The New York herald., 1862-01-08
INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-
Discussion in the House on the Settle
melt of the Trent Affair.
Speeches Of Messrs. Tallandigham, Of Ohio, and
Thomas, Of Massachusetts,, on the Subject.
Defeat in the Senate Of the Bill Increasing
the Number ofWest Point Cadets,
&C., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON. Jan. Z. 1867.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Z, 1864
An EsrIRD DIVISION OF THE ARMY ON FoRAGINs
EXPEDITION.
The following full and interesting report OF foragng
expedition, that went out to-day from General Smiths
division, is furnished by the special reporter Of tho
HERALD, who accompanied the expedition in expectation
u witnessing another brilliant defeat Of the enemy like
The Dranesvills affair
This has been active and exciting day FOR the troops
attached TO General Smiths division A. seven o'clock
is morning foragng expedition set the direction
sf Peacock Hill Tho expedition consisted of the First
Brigade General Hancock tho Second brigade General
Brooks the Third brigade, General Bsannan; Captain
Motifs battery, one twelvepoundsr howtzer and
I'VE ten-pounder Parrot guns Captain Ayres'
bAttery, four ten-ponnder Parrot guns and
s~o tvelye-pounder Napoleon guns the First Pennsy
vsna artillery, one twelve FOUNDER howitzer and three
six-pounder howzers, Lieut. orwick commanding, and
nine companies CT cavalry, Col Friedman Peacock HI:
D. located near tho junction Of Difficult creek and the
Hssshurg and Alexandria turnpike Eve miles beyond
Lswinsvile and only four miles from the scene OF tho
1ate pranesvlle battle. There were over two hundred
eod atty oragpg wagons Most Of these were sent las.
evening from Washington. Altogether il the larges.
Scragrg expedition that bss yet gone from the army
of the Potomac. Should the enemy show themselves
was determined to be ready TO give them recep
elon
Az tnrsc O'CLOCK tn6 morning Sfghai roches
were by of pckets in the direction Of Hawkhurss
Al followed quickly By others TO the southwest, toward
Centreyie This demonstration induced belief that ho1
enemy, by some means, had obtained information OF the
intended movement OF forngng forces and troops
were in high spirits at the prospect Of brush with the
rebels, genuine fight being what they have long been
wanting and impatsnty waiting for Animated by the
hope and expectation of lively with the mnions
Of Jen Davis, the enthusiasm Of starting
unboupded. The starting presented enlivenng and
splendid scene the air resourdlng with the stirring music
OF regmcnta bands staff and field officers dashng to and
4ro high mettled steeds the and sodery tread
Of the perfectly disciplined troops bright CLEANS Of boy
ore.s the flashing sunlight the rumblng jar OF tho
ponderors artillery wagons and the tramp Of cavalry
The thought that danger formed any part OF their mis-
sion did not to all apparent observation enter the head
u single soldier.
General Smith, although only few days on sick bed.
Ded the expedition Generals Hancock and Brooks headed
aher brigadss while Colonel Bdwe commanded General
Drannans brigade, the latter having few days since
sslinquishsd his command TO 60 to Key West General
Smith and each brigade commander was accompanied by
thsr full stan. The expedition absen. hours.
Although disappointed in engaging the enemy fault did
oct lie with our men, for every side thrown
the most dencrstrative temptation TO induce fight
Arriving at Mccarthy Hill, just beyond Lewnsvile,
Captain Mott placed section OF artillery the whole
Nsing under his command the hil the being
supported by the Third brigade to support
apy portion Of the division needing assistance in OF
IN engagement. To Peacocks Hill and Walters Nil
General Brooks brigade proceeded accompanied Jy six
pieces OF artillery, under command Of Lieutenant Mar
Gin. General Hancock advanced with his command to
Freeeom Hill, overlooking Vienna and Ia!-eax Court
Eeuse He sent company OF the sxtl MAiaa q H.
enest 10 feel the enemy They moved TO within about
vs hundred yards Of largo body Of infantry snd
valy Of thS enemy enoamped near Hawkhurst's Mil.
General Hancock snxiousy awaited some aggressive
exhibition and it with the utmost difficulty the
an bis command could be restrained from pressing for
ward, although II was understood that there are an
eanpcd IN tha. vicinity full twenty rebel regiments
Der command OF Generals LongEtreet and Ven Dorm.
Meantime, General Reynolds brigade OF General
Gccals division the right. near the Union school
house as support and the left, the direction Of
EAus Church. brigade from General rorter's division
NJ the same Elk cavalry companies under Major
Smith made Reconnaissance in the vicinity Of the Cross
Roads, between Freedom aud Johnson's Hill. subss
qusntly detachment sent 10 General Smith with in
formation Of advance Of the enemy from either Hun
ssrs Mil Flint HILL All these failed how.
ever, to draw out the enemy
In the Interval our forage wagons we're all ned and
-four miles OF the enemys picket lines accurately
tanned Seeing ths, tho enemy could not be induced to
come out and show themselves and The forage wagons
being 6led General Smith gsvc the order to withdraw
division quarters. This order, Il is stated given
purtuartto directions from the army headquarters in
Washington not 70 attack the enemy except in defence
ell not the policy Of the general commanding TO bring
On general epgaaernsHt tho present moment. Our
men, hoeevsr, had unres,ranei liberty 10 invite an
attack which as viii be from this report they did
IN the most positive manner possible.
On the return, Major Iarsb.e, Of the Flf,h Wisconsin
and ~
commanded the guard of the expedition The FORA
was brought Camp Grin. II consisted chiefly or hay
eats aud The expedition successful Ia every.
Ting but the expected nght the abseuc. Of which was
severe disappointment to our troops Their conduct
However, shows concusvsy tho cyrR 81 coyrs OF our
army their undoubed loyalty and readiness 70 AEht a.
any Their bearing thls occasion ustdes ihs
fullest confidence in their steadness and reliability
Their discipline excellent and their oagerness for
opportunity engage the rebel army s all that the most
eager On 10 Richmond" advocates. could desire.
The movement to-day has given tho highest satisfsc
t,ou 10 oil the commanding officers, and convinced then
mt the troops under their command will be prompt
action and that they will NEE, victory deaS IN eny
battle IN which they may be engaged.
AFFAIRS ALONG TUE UNION Inns.
There Is no Information headquarters tonight OF any
further disturbance on tho Upper Potomac, opposit,
Hancock Everything s Quie, above and below on oui
whole line.
pETAcHMENrs or TUE SIGNAL CORPS ORDERED TO
KENTUCKY AND BUBEsIDE's EXPEDITION.
A detachment from the Signal corps under Major
Myers left this afternoon FOR Louisville. KY 10 consists
of four eutsnants and ten prvses under command Of
Lieutenant r. r. shattuek. Three outenants have been
detailed from the corps to join General Bunsdos expe.
alton
AFFAIRS on THE LOWER POTOMAC.
Tbore have arrivals from the Potomac 1olIla
to-day From Alexandria IL is reported that the river
nas arc blocked and the channel nei with floating leo
cot, bowcvsr, sufficient TO impede navigation