The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-05-23
From Richmond.


We give below several extracts from
the Richmond Examiner of the 18th:
TIE River Batteries. Every thing has
been quiet ut the river batteries since
Thursday last the enemy's gun.boats
not having made their appearance since
the engagement Of that day.
General Johnston's forces have now oc-
cupied line in the vicinity of Richmond,
so as to cover the batteries from any lana
attack.
We. of course, do not enter into any
details of the recent movement oil Gen.
Jobnston's forces, beyond the general
statement that it is supposed to have con-
tributcd TO the safety Of the city OF Rich
mond.
EVERYTHING has been quiet on General
.1ocksons lines since their recent move
ment. with the exception OF an unimpor'
tant skirmish at Bottom Bridge, in which
we suffered no loss.
1t is the opinion of officers Of skill who
have made q reconnaissance at Drury's
Bluff that the position possesses num-
Der of extraordinary advantages which
make it tenable against all the enemy's
gun boats that can be brought against it,.
One considerable advantage is, that ow-
ing TO the sinuosities of the river and the
conformation of the banks the enemy
must find it impossible to engage the bat
tercs Mt distance over six hundred
wards, and that, therefore, no fears need
be entertained of long range artillery.
1.-THE time has past when Richmond
could be taken by gun-boats. Although
much work remains to be done on the
/ T. 10 ,n,1or thap, fro,
| land attack and siege operations, it may
| be regarded IT'S vne certain thing, that
the enemy will not ascend the river in
vessels. The position of Drury's Bluff
possesses a natural strength scarcely to
be conceived by those who have not
stood upon it. No game of long taw is
possible. The turn of the river that
brings the boats in sight is only six hun
bred yards distant. The bluff is high
ridge or comb. TO shell even an uncase
mated battery, there, from any distance,
would be a difficult, if not impossible.
operation. The river is not hundred
Yards wide, and the entire banks appear
to have been created for the express use
of sharp-shooters. If we cannot stop the
Yankees there we had just as well give
up all ideas of self defence"
That Mysterious Vjsh ofMe French Minister.
We have some curious and interesting
intelligence with respect to the late mys-
terious visit to Richmond Of Count Mer-
cier, the French Minister at Washington.
1t appears that on leaving Richmond,
Count MERCER had no sooner reached
Norfolk than he committed dispatches
addressed to- his government to an Elk.
press steamer lying off Norfolk, by which
they were hastily conveyed to wal
steamer at New York, which was already
under steam, and, having been boarded
by the express boat, imme lately started
for France.
The singular expedition of this trans
action, and the air of importance given il
by number of circumstances, had ere
ated immense sensation in the foreign
diplomatic circle in that city.
We are positively assured that, on thu
return of Count MERCER to Washington
the British Minister had deputed his Sec
rotary to proceed instantly to Annapoli
and take steamer there for Norfolk, e.
route to Richmond: and that the Danisl
Consul had also suddenly left on an ex
petition to this city.
The impression was that Count Mercie
had taken an advantage in his myster
Gus trip 20 Richmond, of which even
! the Washington Government was who'll
unadvised, and had laid the foundatio
Nf a ueaty hetween France and the Soutl
| ern Coniederacy.
On the return of Count MERCER t
Washington he was called upon for a
explanation by the Federal Government
through the polite medium of an invit
ton from Mr.. Seward to give him an il
terview. The interview lasted some eigl
hours. The Count had landed at the nj
vy-yard from French steamer which ha
her port holes open.
\ These facts and circumstances are o.
tanned from what is supposed to be a
undoubtedly reliable source of inform
ton; and we leave our readers to mall
their own conjectures, without riskir
any of our own, further than the neg
tive opinion that the visit of Count Me
cier to Richmond was something mo-
than diplomatic reconnaissance.