The New York herald., 1863-12-09
TIL H SITUATION.


No hostile demonstrations, either on the part of
Gen. Meade's army or the enemy. took place yester-
day. Our mea were working assiduousy in pre-
pairing their camps for winter quarters. Tie
enemy in al probability doing just the same
thing. Al all events it seems certain that the cam
paign in Virginia is at an end until the genial days
of another spring shall come again.
The news from Chattanooga reports General
Hardee "a falling back from Dalton with the de.
moralized army OF General Bragg. whom hc sl,-
ceeds in the command. The mountains in East
Tennessee are said to be filed with deserters from
the rebel army.
A large batch OF prisoners from Chattanooga
numbering two thousand one hundred and thirty
passed through indianapolis, on Monday, en- route
for Rock Island. Twelve hundred more were cx-
peoted there yesterday. A number of rebel
officers to the amount of one hundred and thirty
mostly captured from Major General Breckin-
sidges division, siso passed through Indianapolis
On their way to Johnsons Island.
Dispatches from Louisville, KY. yesterday COZ.
6rm all that have already given from other
sources relative to the arrival OF General Sherman
ct Knoxville and his pursuit of the rebel General
Longstreet.
Our special correspondent at Knoxville de-
sceibes the further details of the siege up to the
time when General Longstreet abandoned his at
tack. and commenced his rapid retreat towards
Virginia.
There is nothing later to report from Charles
C0NGRESs.
An official announcement was made in both
houses yesterday that the Presidents Message
viii be sent in at halc-past twelve o'clock to-day.
In the Senate, Mr.. Wilson, chairman OF the
Military Committee of last session, gave notice
Of bill to increase the bounty for volunteering.
Mr.. Wilson also introduced resolution TO facili-
tate the payment Of back pay and pensions of de.
ceased soldiers, &c. Mr.. Davis submitted reso-
luton. which was laid over, declaring that the
fusal of the rebel authorities to exchange negro
soldiers aud their white officers should not prevent
the exchange of our other soldiers and officers In
rebel prisons on just terms. such as will prevent
hands of the enemy. The resolution directing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire and report whether
Mr.. Robert Wilson is still member from Mis-
souri, was taken up and discussed at some length
Mr.. Trumbull moved to amend the resolution by
declaring that Mr. Wilson not entitled to a
seat in the Senate. The amendment was agreed
to and the resolution adopted.
The organization Of she House was perfected
BY the election of Nr. Edward Mcpherson, of
Pennsylvania, as Clerk; Mr.. G. N. 0rdway, Of
New Hampshire, as Ssrgesnt-at- Arms; Ira Good
enow, ~ Doorkceper, and W. 3. King, of Mime.
sofa, "a Postmaster. A Joint resolution. present.
ing the thanks Of Congress to General Grant and
army. and directing the President to cause a
medal TO be struck for General Grant in the name
Of the people OF the United states, was unani-
moasly adopted. Mr.. Get ceeved resolution,
which was laid over, rcgs.sttaC the President TO
take immediate s.srs for hs exchange o: prison.
En- Of war, and tlAt ~ communicate TO the
House all correspondence ia the War Department
relating TO the subject Of the exchange OF prison
er. Notice was given Of bills prohibiting slavery
In the territory included in the p residents eman.
oipatoO proclamation and for repeating tie
three hundred dollar communication clause in the
Enrolment act The credentials Of Messrs. Sspar
Kitchen and Chandler. from Virginia, which had
boen referred 70 the Committee on Elections
werc presented by the chairman. The remainder
Of the session was occupied In the selection o
seatA
MIsCELLANE0us NgwA
The Board of Aldermen met yesterday at ont
O'Clock, and transacted considerable routine bust
ness. by communication from the Finance De
partmcnt. II appears that there is a balance IL
hs hands ot tho Treasurer to the amount o
c.b2Is4s 60. petition was received from the
trustcss OF the Colored Orphan Asylum, praying
that the association may be relieved from the
conditions on which il holds the lots Of ground
where tic Institution was erected, 10 order that
they may remove to another locality. The Board
adjourned, to meet again :his day (wednesday) a,
oRc o clock.
10 the Board OF Supervisors yesterday, q com
Nunics,on from the Mayor, enclosing certifca,,
from the Comptroller and biinseif that the HERALD
Sun. Tmcs and Tribune being the papers Of tn
tArQ0at circulafion in tho rop,tv thcy ,rn a., q