The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-23
The Washington letter of the Baltimore

hay for horses here on account of failure o.
contractors to deliver at 25a$26 per ton. Blu
the policy of purchases in open market viii
be avoided if possible The occasional strai
OF forage, together with the bad use of them
has inflicted nearly as much injury to thu
public service as the frauds of contractors
The Washington dispatches to the North
ern papers report reconnaissance made OF
the Goth by Captain Mott, attached to Gen
Smiths division, accompanied by Col. Lore
and detachment of dragons. They scout
ed around Hunters Mill, and Peacock's
Hill, and pushed on towards Fairfax Cour,
House, where they met body of Confede
rate pickets. There was some firing, when
the Confederates fell back to their lines, and
the Federal troops returned. No one was
injured on either side.
The Pensacola Observer Of the 9th saws
that about one dozen slaves recently escaped
to Fort Pickens.
The exhibition of the new style Of CON-
bustibles, for army warfare, the Greek fire
bombshell, was witnessed, last evening, from
the lawn south of the White House and
was voted success.
Mr.. Morrill, has announced in the House
Of Representatives the intention of the Com.
mittee of Ways and Means to levy stamp
duty on every copy Of newspaper issued,
and every Geographic dispatch published to
raise fund FIR the benefit of the Treasury,
to aid in the support Of the war.
The Washington correspondent of the N
Y. Express gives graphic picture of the
appearance Of Washington City. as follows:
1.-The city, even on inaugurati, days, never
was fuller than it now is-and the hotels are
al full. running over. The New Workers.,
men and women, abound-representing all
The various phases of society. The bankers
1ere. few days ago, are now superseded by
another set Of bankers, who sing somewhat
different song, and who dsclaim the official
programme of their predecessors, Messrs.
& CJe, & Go. The Cameron set If
astonished and astounded, are
ushing in, to study their position, and an
mbryo set of contractors are rushing in,
90. Hhe lockers on are innumerable.-.
Washington presents such new front, face
nd form, that it has becone school for the
urious, the philOsophic, as well as for the
ashionable. A great country IN the contor-
ons Of civil war with very uncertain
lture, becomes great study. Meanwhile, /
8 men fight, SO they sing, dance and make
Jerry. The officers of 2OO,O men 10 and .
round now great capital, of themselves,
lake grand social army. The generals
litter in their shoulder strap stars, as nu
ferrous as in the Tuileres or about the In.
alides. The colonies and majors are legion.
o be in black coat with no stars, no ca
les, no straps. is to be nothing, nobody.
efore so many military attractions, civil
ms, politicians, statesmen-if there be any
shrink and shrivel Even the ribands.
le laces, the splendor Of the lady toilette,
Re, if not out-dazzled. darkened, by the gold
ce and bright button. Washington, all of
sudden, has become what Vienna, or Paris.
Berlin, or st. Petersburgh is city of SCI
ers."
The U. S. House of Reps. Committee on
Dads and Canals have under consideration
number OF important propositions. Among
lem is the construction Of military road
in the Presidents annual mes
lge. The increase of the facilities for the
between Washington and N.
ork is also subject of consideration. One
roposition is to construct new road direct
ON Washington to New York; another pro-
des for the construction of double tracks
I'D sidings on existing routes. With view
prepare bill providing for the repair and
rejection by the U. S. Government of the
altimore and Ohio Railroad where it has
cen destroyed, and is now INSTRUCTED. re.
button has beeh submitted, asking infor-
ation from the War Department as to the
mount of military force, and the time when
can be spared for this purpose. The Com.
ittees are prepared to show that the Govern
ent have incurred al expense of three mil.
Dns OF dollars on account of the obstruc.
ooa fr tI,o tbor,,.Lc.