New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-11-28
view OF the Rebel Observation-Disclosures
OF the Enemy-No Immediate Engage
u,cnt ProbabIe-The Tardiness in For
warding Pontoou Trains,

From our sps ciai Correspondent
HEApeuAKTKHs Gan. FRANKLIN. Nov Is, 1852
On account Of the temporary absence of one Of
your correspondents I left the front this morning,
where Gen. Sumner is closely watching Gen. Long
street and waiting with esgerness the order TO cross
the Rappahsnnock and drive him from the hills be
has selected for bis intrenchments and rode to the
left ard center Of the army to observe their move
nents if there were any the taps.
Early this morning dense fog hung over the
Rappahannock. The boodred sun, like drunken
lord just rising from bis SAUNDERS, seemed to struggle
with the mist floating in vast clouds through tue
valley. In vain the signal corps stationed around
the headquarters of the Generals commanding corps,
elevated their glasses and turned them in the drsc
tion Of tie Rebel army. Both Rebel and Union
host were enveloped i'll the dark gloom. Fruitless
were the efforts Of either party 70 Observe the
others movements. But at noon the fog lifted by
0 sligtt breeze. aud in part dispelled by the warm
rays Of the sun, foated of and disappeared
The FIRST glimpse Of the hills beyond Fredericks-
burg revealed the Rebel intrenchmenis which had
been thrown up during the night, and also what
upon the closest observation appeared TO be batteries
partially concealed by brush-wood. Gen. Long
street, very clearly, for the past two days has been
anticipating NOV emen, on our part 10 cross the old
ford Falmouth, and in order TO prevent At has
planted bis batteries 30 as 10 COMMAND the ford at
almost every angle. Bat if / not much mistaken,
bis work has ali been In vain. Not man from
our army win cIOss, or attempt to cross. at tbst
roiut. There are other fords more practicable and
other weys Of crcumveniiDg this witty General than
by accepting battle where be seems most inclined 10
oifsr it. Therefore think hat for the next or
three DAYS the struggle between Gen. Lee and Gen.
Burnside viii be purely mental one nothing but
the calIber aud reach Of the brain Will be tested
We must wait patiently, therefore, whls this silent
struggle is going on.
Rat although highly cultivated and able minds are
undergoing the seyerest tension, the mere machinery
of the army, which, after long discipline seems 10
move without directing will, as spinning anu hum
ming with ceaselesS activity.
But have wandered away from the lefi and CEN
ter, toward which started ny horse. Tie rear Of
an advancing army Il never al Interesting place TO
In search OF something for the people 10 read.
Drilling and maneuycring troops have long siucc
osssed 10 attract attsntion. Only the and the
rush OF battle the close proximity OF the enemy, al
almost here filed with rumors, or the ghasty scenes
upon the CORY field, win quicken the pulse and send
tie blood lea,Iug TO the brain. Everything else
seems tame and llieless IN comparison.
The long train OF pOntcons has arrived, Just FIVE
DAYS behind time Ii what leading Generals TELL me
is true and / doubt them not, the mistake Of
this Campaign, thus lar, has been in not having the
pontOon train on the ground last week Iues dgy,
the day Gen. Sumner advance reached Fal mouth.
1t could then have been thrown over the river at
tie most easiLle point and encountered the fire OF
but "a section Of Rebel artillery. Now the shot ind
shell Of hundred guns will, perhaps, blaze away
upon II "a it is being thrown across the river.
Ths error should not be set down against Gen.
Burnside. He was promised 1t should be here upon
the arrival Of Gen, Sumner.
Alter TIE pontoon train, came that magnificent re-
serve artillery composed OF siX,y pieces Of heaviest
field caliber, which VIC heard 30 much about The
Peninsula, but which did so little execution. IL
has been well named reserve artillery. IL has
Won any better title. But the fact that US | was
hiding NY horse 10 The of the army this
afternoon, these ten batteries were going 10 the
front apparently Ia support OF the pontoon train, IL
Sufficient to satisfy that in the next engagement
Gen. Burnside Is determined that it shall play the
part OF reserve 10 longer, but try its metle land
metal) with tue best OF the Rebel artillery.
l reached the headquarters OF Gen. Franklin
about sunset. The two corps under his command
we're doing nothing but drawing their ralious, n
great abundance CI Which are piled around every
eommisfary and qusfey-nas,er's tent
The village OF Stafford Coun-House, around
which, for miles tie grand divisions Of Gems Hook
o. and Franklin arc eDcainped, is the weakest
The profession Of law has always seemed 10 me TO
Be very respectable onei bat from practicIng 1t in
such court house, in euch village with such Il
GOdforsaken looking people for clients, pray the
Lord forever 10 deliver The staff horses Of
Gen. Franklin were ealing oats within the bar and
THINK II the head OF an ass or d mule that
peered above the judges seat. One would know
that Stafford county was long since sold body and
SOUL 70 slavery and treason, by simply whiting its
county heat S.P.