The New York herald., 1863-12-16
TRIPLE S III e E'r .
TIL II STU ALTON.

TIL H STU ALTON.
Mosby's and Whites gucras continue to make
dashcs upon the outposts of the Potomac army
They appear to b. very strong in numbers, and
constantly make their mark al different places
General Butler dispatches from Fortress Mon
Zoe that portion of his forces, under Brigader
Wistar. has succeeded in capturing the rebel
garrison at Charles City cross roads. on the
James river. 1t is described as very
brilliant affair both by General Butler and General
Wistar. The honor of the feat belongs TO Colonel
West, who commanded the Union troops. and il
appears that the whole strength of the enemy's
garrison amounted to eigaty-two men and eieht
officers. The camp and equipments and pro.
visions, &c, says General Wistar were all
thoroughly destroyed" The New York Mounted
Rifles and the One Hundred and Thirty ninth New
York infantry made fine march of over sixty
miles in a severe storm previous to the action.
Dispatches received in Washington lat night
from Knoxville state that General Foster had as.
sumed the mlnd of the troops lately under
General Bur- side and the latter had departed
from that city for Cincinnati All was then quiet
in the vicinity of Knoxville. 1t was stated there
on The authority OF scouts and ness ngers, that
much of General Longstreet's artillery and trains
had fallen into the hands Of pursuing force,
but the account lacked confirmation.
The last news of the captured steamer Chcsa-
ID
the effect that the United States Consul at Halifax
telegraphed to Collector washburn that the Chesa
peake is near Chester. in Malone Bay. and
quests that the captain mate be sent on forth
with TO identify the pirates. In the absence of the
captain. who is in New York. and the mate is
badly wounded. the stewardess and one of the
crew were to be taken on board the gunboat
Acacia and sent on there last night
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday bills were introduced
prohibiting traffic in gold. silver and foreign ex.
change for purposes of speculation; granting
public lands to the Peoples Pacific Ra aroad and
Telegraph line;" amending the law for the punish
ment of treason, and also the Enr oment act.
resolution directing inquiry as to the expediency
of revising and simplifying the statutes of the
United States was introduced by Mr.. Sumner and
laid over. A resolution Of thanks to General
Burnside aud his army was referred to the Military
Committee. The Naval Committee were directed
70 inquire into the expedency of having all "act-
ing appointments submitted to the Senate for
confirmation The subjects embraced in the Presi
L. r;ato
standing committees. Mr. Davis, of Kentucky,
called up his resolution relative to the exchange
OF prisoners OF war, and made speech denouncing
the policy Of the government. saying that it was
only designed to perpc,uate the party power Of
the administration. Senator's Hale and Lane re-
piled TO this allegation and defended the admins
tration with great vehemence. Finally the resolu.
tion was referred to the Military Committee. and
after an executive session, in which number OF
naval promotions were confirmed the Senate ad-
journed.
In the House Of Representatives message was
received from the President recommending vote
of thanks to Captain John Rodgers, who captured
the rebel iron-clad Fingal. or Atlanta. this being
preliminary to his promotion. The Pension and
Military Academy Appropriation bills were re-
ported by the Ways and Means Committee. A
resolution, offered by Henry Winter Davis, that
40 much Of the Presidents Message as relates to
the duty of the United States to guarantee to
every State republican form of government, and
10 those States in which the government has been
abrogated or overthrown, be referred to q select
committee of nine members, who shall report the
bills necessary 10 carry into effect this duty. was
adopted by vote Of eighty-nne to eighty. The
portion Of the Presidents Message referring 4
emigration WAS referred to q select com mittee o.
Eve, and the remaining topics Of the Message wcr
referred TO the appropriate standing committees
The resolution calling for General McClellan's ON
cial report was agreed to. A resolution to refe
ell commune atoms relative to an increase Of rail
toad facilities between Washington and New Yor
TO a select committee was laid on the table by
vote OF eighty.nine against sixty.onc, aud th'
House adjourned.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The Board OF Aldermen met yesterday after
noon at one o'clock-John T. Henry, Esq, In th
chair and. having transacted some routine bus
ness, adjourned 10 meet again to-day.
Surrogate Tucker yesterday settled the account
OF the estate Of John Rose, deceased. This prt
perty, valued at over million and q half OF do
lars, goes 70 the two brothers OF the deceased, II
trust contained in the viii (and which was inten
I'd TO provide for the establishment of gre
hospital or asylum) having been held to be vol
The accounts Qf the estates Of Henry Downcs or
WILLIAM T. Pier were nIso settled and adjusted.
~ pdmerously etlended meeting OF the nativ,