The New York herald., 1862-12-16

feature being general unwillingness TO do business
Money worth per cent. Gold closed at 1915 1872
and exchange at l45l. The bank statement shows an
increase OF 059 in loans 81 O8T Ss9 deposits,
and decrease OF $sJ4 ia in specie
Cotton was neglected yesterday prices were nominal
Flour, wheat and very duh and heavy Pork
and lard plenty, heavy and declining while beef
was less active. moderate business was reported In
SUGARS whisksy hops and taow but most other articles
were extremely quiet. There heavier freight en-
gageinents effected but at lower rates
From Fredericksburg-The Two Armies
Comparatively Quiet Yesterday.
AS with us in New York, so at Fredericks-
burg yesterday, the day was bright, warm and
beautiful. The weather and the roads were
highly favorable for active military operations;
and yet, beyond some irregular artillery dis
charges at long range. the day passed off quiet
ly between the two great hostile armies in full
view Of each other. On our side, however the
care Of the wounded and the necessary prepa-
rations for more formidable and regular as
sault of the enemy's lines than that of Satur-
day made it busy day, while the enemy were
as industriously employed in strengthening
their defensive works and in all the precau-
tionary measures suggested for vigorous re-
sistance.
From all the information we have from the
field, we conclude that the heavy batteries Of
General Burnside, with a very few exceptions,
are still on the high ground on this side of the
Rappahannock. from which they can make
very little impression upon the rebel earth
works along the crests of the hills beyond the
city on the opposite bank. 1t is probable,
therefore, that before he next assails the rebel
defences General Burnside will transfer at least
considerable number of his heavy guns to the
other side of the river, and sufficiently near to
silence the rebel batteries, preparatory to an
other advance Of his infantry to carry them by
storm. We have no doubt"of his power, by
means of his artillery to demolish the snemy's
works, from the great advantage which he pos
sesses over them in the number, ealibre and
improved construction of his heavy guns and
their projectiles 1t is probable. therefore, that
some days may elapss before another movement
is made to carry the enemy's positions. The
attempt Of Saturday we think, shows that they
cannot be carried by our infantry until we shall
have silenced their enflading batteries by an
overpowering bombardment
Meantime the question recurs, why Is it that
General Burnside has not been provided with
troops sufficient in numbers to enable him, with
an Overwhelming pressure, to turn the tanks
of General Lee while occupying the bulk of
his forces to protect his csntres We cannot
answer We only know that if the heads of the
War Office had determined upon reinforcing
General Burnside to the extent of fifty thousand
men, and upon supporting diversion, by way
of the James river, by another army Of one
hundred thousand men, that both these things
endangering any point Of great Importance
which we occupy elsewhere within the rebel
Gous States. We know, too, that a double
movement Of this description upon Richmond,
in speedily securing "thc heart of the rebel
lion,' would immensely facilitate all our de-
signs in every other quarter; but why this
crushing combination Of forces has not been
adopted is mystery which we cannot unravel.
We hear, however. that formidable movement
towards Richmond. by way Of Suffolk and
Petersburg, is in active progress; but that the
forces Of the Banks expedition are connected
with 1t is news which we apprehend is too good
to be true. 1t delighted this city yesterday;
but it is news which needs confirmation.
As will be seen, from leading article which
we copy from the Richmond Examiner upon
the subject the rebel leaders Of that city are in
= state Of alarm at the enormous magnitude of
our land and water combinations and forces
which are advancing upon them around the
entire circle Of the rebellion. But the atten-
tion Of the loyal twenty three millions of our
army OF General Burnside and should the rea-
sonablc demands and just expectations of these
loyal people be disappointed in another long,
doubtful and exhausting campaign for Rich
mond. the administration will be held to q fear
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