The New York herald., 1862-12-27

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Our latest dispatches from the army on. the Rap
pshannock report everything perfectly unchanged
for the last twenty-four hours. Our troops are
putting up wooden huts for shelter against the in
cismency Of the weather. All the sick are being
carried to Falmouth.
despatch from Fortress Monroe informs us of
another skrmish with the rebels on the Black.
water on Wednesday. It appears that Lieutenant
Colonel Stietsell. Of the Eleventh Pennsylvania
cavalry, mes the enemy at Joners bridge, four
miles above Franklin. He drove the enemys
pickets on this side of the river capturing four Of
their pickets, one cavalry man and horse, and
three infantry soldiers and their arms. Colonel
Stietsells advance, with their carbineers, under
Lieutenant John s. Ropes, first engaged the ene-
my at short range. Finally discovering the enemy
in superior numbers above and below them on the
river, with his inferior force Of four small squa.
drons in peril of being aanked, Colonel stietssll
withdrew at once, and without loss.
The electo 81 members OF Congress for East
ern Virginia was the cause Of Q brisk skirmish at
Smithfeld, near Suffolk, between Lieutenant Colo
mel Onderdonk, of the, New York Mounted Rifles,
and party Of the rebel cavalry. Lieutenant Co
lionel Onderdonk took the ballot boxes to Smith
field in charge Of squad of his men, and pro-
ceeded with the rest of his command to Windsor
Learning that the rebels had left the place but
short time before, he proceeded cautiously towards
the Isle of Wight, and when about three miles out
came up with them. He sent a sheIi4mong them
from his howitzers, and they responded with six
Founders. After short skrmish with the rebel
infantry with two pieces OF artillery and some cav
airy. Col. Onderdonk retired. The rebels attempt
cd to surround him, and at one time were only one
hundred and fifty yards in his rear, whereupon he
suddenly wheeled his command about and fired q
voIley. which emptied twenty Of the rebel saddles
in quick time. The skrmisbing continued for six
miles.
The news from the Shenandoah valley repre-
sents that the rebels have evacuated Winchester
and have gone towards Staunton, destroying the
railroad a. they went. The destitution at Win
chcster II reported as fearful General Jones, with
$500 reSels. had occupied it for some time past;
bat the Union troops, under Colonel Keyes. ad-
vanced from Roniney on Christmas morning and
took possession Of the town.
The bark Kate stsmler Captain Fish, which
arrived at this port last night from Pensacola,
brings 2ss bales Of cotton, cargo of schooner
jefferson Davis, captured Sept. IL, by United
charge Of Acting Master s. Wilmington, who comes
passenger by the stsmler She has also on board
1io casks returned whishey, 1000 thirty.two
pounder shot and one large rifed gun.
The rebel schooner RetTibpton ran the blockade
at Wilmington November q, and arrived at St.
Thomas December T. she mad $40 barrels spirits
turpentine 100 bales cotton and 100 barrels rosin
She had . crew Of Is men, with three guns in the
hold. and was allowed 10 enter in the customs the
same as any other vessel. She was commanded
by Captain Parker and consigned TO Lamb Ball
&Co.
The Europa, q; Hahfax, telegrapbe European
news 10 the 14th nst.-one week later.
The British newspaper comments on American
affairs are generally q an 1nimportant character
The London Shipping Gazette notices the con.
ceriration" of EngLsh North American war ships
OH ,ermuda. The writer states that Admiral
Mite had been Instructed to protect British
~ els from ostrsges' al The hands OF fedora
cviers lying in British waters.
gae Eagiieh abolitionists were making strenuou,