cavalry, all under the command of Gen. Stewart On our side the troops engaged were Gen. Ord's Bri- gade, the First Rifles, and Gaston's Battery of four guns. The action continued an hour and a half, and resulted in the complete rout of the re- bels. who left behind them most of their killed and wounded, two csissons, quantity of small arms, blankets, great coats, etc. Their killed found on the field, numbered sixty, and their wounded nineteen. Our loss was ten killed and fifteen wounded The rebel troops were South Carolinians, Alabamians and Kentuckians.
 WE learn from the Upper Potomac that skir- mishing is still going on at Williamsport, the evident object of the rebels being to destroy the dam near the point. On Thursday night par ty of the Connecticut and Lieut.. Rickett's Bat tery went over to the Virginia side and burnt 8 mill at the dam, which has for some time served as harbor for the rebels
 ADvIcEs from Missouri continue to be of the most cheering character. In addition to the operations of Gen. Pope, the papers annouce the capture of thirteen hundred rebels, includ- ing three Colonels, seventeen captains, and other officers in proportion, together with thousand stand of arms, sixty-fve wag- ons, baggage and supplies. This feat was ac- complished by body of National troops under north of Warrensburg. A brief skirmish occur red, but the rebels finding themselves surround ed, soon surrendered. It is also announced that two tons of powder have been discovered buried on Gov. Jackson's farm.
 By the arrival of the steam transport Atlantic to ths 17th inst. The Atlantic brought the first installment of Sea Island Cotton-15O,0 COG pounds-and the intelligence that 100000 pounds have already been secured by General Sherman. The expedition which was expected to leave for some point further South, under the command of Gen. Viele, has been abandoned fo1 the present, the military and naval authorities having come to the conclusion that the force could be used to more advantage in the vicinity of Port Royal. Some important movement, how. ever, must be contemplated. which Gen. Sher. man desires to be very quiet about, as he has issued an edict of banishment against the re. porters, all of whom have received notice to leave immediately. Nothing of startling inter est had occurred since the previous adyices AT Drainsville, the Union troops, under Gen Mccall, have galned signal victory, in the face of desperate odds. General McCallhad planned the capture of party of rebel cavalry, in the habit of foragng in that vicinity, but they had learned of his movements through some traitor ous informant, and had prepared themselves in force to meet. The impetuous attack of the Cn- ionists was irresistible, causing panic in the enemy, and loss of one hundred and fifty in killed and wounded. "A dispatch received at a late hour Sunday nj ght says that the confedera- tes lost much larger number of men than was at first reported, including their General, who was shot. This makes the victory one of still greater importance to the Union cause.
 oS Saturday General Hallcck telegraphed te General Mcclellan that Captain Woods scout. l ing party had pursued the enemy to the south o1 Houston, and just then returned to St. Louis from Kolla. They had brought in a rebel majo, 1 as prisoner of war. They had taken abou, one hundred of Prices men, but let them go or parole, being unable to bring them in. Aparty of rebels destroyed about one hundred miles o1 the North Missouri Railroad, extending from eight miles north of Houston to Warrenton.- Major Nickel, with 103 men, routed 400 rebels near Hudson, killing ten, and taking seventeen prisoners. The rebels had attacked a stock train and held :he railroad men as prisonrs. THE news from Canada is unusually impor. tant. The militia to the number of 5O,O0O have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness and officers have been detailed to train them for the field. The note of preparation for war i. heard from one end of the provinces to the other and the tone of the press is unusually bellire rent. The Toronto Globe of tho 2Oth inst, ha. an account of the attempted desertion of two British soldiers from the One Hundredth reei. ment. They were pursued and captured, and taken back to their post, where they will be court marshalled and shot.
 LORD LYONS has sent note to Secretary Sc. ward asking if he was ready to receive his (Lord Lyons) dispatches from his government, but the latter declined to begin q correspondence just at present. It is stated in influential circles that MT. Seward has instructed Minister Adams to demand of the British government an sxplana- tion of the conduct of the Consul General at Ha. vana in purchasing tickets for England for Ma. son and Slidell, and of the captain of the Trent for receiving them on board his ship when he knew they were confederate ambassadors. When this violation of the Queens neutrality proclaim ation is satisfactorily settled, then. it is said, MT. Seward will be ready to settle the points raised in reference to their capture by Captain Wilkes. Whatever may be the real state of tho case it is certain that no official Communication. have passed between the Secretary of State and Lord Lyons.