The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-12-20

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.
WAauvNdT0N


Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.
WARRINGTON, Dec. IL.
A Wisconsion regiment Of McDowell's
division gave the alarm last night of the
enemy approaching in force. All the divi.
sions on the other side of the river except
omiths were put Immediately under arms,
and so remained all night, until this morn.
ing. Scouts were sent out last night by
Mcdowell, Heintzelman and Blenker, who !
reported no enemy to be found this side of
Fairfax Court House. General Mcdowell
telegraphed that.a reconnoitering force of
Blenker's had been mistaken for the enemy.
Our troops were rapidly and fully prepared
for action. -
Gen. Stone telegraphed this morning:
POoLEvILLE, Dec. IL. 9:45 A. NJ.
Rumors OF increased force near Goose Creek,
but from personal examination from the heights
early this morning l cannot see as many signs
of hostile troops as before. II large force is
near Goose Greek at Leesburg, it is concealed.
1t is rumored that the rebels are concen.
trating troops near Oecaquon, on the Low
er Potomac.
Winter quarters are now prepared for
our troops, and vast quantities of Lumber
are going over the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad to Generals Franklin and Helm.
tzelman. The soldiers are building log
huts at some points, and at others are maxi
ing their tents as comfortable as possible.
Gen. Martindale was witness in Coll
Kerrigan's case to day. His testimony
went to prove his utter insuoordination and
entire lack of discipline of his (Kerrigan's)
regiment. Reverdy Johnson appears as
Kerrigan's counsel.
The Star of this evening says it is at lib.
erty to say that if Thad. Stevens said in
caucus the other night, that Nc Cellan
threatened to resign unless Cameron's re.
port was altered, he stated what was not
true. ..-...
There was sham fight in front of the
Navy Yard to day, between boats and
Launches, armed with rifed howitzers.
The Repu olican caucus re assembled to-
night, and was not very lively. The de.
bate continued on Bingham's resolution,
recommending The immediate passage of
law confiscating rebel property and freeing
their slaves. Mr.. EdgertOn of Ohio voted
for its passage, and thought we should act
and not talk. There was desultory cons
II.
Among the speakers was Mr.. Chandler, of
Michigan, who was in favor of urging the
Government with bills and resolves until
there is decisive movement on the part of
our now dormant army Mr.. Socrates N.
Sherman, of New York (OgdeDsbuag dis.
trict), who thought we should strike slavery
whenever we could, both as a war policy
and from motives of humanity. He be.
lieved there had been no betrayal of any
secrets by the slaves, certainly none to bis
knowledge. He said Mcclellan had for>
hidden one New York segment to allow
twenty slaves, who had come within their
lines, to leave them. He thought we
couldn't put down rebellion without touch,
ing property and slaves.
MIR. Pomeroy of New York, deprecea~
ted strife, and feared the breaking up of the
Republican party. He believed in party.
We must not quarrel with the Admins.
tration. There was no longer a Republi.
can party in New York or Pennsylvania.
Still be (Pomeroy) was in favor of the con-
tscation of the property Of rebels, but not
OF loyal men.
There were several other speeches, all
to the same conclusion, and with apparent
ly no great diversity of opinion.
Senator Wilson's bill gives each Con.
gressional District two Cadets in the Mill.
tary Academy, which will make the whole
number even under present circumstances,
toward four hundred.
1t is believed upon good authority that
Archbishop Hughes mission is to Spain,
which has not behaved we'll towards us of
late.
The President and wife, with several
generals and military and civic dignitaries,
were at the wedding OF Captain Griffin (of
Grifin's battery,) and Miss Carroll, last
night. Griffin, today, with his bride, were
surprised bya reception at the camp of his
battery, under triumphal arches of ever
greens. Also, General Butterfeld, in hon.
or of the bridal party, reviewed his brigade
by drill.
Judge Goodrich brings to the State De-
partment dates somewhat later than the
mail by last steamer. The news OF Mason
and Sidell had not yet been received. Min.
lister Adams was troubled about the Nash.
vile, but had bad no correspondence yet.
The statements published touching the
opinion OF the law officer OF the Crown re.
specting the iawtulness oil seizare like
that OF Mason aud Slidell, is confirmed.