The New York herald., 1863-12-24
NEWS FRSS;%s WASHINGTON.
w4szNoros. Dec. zs, Ssos.
Ay,,Yss n n rus nssxL CAPITAL.
S~~~~~>~>~~oc,-,-~

prison and the rebel lines Their statements fully
roborate the reports concerning the desuton and
tality among the prisoners The captured HERALD
respondents were left In good health and spirits.
l RETURN OF AN ENVOY TO KIoHhoND.
Joshua Gunne who recently received authority from
the War Department to visit Richmond for the purpose
securing the release OF Union Fairfax county
has returned the rebel authorities refusing 10 receive
\ him.
RETURN OF ARKANSAS TO THE UNION.
is expected here that Arkansas win be represented
In Congress at carly period Of the present session
Arrangements progressing quite favorably for an
election In that stae TO believe that
the Sssts government VIII In short time be acting N
cooperation with the Union authority.
ARRxsT OF A DEYAULrxR IN THE TREASURY pEfAKr-
MENr.
Mr.. Cromwell clerk In the rsasury Department, who
had charge Of the destruction o redeemed and desoed
Treasury notes. md who also paid OF the ladies employed
in the currency department OF tho Treasury,
rested to-day, having been nscertaned that he do
faulter to large amount Instead Of destroying all shs
desced notes he has, stated abstracted portion Of
them after they into his custody The amount OF
his defacaton thus far discovered 10 fifteen thousand
dollars but It ID feared that the actual oss the govern
ment will prove TO be much larger. subscription has
been raised by the lady counters TO purchase magnn
cent dressing gown, TO be presented to him testi
monal Of their esteem but tho developments OF TO-
day they not disposed to provide him with Christ
New YEARS. present.
THK CoNsCRPTroN ACT.
The session OF tho House to-day very brief, and
not very fully attended. Mr.. schenck from the Military
Committee. reported amendment tho Conscripton
act abolshing the classes and earnestly requested i'm
mediate action upon IL. The House would up
however, and upon attempt press through
the previous question q second refused, and the
bill referred the Committee the Whole, the
House shortly afterwards adjourned.
Congress having failed Conscription act
previous to tho adjournment for the holidays the draft
will probably be postponed till the 1st OF February
order to give congress time to amend the The
will probably undergo a thorough revision upon
the reassembng OF that body, in order TO simpli.
fy Its provisions and increase It's efficiency and until
this Is done II s not likely that draft will be enforced
In the meantime recruiting will be stimulated by boun
ties and by vigorous effort the necessary may be
provided. obviating the necessity OF a draft.
THE ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
II Ia understood that extensive changes being mado
In the Medical Department Of the army IL Is reported
that Dr. Leserman, Chief Medical Inspector Of the Army
OF the Potomac has been relieved and that the medical
storekeepers at Cincinnati PHILADELPHIA St. Louis, &C..
have already been removed and that changes will
follow The hostility Of Secretary Stanton towards Sur
geon General Hammond well known, and for
to have extended numerous subordi-
nate officers Of tho Medical Department
GENERAL McLELLANs REroRr-uIs TRIBUTE THE
Army OF the POTOMAC.
General McCisllsn's report was transmitted to the
Eouse to-day. II Of ssvcp hundred and sixty
nvo ocscsp pages. and Is divided into four parts. He
concludes ns foowB,-
shan not nor can living forget that when was or
dcred TO the command oi the toops tho defence
capital the soldiers with whom had shared much of
the anxiety and pans aud suffering OF the bad
lost their canddence Ia their commander. They
sprang 10 my Cal! with all their ancient vigor dine
after they had fallen back defeated before Wash.
ington. They vanquished the the rugged
heights Of South Mountain pursued him TO the hard
Fought red OF AntieAm. and drove him broken and dis
appointed tho Potomac into virginia. The army
had reed r. rest ater The terrible OF battles
and marches with scarcely mn ntervn of rcposc which
they had through, from the time Of leaving for the
ponusu'a tho return 10 Washington the deost in vr.
Rnia the victory nc south Mountain and nqsin at Ante
II rs not surprising that they in q largo de-
gree destitute absolute necessities elective duty
their shoes out, blankets lost. their
clothing In rags In short, the army unfit Tor
active service and an interval for rest and equipment
plies came 70 US led the army across tho river.
renovated, refreshed and In ordor and discipline
aod followed the reireatng foe TO position whsrs was
confident Of decisive victory when In the midst of tho
movement, and while my advanced eusrd was actually
In contact With the enemy, wss removed from the com
mand am devoutly grateful 10 God that my last
paien with this brave army crowned with victory
which saved the nation from the GREATEST peril had
M by this report che Army of the Potomac placed
high the roll Of the historic Of the world
deeds euuoble the natl 70 which belongs. Always
ready ior battle, always stoadfast and Trustworthy
I called IL In vain, will the nation
have cause N attribute i's want Of success under
mysef or under other ccmmanderp. to any failure
OF patriotism or bravery In that noble b,dy OF
American soldiers. No man Justly charge any
PORTION OF that army from ths Commanding General N
the private, any lack devotion 10 the service OF the
United states government ana 10 the Of the
sttution and the Union. They have proved their fcay
much suffering danger, and thr very
shadow OF death. Their comrades dead ell The helis
who're fought have scarcely claim the honor
of nation reverence than the survivors 10 the ustcs
Of o untion's gratitude
The repors covers the period from the 2e,h Of July
ls6 l, 10 Novcsbcr I, 1862.
nEroxrs or THE BATTLES OF coEIsrH AND
uATCuiE.
Tho oGlcili reports OF the battles o. Corinth and
Hatchic fought early In October day published.
General Thomas the pursuit Of Wheeler. who
raid into tennessee unsurpassed for It's energy
and tho bravery and endurance Of officers men
engaged IT, and prevented the execution OF on exten.
sive plan OF destruction TO som communications, and
punder, raplne and murder throughout Middle Tenncs
see and Northern Alabama, In which Roddy and Ice
operate with Wheeler. II the enemy
pieces OF artillery and about two thousand men, including
the killed. captured, and those who deserted.
now ruE KxnxLs FouaHr AT CHATTANOOGA.
Among recently captured rebel letters Chstts-
nooga one from private dated Wasses osorgia NO
vcmber %. IN which he says
The nght badly conducted that men
very much d.shcsrtened and there much complaint
II Is enough TO tho Devil mad 70 thisx how oar
army acted the Hght Ths right wing Of the army
Gcoers Brecknrdse. acted uobly bat the oeurs
under Hardee, badly managed.
MEXICAN LETTERS OF MARQuE.
There truth In the report published this morning
10 the that Mexican officers have TO the United
States with commissions for purohasng and n,ink
vssees under letters Of marque prey upon French
merce and succeeded IN the object Of their mission
THE sKw DANISH MINISTER.
Colonel Raso lae Danish Minister, resident here, bu,
who was sent from capital 70 negotiate behalf Of
his government the Emperor of China, expected
10 return the United States In few days In the char
scter Of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Penpoten.
tary.