The national Republican., 1861-07-10
OVER THE RIVER,

Z All was comfortable in our lines on the Nlr-
ginia side of the Potomac, yesterday-especial.
ly the weather, which seemed to be much more
comfortable than those who were exposed TO
it, The thermometer stood higher at Airing.
tor Heights than any place which our inform.
ant visited. Everywhere it, was in the vicin.
ity of 2OO0 in the sun; as to the shade, there
didn't seem to be any to speak of; what there
was, cavalry or artillery horses were picketed
under, OF, beneath it soldiers we're washing
their woollen. They eschew linen. o 9 tG
At Balls Cross Roads the gentle kittens Of
the New York second were waiting the day
when they might see the enemy.
At the turnpike gate, the keeper told our in.
formant some news. Gen. Johnston had just
passed on his return from Washington, under
flag Of truce. He was but few PAGES ahead
perhaps our informant would overtake him.
Our informant didn't. But the gate.keeper
took two prices on the turn Of the gate, one for
easy mention Of Johnston. Of course, II was
not the General-but any one of those Virgin.
ia Johustons IA Richmond family which have
long been feeding at the Federal Treasury.
Here, let US repeat, to relieve those who are in
doubt as to which Johnston it is commanding
the rebel forces opposed to Gen. Patterson,
that it is Joseph E.-lste Quartermaster Gen.
eral Of our army. The other Gen. Johnston,
who also is playing traitor, in California, is Al
bert s., lately Colonel of the second United
States cavalry-of which the Lieutenant Colo.
mel (Lee) and one Of the Majors ivan DORM
are now in arms against the United States.
Albert and Joseph are of the same family.
The columbiads looked invitingly down from
the earthworks, their old black muzzes wink.
ing as wise as the late Governor of Virginia
himself now doing mighty things on the Kan.
awha. Especially did the "tawny mound of
the Malakof," which the sixty.ninth New York
have erected by Arlington House, seem per.
fectly satisfied with itself as it lifted its dark
jewelry in the summer sun, gazing on Virginia
at all angles, with the pleasant Irish boys of
the New York sixty.ninth at its feet.
Glimpses of mounted artillery met one at
every turn of the road, and gave excellent pro-
mise of grape and canister. ...r.....
The lusty fellows of the second Maine, q
substantial regiment were awaiting on the
road to Fairfax Court. House what action might
appear in that quarter. They hold on the line
the extreme right, and to man appeared to
feel that they were right.
sobriety appeared to be the order of the day.
mild lager beer, the only visible beverage, ex.
cept apple and huckeberry pies, itinerant ven.
ders of which appeared in wagons.
From all appearances, the traffic on the Lou.
doun and Hampshire railroad struck one as be.
ing very light, and the returns, We think, can.
not show much excess of receipts over the same
month last year. ' .7-. ... ....
Regiments, squadrons, and batteries of regu.
lars, were interspersed among the numerous
regiments of State volunteers and militia, ap.
pearing as cool as if war was their profession.
All along the lines was the utmost good hu.
NOR and little diarrhea. Fresh beef and salt
alternated in the daily diet of the soldiers, and
none seemed to complain. As to their diet,
they were satisfied They demanded exercise,
however, and seemed desirous to take it in front
Of and pretty near the troops of Gen. Beaure.
gard.
MThe industry Of agriculture was as brisk as
if war were aiar. Between the grim earth.
works and campng-grounds of regiments, the
gathering Of the grain was going on and rs
the turns Of the road hid for moment tent
and soldier, the traveller might believe that he
was moving through land where dwelt only
husbandmen, and on which the heavy heel Of
war had never been set. ,e..
S@ From out of the nettle danger, we are
plucking the flower safety. The war that, to
the superficial observer, threatened to destroy
the prosperity of the country, is actually ere.
atiug basis for solid prosperity. Instead Of
exhaustiDg our resources, it tends to make the
people husband and produce them. The grea,
avenues Of traffic, by which our exports reach
the seaboard, develope in the figures of theil
current business profitable activity. The re
turns of traffic on the Illinois Central, for the
first six months of this year, show in receipts
an excess over the receipts of the same period
last year Of $264,778.9s In the month Of June
alone, the Michigan Central gains $lO,524.3;
over June of last year, while for the sam,
month the Erie canal shows an excess over the
business of June, 1860, Of more than hun
dred thousand dollars. In like manner, all the
routes Of traffic feeding the legitimate com
merce of the country show an increasing bust
ness and prosperity. Safeguarding is not SC
lively, and trading in town.lots is not SO brisk
while horse.racng has been measurably aban
doned, in view of more exciting prospects OIL
the Virginia frontier. But we have yet to learr
that these pursuits, or hundred other styles o
gambling which are permitted to pass under til,
designation of business, do in any degree ado
to the prosperity of nation.
| On the other hand the imnoris of foro;aa