The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-27

" w Witu K5Veruuent contracts, ana na
since gone or is about to 90 to Europe.
} Stills for the Railroad between Aaui
: Greek and Richmond ara advertised for il
The Richmond papers: G. W. Robinson ad
yertises for broom corn: Confederate read
Ing room has been opened in Richmond.
has not yet been ascertained who star
ted the hoax Of the great victory gained i,
Tennessee by Parson Brownlow."
| The London News of Dec. 6 says:-"Th
Confederate war steamer Nashville went in
to the craving dock at Southampton yester
day to be repaired. The Federal armet
mail steamer Arago will, is is expec.ed
come up Southampton Water on Wednesday
next, instead of remaining at Cowes, 90 thai
tie two ships will be "wishin shut" Of each
other"
The London, Times comments favorably
upon the late Message of Mr.. Davis to the
Confederate Congress. and pays him many
eSmpliments.
There is said to be continued trouble in
~ Indian country among the Creeks, Semi
nPles, and Cherokees, some taking sides for
ths Confederate States, others for the U. s.
government.
Much interest is excited among the lovers
Of flowers by the Bonapartea yuncea, in
bloom at the nurseries Of Ellwanger & Barry,
10 Rochester. The plant has remained in
their possession since the foundation of their
colossal establishment, about twenty-five
years ago-when it was obtained by them
from Princes nursery, at Flushing. How
old it Was when thus obtained is not known.
1t continued unchanged, about the size Of
peck measure during that long period until
the LIST Of October, when it began to throw
up stalk, which grew so fast. making five
Or SIX inches day, that it reached about
thirteen feet-aowers appearing and bloom
Jog in succession along nearly the whole
surface of the stalk.
The suffers, it is said, have lost their lien
upon soldiers pay, as the U. s. Paymaster
General will son inform them in general
order, founded upon the act recently passed
by both Houses. But they are straining
every nerve to defeat the other measures for
the curtailment of their oppressive privi-
leges, which are in contemplation.
The public are beginning to laugh at the
various statements published in the newspa-
pers, protesting to give accounts of Cabinet
meetings in Washington.
There was considerable "noise and confu-
sion," several severe fights. some stabbing
cases, &C., in Baltimore on Christmas Day.
Considerable portions of some of the New
York papers are occupied each day in con-
tradicting the reports Of other papers, rela-
tive to the Trent affair.
Col. Bordan, U. s. A., has been seriously
injured, in Washington, by the bursting of
breech-loading rife.
Several regiments of Gen. Heintzleman's
division marched on Christmas Day to near
Pohick church, and saw small company Of
Confederate cavalry, and fred cannon. No
thing farther ensued, and the Federal troops
return ed to their encampments.
A middle aged Northern woman, and very
well dressed, with strongly marked mascu-
line features. was arrested on Wednesday,
on suspicion of being spy, at the instance
of DR.. Shipper, having charge Of the divi-
sion hospital in Gen. McCall's division. She
pretended to have powders and liquid tonics.
By examination it has been ascertained
that nine tenths of all the sickness in the
Federal camp is caused by sleeping on the
ground, and the neglect being susceptible of
causes much dissatisfaction
among the soldiers. !
Various kinds Of petitions, resolutions and
bills are being referred, in the U. s. House
II Representatives, to the Committee on the
Judiciary, having for their objects different
'chemes affecting slavery. Some are out and
tut radical, others more moderate.
There are no now developments in relation
o the Trent affair.