Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-27
BRAVERY AND DEVOTION OF OUF
TROOPS.
THE NOTORIOUS MAGOFFIN TAKEN
PRISONER.
Srecial to Chicago Times.


An important reconnaissance was made to
day by Gen. McCall's Division of Pennsyl
vania troops, which resulted in a spirited
skirmish with the rebels. Several were kill.
ed, and small battery taken. The charge
Congress accomplished but little to-day,
and an adjournment over next week will fol-
low on Monday.
But little interest is manifested on foreign
affairs. The prevailing opinion is that there
will be no war.
Another boat was captured on the Potomac
to-day, containing letters and papers for the
South.
Nothing has been seen of Congressman
Fouke and Conway for some days.
The rebel batteries on the Potomac opened
fire, to-day, but did no damage.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 20.
The battle at Milford and the surrender of
1900 rebels to Col jeff G. Davis, with their
horses, baggage and camp equippage, is con-
firmcd by further dispatches to Headquarters.
The arms taken consist of excellent muskets,
which rumor says We're smuggled through
Canada and Chicago to the rebels in Missouri
The victory. of Col. Davis breaks up, in a
great measure, the rebel design of supplying
themselves with necessaries for the winter,
and will lead to the d sbandment or dispersion
of the main body of Prices army.
Gen. Price will be forced to hasty re-
treat to Arkansas, deserted by greater part
of his army. 1t is reported that the prison
ers captured by Col. Davis will be brought
to St. Louis and kept until occasion arrives
for an exchange Col. Davis is from Indiana
He is q graduate of West Point served un-
der Gen. Anderson at Fort Sumter, and was
elected soon after to command an Indiana reg
iment. He has since acted as o Brigadier
General of Volunteers. Gen. Sherman has
returned from Ohio and will be assigned a
command in this Department.
WASHINGTON, Dec 20.
Ifany correspondence has taken place be.
tween Lord Lyons and Secretary Seward, it
has been of an informal and confidential char
acter, as no official communications have
passed between them with reference to the
Trent affair.
A brief dispatch from Maj. Halleck to the
army head qua, teIs confirms the truth of the
reported success Of Gen. Pope's expedition in
Missouri.
[Herald's Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
General Ord started at six o'clock this morn.
ing. His command consists of four regiments
the Bucktail rifles, 1t. Col. Kane, nd
Easton's Battery, consisting of two "a and
two 12-pound howitzers. They proceeded on
a foraging expedition in the direction of Drains
vile. Gen. Mccall, anticipating that they
might be attacked, ordered the 1st and I'd
brigades to follow at 8 o'clock A. NJ. The
first brigade, Gen. Reynolds, advanced on
Leesburg and took position on Difficult
Greek to await further orders.
Two hours later Gen. McCall, with his staff
and an escort of cavalry, followed in the same
route. Meantime, Gen. Ord advanced to near
Drainsvillc, when his command was suddenly
fired upon by q force lying in ambush in
dense woods. This was the signal of battle,
and a brisk engagement promptly ensued.
Gen. Mccall, who arrived few minutes pre-
vious, took command in . moments time.
Eaton's battery was planted along side the
Thorton House and fred rapidly and with
terrible effect into the enemy's ambush. Col.
Kane's Bucktail RiAemen were placed in ad-
vance and fired upon the enemy whereveY
they made their appearance. The rebels, who
had battery of 6 pieces, returned the can
nonading, and replied to the rifles with mus
kerry. Firing was kept up some three .fourths
of an hour, when the enemy retreated rapidly
our fire being too hot for them. Our troops
stood up bravcly under the sharp volleys Of
the rebels. Their steadiness was praised by
Gen. Mccall and his officers. The rebels took
the direction of Fairfax Court House, leaving
on the field number of their killed and
wounded. Our troops pursued them a short
distance and returned. Several bodies of reb
els were taken up, and Is wounded prisoners
were taken. Gen Ord captured wounded
prisoners and caissons with ammunition.
In their haste the enemy left behind arms of
all descriptions. clothing, &c. Their loss is
estimated at $50 killed and wounded. Among
commander of the first Kentucky regiment Of
rebels.
The forces of the enemy consisted of three
infantry regiments and 18th Kentucky,
and the 10th Alabama-with cavalry regi-
ment and batterv,-all commanded by Col.
John H. Forney, of the 10Th Alabama, Acting
Brigadier General.
The dead rebels were left on the field.
The loss on our side was 6 killed and 8
wounded, most of whom belonged to the
Bucktails. Col. Kane received slight
wound.
| At 8 P. N. our troops had returned to
camp, bringing in so wagon loads of forage
NEW YORK. Dec. 81.
The Herald says: According to our --latest
advices from Washington, apprehensions of q
rupture with Eng and, upon the late !; fair o.
the Trent, may be dismissed. Our Cabinet
we are informed, looking to the absorbing
and paramount issue-the suppression Of the
Southern Rebellion-will yield to the present
demands of England as the conditions Of hel
neutrality, even if these demands involve tn
restoration of Mason and Slidell to the Brit
ish flag, and disavowal Of, and an apology