Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-12-22

CpEtldi OlIEchDOIAElIt VI ~ 1lGmFAAa 1Ef~H
RICHMOND, December II, 1862.
A lively excitement pervsdes the city to-day,
and the streets are crowded with people anxious
" inouiring the news from the seat of war. a
dispatch was received from General Lee at the
War Department this morning, stating that at
A. NJ. the enemy had attempted to cross the Rap
pahannoek in heavy force at a point three miles
below fredericksburg, and had been rePulsed
with considerable loss three several times. More
than this, at the time Of writing, is not positive
ly known. Rumors, of sourse, of the widest
sort are circulated on every hand. 1t is stated,
for example, that in driving the Yankees back,
our troops took two pOntoon bridges which they
had thrown over the stream. Another sensation
report has it that the enemy had succeeded at
one point in gaining the southern bsnk Of the
river, and had taken no loss than twenty-four
pieces of artillery from us. Last night furious
c~annonads was heard fTom the direction Of
Fredericksburg, which proceeded most probably
from the enemy's gunboats Smelling our position,
and Today the dull, distant boom has been
caught at intervals by our citizens, from which
we suppose that the passage Of the Rappshan-
mock has been attempted q fourth time, and that
a general fight is going on ali along the lines.
Whatever may be the result of to-day's pro-
ceedings, you will have heard it by telegraph
before the receipt of this letter. It is no longer
a matter of doubt that the reduction of Rich
mond is to be tried by overwhelmingly large
armies from several points, and the hint of the
New York Herald is probably correct, that the
large preparations made by General Banks for
an expedition to the South looked to an sp-
proach by the James river. The son of George
N. Sanders, who was taken prisoner several
weeks ago st the Potomac, and has since been
in close confinement at Fort McHenry, arrived
bore Yesterday from Baltimore via Norfolk, and
flag of truce to City Point, and reports that an
army Of fifty thousand men had been collected
at Norfolk, and that their purpose Of marching
upon Richmond was openly avowed. The Yam
KEGS have constructed a double track railway to
Suffolk, which they will make their base Of OPP
e~rations. In spite of these immense activities
on the part Of the enemy, the feeling here is one Of grest
confidence. The government and the people are well
assured that the capital is safe when its defenders are
under the lead Of such men as Lee and LsngStreet and
jackson.
The departure sf the President night before last for
the West took the public somewhat by surprise. twas
not until .he train had reached Lynchburg, that it was
generally known in the city. The President was stten-
ded by two of his aids, Brigadier General Joe Davis and
Col G. ". Gusts Lee. His purpose is TO make a
thorough reconnaissance Of the Western aeld Of military
operations. He will step first Of al at Chattanooga to
confer withIGen. Johnston. after which he viii proceed
to Mississippi. The Presidents absence will be Of about
a months duration, which will bring him back to Rich
mond about the time OF the session of Congress
The poets have responded in large number, I hear, to
the joyous invitation Of the managers Of the new Rich
mOnd Theator for an opening address, and a bushel Of
ass await the examination of the oommitte Of judges
Three hundred dollars is tempting indueement to put
together, and the war offers a wealth Of illustra-
ton for the subject. The theater Is nearly ready and h
to be q very richly decorated building internally.
It looks like a huge cotton factory.
Two dssertsrs from the Yankee bloekAding heet, who
succeeded in escaping into North Carolina, and were
brought to this city two or three days ago, report that
the next week has been Fixed for the Yankee attempt
upon Charleston. This may possibly explain the s2-
peara4ee in the barber Of English and French vessels OF
war, upon the SuppositiOa that they have run in to afford
their Consols a place of refuge, should the Yankee gun
boats pass the forts and lombard the city.
Members of Congress begin to make heir appearance
by twos and threes. Hon. Mr.. Foots Of Tennessee, has
arrived, and spends ais mornings chiefly in the State
Library. The members from Missouri, Kentucky and
parts of Louisiana. who have not been able to go home,
In the rural districts near ct hand TIL the day Of
meeting. We are not over anxious to welcome back
two or three hundred citizens, when we think Of the high
prices Of provisions and the scarcity of fuel
The weather to-day is balmy as Spring.
DIXIE.