Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-07
NEWS FROM REBEL SOURCES.
1S Vessels Run the Blockade.
Bragg's Headquarters RlaggOId
Fears for LOngstreeFs Safety.
FROM WASHINGTON.
MAsu1Narox. Dscember 4

" WAbuAAdAOAf OoGGmDBI 4
The contest for the Speakership has
ceased to be exciting. COifax has it all
his own way. He goes into the caucus
with about So votes pledged.
Hawkins Taylor, of Iowa, has the start
for Doorkeeper, and D. j. Brooks, of Cali
fornia, the inside track for Postmaster.
The chief contest for the Clerkship is now
between Green Adams, of Kentucky, Nc.
Pherson, of Pennsylvania, Fessenden, of
Maine, and Burlington, of Massachusetts
Letters from officers in Gen. Banks ar
my say large amount Of cotton is discov-
cred daily by IecOnnoitering parties in the
interior of the State, and owners are very
anxious to get it to market. Preparations
are being made to remove that nearest our
lines TO the river for shipment.
The prepondersnce of sentiment of that
portion Of Texas traversed by our army is
represented to be Union.
Herald's special, from the Headquarters
of the Potomac Army, Dec. A:
Last night our pickets we're driven in at
Germsnia Ford by the rebel cavalry, and
long roll sounded throughout the camp
The enemy retrested across the river be-
fore any damage was done, and the army
soon regained usual quiet
A large number of furloughs was being
granted to officers to 80 home. Weather
fine.
A speculation in regard to the question
whether Meade will be retained in the COM
msnd of the army is prevalent. The army
is greatly divided in regard to his ability
since the late campaign. Sedgwick seems
to be most in favor; next 10 him Warren
would be most acceptable.
Heralds special:
None of the wounded in the recent en-
gagements south Of the Rspidan will be
brought to Washington. Arrangements
will be made for their treatment in Alex
sndris. The loss in killed. wounded and
missing is estimated at 800.
The health of the President is still
feeble. He is unable to leave his chamber,
but is engaged in the completion of his
message.
Tribune's spevIoI.
All reports about the removal of Meade
that spring up before the meeting OF Con-
gress are premature. After the President
obtains strength sufficient to enable him
TO weigh the merits Of the six days cam
paigu, just closed, decision may be ex-
pected.
O.e of the most interesting reports
ever issued by the Secretary of the Navy
is now being prepared by Mr.. Welles. As
already slated, the estimate for all branch
es of the Naval and Marine Corps will
not exceed Sl42, 100000. The item that
increases the estimate to this figure is the
expenses for the construction and purchase
of an immense feet which now being the
property of Government will only cost an
nual maintenance and repair. The report
will suggest many improvements in the
management Of Naval matters. Secretary
Welles will devote some space to the dis
cushion Of iron clads, and it is said the
reason for the failure Of the attack on
Charleston its harbor distractions we're
too great to be overcome by the vessels
Mr. Welles will be able to counts $50 or
700 vessels as the property cf the Navy
Department.
There is no doubt but that Schuyler Col
fax will be Speaker Of the House in the
38th Congress. Should ballot be tlken
at the cauens called for tomorrow evening
his majority will be decisive. 1t is gen.
orally understood that the caucus will
postpone the nominations for other officers
till Monday evening but this may posi-
bly, not be the case The Opposition can
didate will be, without much doubt, Mr.
Cox, it being Aseertained that Ohio decid.
edly prefers him to Mr.. Pendleton.
Estimates for the Department Of the In.
terrier foot up SS,O5O,O0O. OF this amount
the Pension Office estimates about "a ,00O,.
900; The General Land Office about S..
100000. The Judiciary estimates are cut
down at least s., 100000. The Indian Bu
reau figures are down considerably. THIS
Census office does not care for any appro
priation. The Patent Office has bslsnc'
Of nearly S38 900. The Agriculture De
partment ask for an appropriation ofSl5O,
900. Th5 capital extension and adqueduc
estimatea go to complete the grand total