The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-23
GENERAL NEWS.

the President, has issued General Orde,
returning thanks to the IT, s. officers and
soldiers lately engaged in the battle of Mil
Spring, in Kentucky, in which they gained
decided victory. The Order says-"tbe
object of the war is to attack, pursue, and
destroy a rebellious enemy, and to deliver
the country from danger menaced by trai
tors" 1t speaks in the highest terms of the
courage, skill, and promptness of the U. S
troops in the battle referred to, and exhorts
ell other troops of tho army to follow their
example.
The story per telegraph, of recent Con
federate victory near Ironton. Mo-, over 9
Col. Miles with 300 Union troops, turns on,
to be entirely false. 1t had been started
several months ago.
Ex-President Tyler, whose death at Rich.
mond on Saturday last has been already an.
nounced, died suddeuly-though he had
been attacked with vertigo about a week
before. Dr. Fairfax was one Of the physi-
clans called in. His funeral took place from
the Capitol in Richmond-and every respec
was paid in that city to his memory.
The Washington Republican says that
one way resorted to in the lower counties in
Maryland to convey information to Virginia
is this "a large kite is made, and instead
of paper, is covered with oiled silk, SO as to
render it impervious to water. The tail is
f'rmed by folding letters or newspapers to-
gether, and tying them with loop.knot-
each letter, or perhaps two letters together
forming bob. When the tail is as heavy
as the kite cau conveniently bear up under,
a cord long enough to reach about two thirds
Of the way across the river is attached, and
the kite raised in the air. After the kite has
exhausted the string, or has reached sufi-
cient height, the cord is cut, and the concern,
gradually descending, is borne by the breeze to
the Virginia shore, where the hobs are taken
of by those in waiting, and new ones for
their sympathizing friends in Maryland tied
on in their stead. With the first favorable
wind, back comes the kite to the Maryland
shore, and uice versa. A strong Union man
residing below Fort Washington, says that
although mishaps sometimes occur to the
mail by sudden chang in the wind waiting
il into the river, as general thing the dodge
is successful. By this means large numbers
of letters and Northern newspapers find
their way into Virginia, and the communica-
ton between the two shores remains con-
slant and uninterrupted"
Some auction sales of first class dwelling
houses have lately been made in New York,
at what are called in the papers Of that city,
''ruineus low prices"-at least the sellers
think so.
All the banks in Philadelphia are about
to issue small notes. The public are eau
toned against counterfeits.
Cholera is sweeping of thousands 10 India.
The Committee Of Congress in Washing
ton on the alleged censorship of the tele-
graph, has commenced it's Investigations.
Com. Smith, U. S. N, commanding U.
5. steamer Massachusetts, at the mouth Of
the Mississippi, has approved Of the course
Of his officers, in not giving facilities to Gen.
Phelps for the circulation of his late famous
Proclamation among the people ON the land.
The Flag officer, Com. Mexican, says he will
not allow that or any similar document to be
circulated by any person under his COM
mand
Mr.. Devin, of N. Y, in his speech in the
U. S. House of Representatives, yesterday,
contended that in "a civil war none are enc
mics but those who embark in the war;
that all others are entitled to peace and pro-
lection, &c. Mr.. Stevens of Pa, was in ia.
vor Ut liberating the slaves.
A regiment Of the Federal troops came
over from Washington to the divisions on
the Virginia side of the river, day or two
ago.
The sudden return of General Rosencrans
to his command, after he had issued his pro-
upon their going into winter quar-
ters, shows active movements are on foot on
his line. The appearance Of his body guard
at Gauley river, and the advance If more re-
gimenrs from Ohio, have like significance,