The New York herald., 1862-12-25
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

WAsmsaIoS, Dec. "a, 1862.
GENERAL sUsSsIDE 70 REMAIN IN ooM4ASp FOR THE
PRBSENT.
Forney's oAical organ says that Burnside will have
command Of the army for the present. This mcsns that
practical offensive operations rssamod some
one else win be designated.
GENERAL HOoKEs's TESTIMONY BEFosE TTIE COMMIT
TEE on TEE CONDUCT OF THE WAR.
Only the points of General Hookers testimony before
the War Committee Of Congress elegraphed North
These show that he did not approve the ncsnsiderate
march from warrenon to Fredericksburg and that he
did believe that pon.oons would be furnished in three
days, as promised by Generals Halcok and Mcigs.
TIE PoSrooN TRAINS AND THE ARMY OF THE po-
TohAc.
The point made by the HERALD 70 the neglect Of the
military authorities IN not seascnaby furnishing pcntoon
trains at Fredericksburg 10 universally recognized among
military here the Of our not occupying the
heights there at early period. General Summers tes
tmony that General Mcclellan intended TO attack Lee in
the direction OF Goronsve, s 10 accordance with the
statement OF the former the time Of his supersedure,
which that great battle would have been fought
in two or three days.
VISIT OF THE OFFICERS or TIE SIXTH MICHIGAN
CAVALRY TO THE PRESIDENT AND OTHERS.
Tho officers Of the Sixth regiment Of Michigan cavalry,
sixty in number, >es.erday morning proceeded in body
to pay their respects 70 President Lincoln the Secretary
OF War, General Haeck, the Qarternaser General and
others af our prominent military men. by all Of
whom they were most cordially received. This regiment
which numbers twelve hundred men, organized
through the nsrumentality Of Hon. Mr.. Kellogg, Of
Michigan and during the interview with the President he
stated that another cavalry regiment would be ready for
the field within few days. The officers all fine lock-
ing men, and they dsshed through the Streets with
their horses gay caparsonod presented quite mpos
Ing appearance.
THE PIRATE ALABAMA.
No positive information rospessing tho pirate Alabama
had been received By the Secretary Of tho Navy at late
hour this evening.
rHs CHRISTMAS DINNERS IN THE MILITARY HOS
PITFALLS.
Mrs. Caleb Smith, wife of the Secretary Of the Inferior
with large committee Of ladies, has been actively
ployed to day completing the arrangements for Christ
dinner in the hospitals. There viii be no lack Of
good cheer any Of hospitals tomorrow, thanks 70
the efforts Of Mrs Smith end her patriotic coadntors
IMPORTANT PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE PACIFIC
RAILROAD BILL.
An impoytsn. bin WAS introduced yesterday by Mr..
McDougni having for s object the amendment Of the
Pacific Railroad bill make the Construction OF tho
road feasible practical. From the debate which
followed TO The reference Of the BILL that the
whole question Of the direction Of tho route s branch
this side Of The Rocky Mountains may up o.
cQurse this point viii be determined good deal With
reference opinion Of Cougressnen the prospect
OF tne governments future control Of the navigation o.
the Mississippi river.
APPROVAL or A COURT MARTIAL SENTENCE NY THE
PRESIDENT.
The Presiden, has approved Of the sentence OF the
martial held ct Norfolk for tho hanging Of Fred
ercks setz, tssmster, who murdered colored nj
Camp Hamilton.
rBE CASE OF CENSUS supERnTESDKST EEsSsDY.
The obeciisns the resolution OF inquiry regard 70
the letter Mr Kennedy Jacob Thompson late 5ecrs
tary Of the Interior published 10 the 7rs having bean
withdrawn referred to ths Judiciary COMMITTEES.
!, may surprise the Of that rssoss,on TO learn
he win when the fscts examined by the committee
that notice Of the sending u supply vessels Charleston
harbor communicated 20 thc rebels by President
Lnoold and circulated by telegraph throughout the
United Ststee before the letter alluded written Tho
incidentally meutoning the srmament ~ writ
Ten before the began. Only those doust the loyalty
Of Mr. Kennedy who ignorant Of the efforts OF ths
riends Of the Union 10 this city for @ preservation DUR
the last pear Of Nr. Buchanans administration and the
bitter feelings INDUCED in towards Mr. Kennedy by
frsme Southern men, and their anxiety have him
moved from onacs.
CRAMArIC READING IN THE REPRESENTATIVES, HALL
ron THE BENEFIT OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS.
ahs use Of The House Of Representatives has bssn
granted 70 Mr. ,. g. Murdoch. the great tyasedisn for
ssadngs in cid Of the United States Soldiers Relief
cistisn. Mr. Murdoch tA profereds sacrcd reading
csch sunday and two miscellaneous readings each weak
benefit Of the sodisrs. The proceeds OF the
iertainmeDts are 10 be dtssurset bya COMMITTEES sp
pointed By the state reler associations in sn
city.
sHS PAYMENT OF ofFICzRs.
An orass has been Issued prohibiting paymsfts's pay
ing ofcors Assgred pay rolls, ana they required
70 make the payments the occrs Ia persoH Tho order
psars heavily mon ocs who absolutely need their pay
bu, are compelled wall weeks before be ob
ta;ucd ia IA. rsgrls vsy ssbmit 10 neavy dis
snnns Oh their rsy acoesns Yhs order has crcs,ed
ste CONJUNCTION snops the brokers here, who have Bson
in the habit Of advancing upon ufacers' pay rols His
stated MA, shs treasury Dcpartmsn' declined day
issue any more certificates of indebtedness.
rHx F.ANcIAL PscJHcT ov SECRETARY esAss.
7eosotars Chase has TO Representative stevcus
bis financial proec, loan " nne hundred
millions Of ic,srs, at rates Of ntercst not exceeding those
now authorized by TIE secretary does susscss
any augmentation sfTrcasay notes The Committee Of
Ways has Means have conslderea the subject.
nksss1s % CONGRESS CONE HONE TO SPEND rus
HOLIDAYS.
This city hsli deserted tonight lsrge nuinDes Of
the Congressmen taken advantage Of The long reccs
20 ~ home, and Of course tie lobby members follow
suit, Tho armies quiet Virginia, and consequently
there 10 no excitement the hotels aud other public
places In Washington.
GENERAL arAps ASSIGNED 20 rHs COMMAND or 4
CORPS
General Noads has been assigned 10 the command Of
the Fflh rmy ccrps the place Of Gonoral ButcrAcld
who resuncp conmsnd Of the urs' division Of tho corps
sgssaAL vslLy 20 c0nsAss The DsPaaiMESy on
THK occoorAH.
General Kelly ID sssisucd 70 the command pr the ie
psrunent of the ocooqusn, place " General More
who nss been ordered report 70 Washington Tor duty
rps. tiSunLs pIsrEssMo FnR CHRISTMAS TuRxyys
70 TIE soLpIKRs.
The grounds sbcu, the White House presented an sua
spectacle. A large number Of ambalenees and hospfa,
wagons appeared there and received loads o. rrov.ons
for soldiers chrlstmas dinners distributed by MIA Lin.
coin portion Of which were purchased by donation q
President Lincoln.