The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-03

AA1L Sl1 u ALTON
Our news from the army of the Potomac today
represents That SO far from the rebel pickets ad.
vancing upon our lines, the pickets of Generals
Bienker Heintzelman, Sumner, Mccall, Smith and
Porter are all making advance movements upon
the enemy's position. Their accommodating move
ments have resulted in the discovery that the rebel
force in the centre of their line has been very
much weakened OF late.
Congress, in its intiaiory proceedings yesterday,
rushed into the discussion of questions relating to
the war. In the Senate Mr. Trumbull. Of Illinois
gave notice that he should introduce to-day bill
to coniiscate all the property of rebels and give
freedom to slaves. Mr.. Wilkinson, of Minnesota
gave notice of bill to abolish the distinction be-
tween regular and volunteer troops This bill
VIII be found, we think, to involve
variety Of complications when it comes to be
elaborated, and would seem to point at the estab.
hsimcnt of large standing army. In the House
the sentiment contained in Senator Trumbull's
motion was embodied in the resolutions offered by
Messrs. Eliot, OF Massachusetts; Campbell and
Stevens, of Pennsylvania. These resolutions. how
ever, have been laid over for future consideration
The cases Of Colonel Corcoran, Of the New York
Sixty-ninth regiment, and Colonel Wood of the
Brooklyn Fourteenth, now held as common felons
In Southern prisons, referred to, resolutions
being adopted that the President be requested to
treat Messrs. Mason and slidel in the same manner
as orr two gallant colonies are treated by the
rebels.
rumor was prevalent in this city yesterday,
based upon information received from Washing
ton in private letter, that Colonel james f. Ker.
rgan, Of the Fifteenth New York Volunteers. and
Member Of Congress from this city. who was
some short time since tried and convicted of trea
son. is to be shot, his death warrant, it ia said,
having been signed yesterday. As this intelIi.
gence reaches us only through the above men.
toned source it may not be true but it will be
remembered that Mr.. Kcrrigan's name was NEIL
toned in is city several months ago in conncc.
ton with secret organization in behalf Of the
South. Subsequently. however, he raised regi-
after his arrival at the seat of war he was removed
from command and tried by court martial on
charges of communicating with the enemy.
BY the arrival Of the transport Mcclellan at this
port yesterday from Tybee Island and Hilton Head
we have received some highly interesting accounts
of the occupation of these two points by the Union
army and navy, which will be found in our columns
to-day. To illustrate these important movements
the better, we accompany our correspondence with
maps Of the entrance to Savannah river and Fort
Pulaski, showing the relative positions Of our naval
squadron, and Commodore Tataalrs mosquito
leet, during the fight off Cockspun Island.
From Missouri we have news of the seizure of a
tr'in on the Platte County Railroad, by the rebels
under Colonel Gordon on its arrival in Weston
An engagement occurred at Black Walnut Creek
between party Of Missouri cavalry, under Major
Hoagh, which formed the escort Of q train from
eedalia, and body of rebels. Seventeen OF the
latter were killed and wounded, and five taken
prisoners. Five Of the Union men were slightly
wounded in the encounter, but the train came safe.
~ to its destination.
We give some interesting news from the s,,,h
to-day, received by way of Louisville. XIV. Amono
other things fresh statement of the affair at Fort
Pickens, from which it would appear that the fpb.
lasted from the 2lst to the Gath ultimo. II is sa;d
that Fort McRae was considerably damaged BY the
FIRE Of our vessels, but nothing is said Of any
damage being done to Fort Pickens. The story
that the Niagara and Colorado were injured by the
fire Of the rebel batteries is pronounced unounded
while 1t Is admitted that the rebel vessels Time
and Nelms were so much hurt that they had 10 get
cut OF reach Of Col. Browns guns.