The New York herald., 1862-12-05

cavalry could cross by swimming; but the enemy
was pursued to Oxford, where, after skirmish O.
two hours. sixty Of their number were captured.
General Grant says that the roads are too bad TO
get supplies for a long chase.
A feet Of our gunboats on the Mississippi have
been running into the creeks and bayous between
vicksburg and Helena, doing serious damage to
the small river craft of the enemy. from steamboats,
| to canoes Quantities of grain were seized, and
arms destroyed wherever found. This expedition
has discovered that the stock of cotton of the crop
of 1861 remaining in Arkansas, Mississippi and
Louisiana has been over estimated, ard that the de-
sructon Of the staple by the rebels has been very
considerable. Only few thousand bales now re-
main in the counties bordering on the river. The
new crop in these regions will be very small, the
floods of spring having damaged the fields, and the
planters being SO disheartened that they are not
disposed to pick what is growing.
Our Suffolk and Fortress Monroe correspondence
to-day gives highly interesting account Of the re-
cent attack by General Pecks forces on the
Blackwater, near Franklin. Colonel Spear led
the attack. capturing tho Rocket battery which the
rebels had previously taken from our troops seve-
raj months ago, and which had been source Of
constant annoyance to General Pcck's position for
a long time past. The enemy, it appears, had
force of 700 men in action, while force was
only 300 So sudden was the charge Of the Eleventh
Pennsylvania cavalry that the rebels broke and fed.
They were commanded by Gen. French. Not only
was the battery recovered. but forty prisoners
were captured, and q large number of killed and
wounded, without the loss of man on our side.
1t is stated that the enemy have rife pits all
along the route from Petersburg to Richmond,
struction. 1t is also reported, upon what is said
to be good authority, that . large portion of the
distractions placed in Charleston harbor is COM
posed of railroad iron which is laid in the chan
mel between the stone blockade, and that the
rebels can use this now valuable material for
different purposes.
The news from North Carolina contains some in
terestng points. Petitions are in circulation there,
requesting Governor stanly to order an election
for members of Congress during the remainder of
the term. A strong feeling Of disgust with the
war, and earnest desire for peace isexpericnced
in Raleigh. Our troops took possession of Green
vile, on the Tar river. few days ago.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Clark, Of New
Hampshire offered joint resolution which was
laid over, approving of the policy of the Presi-
dents emancipation proclamation. Mr.. Pomeroy,
of Kansas. also offered joint resolution, refer
ring the portion Of the Presidents Message that
relates to compensated emancipation and depor-
taton Of negroes to select committee of both
houses. This also laid over A resolution re-
questing the President to furnish to the Senate all
the documents concerning the operations of the
Army ofthc Potomac and the surrender of Harpers
Ferry. was likewise laid over. bill repeating
the act stabishing and equalizng the grade
Of naval officers, was introduced and appro-
priatcly referred. The Naval Committee was
instructed to inquire as to the expcdicncy
of submitting the appointments OF volunteer
naval officers to the Senate for confirmation. The
death of the Hon. John X. Thomson late Senator
from New Jersey, announced. the customary
resolutions Of respect adopted, and the Senate
then adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, Mr.. Stevens
offered resolutions declaring that the Union must
be ard remain and indivisible forever and
denouncing as guilty of high crime any executive
or legislative department that shall propose or
advise any acceptance of peace on any other basis
than the integrity and entire unity OF the United
States as they existed at the time the
rebellion commenced. Tuesday week was, on
motion Of Mr.. Stevens, assigned for the con-
sideration Of this subject. Blr. Wisklife,
OF Kentucky, offered resolution direct
ing inquiry respecting the Military Governor
Of the District Of Columbia--under what law nc
derives his power, his compensation, the expenses
Of his Office and whether he has obstructed tho
civil tribunals in the administration OF Justice. A
motion to lay the subject the table was adopted
by vote OF eighty-fivc against forty-six. Arcso-
luton abolishing the West Point Military Academy
and aiding in the establishment of military
schools in the States was rejected by decisive
vote. After disposing Of several unimportant
subjects, the death Of Senator Thomson, Of New
Jersey, was announced and the usual reso buttons
adopted. The House then adjourned.
II is stated that the report of the Secretary OF
the Treasury will be transmitted to Congress TO-
day.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
Our European files by the Hbernan at Portland
and Saxonia at this port, contain some very inte.
resting details OF the news to the Goth Of Novem-
Der, of which an ample resume appears in the
HERALD this morning.
large and influential meeting of merchants
wa held at the Chamber Of Commerce yesterday
TO devise TO aid the operatives of Lancashire,
England, who are suffering from lack OF work,
caused by the stoppage Of the supply of cotton
from the United States. About twenty-six thou
sand dollars was contributed for this object in a