davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

0uDxY, Azd--Two companies OF the Twentieth Nav
Hsrk regiment left Fortress Monroe Newport News
IA, and procseded TO New Market Bridge. While near
1hn bridge they found themselves surrounded by rebel
cavalry and infantry numbering hundred men but
eaccscded IN cutting their way out without loss Helm.
10rceUcns sent for and tho remainder the re0i
nnan, was sent forward The Naval brigade under com.
naAnd Of Colonel Wardrop, arms and pro-
sedsd as far ~ Hampton Bridge. Six Of the Twentieth
regiment slightly wounded Ten OF the oncrnv are
known TO be killed and q number wounded Seven dead
1sdies found One that OF an of1cer
23d-The navigation Of tho Hudson river closed
Thirteen hundred rebel prisoners, taken by Gen. Pope
N Missouri, arrived At st. Louis.
34th-The War Department issued orders s,oppins
aAe enlistment OF cavalry soldiers The government had
MI the cavalry that were necessary.
sHl to increase the duties tea, coffee sugar and
moasscs passed Congress The duties were raised on
tsa to twenty cents per pound coffee five cents on
sugars two and half three ve and eight cents and
molasses 10 six cents 1t was estmated that the in
would add TO the revenue six millions OF dollars
year.
General Pope's cavalry sent TO Lexington NO,
vhcre they captured two rebel captains lieutenant
and with horses, &C. They destroyed the Soun-
dry and ferryboats al that place.
25th-Christraas Day duly observed. The Union
soldiers in all tie camps celebrated the day as well as
thcir mems and positions would permit
MAJOR Cover, commanding squadron OF the First Iowa
cavalry, arrived Jefferson City, Mo. with captain
nrteeh men and ten wagon loads OF stores captured
from Prices army
26ih-The government stables at Washington were
horses were burned
Hon. Alfred Ely, representative in Congress- from the
twenty ninth district Of New York, returned 10 WASH
1pgton from hcnmond, where he had been confined as
prisoner Of since ths DIST Of uly he having been
taken AZ the battle Of Bu rum He was exchar nsd for
Charles ]. Faulkner.
4stb--Upiomatc correspondence in relation to the
osx5re Of four American traitors ON hoard the british
assocr Trent between the sciai of ,h
American, English and Freich Vovernmmts riven ,o
40 Dnftc The American government accsded % tho do
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
NEWS FROM GsNERsl BAggc' Army.

fRkDE,I,K, Nd. lee o.. 1884.
Everything s reported quiet along the river jiae
camp this morning
Now outstanding the great unceraaty o! eoat.narg in
this spot any extended time, an the regiments
pioycd in building log hrs aud stables for the csio of
man beast Some pf The structures result
great labor and OF rustic architectural - IL
will probably remain for years, specimens OF Yankee.
ingenuity and taste.
Tho Provost Marshal has insttuted 20. the Of
incorrigblc prisoners the chain gang syste upon the
streets. It is amusing to many to the awkward
tempts Of the incorrigbies at street sweeping. The
real benefit Of this kind Of Punishment is doubted by
some but it is certainly great Improvement hogging
and the pllory.
The General Court Martial Is still engaged npon deser
ton cases. On Monday viii mp
for trial.
Great anxiety IL felt TO learn the result Of a pending
difficulty with England and also IL France Will lake part
against US.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
ONE OF THE REBEL PRISONERS.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.

ON BOARD SaiP GARLAND
PoaT RoyAL RoAps Dec. %, 1851. I
Visiting Fort Walker, on Hilton Head found Al tho
hospital secesh prisoner by the Of Henry KIM
dar, OF Williamsburg, 8. g., beardcss boy af eighteen
He was wounded In the back Of the neck but is doing
well When able learn is the intention Of General
sherman to send him home.
He was anxious to have his mother Susan r. Kndar,
know his situation Believing your paper tho best means
Of accomplishing this object, permit to you 70
give this place It's columns BY 30 doing you win be
very likely to give great pleasure anxious mother
and several brothers and sisters who anentng
his absence, and It may bo, mourning his loss well
confcr great favor upon your obedent servant,
RODNEY FRENCH.
P.S.-This will be handed to you by Captain W. W.
Tay Ior late Of the bark Harvest Of tho rocksd
ing squadron. Captain Taylor tell you al the
boy. R.F
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
united states steamer Henry Andrew We extract tho
Following interesting particulars relative To naval opera
tions IN the neghborhood Of Warsaw Sound

United States steamer Henry Andrew, extract tho
following interesting particulars relative 10 naval opera
tons IN the neighborhood Of Warsaw Sound
UNITED STATES STEAMER HENRY ANDREW
Dec. "a, 1861.
Yesterday morning tho Seminole, Pembma aud Henry
andrew went into Warsaw Sound and up 10 Wilmington
riVef the expected exit Of the propeller Finga While
mo were getting in boat from Commodore Tatnalfs
na1shp the Savannah down Warsaw Island 20
II .''e passage was clear for tho FipgA On shipping
isiana' Mree miles above anchorage, they have
stFohR iofticaon Yesterday afternoon Tana with his
neet came down To the battery and took look at
Ihe Pemblna and Henry Andrew got under way and
moved slowly up. The pcmbina opened FIRE with her
eleven inch gum but fell short We steamed up To about
two miles, and opened fire with our PARROT gun which
fell little short We then nearer and planted
shells them Zone hitting them that they retired
behind point Of Wilmington Sound They fred three TO
one, as tho Pembna withdrew account OF tho narrow
ness Of the CHANNEL and left all tho fun ourselves
but no one hurt side and bat sheti game
near us. Il was their wish to draw up under their
orticatons which large coumbads, but that cause
would not work. We were perfectly willing 70 meet
them on an equal footing, and would not stand about
giving them Odds
On our way cut wa picked up from the beach two
sailors who had deserted from Tatnals ship, ono
Engishman, and the other from Rochester New York.
From them learned that the troops In and around
savannah depend entirely fresh meat brought from
the country. Butter is worth dollar per pound and
coffee seventy five and other articles Of uxnry
proportiona6y high Clothing s very scarce. Ths
Finga brought some Of the latter together with largo
quantity OF arms.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
THE BLOCKING UP OF CHARLESTON HAR
BOR BY THE STONE FLEET.

The ofica! report Of Commodore Dupont in relation TO
the sinking Of the stone feet has been received at the
Navy Department. Tho substantial part Of the docu
ment consists in the report Of Captain Charles Henry
Davis who had command Of the feet. In this report
Captain Davis says
In all this work have been ably assisted by Com
nanders Godon and Godsborough, and by Iieutenants
Commanding Stevens and Bach and have derived mach
valuable Information and important aid from the skill,
local knowledge and zeal Acting Master G. II. Brad
bury and Mr. Godfrey who acted pilots both Of whom
worthy Of your highest confidence.
Also in relation to the active part OF the expedition
Captain Davis says
On the night OF my arrival off Charleston the light
was essentially promoted. After the bar had been
sounded out two ships sunk on the eastern and
the western limit OF the cannel which served TO
limit the field Of operations. After all the ships which
were be sunk sixteen in number, had been brought
here and in position to be easily moved, they
upon and inside tho bar In checsered udent-
ed FORM lying much as possible across the
direction Of the channel in several lines some distance
that II would be difficult TO draw line through them in
the direction Of tho channel which would not be inter-
copied by one OF the vessels
Commander Davis says that he guided by several
principles In choosing tho place and for sinking
the vessels vz-Frst the bar selected because It
Is tho principal and eliminating point of tho natural
deposit in this line. BY adding the materai
contained in the huiks to those already piac sd
there by naturo may be expected that tho natural
forces which aggregate tho latter viii tend to keep the
former in their assigned position. Second by putting
down the vessels in indented form, it Intended
TO create material obstruction to tho channel without
seriously impeding the ow OF water II it possible
to build wall the channel the river, which must
dow to tho sea, would undoab -edy take another aud
.imar path; but IL, on the contrary, tho blocking
up Of the natural channel is only partial,
~
and require the addition only OF channel Of small
capacity Third the mode of sinking the vessels is in
tended establish a combination Of artificial Interrupt
tions and irregularities, resembling small scale those
Of Hell Gate Holmes Hole, and producing, like them
eddes whirpools and counter currents such render
the navigation OF otherwise difficult channel hazardous
and uncertain.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
ooo,Sii
The effective force OF the navy not including vessels
~ the stocks or unit for service, was as follows

The public debt or the United States was, in round
numbers, five hundred millions OF dollars
After the Inauguration Of the rebellion ~ Charleston
g. on the Goth OF December 1850 grew in proport ons
and reached its eliminating point about the middle OF the
present year, when presented really formidable sp
pesrancc. The gloom which had overshadowsd the
country then began TO be dspells aud from that time
to the present. with the exception occasional threat
enng cloud that has passed from across tho At
lantic Ocean, matters have continued assume more
Frightening aspect, ana the present year closes with
pleasing prospects Of speedy restoration OF the Union
and the full enforcement Of the constitution laws il
all parts OF the country.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
HERALD TUESDAY, DECEMBER

mand Of England, and SURRENDERED James n Mason and
John Slde, rebel commissioners and MacFarahd ana
George Enst's, their secretaries.
General Pfentiss, with four hundred and fifty men
encountered dispersed nino hundred rebels under
Colonel Dorsey Mount Sion, Boone county, Missouri
killing and wonndRg hundred and Gfty, and captur
ing thirty prisoners ninety five horses and one hun
dred and five guns Our loss was only three killed and
eleven wounded.
@0ih--A slight skirmsh occurred in Adair county
KY in which the rebels lost Ave killed. No loss on the
Union side
Subtitle people Of the United States exhibited
mstakeabie signs Of satisfaction the happy termination
o the misunderstanding and threatened difficulties be.
Meen ths country and Great Britain in relation 70 the
Mason and s ideil affair.
The banks Of New York Philadelphia Albany and Bos
ton suspended specie payments.
Jls-Thc army Of the United States at this date was
made up OF the following forces
O9OOOV
Zooc4
Total. .......................6 600 97I
The effective force OF the navy not including yegseg
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
)urng the past eight years the number Of lives lost by
rkoeh hnch ,EoIox
RAILROAD ACCIDENTS DURING THE YEAR 1861.

The following table shows the number OF railroad
dents that have occurred in the United States during
year just cosed which attended with loss Of life
and injury to Our record Is complete
'ormer years. owing to the intsrcorse between the
Northern and Southern States which has deprived
certan extent OF Southern intelligence the eight
months-
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
Eciipscs for the Year 1864.
rs " II be five nelipses this year, as follows

total eclipse Of the moon just before aud after mid
night Of Juno H. Total eclipse begins hour and
minutes after beginning and lasts one hour three minutes
Total Duration, three hours seventeen minutes.
Z. partial eclipse Of the SUM- June 27 in the morning
Invisible in America, but visible in the Indian Ocean
s. partial eclipse of tho sun, November 81 Invisible
in America, but seen In the great Southern Ocean,
g. total eclipse Of the moon early in tho morning Of
December 6. Visible. The eclipse becomes total ono
hour nine minutes after the beginning and lasts hour
thirtytwo minutes. Total duration, three hours forty
nnc minutes.
L. Partial eclipse Of the sum- December 90 Invisible In
America but visible in Asia generally.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
Heavy Gale at Cane Race.
NO LATE DISPATCHES SENT OUT ny THE EUROPA
OWING TO rHE STORM

OWING TO THE STORM.
sr. JOINS, N. F., Dac. 30, 1881.
There was heavy castery gale at Cape Raco Satur-
day and Sunday with tremendous The steamship
Europa Captain Anderson, passed the Cape at hfpast
O'Clock Sunday afternoon, about haf mile distant,
but the being extremely high IL considered
not only dangerous but foohrdy TO risk the lives Of the
boats in attempting to board the steamer Captain
Anderson of tho Europa is entitled to the thanks Of the
press and the commercial public for his efforts to obtain
the latest dispatches which would bave bean eminently
successful and highly gratifying on this OCCASION had not
the extremely dangerous sea precluded any attempt
at launching the newsboat.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
STEAMBOAT ACCI DENTS DURING 1861.

The following table exhibits the number Of persons that
have boon killed aud wounded by accidents to steamboats,
on the OF the United States during the past
year, compared with the number killed and wounded by
the same causes 1860 The tab'a for 1861 is
plcte owing to the fact that intercourse with the
Southern States has been partially cnt Off
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
Npw yopK M1JprApy wATTEps

The volunteer companies in 0tsego county, Gveor six
IN number are ordered 10 the Albany depot and will
probably reach this city on Monday.
Six additional regiments have been numbered as fol
Ninety second, Potsdam regiment--CoIone STANFORD,
having S57 men.
Ninety third, Washington county regmcnt-cooneI
Crockcr, having 67b men.
Ninety, fourth Sacketts Harbor regimert-Coonei
veiie, having sos men.
Ninety fifth, Warren Rifles (New York city Colonel
Biddle, having 600 men.
Nine,y.sxth, Plattsburg regiment--Coonei Fairmap,
havingG6i men.
Ninety seventh, Boenvle regimentColonel Wheeloek,
having 776 men.
Tho militia regiments which went into the field with
their militia numbers have been renumberej 10
bring them in their regular numerical order follows
Second militia regiment TO be the Eighty second volun
teers.
Ninth militia regiment to DO the Eighty third volun-
teers.
Fourteenth militia regiment to be the Eighty fourth
Volunteers.
twentieth militia regiment TO be the Eighetn voun-
teers.
Fifty fifth militia regiment to be the Fifty fifth voun
tecrs.
Seventy ninth militia regiment to be the Seventy ninth
Volunteers.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN WILMINGTON
RIVER

ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE PEMBfSA, HENRY AN
DREW AND TArNALL's FLEET IN WILMINGTON
DrTIoa or THINGS tT sAvhEsaa, Erc.
From letter written ~ cspialn 5. y fiaher, OF tho
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
COLONEL MULLIGAN IN ALBANY.

Colonel Muligan arrived hero at hafpast twelve TO-
day lie was received by the Mayor and Common Coun-
cii and conducted the Dcavan House, where hc
mains during his stay ,as guezt Of the city.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
IMPORTANT STATISTICS.
.~~~~oo~~--~~---~~--~<~
The Net Result of the Events
Of 1851.
LOSSES BY FIRE DURING 1851.

The following record OF the fires, together with the
value OF the property destroyed which have in
the United States during the past year where the
each estimated equal upwards twenty thou
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

Names. 1C@.
Jerry Lowe {coored), Washington. n...............l14
Mrs. Burch, New York.
Catharine Hagey Tennessee.
Patsey Allen. Indiana.
Aunt Phils (colored), New Jersey.
James Martin, New York .........112
Ebenezer Mower, Massachusetts. 100
Jane Quinn, Massachusetts,. 163
Hannah (Indian woman}, New York. rk..............I20
David Davis, Connecticut. leo
Mrs. Polk Ccolored) Kentucky ................10
William Morris, Connecticut .......*.........1 100
Jenny (colored), Alabama '.............110
Mr.. Kinney, New York. ......................10 los
Margaret Wilson (cotorcdl Massachusetts. 100
Hannah Cleveland New YORK. rk............t.......l04 .l04
Hooper Bishop, Michigan. ............... 100
Dnah Geary, Pennsylvania. ...................1 102
Mary Parmcntor New YORK k.....................10 .102
Jacob Rhodes Maine ......................10 .10l
Cesar Russell (colored) Massachusetts 105
joel McGregory, New Hampshire re...............1 102
Mr. Eegan, New York.. ...,................1O
Jack Murray (coiorcd), Mary land nd......,......lI
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

The above figures do not include individual accidents
caused by the carcessness design Of travellers them.
selves deaths injuries resulting from the reckless
Of persons crossing standing upon railroad
tracks where trains in motion.
The following additional table exhibits the number of
railroad accidents. with the persons killed aud injured by
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
IMPORTANT FROM BOSTON.
The Steamship Niagara tO Take the Rebel
Commissioners to England.


Bosroy, Dec. 30, 1861.
1t Was reported here this morning that by instruction.
from Lord Lyons he steamship Niagara which arrived
here on Saturday, will leave tomorrow tuesday, for
Liverpool taking her Mcssrs Mason and slidell the
rebel Commissioners, and their secretaries.
But IL is by certain that the Niagara win be
despatched to Liverpool with Nossrs Mason and sKdel
board The Of the Niagara here deny that they
have Instructions to that effect.
Another report was in circulation this afternoon that
the agents Of the Cunard steamers in this city have given
orders TO have the Niagara in readiness sail for Liver
pool ut noon Tuesday, tho 3st inst, bat nothing has
yet been received from Lord Lyons regard Messrs
Mason and Sde going out In her The agents probably
expect TO receive orders that by mail
morrow morning.
The Niagara took in coal to-day, to make for the
steamship Persia soon expected here, and may may
not leave for Liverpool before her regular day.
Surrender OF slidell and Mason.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 80, 1851.
The surrender Of Msssrs Mason and sde and sas.
pension Of specie payments by the banks Of New York
prodncsd feeling OF relief in business circles here.
SUSPENSION Of SPECIE PAYMENTS.
Suspension Of Specie Payments by the
Banks or Boston.
Boslos, Dec 30, 1851.
The presidents and directors Of the banks Of this city
held meeting this morning. and resolved suspend
| specie payments forthwith
Suspension Of Specie Payments BY the
PhiladClphia hanks.
PiiIApELpHA, Dec. 20, 1861.
The banks OF this city have resolved TO suspend specie
payments in consequence Of Ao suspension New York.
Suspension 0f the Albany Banks.
ALBANY Dec. no. 1867.
In consequence OF the action Of the New York banks
tho banks Of this city suspended specie pay to-day
The suspension occasions xciiemenf.
The PittsburS Ba nks.
Pi1r.rrIc, Dec. 30, 1867.
The news OF the suspension By the East banks
wholly unexpected here, and crea0d iiitlt or %
alarm Our banks have noi generally suspcleI Three
Of tb"p u eace:.,ecf, have saspcnaed. bl orr ars
til M, ,r'r o.! Bank oi s,.b' x, i9e
Meeaanics ti.izen. ami Iron city
Suspe nsion OF tho Cleveland E4..Ns.
CiXrgtANp, De, 80 1891.
The Cleveland banks sslen lei specie p,yme.rt IT, Is
morning.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
Total value Of property destroyed in 1861 o2o 900
Tho following figures show the losses by fires in the
United states during the past eight years.
81 FIRES DUHINa 1851.

LIVES LOST BY FIRES DURING 1851.
The table annexed exhibits the number OF lives which
have been lost each month in this country during tho
year 1861 in buildings which destroyed by hre,
compared with the number lost by similar accidents
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

r,rMFAtI Down SrArRs-Mary McMerny, native Of
rreand aged ftyeght years, died yesterday from she
osots Of injuries accidentally received tg falling down
rht OF stairs at No. 500 West Nmeteeah street, Oh the
n inst Coroner Schirmor held inquest upon the
body.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
CENTENARIAN

The following is list of the of the old folks who
have been gathered with their fathers during tho year
just closed
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY.

THE FIIssI MASo-ACHUSEI 10 S-A ' u 11ItIs
The Third battalion OF the First Massachusetts cavalry
under Major John H. Edison (old army ocer} numbering
four hundred twenty horses and men, arrived n1hs
city yesterday morning Both oattaions are ordered
from Washington TO halt her' until iuriner notice. COL
rr,np q Howe has made arrangements to quarter tho
,,on and horses In tho Third Avenue Railroad staoies
s,xv.brd street. There thus eight hundred and.
a,, 80, and horses OF the First Massachusetts, cavalry
@ ~, T., this city Colonel Williams will be here to-day.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
sroyed by res in the loyal and secoded States respect
ly, aS exhibited In the foropoap reeord,--

Add TO the above the value OF property destroyed by
fires in tho United States during the year where in each
instance the loss estimated at lees than twenty thou
sand dollars and also tho value Of property destroyed IN
the South and West such the destruction Of the pro-
ducts OF Southern plantations the burning Of railroad and
other bridges together with private houses, barns hay
stacks &c. which have been destroyed by srder OF mill
ary commanders both sides, and the aggregate would
be increased TO forty five millions. We aid the fol-
lowing table Of estimates
Losses az shown above ve.............$ SIS, ,02o 900
by fires that destroyed less than $50 900 each
Products OF Southern plantations burned 600 600
Bridges destroyed. 5000 900
Vessels burned 5000 900
Buildings burned by military orders .... 1000 900
Farm products destroyed ............ 1000, 900
Total value OF property destroyed in 1851. 00 900
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

REHABILITATION.
The following additional table shows the above ossos
during each month, compared with those Of $780,
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
LAST or THE PATRIOTS OF THE REVOLUTION.


On the LIST Of July last there but three
OF Revolutionary pensioners left upon tho rolls In the PEN
Sion once at Washington. Probably not fifty are
now living. We give list OF the names Of those who
have died during tho year. far as lhave been able
The New York herald., 1861-12-31
The Pittsburx Ba nks.
Suspension OF thu Cleveland x3.&..

The Cleveland banks sa.sqen ,ci specie p,yme.t tbs
morning.
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

During past nine years the number Of lives lost and
persons injured by steamboat accidents in the United
The New York herald., 1861-12-31

Mr. Mortou elected Lieutenant Coy crnor but be
came acting Governor on the election Of Hon. Henry L.
Lane TO tho Senate Of the United States
Mr. Clark elected fieateaant Governor, but
ceeded to the Executive chair after death Of John W.