Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-02
Washington News and Gossip.
WASHINGTON, December 80, 1861.

WASHINGTON, December SVi 1861.
AN ANOMALY.
An anomaly in the social life Of Washing
ton, and in the etiquette established by
Presidential precedent, is the fact that the
President dined at Secretary Cameron's this
evening. The dinner, given in honor Of
Governor Curtin, was attended by Secreta.
ries Chase, Blair and Seward, Senators
Chandler, Wade and Sumner, Speaker Grow,
Adjutant- General Thomas and General Nc
Call. The Presidents entry was informal
and after the other guests were seated.
GENERAL sHERMAN's REoENT PROCLAMATION.
General Sherman, in command at Beau
fort, writing to q United States Senator,
says, in explanation of his denounced proc
lamation, that the time has not arrived to
invite the South Carolina slaves within our
lines. A proclamation to that effect would
have brought in twenty-five thousand in
three days. Two months hence, he says,
such course may be proper. As the free
ing of the slaves of rebels is not taught at
West Point, as a military speciality, the
people will undoubtedly think that their no.
tions on this point are great deal better
than General Sherman's
REPORTS BY A REBEL DBsBRTBB.
Last week an intelligent Irish deserter
from Fort Pulaski reached the Union camp
Tybee Island. He says that the rebels have
FIVE hundred troops, commanded by Major
OImstead, at Pulaski, and nine thousand at
and near Savannah, around which city earth
works are erecting. The troops there are
armed with Enfield and other improved guns,
but those at the fort have only smooth bores
They have plenty of powder and ball to sup
ply their cannon for ten days. The troops
are paid in Confederate shinplssters, which
pass freely. In no quarter was there talk of
| yielding to the Government, but the support
Of England and France was confidently
counted upon.
Soon after Com. Dupont occupied Tybee
Island, q plan was formed for its recapture.
Fifteen hundred men were to be landed at
the southwest end of the Island, and FIVE
hundred more at Kings Landing, opposite
Pulaski Part of the troops had embarked
on the transports when General Lee, fearing
the gun boats, which lay in suspicious prox.
| unity, countermanded his orders. Tatnsll
| has three steamers and one fat boat, mounted
| with three heavy guns, one of which is rif1ed.
| Two more were building and were expected
| to be finished in a week. A tight raft, three
hundred feet long, covered with combustibe
materials, and intended for the destruction
of Union vessels, was lying near Fort Jack
son. Another the deserter cast loose, after
assisting to tow it to its place. 1t consisted
of one hundred and sixty. one logs, each oi
which cost $40.
THE POSITION OF THE CONTINENTAL Stairs
So far as can be inferred from the dispo.
sition of the Diplomatic body here, the
prophesy of your Paris correspondent, that
the surrender of Mason and Slidell would
place France and the secondary maritime
powers of Europe on our side, will be veri
fed. Several Ministers from continental
States have said that Great Britain shall not
with the consent of her neighbors, seek 6
quarrel with America, without substantial
reason. They think that the United States
have shown too much willingness to do thosC
things which make for peace, to be drawr
into hostilities against their will.
BRITISH AID AND COMFORT TO THE REBELS
The War Department has received volum
inous dispatches from Nassau, which fully
confirm the report that United States wa
vessels are refused permission to coal there
while rebel privateers do SO at their pleasure
The commander of one coal vessel, who wa
about to land his cargo, was informed tina
no United States steamer should take it oil
board until the war was over. 1t may b
added that Nassau has been coal depot 70
our Government for many years.
The French Minister attended Mrs. Lin
coins reception last Saturday, with hi
family.