The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-12-16
WHAT The YANKEE OPINIONS WERE BEFORE THE
FIGHT.
correspondent of the New York Times, writing
before tie fight from Buruside'S army asv,:

A correspondent of the New York Times, writing
before tie fight from Burnside's army, says:
1t is a notable fsct in military history, that
though the crossing OF river In the face of an
enemy Ia Justly esteemed as one of the most diff
cult or tactical operations, there Is ample en-
record Of the passage Of river being successfully
defended against q determined oSsailant. Napoleon
crosse1 the Danube at Essling and ct Wsgram, In
presence of sn army Of l2O coo men, provided with
400 pieces Of cannon, and at point where the bed
Of the stream is broadeat. Thus may be owing to
the fact thet, account of its very difficulty it is
rarely attempted without good hope Of success
The necessity Of subdiyiding the force and dis.
posing it ovar extended line, is of course e.e.
ment of weakness foc the defeusive, while, If the
limo should not be thus guarded the force would all
the time be exposed tU flank and assaults from
the enemy.
Depend upon it, the rebel leaders are ssnsible Of
all the weakness, well as OF all the strength, OF
their position at fredericksburg; and yoa may at
any time expect to learn that they have taken ad
vantage Of the opportunities before the operations
of aen. Burnside are fully developed to retreat,
ere retreat la rendered perilouB or impossible
They have already derived from their occupancy
have delayed the army here now nearly three weeks
which is triumph enough for Fredericksburg. As
soon as they find themselves seriously exposed to q
flank movement which will bring us on their rear,
they will hasten to evacuste. Indeed, we know
that already their chief force Il not at lredercks
Lurg itself, bat At Bowling Green, twenty miles
Eouth of tina. pl1ce-snd which you viii observe
to be significantly placed with relation TO the roads
ieadnS obliquely south from what you will per
ceive, from Typographical study Of the map. to
be the most avaiisbe point Of Assault from this
plase.
There is, therefore, good reason 10 hope that Fred
ericksburg-ind 70 Us a. . depot Of sup
plies for hospital accommodations, &c.-will Jet fall
INTO hands without any fatal encounter. 1t So
tha. is II do not meet and rout the enemy, which
II will be his aim TO preventive may rely upon be-
-, oP M rfiO haf EroA.
erick sburg and Richmond. The next place selected
by the rebels fo- stand viii probably be the North
Anna river, thirty Iaies South of Fredericksburg,
and about mile and half North OF bextons June
ton. We shall have stream hero equally fOrmida.
bic with the RappAhann0ck to traverse ct the same
tim. that the strength the rebel position the short
ness CT their lines of communication End theleneth
and exposed condition OF ouAs, will work powerfully
on TIE rebel slds Relying. probably, on that same
want of enterprise on our part, On whicl Lee, to
our shame has la. ely said he has proceeded h many
operations, they will expect TO dstan a. ct The North
Anna for interval equal to that which has kept ~
at fredericksburg Az the main object Of their
mar ouvres is understood to b. TO delay ~ b.
ond.r ate operations and sieges, until I'll the good
weather shall have been exaaasted, and the labor
of movement shall have been IN hundred fold In
creased this win be h the drsst lns OF their pre-
sent desirss
CAPTURE OF A CONFEDERATE SCOUT.
A Yankee letter. noticing reconnaissance Q
theirs near Yrsdsricksburs. Va, lsr days since.
says:
rhs rsoonuoisssncs rssultsd ln TIE taking psie
onsr Of one os 0tuart's seoutA Moro Of IL enemy
were sesn, bat thsy managed 70 esespA Ths psic.
OneR was taken 70 Gen. HooAa1'a haadqoafAes an4
guara .sslsnsa cvsr hun . as ss.l Ss.ec; KY
hat ~ salistsd n H. ~ vhUlnia esvasy . -
eouom moneenent 81 sho WoR. ~ ha4 bo0 - -
paGt ys3 sssvins = sesut te0sa otnHl Aseeee.