The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-19


The base fafsehoods that the New York
Tribune recently published in relation to an
interview between Two Michigan officers and
Captains Thos. u. Massie and John {. Por-
ter of the eth Virginia Regiment, ought 10
have choked the breath of its correspondent
whose rapid, almost instan taneous report
can but remind US of POilock's description of
the man in whom the spirit of Islander had
entered-who with ''heart black death had
legs faint with haste to propagate the lie his
soul had framed" They begged first for an
interview with our officers md after implor-
ing them to cease firing upon their pickets
filled the mouths OF their press with language
lying as Munchausen himself could utter
There were two meetings held with mem
bers of the Northern army tho day men
toned by the 7ribunes reporter, to! one of
which YOUR correspondent was party and
to the other close observer. They occurred
about two miles below Mason's Hill, near
the deserted houses Of two abolitionists of the
name of Bancroft, one OF which was then oc-
cupied as the main post Of our picket forces
in the vicinity, and commanded By Captain
Massie. Associated with him was Capt J.
c. Porter. The enemy, in apparently strong
numbers, were guarding an adjacent hill but
had signified, by the display of white flags
and handkerchlefS, an unwillingness to en-
gage in an Improbable hring-rendered com
pletely so by the distance between the en-
cam pm en- Is. Delighted with the peace that
for a time prevailed, the Yankees approached
much E"arer than at first and desiring to
test the lungs rIther than the muskets of our
braye fellows, opened L loud conversat ton
attracted by both the novelty of it and q
wise anxiety to discontinue a warfare where
the enemy could bring to bear their fons-
range guns, Captain Massie went forward
announced his name, rank and Willingness TO
" observe the peace whereupon, 8 running
colloQuy ersued, which was much enloyed by
all present. Early the next morning, a party
of two advanced, bearing a white flag nd re-
quested 10 see Captain Massie upon business
The Captain at once determined to meet them
within their lines, and thereby prevent the
success of 4 suspected stratagem-to obtain
information OF our strength and ocation.
reliable and courageous officer Lieu tenant
"A. G. Swindler) WAS posted upon the top ofa
house to overlook the advance and give warn
ing of any foul play or action threatening us
with danger. We then went forward, and
were met by two intelligent privates who
informally announced the instruction of their
officers, to give assurance to Captain
Mtssie of their determination to desist from
ali picket firing, and to beg his concur
renee. These men declared, in strong
terms, their hatred of the war in While
they had enlisted, their high admira-
ton for the bravery of Southern soldiers
and happiness for never having fred a shot, al
though they We're in the great battle OF Ma
nassa. This interview soon concluded but
directly another flag was observed approach
ing, whose bearers, when spoken to, re-
quested again to see our commander. Capts
Masse and Porter demanded to know if thew
were officers, and had business, determining
TO make each a sine qua non TO another meet
ing, and recel we'd an affirmative answer. They
immediately went over bat as this was q
mere repetition of the first having for its
object an agreement to cease the picket
shooting, it WAS brief, The two interviews
were, of course, marked by the usual cour-
tesies of the profession of arms but the
statement in the tribune that Capt. Porter
declared NJ blood had yet stained his hands,
is an absurd lie. He and Massie were in the
bloody actions of the 18th and 2lst of July,
and their companies sustained no fire in
whose hottest and thickest part they were
not seen cheering on their men to the charge.
Information has been received by me of
several other less public interviews with
Yankee soldiers the incidents of which it
might appear imprudent to give. 3
A heavy firing of cannon was heard this
morning from the vicinity Of Nunson's Hill,
and this evening 1t is stated that al, engage
ment between considerable forces of the two
armies had occurred, giving to us a victory,
with twenty-five or thirty prisoners. The
instructions to our officers and soldiers to
hold every inch of ground they occupy; the
daily cautious but firm advance towards the
enemy; the concentration or drawing to-
gether of our trOopsi the removal of the
headquarters of the First Corps to Fairfax
and numerous other Indications, tell plainly
that the crouching lion has al last made sure,
and is ready 70 plunge forward.
lTHURIgL.