The New York herald., 1861-12-21

United States made by the President since the publca
ton Of General Orders No 6 OF August 9th last have
just been officially promulgated From this pamrhietat
appears there has been two hundred and fifteen promo
tons, six hundred and fifty appointments Of all kinds
addition sixty Brgader Generals OF Volunteers the
whole number these being about hundred and ten
Among the decnaons is James Shields, Of California, TO
be Brigader General. The appointments aids do
camp to General Mcclellan number thiry-twc. fhil-
officers have been honoraby retired under the law
upon that subject.
Last Monday there thirty seven designations o.
volunteer officers the army Of the Potomac, and on
Wednesday twenty-four, about seventy-hve during
the week few of these resigned for the purpose Of
accepting higher appointments in regiments other than
those to which they originally attached.
The nominations Of Brgader Generals Kem and Palmer
confirmed by the Senate to-day.
PoNrooN BRIDGE EXPERIMENTS, ETC.
The New York Fifteenth regiment, Colonel J. Mcleod
Murphy, engaged yesterday in throwing battery
at their camp the Eastern Branch, with baskets Of
earth fascnes To morrow afternoon the President
and others will witness of their experiments with
the pontoon bridge, rope bridge, exploding mines &C.
The ponoon train OF tho regiment getting in readiness
for start whenever ordered TO move
Reconnaissance TOWARDS VIENNA.
reconnoitering party went out this morning from
obtained large quantity of forage, but saw nothing Of
the enemy.
REVIEW OF GEN. PoRTER's DIVISION.
Gen. Fitz John Porers division win be reviewed by
Gen. Mcclellan tomorrow at two O'Clock M.
ARRIVAL OF THE VERMONT CAVALRY.
Notwithstanding the efforts made to the comfort
and immediate supply Of the wants OF all regiments
irving here, the splendid regiment OF Vermont cavalry
bash INFO n andc I'd from he
three O'Clock yesterday morning at its temporary camp
about mile from the railroad depot From that time up
hour this afternoon neither food for the horses
shelter for the has been provided straw
for bedding wood for fire Six Of the horses have
died. So much negligence requires investigation.
TIE VAN ALIEN CAVALRY.
Yesterday report having reached General Stone that
the rebels appeared force the Virginia SIDE op.
pose Edwards ferry he ordered the Van Alien cavalry
proceed the ferry and endcavor TO draw the c Of
enemy. The regiment Immediately took the position
indicated, and drawn no in rank the bank Of
the river but failed induce the rebels to fire upon
them they retired without making any demonstration.
The companies Of Van Allen cavalry which for the last
two months have General Banks division havo
rejoned the regiment its headquarters under General
Stone
RrFLED CANNON EXPERIMENTS.
Colonel HUDSON. acting cnel OF bencra Mc,ioliahS
staH during the Illness Of General Marcy, left this after
noon for New York to witness trial Of James guns
FLAG PRESENTATIONS.
Regmentai flags to be presented tomorrow TO the
Sixtys second and Eighty third Pennsylvania regiments
attached to General Porers division. Speaker Grow
will mako the presentation.
NOBLE CONDUCT OF MRS. CAPTAIN RICxETTs.
The heroic conduct Of Mrs Ricketts,, the wife Of Cap
tain James h. Ricketts,, who severely wounded at
Bull run is the theme OF much praise since their return
Mrs Ricketts, pushed through the enemy's lines alone
when she heard Der husband captured and took her
place with him in tho hospital, from which sho
emerged Until this week when she arrived in Richmond
General stuart asked her sign aparoc Of honor she
refused BE persisted in writing IT, and handed ier tho
document She tore up Instantly and carried The lrag
menis TO her husband When Captain Iiclct.s 1as car