LATEST AMERICAN NEWS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 431, 10 December 1861, Page 3

LATEST AMERICAN NEWS.

[From ttie Sydney Empire.)

KEWS TO SEri'EMBER 24th,

By the arrival of the Eiectra, from San Francisco, we have news from Washington to September 23rd, received by the Pony Express. This is more than a week later than th_e intelligence by the Salsette. We have also news from the outer stations to September 24th.' The following is from the Mirror: —

Ruby Valley, September 24, 10G1. The Pony arrived here at 4 p.m. to-day with the following despatches to the Associated Press: —

.Via Outer StatloiVSeptember 24, 3861. Correspondence of the New York Herald, dated Washington, September 19th, says that General M'Glellan and several of his staff, went to examine our earth works, garrisoned by a portion of General Franklin's command. While viewing the enemy's position. General M'Clellan discovered 500 or 600 of the enemy approaching, about two miles distant. He immediately ordered several rifled cannon placed in position, and sent his compliments to the rebels in the shape of a twenty-pounder shell, which exploded in their midst, producing the wildest confusion. The whole force were seen to scatter and fly, and there is no doubt a large number were

killed. The enemy did not return the fire. General M'Glellan, after disposing of this advancing force of rebels, directed his attention to a new battery recently thrown up by the enemy a short distance south of Munson's Hill, known as Mason's Hill; he threw several shot and shell into their works, causing some of the hands to knock off. They were evidently surprised by his sudden opening of our batteries on theirs, as they suddenly disappeared, and did not return the fire. General M'Clellan returned to the city about nine o'clock at night. A deserter from the rebel camp at Munson's Hill came into our lines to-day, and was immediatly conveyed to General M'Clellan. He states that Generals Beauregard and Johnson were at Munson's Hill | yesterday, and made a thorough reconnaissance of our position. He states that there are about 1000 soldiers at Munson's Hill, and the main body of the troops are at Fairfax and Centerville. He says that Jeff. Davis was at these two points on Tuesday, and reviewed the troops in person. He saw Jeff. Davis at Munson's Hill yesterday, examining-our works with a glass. He does not think, from all he has seen and could leani' as a private, that there are over ] 0,000 at all these points. 15,000 were reported to have been sent irom Manassas,, a few days ago, to Western Virginia. When; asked if he thought the rebels were going to make an attack on onr lines; he replied that they were daily expecting an attack from our forces. lie says distinctly he never heard the intention expressed by the rebels of making an attack on our entrenchments. Washingon, September 20. A recent order of General M'Clellan declares the firing on an enemy's pickets as contrary to the usages of civilised nations; he therefore orders that there shall be no more firing on the enemy's pickets, unless it becomes necessary to prevent an advance, or to return'a fire commenced by them. The Navy Department has received despatches from flag officer Stribling, of the East Indian squadron, who says Cochin China is at war with the French, who have a considerable portion of the country, and are preparing for a vigorous campaign. Stribling remarks that Commodore Schenck has fully vindicated the insult of' firing on the Saginaw by the Chinese, and that no further action is required on his part. A company of infantry has been tendered to the Government from the Hawaiians. It is expected to come as soon as the news of the acceptance is received. To-day is the day fixed . upon by the Richmond papers for the advance of Beauregard upon Washington, but there were no signs, up to noon to-day, of such a movement. The positions of the two armies were unchanged. The picket guard of the rebel forces near the Chain Bridge, have been strengthened by an additional force. A detachment of Federal troops yesterday confiscated 40 head of cattle belonging to the rebels, near Louisville, Va.

The arrests of the Secessionists in Maryland continue. Yesterday the Speaker'• of. the Lower House of the Lepislature was taken into custody.

It is understood that General Fremont will not be removed from his command, but possibly his movements may be so far impeded that he will be compelled to resign.

Louisvillo, September -20

Colonel Ciittenden, from Indiana, who was the first to bring a regiment from another State into Virginia" in aid of the Federal Government, was the first to come to the aid of Kentucky; his regiment, well armed, passed through our streets towards the Nashville depot this afternoon and proceeded immediately southward. They were enthusiastically received at different poin'B along the route.

Baltimore, September 20. The Cumberland papers say that Captain Kidd's company of cavalry from New Creek, and a company of infantry from Fore Pendleton made a descent on a rebel camp at Petersburg, Hardy county, Va., on the 12th instant. A 12-pound shot scattered the rebels like chaff.- Many were killed and wounded, and a number taken prisoners. The camp and all its equipage were taken and destroyed, also a large quantity of corn, guns uniforms, &c.

Colonel Bigler attacked some two hundred and fifty rebels, while reconnoitering near Barbourville. The rebels fled at the first fire. Their leader and two others were made prisoners; several were killed and wounded.

"lndi-inapolis, September 20. Ex-Governor Morehead ot Kentucky, Martin W. Carr, and Reuben T. Durett, of the Louisville Courier, arrested for treason, were brought to this city to-day, and will be sent to Fort Lafayette, by order of the war department.

Louisville, September 21. The following proclamation has just been issued :—

Kentuckians—Having been called by the legislature of Kentucky, my native State, I hereby assume command of this department. I cometo enforce and not to make laws, and, God willing, to protect your property and your lives. The enemies of our country have dared to invade our soil; Kentucky is in danger. She has vainly striven to keep peace with her neighbors. Our State is now invaded by those who professed to be her friends, but who now attempt to conquer her. No true son of Kentucky can longer hesitate as to his duty to his State and country. The invaders must, God willing, be expelled. The leader of the hostile forces who are now approaching is, I regret to say, a Kentuckian,' making war on Kentuckians. Let all past differences of opinion be overlooked. Every one who now rallies to the support of our Union and our State is a friend. Rally, then, my countrymen,

around the flag, our fathers loved, and which has shielded us so long. I call you to arms for self-defence, and for the protection of all that is dear to freemen. Let us trust to God and do our duty, as did our fathers, Signed Robert Anderson. Brig. Gen. U.S.A. Gov. Magoffin issued his proclamation, ordering Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden to execute the purpose contemplated by the recent resolutions of the Kentucky Legis' lature in reference to the expulsion of invaders; and Gen. Orittenden has ordered the Militia to be mustered into service forthwith. Hay Pope, Brig. Gen. of Home Guards, also calls on the people in each ward in Louisville to meet; and organise for the protection of the city. The Evening Bulletin says, from 1000 to 8000 Confederate troops, with 21 pieces of cannon, arrived at Bowling Green on Wednesday, taking a cannon and 120 stand of arms belonging to the Bowling Green Home Guards, and sent six cannon and 2000 men to General Roger, at Holsom, Confederate commander on Green River. Washington, September 21. It is stated that 10,000 additional troops can leave Indiana in 24 hours.

Gen. Reynolds, who was at Cheat Mountain, telegraph states, ha 3 driven the rebels from their position, killing nearW one hundred of them. Col. Tidwell, of the 10th Indiana regiment, was surrounded twice, but repulsed the rebels with great gallantry, and with small loss to us. The date of action is not mentioned.

Government accepts the tender of the military services ot the Count de Paris and the Duke de Chartress. They will probably enter General McClellan's staff. . The young Count Penthieure, son of the Prince de Joinville, enters the U.S. Naval Academy. He is sixteen years old. A messenger who has just • arrived from Chain Bridge, reports" that all was quiet at that point this morning. A rebel deserter has just come in from Munson's Hill. He brings news that Beauregard had promised/to the North Carolina and South Carolina regiments of his army that they should be led to battle before the Ist of October, or be permitted to go home.

The position assumed towards this Government by the Spanish Government is not satisfactory. A diplomatic correspondence is now in progress with the Spanish Minister.

This morning, at a place called Stone's, near Conrad's Ferry, pickets report that the enemy, during the previous night, had commenced and partially constructed an entrenchment on the Virginia side, about, five hundred feet above the Hope River Ferry. Oneofouv light batteries opened upon it about nine o'clock, and, after twenty or thirty rounds, nothing was to be seen of the enemy, and but little of the results of their labor.

Washington, September 22nd, 1061

Finney's Sunday Chronicle s.iys '.here is high authority for saying that the Administration has never at any time intended removing General Fremont, end that he stands as high in the confidence of the Government to-day as when he commenced upon the duties of his department. A member of the Cabinet, on seeing the above, wonders what authority, and asserts that the question is undecided, though the inclination of the Cabinet is against Fre mont. The grounds of objection, however, are not based upon objections to his proclamation. The Blairs, and the army officers generally are opposed to Fremont.