The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-19

preparations muss DO made for . spring cap-
paign. II win prove unpleasant thing for
those who have not regular quarters AZ the
Head. The hotel 10 not 70 DO thought Of Ne
place residence BY any one who for cleanliness
comfort or good living We need hotel badly. The
department Is quito satisfied with the experience
enjoyed Of the present aair, and prays for better
one.
Brigader General Israel vogdes goes homo on the
Arago 10 day short lcavo OF absence Ho has always
had command Folly Island since occupied IL, and
has over been ygant and wise In all his operations.
His many friends hope that he will return with an addi
onal STAR He deserves that recognition Of bis services
ARRIVAL q pssERrSas.
Three deserters came down yesterday from Battery
Prnele, James Island. They belonged TO the "regu
lar South Carolina artillery One Of them 10 from New
Jersey, another from BALTIMORE and third is an Irish
They report that In tho Christmas engagement with
the Marbehead and Pawnee the rebels lost forty six
killed and wounded gave up the 1ght disguised and
thoroughly dsheartened. The rebels had nine guns Ia
position in the affair thirty FOUNDER rifles and heavy
howitzers Two Of the latter were captured by US. A.
Battery Prnge, Grimbas plantation, there ve
gups-two heavy English rifles and three heavy siege
guns.
The rebels have plan to blow up the Pawnee ami Gin
by Of torpedoes, which they propose TO
bring down with boats set them adrft the
sels Our folks ready 70 meet them. Ono torpedo
has already been picked up and the reports Of desert
ers are to DO credited there any quantity OF the same
style Of machines planted in the Stone river above the
spiling.
Admiral Dahlgren Is on the lookout for rebel rams
from the city and making preparations 70 receive them
10 proper FORM II 10 known that they havo three largo
rams and iron.clads alre dy 10 commission, and
another, by far she most efficient In evcry point
Of view, nearly ready for service. she win
carry eight heavy guns AID said TO be fast 0fth
the stocks ready for launching as soon M the ma.
chnery s all in This will make formidable feet, and
that may give no little trouble II they should
out and attack Our force inside the bar Is 10
garded amply sufficient to fog them II chance Is
Afforded Some Of these days shall lively times in
Charleston harbor the rebels when ready will assume
the initiative We do not dread the conflict doub,
the result.
Chief Engineer Hiram Newell, Of the frigate New
lronsides has been relieved by Chief Engineer Alex.
Grer. Mr.. Newell goes TO Philadelphia.
Brigadier General A. Kerr Of Connecticut has mot
with splendid success in recnsting the Connecticut
troops in this department Nearly one thousand mon
have re enlisted He goes home on business to day.
HnIoN HEAD, s. c., jan 2, 1864.
THE HOLIDAYS IN CAMP.
New Years Day very generally observed at Hilton
Head by grand dinners, balls and making calls, in gcnu
Knckerbockar style; and at Beaufort by procession
speeches and immense barbecue in which the contra
Dand element shone in unparaele lustre.
At Hilton Head the Forty-seventh New York gave a
very sumptuous dinner to the officers and men OF tho
Forty eighth regiment in return Tor an entertainment or
ike nature which the latter had extended 10 the former
on Christmas Day.
The entrance to the camp streets were ornamented
with trumpha arches OF evergreen, adorned by patriotic
and beautiful Devices and each company had its own
tables loaded with the good things Of this lHe and
adorned with evergreen, at which the company guests
from the Fortyeighh were seated, with their hosts OF
the Forty seventh The dned at three O'Clock, aud
enjoyed the repast highly. Speeches were made and
sentiments given and responded to- and great hiarty
manifested. barrel Of ale TO each company ample
to supply all with bbulous enjoyment At four O'Clock
the officers Of the Forty-eighth sat down with
their hosts Of the and large number Of
invited guests, among whom were General Seymour
! Majors Judd, Freeman, OF the Pay Department. and
| others.
| The tables abnndantly supplied with variety Of
viands and Wines Toasts offered and responded
| by General Seymour Colonel Barton, Majors Judd am
Freeman, and others, including number Of the press
which were well received.
After long and gay session the party adioorned u
the Commissary Hail, where a bali given, aud
dancing was kept up late hour the morning. Mr.
Ingalls, nisned with the post band most excellent
| at the dinner and the ball.
In the evening the nacbnists sat down 10 a din
ncr, Mr.. Macgregor presiding, and afterwards enjoyed
themselves In listening TO speeches from the President,
Dr. Craven, Colonel Dunbar and others. and numerous
SONGS They had glorious ,ime and satisfied that
they indulge in good dinners as well as others
was marked by celebration OF the anniversary
dom negroes Of the South. The conirabands male
and female old and young, atred In their best and most
brilliant garments 1ocked into from all the planta
tons the neghboring islands, from Hilton lead ami
every quarter accessible boats. Such q gather.
ng was never before seen in quiet Beau.
fort over three thousand contrabands, or both
sexes, congregated together, and marched with BAN
and Gags to camp Shaw, where from a stand
Der Of speeches made by General saxon, Colonel
EllwelI, Chief Quartermaser; Chonels Hggipson Van
wyck Lysch and others. Swords presented by the
coIored people to G,nera Saxton and Coon,l Hggnson
Notices suspend d avon, the stand-John Brown
being in uxtapostion with the OF the Father his
Country and Saxon shining forth with that OF Tonssant
Loverture After the speeches were over the hungry
conrabands feasted fifteen oxen, roasted whole and
enjoyed the ropast quito much as they did
the intellectual entertainment. II was a great
day for the sable or Africa, who reigned supreme
demanding and receiving the alteration OF their white
brethren According TO the prophetic uterances Of the
enthusiastic speakers Of the coptrabands would
be 10 possession Of prncely mansion and the
order Of things would be established the islands
ON the Carolina coast
TIE BEAUFORT DEPARTMENT. :.
The new Fire Department Of Beaufort was socially in
augurated on New Years eve. New York Hose Com
pany No. gave on that evening the most elegant
ddns'nie yet enjoyed In this department.
The music was superb, the company-numbering nearly
ono hnndred-select and the ladies' beautiful and charm
ING. Tho supper was elegant and recherche. The