The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-08


THE SITUATION.
intense cold prevails In the quarters of the Poto.
mac army, rendering the sleeping arrangements
OF the men somewhat uncomfortable The roads
are in ne condition, and we are told that the con-
6deace Of the soldiers in General Meade is such
tina! they are quite Indifferent upon the point as
TO whether they shall go forth to battle at the
present moment, when the ground is white
with snow and the highways are in as good con-
dtioa foI the movements Of artillery as they were
"a Ear back as 1776, or whether they shall wait
unti the favoring airs Of spring bear upon
their wings ''the perfume of wild flow.
efs. mingled with the aroma Of de-
ceased horses and muies'-a delicate
comb; nation of odors which will doubtless put the
night blooming cereus altogether into the shade.
Il ia al the same to the Army Of the Potomac
howeTeg. But it appears that while the Union
army is thus hopeful and cheerful the rebels are
corrcs?ondingly respondent, and are deserving
ia,o General Meadc's lines by hundreds It's said
that the Presidents proclamation Of amnesty is
producing a wonderful effect in General Lees
army. aad that whole brigades would come over
to Meade's lines if they had the opportunity.
Some sharp work has been going on in Western
Virginia Dispatches from Cumberland Gap,
dated day before yesterday, say that Sunday
an overwhelming force OF rebels, under Sam.
Jones, made descent upon small body Of our
troops. stationed near JonesTile, Va, consisting
Of about two hundred and eighty men Of an Hi.
nois regiment, commanded By Major Beers, and
eighteen men of WELLS Ohio battery despe.
rate resistance was made By our troops, con.
timing from seven in the morning to three in the
afternoon. when the Union troops surrendered
The enemy numbered four thousand men. The
Union forces were guarding portion Of country
from which the army relied for the supply Of
forage.
General Early has completely failed in his raid
in West virginia, as dispatches Of our cores
pondeu from Cumberland show. Petersburg,
which the rebels had surrounded, is declared safe,
the garrison there having maintained their posi-
ton most calamity. A cavalry skirmish occurred
al Newtown on Wednesday evening, in which the
rebels were driven off, They amounted, however,
70 only sixteen men, 50 that the affair was not a
Jag the SQUAD was killed.
CONGRESS
The proceedings Of Congress yesterday were OF
unusua. interest. In the Senate the bill amending
the Enrolment act was taken up and all the propo-
si.ioa, Of he Military Committee we're agreed to.
except tie section abolishing the three hundred
dollar commutation clause, which was passed over
nnta today. The House bill extending the time
for paying bountes TO soldiers was referred to the
Finance Committee. Mr.. Howe. Of Wisconsin
offered resolution requesting the President to
call out million troops for ninety days. to be com
msnded BY Gen. Grant, to carry food and freedom to
every captive in the rebel prisons 1t was re.
ferred to the Military Committee. and ordered to
be printed. The Secretary Of War was called
upon to furnish all the papers in his department
relating TO the exchange Of prisoners OF war; also
TO furnish the names and grades of army officers al
Washington who draw Communication for their fuel
and quarters In executive session about one
thousand military appointments and promotions
were received from the President. all OF which
were appropriately referred, and the Senate ad
journei.
In the House OF Representatives the Speaker
announced the select committee on the proposed
railroad between New York and Washington. II
ia composed of Messrs. Brandegee, Of Connecticut
Alley. OF Massachusetts, Randall, Of Pennsylvania
Tarasworth, of Illinois; Brooks, of New York; Gar
Held, Of Ohio; Webster, of Maryland Voorhees, o
Indiana, and Sloan, OF Wisconsin. Bills for th'
consolidation Of the statutes Of the United States
and to exempt letters OF the Soldiers Aid Socict,
from postage, were appropriately referred
resolution that any proposition from the rebe
leaders At Richmond to negotiate for the restora
ton 81 order ought to be rejected without hesita
ton delay was agreed TO by vote
OF eigdtynine against twenty-four. Iw
propositions regarding the status Of tn
rebels we're introduced--one by Mr.. Rogers,
peace democrat Of New Jersey, which was laid OF
the table, and the other by Mr. Myers, Of Penn
sylvsnia, which was referred TO the select Commit
Zee on Reconstruction. An investigation by th,
Eaval Committee was ordered In regard TO th,
construction Of marine engines generally and thos,
bf the war steamer Pensacola in particular TIL,
Eaval Committee were instructed to inquire as I,
the expediency Of establishing navy yard an,
depot for iron.clads. The Consular end Diplo
matte Appropriation 6ll was passed, and IL
House adjourned till Monday.
THE LEGISLATURE.
But little business was transacted ia our Stat
Legislature yesterday. la the Senate the bill nc