Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-09-05
8Y MCLANAHAN & DILL.


BHtsie Delayed by n Thunder shower.
Correspondents New York Tribune
ALEXANDRIA, Va, August 26 Mr.. Lincoln
sad during the existence of the department oil
the Rsppahannock, that a heavy dew caused q
ireshet IN the rivers Of Virginia. The smari
thunder shower OF last Friday evening probably
delayed great battle on The north side OF the
hsppahannock. From prisoners taken in the
late skrmishes, and from many other sources, l
have learned thst it was the intention Of General
Lee 70 cross his entire army during Friday night
and the day following, and attack General Pope
before the reinfercements from hfcClellan's army
arrived upon tbs ground Before the army Of
Virginia made its mssterly retreat before the
eyes OF the whole rebel horde, it vas supposed
that the Rsppshsnuock could be passed at only
SIX OF seven diHeren- points, but Is soon became
evident that the entire stream f&ln i've
miles from Warrenton Springs TO the main body
Of the river was one grand ford, aud that the
rebel army could almcst march up 10 its banks
in line Of battle. and walk on the bed OF the
river dry shod
The old fords Of long sanding were closely
watched and strongly guarded, but to the sur
prise of our generals, rebel skirmishing parties
were discovered crossing at points supposed to
be impossible, compelling us to shift our ground
constantly to prevent being ouihaREed. The
dash of the rebel General Stuart was but pre-
Pope for some OF his Western raids, snd also to
conceal tie more extensive m5vemeUts Of Jack
son
During tbe night, while StusTt wss fOmbling
in the trunks OF General Pope, and obtaining
clean linen enough to last through the season,
jackson crossed his whole corps At half dozen
points above WaTenton Springs. jackson, &C.
coTding to the pregrsmme, was to engage the
right Of General Pope, draw OF his attention if
possible from his LEFT and center, 90 as to give
the main body of the rebel army an opportunity
to cross at other fords than those guarded by US,
and then when safely over take the risk Of the
most desperate conflict of the war.
The programme succeeded 20 far as sckson
was concerned. He crossed the river. Smart
performed bis part well, aud both rebel md
national army are today enjoying the practical
Joke be played off on General Pope. Bot Provi-
dsEce in this instance seemed TO be upon our
side A heavy back cloud rose in the west, and
at about midnight burst in a furious storm on
both armies. L was too dark to see the iords,
even If they could have been passed The storm
continued ell night In the morning the river
bad become impossible. General Lee could not
psss, and Jackson was alone on this side Of the
stream. General Pope could not learn the exact
strength of Jackson, and did not feel strong
enough to engage the whole army therefore hs
did not take the offensive. Jackson, learning
that General Lee could not reinforce him, kept
close to the river and the bushes ana as the
river fell re crossed it and joined the main body
Of the srmy But for this thunder storm the
greatest battle of the war would have been
fought before this; and God alone knows with
whom would have been the victory.
A SCENE AT wARRENToN
Persons who were attached to the slaff Of Gen
Pope, and who wcre taken prisoners by Stuart /
in bis last raid, but who escaped at Warenton, !
say that the Joy manifested by the citizens Of
WsrTentOn upon the return OF Stuart's cavalry I
with their trophies exceeded 81 bounds The /
population Of the village turned out en- 5aaSSe |
Ladies ran up to the soldiers and embraced them i
although many Of them were entire strangers.
The only bell left in the village rang out loud /
and clear. and blended its music with the cheers 4
of the thronging villagers.
A burly negro, dressed IN General Pspe's best |
uniform, with the stars Of the MsjoT-Gsneral /
glittering upon his shoulders, and mounted upon /
General Pope's best horse rode il lront Of Stuart,
as his fsmOus cavalry brigade marched through /
the streets. The negro seemed embarrassed, /
and hsTdly knew what to make Of it bat the !
multitude enjoyed that part sf the spectacle
hugely. Some one In the throng, hoWeser, was
moi disposed 20 treat the nav major general
with the respect due TO his rank. AS TIE caYsl-
eade was shout disappearing down the road
leading to S2eTryville, the contents Of two or
three highly-peIlnmed eggs splashed on the fne
clothes Of Cufee, and soon led him to discover
that, instead Of being an object Of respect, he /
was one Of the grossest ridiculs.
Capt Goulding, the popular and Efficient /
quartermaster Of Gen. Pope, was the only officer /
present to support the dignity Of bis maj1r-gen- |
eral But notwithstanding his assertions that
he was quartermaster, and fsirly entitled to |
ride upon good horse, he was compelled 70
walk through the dust and act as groom to the
sable gentleman riding by bis side. The staff
horses Of Gen. Pope were decked by the ladies'
Of WaTrenton with rebel colors taken from their
bonnets and aprons, and suddenly improvised /
into rosettes. The prettiest darkey boys led
them, and not a rebel soldier was allowed TO
touch their backs until the fair rebels had
bresthed prayer that Yankee staff officers
would nqYer again ride them into battle.