, 1861-12-23

M1ssOURIRAILROAD DESTROYED
FROM WASHINGTON,

l~F@e4%NA OA-t+A'eA ~ kA-N SA42SdEO 44kHu4t.f
WASHINGTON, December 2l, 1861.
There aTc number Of leading dnanciers
here, from New York, considering the suspen-
sion Of specie payments by tlc banks. It has
been determined that while it is desirable to
prevent flow Of specie abroad, the Govern
ment can do or advise nothing that looks like
retaliatory measure towards England. #
the suspension shall happen, which is not i'm
probable, it will be the banks Own doing.
The horizon toward Great Britain is not
more clouded than last night. No official COM
munication has been made by Lord Lyons. It
is understood that he has arrived at tacit un~
derstanding with Secretary Seward, in their
confidential informal interview, that, in 7iew
Of the gravity Of the crisis, no diplomatic cor
respondenee should be entered into for seycr:
days; SO that both could calmly consider this
question. Lord Lyons's conduct las been
cautious, and those who have the best oppor-
tunity Of knowing, next TO President Lincoln
and Secretary Seward, (who are remarkably
reticcnt,) say that no ultimaiu1n, and no in
pcrative demand will be presented; nothing,
il short, that will not admit Of correspondence
for three months, and finally OF recourBc to
arbitration. The latest article Of Lord Palmer
ston's Q4ondon) Rost looks the same way, and
speaks Of France and Russia as mcdiator5.
Further accounts Of the action near Drains
vile increase tic brilliancy Of our victory.
Sixty bodies Of the cnemys killed hare been
found on the field, and ten wounded, and eight
unwounded prisoners taken, with a large guam
tity Of arms, ammunition, aud clothing. The
rebel loss is estimated at one hundred and fifty
killed and wounded, and it is believed TINT
Col. Tom Taylor Of Frankfort, of the 1st Ken
lucky rebel regiment, is among The former
The rebel force WAS composed OF the LIST and
llth Kentucky, and 10th Alabama rcgi-
ments; a regiment Of cavalry, and a bat
| tory Of six guns, aIl commanded By Col.
John Il. Forncy Of the 10th Alabama. We
had five Pennsylvania regiments and four
| guns. Our precise loss is unknown, but the
! highest estimate is 25 killed and wounded.
| The engagement was brought on By Gen. Nc
Call, who sent Gen. Ord's brigade to attack
force, discovered near Louisville by 4 econt-
ing party on previous day. Two other
brigades were posted at q distance as reserves.
| They took no part in the action. Gen. Ord
Was fired upon by the rebels from piece Of
woods. Gen. Mccall, soon arriving, took
command, and after an hours fight
the rebels rrccipitatcly fed toward Fairfax.
| At nine o'clock our force reached camp,
bringing, besides the spoils Of battle, fifty
wagon loads Of foragc. The prisoners are i'll
! clothed, and say that the whole rebel army is.
suffering and discontentcd for want Of cloth
ing and food
Senator Chandler WAS serenaded last night by
the band Of the Michigan regiment. In answer
to the call, he said the difficulties with England
would be amicably adjusted, but VIC would
not yield to her arrogant demands. France
would not go to war with us, for We supplied
herwith bread Louis Napoleon vas not insane
enough for that. There was no room On this
continent for two Republics, or Republic
and Monarchy; and the only way to insure
peace with England was to have grand ad-
vance Of the army tomorrow, and by July
the war would be orcr England had great
respect for six hundred thousand bayonets,
and if she went to WIZ there would not be q
foot oftcrritory on the North American soil IN.
der British flag:
Col. Michael Thompson, member Of the
Washington bar, and native Of South Caro-
lima, was arrested to-day.
The Pensacola is ready for active service
She took trial trip to Indian Head, to-day.
! Gen Fitz John Porter's Division WIS re-
| viewed by Gen. Mcclellan. to-day, and they
had a sham fight ut tho close. It was admira
! bly, done, Secretary Cameron and Vice Presi
dent Hnmlin we're present
Secretary Chase has returned from Ne,'