The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-27

GEO. c.. SHEPARD, '0"'N''
Another week of almost ominous silence
has passed, as regards news from the army
before Richmond Each correspondent and
every mail has predicted speedy and terri |
Bile battle there until we have almost feared
that it was only ruse Of the enemy to give
them chance to "skedaddle" as they did at
Yorktown, Corinth, and host Of other pla-
ces. But the appearance Of things the past
week has pointed to battle in front of the
rebel capital, and if there is one all agree that
it will be a severe one, as it will be the very
death-gasp of secession. As regards the re-
bel force there, we have 10 reliable accounts
as to its numbers or efficiency. Reports have
been very current that the ubiquitous Beau
regard had reached Richmond with the flow
er of the rebel army from the Mississippi
valley. Of course the rebels will have Beau
regard where his name will have the most
effect, and there is now no place that he, or
the prestige that his name gives, is more
needed than at the rebel capital. We doubt
very much if many of the rebel troops from
Mississippi have as yet reached Rchmond.-
1t seems to be confirmed that their General
Johnston was very severely wounded at the
battle of Fair Oaks, and if so, the necessity
of having Gen Beauregard to command
would seem to be very great to the retels.-
In regard to the condition and readiness of
Gen McClelan's army the accounts are quite
as conflicting. The report that he had been
reinforced by Gen Mcdowell and 10000
good troops seems to have been without
foundation in Truth. Whether he has been
reinforced at all since the battle of Fair Oaks,
testimony does not agee upon, but the weight
of evidence seems to be in the Affirmative
Taking the correspondence of Mr. Raymond
of the n. Y. Times, VIII, is with the army be-
fore Richmond, and is supposed to have pc
culiar means for obtaining information, We
must consider Gen McClellan's preparations
complete. If this is fact, and no more men
or material are expected o. wanted, we think
we shall not have to wait many days to know
the result. We have never doubted McClel-
lans skill as a general and we have unwaver-
ing faith in the officers and men that COM
pose his grand army; but in common with
great many others, We await the result with
trembling anxiety. May God speed the
right and protect our brave boys.
There was smart fight up the White riv.
er in Arkansas. Rebel batteries were found
by our gunboats at St Charles, 50 miles from
the Mississippi river, and after an hour ant
half of brisk work the batteries were taken
During the bombardment casualty occur
red to the Mound City, an uulucky shot from
the enemy perforatirg her boiler and killing
or wounding nearly the whole crew by tn
escaping steam. This is the second calamit
of the kind that has happened this war. W
should think steamboat boilers might be pre-
tected so as to prevent another like occu
renee.
War news from other quarters is rattle
quiet this week. We have nothing but reb
accounts as yet of the attack upon Charlesto
and although they claim the victory in an a
tack that the federal troops made upon ba
tery on James Island. yet they entertain fea
for the safety of the CITY, The Mercury h
sent its printing press off to Augusta, e,
IDENTITY thinking that if left in Charleston
loyal paper might possibly be printed on
in a short time. The federal army has
happy faculty of doing suct things. .Cu1
berland Gap is in our possession at last, al
rumor says that Gen Buell. is moving ca
ward with his army corps. 1t is to be hop
that he will get far enough enough east to
of service in the forthcoming engagement
for since Beauregard's army is dispers
there seems to be nothing for him to do
Mississippi. Nothing new las traLspired
the valley of the Shenandoah. Fremont a
Jackson are both quiet just now. The I
bune's Washington dispatch says there
reason to believe that battle will be tous
at Chattanooga within day or two.
Another brave and efficient officer
gone. Col Ellet of the ram feet died at
TO Of wounds received at the destruction
the rebel gunboats in front of Memphis.
An order was issued from the war dep;
ment on Saturday, allowing premium of
for each accepted recruit volunteering
three years or for the war, and permit
one months pay in advance to all who
mustered into service, whether regulars
volunteers.
1t is ruuored that Secretary Stanton i
bout to resign, and that he will be succee
by Gen Banks. This rumor is not gener
believed. The same authority says that
Mcdowell is to have leave to retire from
service, and that Gen Pope will take his c
mand.
There is other important news aside
that Immediately connected with the the
bellion. The tax bill has finally passed
houses and awaits the signature of the p
dent. 1t has been tinkered good deal S
il was first published and our idea Of VIII