The New York herald., 1861-12-20

The rebels have made 1t point to obtain posses
sion Of as many Of the metallic mines and caves as
possible, for the purpose Of obtaining therefrom
the material to fight with; therefore, although
Neosha has been for time lost TO the Unionists,
the Mammoth Cave is so near recovery that we
may from that fact obtain some consolation from
even SO small, but, Of the same time, so signal
victory. The latest intelligence from Kentucky
tells Of probable battle yesterday between the
troops of the rebel Zollicoder and the Union army
of General Schoepf, who went out to meet the
former near Fishing creek, at daylight. inc
rebels number about 6 900, while the Union troops
outnumber them in men and artillery. General
Schoepf felt confident Of victory.
From Fortress Monroe we learn that the
schooner Charity. said to be owned by Senator
Simmons, of Rhode Island arrived at Hatteras
on the 10th inst, with assorted cargo including
large proportion of whiskey. She also took a
collector 10 Hatteras, and on arriving he procured
building from the Commssary, which he propos-
cd using rs custom HOUSE,. AH0 0"P'"n P''PSA'
proving very irregular, on the 18th inst Captain
Worden, of the Stars and Stripes, seized the Cha
riy as O prize and sent her to New York. The
captain and crew, together with the collector
were taken to Fortress Monroe in the Spaulding.
The news from Port Royal is to the effect that
the Union troops have fully occupied the town Of
Beaufort, and that large quantities OF cotton were
being brought to the coast. Our correspondence
from that point to-day will be found full of inte
rest.
II is not in the least improbable that the fate
of Charleston may be shared before long by other
Southern cities. The Montgomery (Ala.) AdpeT-
fse, says that no less than seven attempts were
made to set fire to that city within two days, and
that two of them were partially successful.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Sumner presented
number of numerousiy signed petitions, in favor
of the emancipation of slaves with compensation
to loyal masters. Mr.. Wiley. of Virginia, offered
resolution to the effect that the existing war was
forced upon the country by the rebelious States
without provocation, and with the design to de-
stroy the Union and the constitution, and repudatc
the fundamental principles of republican govern
ment Mr.. Wiley sustained his resolution in
lengthy speech, but without concluding gave way
ly the Senate discussed the resolution of the House
to adjourn till the 9th of January, in order to par
ticipate in the Christmas holidays, but adjourned
without arriving at determination on the subject.
In the House Of Representatives the bill pro
viding for the construction of twenty iron-clad
steam guaboats, to be built by contract or
otherwise. as the Secretary Of the Navy may deem
best for the public interest, was debated and
passed. The Consular and Diplomatic Appro.
priation bill was passed. The Contract Inyesti.
eating Committee was directed to inquire whether
the transportation Of troops by railroad was done
by contract or otherwise, and the Secretary Of
War was directed to furnish all the particulars in
his possession on the subject bill to promote
the ef6cienc of the dead letter Office was passed
bill aboiishing the franking privilege was intro
January assigned for its consideration. The Com.
mittee on Elections was instructed to inquire whe.
ther any member Of the House is holding Office
under the United States and receiving compensa-
sation therefor.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The Opinione Ndtionale Of the 4th of December
states that Mrs. Euss, wife of Mr. Siidells secre.
tary arrested with him, had arrived in Paris on the
previous evening, accompanied by Colonel Lemat,
of Louisiana, who WAS also on board the Trent
Mrs. Slidell and children would remain in London
for some days.
dreadful fire broke out on Monday, December
2, at the Napoleon docks, Antwerp. The Belgian
sugar refinery and the st. Felix bonding ware.
houses were burned down. The estimated loss is
5,OOO,0 900 francs The fire was still raging on
Monday night.
The steamship Africa, for Liverpool, has $1o4, ,sss
in specie on board.
A regular meeting Of the Commissioners of Pub.
lie Charities and Corrections took place yesterday
The following is synopsis Of the report presented
by committee Of the Whole:-Fr0m the 9th to the
18th of December, inclusive sol persons have been
transferred from the city prisons to the workouse
on Blackwell's Island, Of which number l2l were
AAAssASo wv
mnnicatons were received from the1wardens. co.
vernors and doctors Of the various almshouses and
hospitals, which were disposed of in the usual way
The cash receipts from the 9Th to the 10th Of Decen
Der have amounted to $2,647 OIL. The contract for
supplying with steam the warming apparatus Of the
new lunatic asylum was awarded to Felix Camp. |
bell, he proposing to do the work for $780, Ffbm !
the weekly statement it appears that the number
Of inmates admitted to the institutions during the
week ending December IA was I,ss7-making a
total Of 1900 remaining there on that date-an |
increase of sixty-six on the preceding week.
The trial Of Charles Jefferds for the murder OF |
John W. Mathews is progressing in the General |
Sessions. The testimony developed yesterday was |
consisting Of an alleged confession Of
The murder Of John Walton, made 10 the brother
Of Walton.
The Board Of Aldermen did not organize last
evening for want of quorum.
The cotton market yesterday firm, and sales en-
braced 400 800 bales In small lots chiefly TO spinners
closing at 3sc for middng upands and 4oc for good