Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-24
LOCAL NEWS,

RIVER NRws The Potomac river Is still
covered with ice. and the channels are frozen
over, although the Government tug Pacific
succeeded thus morning in cutting her way
street wharf to the ice-bound boats of Gies-
boro Point.
Yesterday afternoon, about half-past three
O'Clock, the mail boat Daniel Webster, Captain
Charles DeerEg, which was caught in the ice
off Giesboro on Thursday morning, was pulled
out by tug boat. latter her passengers had
Colklesser, Acting Assistant Commissary OF
Subsistence of the armies operating against
Richmond,) but Immediately afterwards she
ran aground and is now fast again.
The Morris, Osgood and Seneca, which got
fast in the ice at the mouth of the Georgeto wn
and Washington channels, have been unable
as yet to get loose. The troops which were on
these transports walked to the shore on the ice
during yesterday, and they have been pro.
vided with comfortable quarters At tina cav.
airy camp.
up in some places to the height OF fifteen feet
Between this point and AIexandria there are
fifteen harges and schooners lying, loaded with
forage for the Quartermaster's Department,
unable TO get up to this city. or course the
Alexandria and Washington ferry boats are
not running, but parties desiring to visit Alex
andria can take the cars at Mary land avenue
The mail boat Matilda arrived at Alexandria
about three O'Clock yesterday afterno DON, bring
ing a large mail and q great number OF pas ..
sepGers from the front, among whom was
ocbcsd N oetLy. 1uo OO6t encountered noayY
squall in the bay, but weathered through it
safely. Much floating ice was encountered in
the lower river, and at q distance of thirty
miles down the river was frozen over. The
Matilda, which ID q staupch new boat, put on
full head of steam and forced her way through
1t to the wharf 1T Alexandria, where she
arrived at three O'Clock as above stated She
vas somewhat damaged. however, and lost
some Of her copper sheating.
Generals Gregg, Potter, Ayres, McAllister
ana Braeg We're passengers from Oity Point,
but stopped at Fortress Monroe.
The mails and passengers OF the Matilda were
transported to this city by rail. For the PRESENT
or at least as long az the ice blockade contin ues
the mails and passengers for City Point will be
shipped from the Government dock at Alex
andria. The Matilda will leave that place at
thrte o'clock to. dsy, on her regular down ward
hid.
Last night the iceboat Atlantic, from Phila.
delphia reported to Capt Allen, OF the river
transportation office, for duty. and this morning
she Ia engaged In endeav0ring 70 open the
+ channel II 10 hoped that navigation will be
The Ella, dispatch boat, Capt. Stone, with
the Juniper In tow, which IN to be repaired,
mace her way as high up IS Alexandria yes
terday afternoon, but on the way up was bad.
safely to the wharf, and last night the King
Phillip was sent down to her relief And m de
her down n tar ~ Giesboro, where she was
stuck fast this morning, and tugs were sent
The Baltimore. Capt Mitchell, left @ verat
days since asd II now over due. and IL pruba.
bIv stuck fast below.
Tue channel from Sixth street wharf as far
n the forks OF the channel ~nere the toe has
been tbrOwn np to a cOnsiderable height thns
far resisfs all efforts to pen..rA,e through It
There are DOW eonne nine or ten traaaports
with numbef Of taRs- hemmed In a. THIS
point, int the wpsther betr 2 aome what warm
En- they may he released from their Toe .beuad
psisoo dafing the aftssaooa. I'D