The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-08-10
SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENCE.
SACRAMENTO, August 9Th,

the Federal and Confederate forces IN virgil
mia, and which resulted in the defeat of the
former. The losses on either side are not yet
known, and | see no means of gaining ao
curate accounts of the losses by the South
ern troops. 1t is, however, presumed and
estimated, by judging from the number OF
hours that such large force was engaged,
with the use of the most improved and deadly
batteries, that the slaughter on both sides
must have been mmense-the Federal SOL
diers suffering in their charges upon the Con-
federate batteries, and the Confederates SUI
fering in turn on being driven out At any
rate, the Confederates have the prestige Of
the first victory, which will inspire them
with greater hopes of final success and very
materially demoralize the Northern army.
ONE LESSON is LEARNED,
which is, that political Generals are not al
ways good fighting commanders; and also,
that fresh troops from the North, canno: be
relied on in a severe engagement. The
"panic" we read about is nothing more nor
less than down right cowardice, and here
after | expect to hear of "panics perhaps,
occasionally from among the Southern troo, s.
1t is also settled that it is no easy work to
conquer the State of Virginia. The advan-
tages possessed by the Confederaed troops
now appear more obvious to us all, and
whether the Government troops get possess
sion of Richmond this year or next, seems
to be somewhat in doubt. By the last Pony
we hear nothing said of a second advance,
and it will take several months before the
Federal forces will he ready for another forI
ward movement and then probably by diff
ferent officers. But | care not to dwell on
such painful toplc and quit, asking the I'M
terpostion of Divine Providence that this
most unnatural and fraterna war may be
brought to a speedy end.
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS.
The politicians are in the field, and the
three parties, through their various candi
dates, are "on the stump soliciting the suf-
RACES Of the dear people. The Republicans
held their first out door meeting last evening"
which was we'll attended, and passed off with
considerable spirit. The breckenridge dem
ocrats and the Douglasites, are also active
and full of confidence. The fight in this
county, though triangular is still doubtful
the Breckenridge democrats showing most
commendable Grit. Their vote will be in
creased over last year, Notwithstanding the
! Douelasites elbow" SO loud about accessions
to their ranks. The cry Of ''secesson' and
''rebels' will frighten no one at the Capital,
and You can assure the Bre, k,nridge demo
Gratis of old Placer that Sacramentans will
do their duty.
STEAMBOATS, AND Low WATER.
The steamboat opposition continues not
withstanding the scarcity of the element so
necessary to float safely and swiftly our fine
steamboats,. The Sacramento river is get
ting down to low water mark and the steam
ers in their daily trips from San Francisco,
being heavily loaded with freight, meet with
erous distractions. 1t is still contenled
that this opposition continues to make bust
ness dnll in our city, Whether the charge
is true or not, the general impression pre-
walls that it is true, and daily hear of cit.
zens making preparations to remove to other
Iocalities-geners'Iy to San Francisco. The
fact is,
SAN FRANCISCO is THE CITY,
and it is fast consuming all the interior
towns Prosperity marks every branch of
industry there. and men Of wealth, from all
parts of the State for the last five years,
have been slowly and steadily vending their
way thither.
| ADVICE TO MINERS.
| would say few words advlsatory to the
miners Of Placer. | would say to a-of
them who have paying claims (s2 to So per
day. to stick tenaciously to them specially
if they are extensive enough to afford four
or five years steady labor. My attention
has been called to this subject by meeting
occasionally miner who has disposed of his
interest for $500 or 5000, as the case may
be, and cope down to the city with the ex
pectat;on Of investing and doing better.
have yet to learn of the first MINER who has
made this change fer the better, but of many
instances where the whole has been expended
in seeking better employment, or sunk in
some bad speculation. A miner, with an
ordinary claim, is rich and independent
man, and he should think more than
once before he takes the chances of sell
ling certainty for business" in the city,
Times may be considered "hard in the mines"
but assure you reader that they are harder
here.
/ CATHOLIC FAIR.
The Catholics of this city built a large
Church and established School here several
years ago, for which they went into debt
foa several thousand dollars In order to
liquidate this sum, the people of this Church
(and they are very numerous and highly re
speotsble) are in the habit of giving parties
or fairs at proper seasons IN the manage
ment of these mixed gatherings, they have
been extremely successful, realizing from
$4,000 to $4,000 per annum. Last even
ing grand social gathering was given at
which some 1900 persons were in attend.