New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-13
Position Of Our Gunboats- Three Rebel
Brigades on the Watch at Port Rsyal-s
Socinbilify Of the Pickets--The Anxiet1
in Richmond-Inquirics about Rebel
sympnthizcrs at the Norfh-The Readf(
ness Of Our Army TO Advance.
rom Our Special Correspondent.


From Our Special Correspondent.
PoRT CONWAY, rs miles below Fredericksburg(
Dec. 10, 1862 !
The Rebels in this vicinity are greatly puzzled q
know where we intend to the river, or rt.neA
where the attempt will be made; TO cross it they
consider an impossbility. The gunboats have fallen
below the village, and are now lying quiet undeg
shelter from musketry of an inpenetrable swanlp
two or three miles wide and extending to O range d
hills which run along almost the entire south side 81
the Rappahsnnock. One brigade Of Rebel cavalry
and two brgsdes Of infantry stretched from PORT
Royal to point opposite the mansion of Col Tsys
lor This force arrived here but two or three dsys
SINCE and it is supposed was sent to watch the point
in case Of attempt pr 10 cross the rivers
Exactly where Gen. Burnside will cross, Il 10
crosses at all below Fredericksburg, DO not believe
they have yet discovered Having passed along the
entire line, from Barnets. full twenty miles above
Fredericksburg, to Tobago Bay, thirty miles below
it, several times, l cannot zee how, undee
present circumstances, we can throw heavy
column over the river without very severe
engagement. The Rebel pickets stand opposite ou1
own for a distance Of fifty miles, and almor daily
The mos, pers%p.ry order. from headquarters 70
hold no conversation with the Rebel pickets, are o.
little avail. Soldiers standing alone throlgh the
long hours, within talking distance OF even an ens
emy will Weld TO the natural property, and soon
violate the most stringent orders From ample
/ " Good morning or " Good evening 10 each
other they naturally glide into conversation aboua
the var and in the Of it many facts Of vaiud
TO the Rebels leak out with regard 10 the postIon
Of our troops, under what General they are, Gno
when they are likely TO move, &c. The speculas
tons il is true o! private soldier, are, generally,
OF but little value, but occasionally have found
piekets VINO seemed 10 know as much about thu
army as those whose special duty il is to keep them
fully informed. From this source If from NO
other | think the Rebels will learn OF our attempt
to reach the other side and will move rapidly ID
oppose us. A fight and very severe one, may %
expected before the feat Is accomplished. Once oveS
the river and firmly on tie other side, tee battle WHY
assume grander proportions and probably call into
action the entire force Of both armies.
A widow lady, at whose mansion i stayed lasa
night told me that a few days before the arrival Of
our cavalry ut Port Conway, she received letter.
from sonin-law, who is Surgeon stationed in ond
of the hospitals in Richmond, IN which ne ssld tbat
he WAS fearful they would not be able 10 hold Richf
mond against the combined attacks which would
probably be made against II III few weeks; thae
Gen. Lee could not possibly oppose Gen. NJ. Cleiia5
who was then IN commandl with NOR tnah ioJuco
men, and large number ofthoso wslld BE conscripu
who could not be relied upon; and shat upon broad
view of their Whole position, his only reliance
for the preservation of their beloved capital waa
npon the sirong arm Of Almighty God. The Leading
planters all through this valley, who have sons III
the Rebel army and have given much TO support its
will tell you that they expect TO see 10 all falling
back upon Washington in q few weeks, and then
almost in the same breath say that M Is qul'S
likely, with five times the number Gen. Lee
has in his command, we may be able I'd
dine In Richmond on Christmas. They strive n
III sorts OF ways 10 give you al exaggerated esii-
mate of their strength. and yet when word ls sad
about the probability of their defeat, say that II 10
quite possible with ouch Gil immense army. The
act is they arc all whisling 10 keep their courage
up The constant questioning with regard 70
whether the Fernando Wood and Mcclellan parry
il ipcrea sing III the North, ANA whether II is likely
10 break down tbs Administration 10 enough 10
satisiy NE that as they begin 10 lose faith
in their own strength 10 resist our armies, they
are preparing TO al back upon the traitors OF tho
North to aid them IN their hellish purposes. sald
one OF them 10 NE yesterday, We have Generals ia
Your army, Statesmen in your Congress- and orators
ali over tie North who will nevsrao nc 10 be beaten
aud driven TO the wall TINS gentleman talked as Il
by authority Before the war he welded controls
ng Influence in bis county, ana Is still the principas
nan remaining IN II.
Everything again indicates forward movement.
acquisitions were made yesterday upon the diieFens
grand divisions FOR large lumber OF horses 10 ASSIST
IN drawing the Pontoon train Ii taxes between ten
and twelve hundred horses 10 move 'hs b'e1s
machine, and seyeIty-hye wagons " carry tue
necessary paraphernalia. - car
The reonl,itions have all been filled, and not q
horse. suike bolt, cord or anchor is wanting. WIN
3. 900 men for an Engineer corps, ana oo'VvV men.
and 100 pieces OF artillery to protect them /" woui1
som that we on. ht to be able 10 any stream ia
,te country. Gunboats, teo, will play all important
nrt and add great additional strength to the move
f' Mp.