, 1863-12-19

br the restoration Of the old Government, and
with great apparent success. People from
the country arc daily 1ocking in and taking
the oath OF allegiance and enrolling themselves
in the home companies for their protection
against guerrillas. The counties Of Pope, Con-
way, White and Van Buren are reported clear
Of guerrillas, they having gone to the south Of
Arkansas. Price has his headquarters at
Washington, so miles from Little Rock. As
near as can be ascertained his forces number
between $4,000 and 10000. The uncondi.
tional Union men in Arkansas held q convention
at Fort Smith on the 18th Of October, at which
90 counties were represented, and candidate
for Western Arkansas for the coming Federal
Congress was placed in nomination.
New York, Dec. ga special telegram to
the Tribune says oil the reports about the re.
moval of Meade that spring up before the meet
ing Of Congress are premature. After the
President obtains strength sufficient to enable
him to weigh the sig days campaiGp just
closed, q decision may be expected.
One Of the most interesting reports ever is
sued By the Secretary Of the Navy, is now
preparing by Mr.. Welles. The estimate for
all the branches of the Naval and Marine Corps
will not exceed l42, 100000. The report will
suggest many improvements in the arrange.
ment Of naval matters. The Secretary will
deYote some space to the discussion Of iron
clads, and Mr.. Wellcs will be able to count
$50 or 700 vessels as the property Of the
naval department
He Is unable to leave his chamber, but is en-
gagged in the completion Of his message.
A dispatch from Chattanooga, dated the 4th,
says our casualties In the late battles were
1900; the number Of prisoners captured 6460,
and 46 guns.
Chicago, Dec. 6.-washington special dis.
patches Of the 9th say: 1t is said the necessity
for the recent retrograde movement Of the Army
Of the Potomac is charged upon the failure Of
the corps Of French and Warren to reach, until
Friday night, the position which they were or.
dered TO reach "a hours sooner; thus giving
the enemy time TO entrench themselves. so that
It was not deemed prudent to make the attack.
Intelligence from that point to night says Lees
movements indicate an intention Of assuming
the offensive. II Is plain that be construes
Meade's withdrawal into apparent weakness,
and is determined on making move. II looks
rs though the rebels were endeaVoring to flank
Meade on the right getting between him and
the Rappahannock. A disposition Of our troops
has been made In anticipation Of such move
ment.
Fortress Monroe, Dec. GA Charleston tel
cgram Of the 4th says: A slow fire was kept
up to-day on Sumter, Sullivan and James Isl.
ands. The enemy (Federals) have not renewed
their FIRE on the city, but are mounting more
guns on Fort Wagner, bearing on the city, and
have unmasked new battery.
Officers from the Army Of the Potomac con.
cur In the opinion that an attack could and
should have been made upon the enemy at Mine
Run, and if one had been made at first, the loss
would not have been 50 great on our side as
alierWard; but success was certain at any time.
Il Is Tum0red that charges will be preferred
against one at least OF the corps commanders.
Gen. Meagher. who was with the army as q
visitor to bis old brigade, was capturen IN citi.
GEMS clothes, near Mine Run, during the recent
engagement and Is now in the hands Of the
enemy.
Aspecial Washington dispatch says that frauds
amounting 10 over one million have been dis
covered 10 furnishing supplies to the Army Of
the Potomac. On Friday night Capt. Stoddard,
QuarteFmaster at Alexandria, was arrested by
order Of the Secretary Of War, and lodged in
the Old Capitol prison. On Saturday night
Capt. Ferguson, Of the regular army, Chief Of
the Quarterinaster's department at Alexandra,
waa also arrested and ssat 70, the 0id Capitol
Thsaa fsanda have ali been upenrthed since Gen.
Meiggs went 10 Tennessee. The frauds lnWhleh
number Of other oincCrs, some very high in
rank, who are yet 10 be arrested are implicated,
consist principally 10 large purchases Of oats
and corn, 20 compounded that the Government
is cheated 20 cents on every bushel. Enorm.
Gus frauds in purchases Of lumber for houses
for the Army Of the Potomac have also been
discovered.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The House met at
noon. Elheredge, the Clerk, called the House
to order, and proceeded to call the roll, reading
the names Of the members Of all the States ex.
cept Mary land, Western Virginia, Oregon, Mis-.
souri, and Kansas. The credentials Of the mem
bers from these Suites not being fled In accord.
ance with the act Of March last, motions were
adopted that the names Of members from the
States named be placed on the roll. The House
then proceeded to the election Of Speaker.
The whole number Of votes was 1Sl, Of which
Colfhx received l01. Ne Coliax was declared
elected, and Messrs. Dawson and Coz appointed
acommittee TO conduct the Speaker to the chair.
On taking the chair. the Speaker delivered .
hrief, eloquent and patriotic address, which was
received with great applause.
Senate.--The Vice President called tho Sen.
ate to order ct noon. Messrs. C0nness Of
California and Henderson Of Missouri qualified,
and took the oath Of loyalty as prescribed BY
the last Congress- Some debate was had on
the admission ol the Senators from Western
Virginia. Mr.. Davis held that there was con-
stitutionally no such State, and there could,
therefore, 6e no Senators from such State; be
believed the old StatS intact, and the whole
thing fragrant violation. Ater . debate, In