The New York herald., 1862-01-19
VIRGINIA.
VIRGINIA,
Especial correspopdsuce OF the Memphis Appeall

Especial correspondence Of the Memphis Appeal
RICHMOND, Dec. 80, 1851.
Christmas at the CapsoI-A Duu Season, NTH Beasif,I
Weathe-FdtaI Duel Near Yoraou7,--A Schooner SUM-;
esae Of Cen. r. S. George cccRe, d dc '-'"~'''''"',
Christmas has come and gone the holidays nearly
over, and mid-wnter rapidly approaches The festive
scat OF government In the camps all has been serene
much hostile lines confronted forces in
attended with but little hwlessness violence and the
social entertainments customary at this period have been
Of unusual temperate character One two stabbngs
IN the streets and numerous little evening parties have
marked the Christmas week, which will bo set down
altogether the duest within the memory Of that worthy
personage-the Oldest inhabltant.
Here and there, at old mansions in .he country the
holidays celebrated after the ancient fashion with
innocent fun and ove making by parties ofSair young
madens and officers on furlough just as though Wild
wars deadly blast had never been biown across tho
border and the blockade q mere deuson. In the
glow Of the bright wood res the young heroes told the
story Of Bethel and Manassas, aud Lsesburg, and per
haps another story Of tenderer but not less
Sort into the eager Of enrapturcd Listeners and
the joyous time away few thought Of the months
come the prvations and exposure Of the encampnent
and the bivouac the long, and II may be the ra sepa
ration between the guests Of tho bospablo homestead
The weather OF the orrront December which has bern all
along like that Of Italy than Virginia became softer
and more delicious Christmas approached and IL even
now as light aud beautiful as q dream.
Fine weather for military ogerat aud yet nothing
whatever has been done IN tie Peninsula tho
Potomac. We are still under the spoil Of the mastery
very GOO sa and fatal duel osig eating In quarrel
about the lr.ce OF box of cances fought the
alh INST. near Young Mii in .hs Peninsula between
rr Forward aud Lieutenant Jones both OF Colonel Hunt
regiment % Louisiana Volurtssrs, which terminated
morally 70 both parties. Only one report was heard
aud The conbssnts fell in their places and died in few
minu es wnin the last two days affair Of honor has
bcn ripcned into hostile nsetng between two officers
OF high rank now in Richmond, but was npped 10 the
bud yesterday by the timely rost OF Of the prin
cipsls at his hotel Far better would IL be for these gen
tenen, who are 80 sensitive TO aront to consider that
in of every life wanted by the country aud
a m Tffe "a In Nc ~
settling the dispute by a resort to hsticuns.
Congress- took rcces5 OF fow days for the holidays
and was 20 teassembls today. few members in
their seats, and no business transacted.
The melancholy suicide OF General Cooke remains q
mystery Aman Of the highest character and position
millionaire NTH loving family and everything that
makes life desirable, nothing but alteration of mind
account FOR II.
winry wea,her and as Probable Consereno,s-Dsath Of
Hon yudge Hemphn--Another Sensation Desp1ich from
General Md1rudsrGenerai Divorce Act by the Pierpon
CownmsniCorrsc Of Lectures for the Patriotic Fund
The A6air f e Seatird and Express in Hampton Roads
The bitterest weather Of the winter is upon Las
night had hail and slcet which gave venoering o.
ice 10 trees lamp posts fences, house tops and pave
msn,s and 20. day the air is all noodles with q heavy
csdcn sky above us that gives promise Of snow II 4
sad TO think Of the poor fellows those bleak Farfa
hills around Centrovills or away Off in Kentucky, ex
posed the full severity or the season in whose rank
rheumatism and pneumonia 10 make greater clasm
than the bullets Of tho enemy We, who sit BY IN
blazing freside and read Seward's dispatches by COS
light 10 comfort who smoke our cigars IN well hcste
apartments and retire TO luxurious beds ~ our ow
hours have but little idea Of the suiicrugs of the vo1r
tcers nor begin appreciate at what sacrifice " hea
| that living wall has been built up which defends u
| against The foe.
| n the frost should coutnue---n,ore especially,
| one Of those Arctic snow storms wh.ch NJ n
vsry long intervals OF time driving ovs
| Virginia from the North, should sot In upon us
| there will Of course, be efrsctual stoppage
al military operations for three months. The iotoms
will DO closed with ice after three days and nights of u
prosont temperature and the Burnside feet may ses
| another quarter than Evausport for hs offensive q
| monstraiion. should the residue Of January pro-
cold the last throc days the Yankees will be drt
out Of Western Virginia by the sheer impJssbity of