Evening star., 1862-06-14
AFFAIRS In DIXIE.

From late Southern papers we take the follow
| ing:
THE BATTLE OF FAIR OGKs-THE I'VE OF THE CON.
FLICT.
Especial Correspondence The Memphis Appeal
RICHMOND, May ga bright sky over the
oeieaguered city, pleasand breeze playtng with
the lindens the greatest activity In the streets
regiments marching to and fro, the roll Of drums
and the Eattling Of cannon wheels-sueh are the
sights and sounds Of Richmond to-day. Never
have seen the gardens and squares looking love
lieT than at this moment. II Richmond is TO fall,
she will fall like the festal bullock, wreathed
and garlanded for the sacrifice
is the battle to 60 against us7 Nobody he:e
thinks SO The spirit Of the soldiers is that buoy
mated by the liveliest assurance Of victory With
the knowledge that the great struggle so oimpend
lag will pdss into history as one Of the decisive
battles OF the wofld-wita the conflicts Of Has
tlngsand Tours and Wsterloo-theY look forward
TO the scene as one on which they are to plav n
part Of the interest and dignity IN the ewes
OF the world. This morning Gen. Lee left his
bureau for the held "a nd with the na2nanimiiy
characteristic OF the men, reported TO Gen John.
ston for duty. He assumed the chief command
availed himself Of Gen. Iohnston's s atoms
and dispositions for the fight, and thus secured
II Is TO be. s- . .-- - ,>'
But Gen Lee thought this was no time for in
sisting upon precedence Of rank, and he was un
wiling TO take from Johnston tue credit which
will b. justly his d3e, IL he drives back the in
vsder from the walls OF the capitol This il time
nobility Of soul, and furnishes an excellent ex-
ample Tor smaller military men who bicker for
position in the face of the enemv
A distinguished statesman told me that he
shook hands with the commanding general as he
leapt into the saddle to ride out TO Headquarters
and that his face shone like the face of an
anRep.-irrSdlated with the II ight Of anticipated
triumph.
We have had thousand rumors TO-DAY all 90
ing to show the nearer the war is broug h to our
thea laaa a kpot Of
uons Of the forces or Of the arrangements Of the
hour. II Is said that Burnside is advancing on
Weldon 10 cut of our communication with
Charleston while another report circulates to the
effect that be has actually crossed the James river
near SuFolk, and Joined his forces with those of
Mcclellan. Ii seems almost i'm possible to learn
for certain whether or not the Yankees are In pos
session OF the two railroads at tbs Junction or of
the Fredericksburg road Ashland
Last night, al II O'Clock, the latest train brought
away all the sick soldieas and supplies then re
naming in the sshland Hospital, and the report
that Union column vas within four miles of
the place. An equal mpossi bilitY seems 10 exist
of arriving at the exact truth OF the result Of the
skirmish Of Tuesday afternoon at Peaks Turn.
Out near Hanover Court House. Accounts given
by men who were actually engaged In the fight
are as contracted al possible. The ENQUIRE,
treats the affair as Of little importance The 4.
GnItHeT says Gen. Branch was undeniably beaten
and outgeneraled, and that our loss was consid.
erable. What the Government really believes
with regard TO the result may be Judged from
the facf thar Gen. Hill has been sent forward 10
take the command at this point over Gems. An
| II Is believed that Mcclellan is massinp bis
troops az rapidly possible 10 the north of the
city, and that the battle will be fought In that
direction as soon as our troops can be brought to
confront him.
The committee Of citizens appointed to make
suitable arrangements for the reception and treat.
ment Of the wounded, have been actively engaged
for days past in the discharge Of their duty
haV hAf- In
ious parts Of the CITY, to which the brave fellows
are TO be conveyed. Failing to procure the de-
sired number Of mattresses, the committee have
made requisition for the luxurious cushions OF
the pews In our churches, and II is quite probable
the churches themselves will be taken for hospi.
tals, into which they may read lily be converted
Their superior ventilation would recommend
There has been no firing heard to-day, no bal
looms seen on the horizon, no smoke over Drury's
Blum; al 10 quiet In the country around-the hal.
cyon before the storm. Dixie.
RICHMOND, May 3O-There 10 hitch some.
where in the preparations for the great battle
the day has come, but all quiet along the lines
Not gun has besn heard In any direction around
the city. That the attack was TO have been M ade
this morning Is considered to have been absolutely
certain, but causes unknown 10 the public have
delayed II. Gen Lee, who went to Headquarters
yesterday, as stated In my last letter. in the fun
expectation that the h2ht would be commenced
bY sunrise, rode quietly back TO his lodgings In
town, and is now In his ofics There are many
reasons suggested for the change of plans
One account declares that the Yankees have
suddenly Withdrawn from their advanced po-
sitions on the Chickahominy, and are In full re-
treattovdrd their gunboats. The Dis patch nc VS.
paper makes this statement with much apparent
confidence, but upon diligent inquiry cannot
learn that there Is the least authority for IT, Gen
Floyd, accompanied by his aid aud admirer,
John NJ. Daniel, OF the Examiner, rode out at a
very early hour this morning to the lines for the
purpose, perhaps, Of doing little amateur fight
ia hnn h.kraf -.
quite satisfied that the conflict would not come
on to-day, and Mr.. Daniel gave a. a reason for
the postpohement that II was found that the two
armies were not near enough together.
The Rue cause, from the best information can
gather, 10 that some uncertainty prevails with
General Johnston az to the precise situa ton OF
McDoweiPs command, and he 10 unwilling to
o'dea Ia me vha a.tscx Inni ne ascertain. beyond
interests at stake In the pending conflict are too
rnomentous TO be hazarded upon any doubtfal
knowledge Of the full strength Of the foe, and yet
such 70 the fault finding disposition of the public,
aud the indifference that may be acquired with
relation to the most appalling possi biities that
hundreds Of good people are complaining that
'.thsy had better fight axd BE- dons piiA "a % thar
fhsy begs 20 thtHk .fhas sriH Be no fgAt at az %
Gnd fats on fs srs Of combat tDhitk, Joined
MAST usrisab!y BE- ons Of fhs 6!oedts1 of nlodsrs
tsgsss, aad sohteA, should % 60 against Hs, tciiI
lbstsg rssta s7os our dearest hopes. ~ .fEl& 81
by Psoelsmation Of Gov. Letcher this morning
al the stores and ctner places Of business in the
cry sre hsss.seef 10 be closed at p, m and the
n lisa u tAe secoAd clsss, embracing all male
eiEzeEs stv sen the ages Of 10 aud IS, and IS and
IS, Ats ordered out for drill every afternoon ex-
cePt Sunday, to create home guard to unite IN
the defense OF tie capital. The problem Of the
safety OF r edmond viii most probably be solved
long orfore this force can be put In any state Of
diseipliEei but meanwhile they will be Of great
service In furnishing guard for the military
prisons, me railway bridges aefoss James river,