Latest from the North.
Northern papers, of the 4th inst., have been received. The news from Burnside's army is not important, A letter from Aquia Creek, dated the 3d inst., says the writer is ‘ "constrained to believe that no part of the rebel army at Fredericksburg has made a retrograde movement on Richmond." ’ He adds: ‘ True, Lee is probably preparing to do so at a moment's notice, by sending to the rear, per rail, everything likely to embarrass him in such an undertaking, but none of his troops have yet started in that direction. Our army never was better provided or in better condition than at this moment, and the fact that it has remained quiet here for the past week is of course taken by him as an indication that he is not to be moved on from this point. From the statements of deserters, it is evident that great uneasiness exists on the part of the rebel commanders on account of Burnside's failure up to this time to essay to cross the river. Their fear is that when he does so they will find another army equally as large threatening Richmond from a different direction. ’The Latest.
Headquarters Army of Potomac, Dec. 3, 3 P. M.
--Yesterday morning parts of two companies, in all 60 men, belonging to the 8th Pennsylvania cavalry, under command of Captain Wilson, who were stationed at King George's Court-House, were attacked by about 300 rebels who crossed the Rappahannock in small boats.
They crossed at a point some distance this side of the Court-House, thus getting in between this command and the main body of the cavalry.
Forty out of the sixty made their escape, and there is reason to believe that more of them will yet return.
Capt. Wilson is among the missing.
How many were killed and wounded is not known.
The enemy left three dead. Citizens living in King George's county, and who had applied for guards to protect their property, were known to be among the attacking party.
They doubtless gave the information which led to the attack.
The following order was issued to-day by Gen. Burnside: All others who may be guilty of such gross neglect of duty will thus be promptly dealt with without respect to rank.
Headquarters Army of Potomac, Camp Near Falmouth, Va., Dec. 2.--General Orders, No. 190.--Capt. George Johnston, of the 3d Pennsylvania cavalry, while in charge of a cavalry picket on the28th of November, having by his negligence, continued after repeated warnings from his commanding officer, permitted his party to be surprised by the enemy, and himself and a number of his officers and men to be captured, is, subject to the approval of the President of the United States, dismissed the service for disgraceful and unofficer like conduct.
The Commanding General hopes and believes that a lack of discipline in the regiment and brigade to which this officer belonged, did not warrant him in so gross a neglect of duty.
By command of Major Gen. Burnside.
Lewis Richmond, A. A. G.
A flag of truce was sent over the river this morning for the purpose of conveying two daughters of Dr. Sylvester Conway, of Fredericksburg.
Deserters from the rebels continue to arrive daily.
They represent their army as being very destitute, particularly in clothing.
No salt meat has been issued since they left Maryland.
Last week an order was issued by Gen. Lee that such soldiers as were without shoed make moccasins from the rawhides — otherwise they must do duty barefooted
A Washington dispatch, dated the 2d, says: ‘
Everything is now about ready for the departure of the Banks expedition, and it will probably leave for the some of its operations about Thursday next.
Reports have been in circulation of the supersedure of Gen. Burnside by Gen. Hooker, but they do not rest on a sufficiently firm basis to announce them as correct.
Gen. Burnside is believed to be doing all that Gen. Hooker or any other General could do in the same position, and so long as this is the case there certainly could be nothing gained by his removal.
As to his activity, it cannot be questioned by any one; and if when his plans are perfected there is a reasonable show of success, he puts them in practice at the earliest moment.
Our latest intelligence from the army would seem to indicate an attack upon Fredericksburg during the present week.
Some additional siege guns have been sent to Gen. Burnside, and if there is not warm work before the lapse of many days I shall be mistaken.
With regard to the enemy's movements but little reliable is known; indeed, they are so carefully concealed that it is next to impossible to fathom them.
The report of their retiring upon Richmond, however, I am inclined to doubt — the more probable theory being that they have merely left the front for a more secure and better fortified position behind their second range of batteries. ’
The fight Near Suffolk.
Washington, Dec, 3.
--The following has been received at the headquarters of the army:
An expedition sent out from Suffolk yesterday by Major Peck, captured to-day the celebrated Pittsburg Battery, which was taken from our army, and drove the enemy across the Blackwater at Franklin's.
We have over thirty prisoners, and are picking up more on the roads.
Many of the enemy were killed and wounded.
Our loss is trifling. John A Dix, Major General.
From Washington.
The proceedings of the Washington Congress on the 3d were almost devoid of interest. The following resolution, offered by Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, was objected to and laid over: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to inform the Senate whether Dr. John Laws and Whitely Meredith, or either of them, citizens of the State of Delaware, have been arrested and imprisoned in Fort Delaware; when they were arrested and so imprisoned; the charges against them; by whom made; by whose orders they were arrested and imprisoned, and that he communicate to the Senate all papers relating to their arrest and imprisonment. The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press, on the 2d, telegraphs the following: ‘ The Democratic representatives yesterday showed how much they were emboldened by the recent successes of that party in the North. The manner of several was decidedly imperious, and both their actions and language gave full evidence that they intended to support no measures that were not based upon the Constitution as all the Democratic Presidents had construed it ’Advance in the New York stock Market.
New York, Dec. 3.
--Stocks are higher to-day under the influence of a rumor that the Secretary of the Treasury will recommend an additional issue of currency.
The "Alabama."
Boston, Dec, 3.
--The British bark Mary., at Queenstown, Nov. 19th, from Yarmouth, N. S, spoke Oct. 30th, in lat 41, lon, 64,30, the rebel steamer Alabama. 