The New York herald., 1863-01-13

for king" The Richmond Wing says that the
object of stuart's expedition in the rear Of our
army at Dumfries was to gain Information OF the
position and movements Of our troops. and by 60
ing with his usual daring and audacity within their
lines and around our army, he was eminentiy sue
cessful, and the results are considered very i'm
portant. -
Dispatches from Chattanooga say that Gen. Bragg
will make his line Of defence between Winchester
and Shebyville; that 1t Is not thought Roseorans
army will be ready to do anything for month,
and that the rebel expeditions in West Tennessee
and Kentucky haye been most successful, and will
bring good fruits.
The troops, as a'general thing it says, approved
General Bragg's course in falling back. His
troops were too much exhausted to remain longer
on the ficid.
r put down now at 5000.
c0HaREss.
Both houses Of Congress transacted large
amount of business yesterday, but we have only
space to recapitulate the principal points of the
proceedings.
In the Senate the bill providing for a further
issue of bonds and United States notes, with view
to the prompt payment of the army and navy, was
passed. resolution requesting the President to
inform the Senate what measures have been taken
to enforce the Confscation BILL and If any addi-
tional legislation is necessary for the enforcement
of such act, was adopted. resolution request
ing the Committee on the Conduct of the War to
report the causes of the non-exccution of the
Coniiscation act especially in the District of Co
lumbin, was adopted. Notice was given of bill
for the consolidation Of regiments in the field and
to facilitate the return Of absentees from the
army. The bill reorganiaing the Court of Claims
was briefly discussed. he bill relative to arbi-
trary arrests was taken up. and Mr.. Wilkinson, Of
Minnesota. made a speech, in which he charged
the democrats with plotting to break up the 60
vernment, and Quartermaster General Megs and
Adjutant General Thomas with disloyalty The
bill to raise volunteers for the defence OF Ken
lucky was passed by vote Of 20 against 49, The
bill appropriating 1886 500 for an arsenal and ord
nance depot in New York harbor was postponed
The bill reimbursing Minnesota for expenses on
account of the Indian outbreak was then taken up
and discussed till the adjournment.
In the House Of Re representatives resolution to
discharge the Ways and Means Committee from
the further consideration of the bill reducing the
duty on imported paper, and that the same be
considered in the House forthwith, was laid on the
table. The committee were instructed to inquire
into the cxpediency Of reducing the duty on rags.
A joint resolution, ratifying and approving Of the
Presidents emancipation proclamation was intro
duced, and motion to lay it on the table was dis
agreed to-ffty against eighty-five. The subject
was then referred to the Judiciary Committee.
resolution directing inquiry as to the expediency oil
granting hundred and sixty acres OF land OF any
conGscated rebel plantation to soldiers was adopted
by o vote of 66 against SO. resolution was
adopted instructing the Committee on Naval Affairs
to inquire into the expediency Of laying tele-
graph cable from Fortress Monroe and intermedi-
ate points to New Orleans. A select committee
Of five was ordered to inquire into the necessity
and expedency of establishing military and pos
tal road from the city Of New York to the city Of
Washington, in order to facilitate the transporta-
ton Of mails, arms, troops and munitions Of war.
Mr. Stevens introduced bill providing for the en-
ployinent Of 10000 negroes in the military
aervice. A motion to lay il on the table was
lost-53 against s3--and the bill was then laid
aside till Wednesday week. In Committee Of the
Whole the bill providing ways and means for the
support OF the government was taken up, and Mr..
Spaulding delivered an important speech on the
subject. He concluded by saying that by military
success only could the national finances be main.
tanned and the Union restored
THE LEGISLATURE.
The Senate OF our State Legislature held . short
session Yesterday evening. But little business,
however, was transacted. In the Assembly com.
mittee Of three was appointed to confer with the
Adiutant General of the State in reference to the
restoration Of the Assembly Library chamber, now
used by him. The contest for Speaker was then
resumed, and five ballotings were gone through
WITH making fftythrec in all snce the first day Of
the session; but there was no election nor any new
phase developed to vary the monotony of this tire.
some proceeding, the vote still remaining tie be.
tween Messrs. Dean and Sherwood-forty-one
| each. The Assembly then adjourned till clever
O'Clock to-day.
MISCELLANEOUS NEws.
| The mails of the Africa reached this city from
Boston early yesterday morning. Our files are
dated to the 27th Of December. The papers contain
interesting details Of the ncws-telegraphcd from
Halfax--wAich We give in the HERALD to-day.
| At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen yea
terday the Finance Committee reported in favol
| OF authorizing the issue Of $4,000 Of Contra
Park Fund stock. The report was ordered TO b,
published in the Corporation papers and also il
the HERALD and then made the special order for tn,
next meeting. The City Inspectors annual repor
was also ordered to be published in the above
mentioned papers. The Auditors report was or
dered to be printed. BY the report of the Finance
Department there was balance in the treasur.
on the 10th inst. Of 81 047 4s4 After the transac
/ tinn of snme unimnortant routine hnsinesa III