The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-11
GENERAL NEWS.

federates captured ten mule teams and took
the teamsters prisoners, was mistake
The men and teams arrived there, having
been released after all the arms belonging
to the party were taken from them.
Col. Hudson, of Major General McClellan's
staff, has reported, as the result Of his late
inspection of the Fourth Connecticut VOL
unteers, Col. Tyler, that they more nearly
approach the condition ofremarkably efficient
regulars than any other regiment he has SO
far had occasion to inspect.
Two residents of Newark, N. j., within
the past few weeks have perpetrated one
grand swindle. 1t appears that they visited
the bakers of Newark, and the surrounding
towns. and procured large orders from them
for -four at deprecated prices. They then,
by false presentations, fraudulent letters,
and the exhibition of their large orders, pre-
vailed upon Messrs. Smith, Woodbury. &
Co., Jesse Hoyt & Co., and other firms of the
New York Corn Exchange, to sell them
-four to the amount of nearly 100000, at
thirty days. The flour was shipped to New
York, and it is presumed was disposed of to
various parties, the swindlers receiving cash,
with which, instead Of paying the New
York firms, they left for some unknown To-
cality.
Gerritt Smith, Beecher, and the other ul-
ira Republicans at the North, discourse
against the Presidents Message, in relation
to slavery.
Four European steamers are now about
due-and the news from England is anxious
ly looked for.
Besides the great amount of freight, in
the shape of military stores, &C., sent down
to Fortress Monroe, by the steamers from
Baltimore, every boat now carries from thir-
ty to forty thousand feet of lumber, design
ed for building barracks, store-rooms, sta
bling for horses, &c.
The reported evacuation by the Federal
forces Of ybee Island, (Ga..) announced by
the Savannah and Richmond papers, was
disbelieved at frst-and partially denied at
Washington-hut correspondent of the
Philadelphia North American writes, under
date Of Saturday, that "the reported evacu-
alton is confirmed by intelligence which
reached here to-day" W
In some of the towns in Massachusetts the
results of the municipal elections have been
adverse to the ultra Republicans.
Judge Collamer, of VI, advises an early
adjournment. He says:-"War is not a bus;-
ness Congress can engineer It's properly tx
ecutive business, and the moment Congress
passes beyond the line of providing for the
wants of the Government, and deciding the
purposes of the war, to say how it shall be
conducted, the whole thing will prove fail
ure."
Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts,, visited
the Jail in Alexandria, last week, to inquire
as to the "contrabands," SC.
The St. Louis correspondent of the New
York World severely condemns that portion
of Gen. Halleak's proclamation, in which he
renews his threat Of shooting all persons
found in arms against the government in
Western Missouri. The correspondent says,
Its consequences, if enforced, must result
in strife so sanguinary and cruel Is to lose
the name of war. 1t is not to be supposed
for a moment. that the Confederates will sub
init to such treatment without dreadful
and wicked retaliation; and if we are not
strong enough to put them down without
such resentment, we are still weaker with
it,"
VIM. Johnson, brother of ex Governor
johnson, of Pennsylvania, had his pocket
picked in Washington at the railroad station
of two government drafts, one for IS 900
and the other for 81, 800, check on bank
in Pinsburg f r So, 500, and $500 in cash.
The Nashville papers contain letter from
George N. Saunders to Kossuth, extollinp
the secession movements, and hoping that
the European lovers Of freedom will extend
their sympathes to the South.
The report of Secretary Chase is very gen.
orally spoken of as able, but sumo Of his re-
especiallv in repard IN tho