The New York herald., 1863-12-24

THE STU ALTON.
The information which we give to-day from
various sources proves the late story about the
destruction of the Ironsides and two Monitors at
Charleston to be complete hoax. In the first
place. the United States transport Star of the
South, which arrived here from Hilton Head yes
terday, with dates to the 2lst brings positive news
that the report of the United States fr:gate
Ironsides and other Monitors being entangled
in the distractions in Charleston harbor
are untrue. The Monitor Lehigh, while on picket
duty near Fort johnson, got aground. The rebel
battery opened on her. doing her considerable
damage when the other two iron-clads went to
her assistance and succeeded in getting her of.
The Lehigh was so badly damaged by the fire Of
the rebel batteries that the Star Of the South had
board was injured.
General Buffers dispatches. under date of yes
terday from Fortress Monroe, state that Rich.
mond dates to the 22d had arrived by the flag of
truce boat aud that "there is no truth in the
Monitor story" The rebel kilograms from
Charleston make no mention of it; although as will
be seen. they allude to the progress of the siege
up to the 2lst. General Gilmore was shelling the
city every day with his two hundred Founders.
We repeat that the government ought to investi.
gate into the origin of this mischievous hoax.
We give to-day. from our correspondent in the.
6cld. the full history of tho late brilliant opera
lions in General Kelley's Department in Western
Virginia, under the immediate direction of Gene.
raj Averill, BY which Longstrcet's communication
Tennessee Railroad. The line was cut in two or
three places, the telegraph wires broken their de-
pots at Salem. with their contents. destroyed,
together with several bridges and culverts over Q
distance Of fifteen miles. General Averill, on his
return from this important feat found his path
blocked by the rebels under no ess than seven
generals at different points; but by clever night
maneuvre he got the best Of them, and returned
to headquarters with tihing loss, but after
much suffering from riding over mountainous
country. General Averill forwards to General
Halleck an official account Of the affair. which
We publish, together with map of the vicinity.
The rebel dispatches admit the main points in
this statement,
The news from the Army Of the Potomac is
cheerful but not important. The weather is
splendid, and the troops are about to be provided
with certain delicacies in the shape Of oysters.
game and poultry. at reasonable prices. in ac-
cordance with an order of General Patrick,
Provost Marshal General, who advertses for con-
tracts for the supply Of bvalvcs.
Rebel dispatches from Dalton, Ca. report that
General Joe Johnston Is appointed to the command
OF the Army Of Tennessee. Speaking of the late
affair at Bean Station, they say that their loss in
killed and wounded was eight hundred.
The first vessel which sailed from this por,
under the new government passport order was the
California steamer Illinois, which left yester.
DAY. Her passengers and crew were searched;
b largo number Of rcvolvers. knives and
other weapons were taken from her passengers
by tho deputy marshals and put in care OF the
purser, to be delivered TO their owners when the
vessel reaches Aspinwall. A general passpor,
was then, given to the captain, which enabled him
% psas the gunbost at Sandy Hook and proceed on
his voyage. II appears that the order only re
ouires that a vessel shall be thoroughly overhauet
by the marshal, and does not provide that ever,
passenger shall have a separate passport, as wa
~ first supposed. Six United States transports
which did not happen TO be furnished with thu
harshal's pass. were sent back from Sandy Hool
by the gunbost vicksburg.
CONGRESS.
In the Senahs yesterday. petitions TO exemp
elergymen from the DRAFT, and TO increase the PAL
sf custom house efaoers at Philadelphis. wer,
presented and referred; slso Cor remuneration fo
BOSSES sustained by the seizure Of the ship Arago
a bfi to establish uniform ambulance systen
was referred 70 the Military Committee. A bil
prohibiting Congrcssmen from acting ss counsel
lors in suits where the government 10 intereste
was referred 10 the Judiciary COMMITTEES. Nj
Bumner introduced his bill for codifying the law
"a resolution calling for information ~ TO wheths
negroes have been enrolled In the loyal slave State
Was agreed TO- The resolution Of inquiry regard
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