New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-30
our astonished vision all along the hllsides fiom
Falmouth TO Fredericksburg.

our astonishsd vision all along the hillsdes ffon
Falmouth to Fredericksburg.
Yesterday. scarcely Rebel rag could be seen
with the powerful glass used by the signal corps;
to-day the encampment Of large army ostenta-
tously displayed, but for what purpcse 10 one On
this side has yet beer able to discover.
1t quite possible that JEFF. Dave, in bic joy at
the recent victory, has presented Gen. Lee with o
Christmas present OF two or three thousand canvas
tents. which in some way he has msnaged TO smug-
gle through the lines, with Instructions 70 szpoee
them to our gaze while the main body Of his army
falls back upon and beyond Richmond.
What other motives Gen. Lee can have in bring
ing his troops out from behind their intrenehments
full view Of our army cannot imagine. By tlis
time our Generals ought to have learned sometbing
Of Gen. Lees tactics. Heretofore, whenever he hae
made retreat he has made the same buster, dis
played the activity. aud threatened to assume
the offensive almost in the same way. In addition
TO advancing his troops, he bas get them OIL y! WORK
(all who have been brought from behind the hillsl
digging rife-pits, throwing MP intrenchments, aco
rebuilding aud repairing the stone walls directly OPP
posits Falmouth, and bearing upon the Petit pat
teri.s. Not to be caught Mapping, Gen. Sumner has
set to work still larger force upon the same cisss
OF defenses and to-day thousands OF spades, shove,
and yickaxes, instead of bayonets glitter IL the sGn
on both sides of the river.
Just as tho sun was dropping behind the bills last
evening, heavy signal gun was heard, tired from
the nights back Of Fredericksburg, echoing through
the valley, and starting every one from tie repose
which they had been gradually dropping INTO since
the battle At the same moment long co.umn or
Rebel infantry was seen 10 emerge from the woods
and move down toward the ford at Falmouth, ar IL
with an intention to cross upon the rocks and Destroy
the large quantity Of quarterinaster and commissaJ
stores at the depot.
in in
around Falmouth. Two batteries dashed down 10
the river, and took position to give them a warn
reception il they persisted in the attempt. lhe
men at the guns on the hills fully prepared them
selves for charge, and would have gwen Gen.
Lopgstreet what he gave few days ago, a few
uopaistable doses Of grape and canister before
leaving their intrenchmenfs. Drums were uea,en
aud bugles sounded, and regiment atef regiment OF
infantry sprang to their arms and In few moments
were ready for the fieht but the long Rebel column
which looked so formidable and threatened 90 much,
halted long before il reached the river, and instead
of forming in battle line, or making demonstration
to cross, stacked their arms, opened Their Davei,
sacks sat down upon the ground and commenced
dc youriDg their ratlons.
Notwithstanding this rather amusing finale Of the
movement, a strong guard was kept upon the ford
all night in anticipation Of IN attack. This morning
dawped, the Rebels were still where they rested
during the night. but instead OF offering battle were
exhibiting their lean linen and white tents 10 our
astonished gaze.
Froa, wbas source they supplied Themselves with
there Injuries we are all at u loss to know.
MSch diversity Of opinion exists among leading
officers as 10 whether any considerable force has yes
left our immediate front. Gen. Lees line extends
farther along the river and seems to be stronger
than il was before the battle, but whether be has
ANYTHING in reserve IS receiving re-enforcemens or
ia falliay back nothing whatever believe, is poe.-
lively known. II anything can be argued from bis
former retreats, and the demonstrations made upon
the eve of them, he is now Fastening 10 strike
blow at or repnlse An attack from other Cen
eral than Burnside. Gen. Foster would naturally
seem to be the ore requiring the first attention.
The FIRST OF JAsUARY, too, Is at hand, ano IN
surrections are apprehended in the Gulf Slater. *
rich planters within our lines are alarmed at tue ap
proach of that day, what must be the state OF mind
OF those who are defenceless the heart " the cot
ton and rice-growng regions. Southern lapers tell
us thew are cal ing UPON their troops to return from
the valleys of Virginia and defend their dwellings,
from the torch and their families from he knife u
tho oppressed negro Once back IN their native
States the troops of South Carolina, Georgia, and
Louisiana, viii never again eIcamp On the Iiis OK
Virginia. >, n,
l. the elements, therefore, are propitioas, Rich
mold nav not be az far OF as many OF nc have
feared In spite Of our late repulse we have much,
very much, 10 encourage zen. Banside has the
confidence Of his soluiers and of all Lis Loyal OH
cers-hs disloyal ones, would 10 God they were
within the walls OF Fort Lafayette, OF anywhere
else where their damnab'e hcresies Cannot poison
the minds Of our brave privstes Once rid % them,
the road TO success believe viii be clear. W.