Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-21
From the Army before Richmond.

HEADQUARTERS BEFORE RICHMOND June
10, lS62.-A fortnight has elapsed since the
bloody check sustained by our army at the
Seven Pines, redeemed by the glorious victo-
ry OF FAIR Oaks. That attack was deliber-
ately Planned by the rebels, and was expected
10 relleVe them OF the menacing presence of
the army OF the Potomac. In this they were
sadly disappointed Their purpose was utter
ly and disastrously thwarted; and although
they lnnlcted upon us a severe and most seri-
Gus loss, their own was far heavier, not only
in the number Of killed and wounded, but in
the thorough and remediless defeat of move
ment skillfully conceived, vigorously execut-
ed, and which had every reasonable promise
OF success. The country is impatient for an
other battle. Unless | am greatly mistaken,
II VIII not have long to wait, though a day
seems long to an eager and unrefecting pub
lie.
PLANS AND STRENGTH OF GEN. MCCLELLAN
There can be no harm in saying that Il
force Is HO1C across the Chickah0miny sutfi-
clent not only to repel any attack which NAV
be made upon the left of our army, but also
to follow up that repulse by vigorous and
effective pursuit. 1t is not believed that the
rebels will venture upon another attack-at
least not upon that wing. If they attack at
all, 1t will probably be upon the right, which
they may deem weaker than the other. and
where success would enable them to cut off
our communications with York river. and
seize the large quantity OF supplies collected at
the w mite House, on the Pamunkev. 1t
seems not unlikely that the recent dash of
tnelr cavalry across our lines, and around the
rear OF our whole army, may have been pre
paratory to some such movement, though if
does not seem to have been attended by anv
N in
scheme, except perhaps that it NAV have
given them some better knowledge of the dis
position Of our troops and of the extent to
which our rear is unprotected. But Gen.
Mcclellan, am inclined to think, does not
lntendt to await their movements. The losses
OF his army have been repaired. The Chick
ahohllny Is now crossed by all the bridges that
can be required. -Four days Of hot weather
had drleu the roads and rendered the ground
everywhere reasonably practicable for artil-
lery-though the heavy rain of yesterday has
seriously damaged the condition of tbinos in
this respect. But unless some new obstacle
lnterveneS | feel quite confident that the pres
ent Week will witness decisive trial of
strength between the opposing armies. It
may possibly be postponed a little longer To
insure the cooperation of gunboats on the
James river, and the arrival of expected re-
Inducements; but | think not The enemy
evidently suppose that Burnside is to adj
vance upon Petersburgh from the direction of
SUFFOLK, Tor we have report to-day that they
nave destroyed the railroad between those two
points, But whatever may be the fact about
Burnslde's movements, do not believe that
McClellan's will be delayed on account of
them.
PLANS AND STRENGTH OF THE REBELS.
dnnlts in e
success. The rebels are believed to have a
force OF 100000 men, or Whereabouts, but
not more than 100000 of them are believed to
be at all disciplined soldiers, and not more
than 10000 are thought to be troops worthy
of meeting ours. The new leyies will he
worse than none. The battle soon to como
OIL Will be for possession primarily of the
comparatively open country which lies in
front of the eight Notifications by which Rich
mond is defended. The guns mounted mo-,
these Notifications can take but little ntrt in
1t. They are too far off, and can come into
play only after the main action shall hove
been decided, and when our forces shall have
advanced three or four miles further for,,ord
Inc new levies will probably be posted in
these works, leaving the older troops to con-
test the held In front Of them. If the latter
should De repulSed and driven back upon the
works. they will be very likely to carry among
tne raw troops there good deal of confusion
with them. If this should be sufficient to
warrant such step ON our part, we NAV
push forward at once, and undertake their
capture II not, we can at least encamp in
'front.' and enter more deliberately upon the
work OF reducing them. 1t is not believed
mere that any portion Of Beauregard's forces
nave reached Richmond from COrinth. But
III hat a., 4 A..
may be oHHe Way. They might possibly ar
rive next week,-not sooner. | do not think
zen Mcclellan likely to run the risk of Civ
ing them the advantage of such reinforce
ment = There nre
however, indications of disposition on the
enemy's part to make an attempt upon one of
our TANKS. | send you two or three letters
which were seized by our cavalry in an excur-
sion toward Hanover Court House ON SUNDAY
night-written by rebel ladies to their hus-
bands on Saturday and Sunday, and having
reference mainly to the passage of Stewart's
cavalry You will observe that in one Of