The Portland daily press., 1862-07-14
From the South.

WASHINGTON, July 13.
The Richmond Dispatch of Wednesday says,
Monday afternoon demonstration was made
against our pickets, which indicates arestiye-
ness on the part Of the foe in his present
crampcd and confined situation. Two pieces
Of the Louisiana Guard Aartillery were sent
forward to the support of the pickets, when
the enemy retired without risking shot from
our pieces. 1t is not believed that Mcclellan
can be induced to make an attack upon our
forces, but it is conjectured that he may at
tempt to throw his army on the South side the
river with view to demonstration upon the
batteries at Drury's Bluff Such dennonstra-
ton would of course be promptly met and as
signally thwarted on the advance OF the
"young Napoleon ON Richmond, as from the
North side of the James river. We conversed
with a gentleman last evening who left our
army at ii O'Clock yesterday morning. Up to
that hour all was quiet and there were no out
side indications of any active operations. 1t
is reasonable to conclude that the fighting, for
a short season at least, is at an end. There is
nothing TO justify the belief, however. that our
government will fail TO improve its present adj
vantage. Pressed to the wall as the enemy
now is, he will not be permitted to revive from
the severe blow that has been inflicted upon
him, and Mcclellan, in attempting to extricate
himself from his present unpleasant situation,
will find himself confronted at every point by
an active and energetic army under skilful and
experienced officers, who are determined TO
wiring from his unwilling masters the recogni-
ton of their rights as freemen. The late series
of battles have already produced the good re-
suits of opening the lines of communication
in various directions, as well as a valuable ef-
feet upon the amount of supplies in our mar
kets.
The Dispatch says the people of the North
regard Stonewall jackson as one of those in
vincble beings whose purposes it is impossi-
Bile to thwart.
Between 900 and 1000 U. S. arms of most
improved patterns, were gathered at Shirley,
having been left there by the enemy In their
retreat.
The Dispatch extravagantly praises General
Lee for arranging late plans of battle, saying
it may be that Mcclellan may be reinforced
and make another effort Be ii so, we are in
the hands of a General who has just proved
himself master in art OF war, and who has
tonight his countrymen in the last fortnight,
to place the utmost confidence in his SKILL
This city, and the city generally, feel safe as
long as he is known to be at his post. He will
be found fully able TO deal with any crisis that
may arise. For several days past efforts have
been made to effect the removal of the wound
ed federal prisoners to this city. The large
number OF this class of persons renders the
undertaking no light one. Yesterday IS Yam
KEGS were transported to this city in ambu-
lances and omnibuses among whom were H.
A. Barnum, Maj. 18th n. " H. G. Peck, Serg't
U. ). infantry, Lewis Hartung, I'd Lieut. Co.
b., 7th n. Y, and III. II. Rowlett, Capt. Co. f.,
36th n. Y. There are many more wounded
officers to be brought up.
Petersburg Express of Wednesday says that
several of the enemys gunboats came up the
river late Sunday morning, and proceeded sew
eral miles beyond City Point. They fired
many Shells into the forests on the south bank
of James river, and occasionally gave the wild
varmints in the marshes and underground on