Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-22
VIRGINIA.
Especial oorupondeaco Of the NsuphI, Apptall

RlcHN0ND. Dec. 30, 1861.
ChrlatmRs Al the CRpltal-A Dali
season, with Beautiful Weather.
Fatal Duel near YOrktOWn-A
Schooner sunk on Matthias Point
llNInOFa Of the DAy-COnRrenS-suis
eide Of Gen, r. Sc. GeOrRr Cooke, &c.
Christmas has come anl gone, tue holli-
days are nearly over, and midWinier rapidly
approaches. The festive season has been
remarkably quiet 10 all respects at tue seat
Of government. In the camps all has been
serene, Us much SO as ifno hostile lines
confronted our forces in the city the hi-
lnritie, Of our yearly saturnalia have been
attended With but little lawlessness aud
violence, And the locial ADVERTISEMENTS
customary st this period have heen Of nn
uuusual temperate character. One or two
stnbbings in the streets and numerous little
evening parties have marked the Christmas
week, which will DO set down as altogether
tic dullest within the memory Of that wor-
thy parsonage oldest inhabihnt.
Here and there, at old mansions 10 tue
country, the holidays were celebrated after
the ancient fashion with innocent fun and
love making by parties Of fair young
uaidens and officers on .furlough, just rs
though wild wars deadly blast had never
blown across the border, and the blockade
was mere delusion. In the glow Of the
bright wood fires, tue young heroes told
the story Of Bethel aud MauaSSaS, and
Lecsburg, and, perchaps, another story Of
a tendereF, bui not less Interesting SORT
into tic eager ears Of ennptured listeners
and aS the Joyous times wore away, few
thought ofthe months to come, the priya-
lions nd exposures of the cnCAmpment aud
the bivouac, the long, and it may be the
final, separation between the guests OF the
hospita6le homestead. The weather Of
the current December, which has been al
along moro like that Of Italy than Virgin
in, became softer and more delicious as
Christmas approached, and is even now rs
bright and beautiful rs u dream.
Fine weather Tor military operations, and
yet nothing has been donc in the Peninsula
OF on the Potomac. Weare still under the
smell Of ",naslcrly inactivity
A very foolish and fatal duel, origins
ting in a quarrel about the price Of q box
Of candles, was fought on tho 9th inst,
near Youngs Mill. in the Peninsula, be-
tween Dr., Forward and Lieutenant Jones,
both Of Col. Hunts regiment Of Louisiana
volunteers, which terminated Inortally to
both parties. Only one report was heard,
and the eombatauts fell in their places aud
died in a few minutes. Within the last
two days 40 affair Of honor has been ri-
pened into hostile meeting between two
officers Of high rank now in Richmond,
but was nipped in the but yesterday by tue
timely arrest Of one Of the principals at
his hotel. Far better would il be for these
gcutlemcu, whonre so sCnsitiveto alfront,
to consider that in time Of war every life
is wanted by :he country, and to initiate
the example recently sci in New Orleans
Of settling the dispute 6y a resort to hstl-
cuts.
Congress took a recess Of n few days for
tue holidays, and was to reasonable TO-
day. A few members were in their seats,
and no business was transacted,
The melancholy suicide Of Gen. Cooke
remains mystery. AmAn Of the highest
character and position, millionaire, with
loving family and everything that mSkes
life desirable, nothing Cat alteration OF
mind can account for it.