NEWS FROM WASHINGTON: Another Probable Movement of the Rebel Lines; Their Pickets Withdrawn from Fairfax Court-house and Flint Hill (12/9/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/9/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON Sunday, Dec. 8.

FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE AND FLINT HILL DESERTED.

Scouts sent out from Gen. WADWORTH's Brigade Friday, returned to-day. They report that Flint Hill and also Fairfax Court-house are entirely deserted by the rebel pickets. They passed through and beyond the village of Fairfax before they met the pickets of the enemy.

THE CAUCUS OF SATURDAY NIGHT.

There has been no little curiosity excited among Republicans and Democrats, to-day, to know all about the caucus of Republican Members of Congress, held last night at the Capitol. The TIMES will have the only account of it. There is unquestionably a wide difference of opinion on the recommendations of the President in regard to Slavery. A portion of the Republicans are emphatically opposed to the Message, and are prepared to vote a censure of the policy of the President. If such an extreme measure is attempted, there will be an instant breach in the Republican ranks, extending into the country, which will be attended by an immediate reorganization of the Democratic Party throughout the North. The downfall of old parties and the uprising of new ones is believed to be on the tapis, to occur as unexpectedly as all other events of our civil revolution. The adjourned meeting of the Republican Caucus, to-morrow night, it is believed will be a strong one.

THE LOYALTY OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYES.

The Potter Committee, which has been engaged for some months investigating the question as to the loyalty of certain Government employes, have again resumed their labors, and are now in full blast. They have had quite a number of Government officials before them, they are determined to probe the matter to the bottom, and to weed out unclean spirits. They have already accomplished a good deal, and there is still a wide

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4019316/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

News from Washington: Another Probable Movement of the Rebel Lines – 2-3
Important from Kentucky: Reported Retreat of Gen. Schoepf, and Advance of Ten Thousand Rebels Across the Cumberland – 3
Editorial: British Neutrality-The Nashville Privateer-Striking Opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown – 3-4
Editorial: Secession Expiating Its Own Crimes-Impending Ruin of the South – 4
Editorial: Kentucky and Slavery – 4-5
Editorial: Bold Measures in Missouri – 5
Our Relations with Foreign Powers – 5
News from Fortress Monroe – 5
The Reported Capture of Mules and Teamsters in Missouri – 5
Military Matters in Massachusetts – 5
The Transport Service – 5

[Mr. K]

I never realized how close we were to these past events, when I was growing up. They were less than 100 years in the past when I was born.

JFK’s assassination was 50 years ago, and I remember that day like yesterday.

[sauropod]

.

[BroJoeK]

On December 9, 1861 there was a second battle in Oklahoma, a second Confederate victory.
Outnumbered Confederate Texas Cavalry allied with Choctow & other natives defeated Union allied Creek & Seminoles.

Oklahoma 1861 Engagements

Date	Engagement	Military Units	Losses	Victor
Nov 19	Round Mountain, OK	Union: Creeks & Seminoles (Opothleyahola ~1,700) & Confederate Cavalry (Cooper, ~1,400)	Union 110-total (unkwn-killed), Confederates 10-total (6-killed)	CSA
Dec 9	Chusto-Talasah, OK	Union Creek & Seminole allies (Opothleyahola ~2,500) & Confederate Texas cavalry + Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek & Cherokee allies (Cooper ~1,300)	Union 500-total (9-killed), Confederates 467-total (30-killed)	CSA (CSA outnumbered)

This was the war's 67th engagement (by my count), the 43rd in the Union, versus 24 in Confederate states, the 33rd Confederate victory versus 27 Union victories.
As of the end of 1861 the Confederacy has won far more in battles & territory than it's lost.

Summary of Civil War Engagements as of November 26, 1861:
Engagements in Confederate states:

State	Union Victories	Confederate Victories	Inconclusive	Total Engagements
South Carolina	1	1	1	3
Virginia	3	11	4	18
North Carolina	1	0	0	1
Florida	1	0	0	1
Louisiana	0	1	0	1
Total Engagements in CSA	6	13	5	24

Engagements in Union states/territories:

State	Union Victories	Confederate Victories	Inconclusive	Total Engagements
Maryland	1	0	0	1
West Virginia	9	2	1	12
Missouri	9	9	1	19
New Mexico	0	5	0	5
Kentucky	2	2	0	4
Oklahoma	0	2	0	2
Total Engagements in Union	21	20	2	43
Total Engagements to date	27	33	7	67

[BroJoeK]

"There is unquestionably a wide difference of opinion on the recommendations of the President in regard to Slavery.
A portion of the Republicans are emphatically opposed to the Message, and are prepared to vote a censure of the policy of the President.
If such an extreme measure is attempted, there will be an instant breach in the Republican ranks, extending into the country, which will be attended by an immediate reorganization of the Democratic Party throughout the North.
The downfall of old parties and the uprising of new ones is believed to be on the tapis, to occur as unexpectedly as all other events of our civil revolution."

What did I miss?
What recommendations are some Republicans prepared to censure the President for, and split their party in half?