, 1862-07-17
FROM M'c!ELLAN'S ARAY.
The War in Virginia.
RebtI Accounts of the Situ-
uatiOn.

PHILADELPHIA, July lG.-Ihe Richmond
Enqusrxr Of the l2th, speaks Of Gen. McCie!-
gunboats, as fixed. His only demonstration
ar Oh the confederate lines until he shall be-
come rcsusc1tated from late defeats, must be
nndecisiye raids to keep up the spirits OF
lis men. In the meantime We must turn our
eyes to the West for more startling events.
The movements Of Buell. and the consequent
operations Of our own army, are now watched
with anxiety and confidence By the govern
mcnt.
been displaying considerable activity Of mo-
1hent in the vicinity Of the upper Rappalau-
1ock, gathering 5,00O men at Warrentou, and
detached forces amounting in the aggregate to
8 considerable army, ut various points stretch
ing from Catlett's station, in Faquier comfy,
through Warrenton. Aimesville and Washing
ton to Springvilc, at the base Of the Blue
, Ridge, in Rappahannock county.
Gen. Ricketts, is quartered on the road from
War1enton to the Spriugs-
The Petersburg Express of the 11th reports
the shelliug Of Hamilton, N. c., by federal
gunboats. AS the Roanoke River Was quite
hieh, they would probably attempt to reach
Weldon.
Major AusMn E. Smith, ,(son of Extra Billy,)
and formerly navy agent at San Francisco,
died from wounds received in battle before
Richmond. It will be remembered he was
! arrested on the Isthuus and coniined At Fort
=; Warren, aad WAS exchanged only few weeks
! ago:
! liyal there Of the PitlshurE sanitary comtuit-
i Tee, twelve in number, VIII were taken prison.
! ers at Sayage's farln-
Gen. Robinson, with large body of cavalry,
| still holds the enemy in check at Harrison-
: burg.
/ THE SITUATION ON JAMES RIVER.
iFrcm tho y. Y. Tribune OF Tuesday,1
/! Tee U. S. eteam transport Haze, Capt. Cliff,
1-f.d e11A 6nU 1t1rr rD1n 3rNF AAtf
Bar, James River, via Fortress Monroe, hav-
ing left the former port the 1lth inst, ut IL
H., ard the latter port tue 18th, at p nj.
She reports that the rebels were siil on the
1lyer below Harrison's Landing in small forces
on each bank, and firing on steamers rs they
pass up or down, and as fast as they are sheled
out from one place By the gunboAts they sc
to another, but still keep on the river. The
tlnboats convoy the steamers and vessels fol
ten or twelve miles bo!h ways
: The Hrze arrived at IarTison's Landing or
thu 5ih inst, and remained there several dayt
) discharginS her cargo Of war materials, con
! tieting Of sixty tons Of fixed ammunition, ri
, flies, and ordnance. She 1ef; that place on Fri
t day afternoon.
/, The Union fleet in James River is immense
comprising nearly GOO transports and VA
steamers, extending along the the river fEou
i Hsrrieons Bar to Newport News. In addi
9 1ion to these vessels are 200 canal boats ant
twenty or thirty vessels belonging to th
4 r
vessels are on the bar, but there are segera
clusters few miles apart, lying closely to
gcthcr for protection from the rehels. VIII
/ Lave field batteries on the banks, which the
move from place to place as our gunboat
- shell them out
y, The fleet OF transports aud var steamer
!; undtr the command Of Gen. Burnside, was J.,
ing of Newport News near his encampmen1
C whcn the Haze passed on the l1th inst. Th
+ men we're near By in tents, and could be en-
- ba1ked on short notice.
Com. Wilkes assumed command Of th
i fleet on the James River q short tin
:, before the Haze left Com. Golisbo7ongh
IL at No,folI. The Monitor and the Gale1a a.
It at Harr;son|s Bur; the turret aud n1achinel
:. Of the former hare been much improved, an
e with Fort DAZZLING us was as first reportet
a This pair Of iron clad vessels made rcco1
- noissaucc up the James River q short tin
j. since, but the rcsult Of the expedition was nj
ls known to our informant.
- Gen. McClellan's army is enca1nped On Il
y bark Of the liver, extending for . long di
&c tance above and below the bar. The Ian
~ nearly covered with tents, is estimated at
= teen to twenty square miles.
Notwithstanding the recent revcr5es, Il
le officers and men are enthusiastic, and Gag
=, to meet the enemy. There are no signs
ILL., decentralization or dissatisfaction, and tt
'e- ordtr to move toward Richmond at any m
= ment would be hailed with enthusias,
| "uEu AANp w ud4(As IL - oAlpbSEA GA
rs will take the james River line, SO thst t
Ia aid Of the gunboste may be secured.
Rcirforcements are constantly and rapid
le arriving. During two days Of last week t
ry Thousand men reached the camp. Preside
- 1incoln's visit to the army was great cyer
IL and bis speech stimulated the soldiers
sc renewed vigor.
IL It is q hazardous experiment to naviga
the James River, since the rebels III Ike
towards castle Of the steep bluffs and wood
banks, and fire upon whatever pass
within reach Of their rifles and cannon,