Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-04-26
LETTER FROM RICRnoNU.
Special Correspondence Of the Appeal

Special Correspondence Of the Appeal
richmond, April l5 i-62.
There is an almost breathless suspense in
this city in anticipation of the conflict 81 Yorktown
That battle must bt fought there within i2riyelght
hours upon scale tremendous than any yet los'
and won in this unholy war the general CONVICTION.
1t seems well nigh impossible indeed that TWO sucA
masses OF men, iniamod with mutual hatred should re-
main for any length of time in hearing Of each others
ssntres without dashing against each other IN the rage
and fury of battle as that upon sulty afternoon in
july two black thunderclouds from opposing quarters OF
the sy. charged with electricity should come so near
together that their ragged edges should almost touch,
and there remain poised the hot air for hours without
SO much as fash Of lightning drop Of rain coming
from their dark reoesses Mcclellan may not, indeed
5re now to offer battle but il is believed that Johnston
will compel him 70 fight H0ieas U0tsas.
It is natural sh that engagement on tLe result
or which srcb rnoentous issues depend, should excite
In the expectation Of it, very deep feeling OF anxiety
in Richmond But there is also confidence that the DAY
cannot 20 against Ii the greatly superior
to us in numbers and in artillery we ENJOY some adv an
tages over them. The army Of Mcclellan il IN excellent
drill and preparation admirably armed and equipped
and furnished with ali the engnery Of destruction in ord
nance that modern science has contrved but this army
is wholly untTied, has never been under fire, and is
therefore liable 10 be thrown at any moment into Just
sucb uanc as seized upon the forces Of Mcdowell
the memorable 2lst Of July. Mcclellan himself is
conscious of this that the heavy skishing which has
been going on for a week past, at Yorktown has been
encouraged by him. doubtless with the view Of getting
his trooDs accustomed the rattling of the iron hail
Moreover this grand army, which IL has required eight
months 10 discipline and perfect under the command
of general who however accomplished lie may be in the
theory war and however distinguished for personal
courage has his laureis vet TO win military leader
ON the other hand the Confederate troops in the
Peninsula may be regarded veterans, without any
hagrant misuse Of that term as applied to soldiers OF one
wears staudngveteraRs who have been in many lights
and never been whipped-they the men Of Bull
Run. Of Manassas Of Dranesvle of Leesburg of Car
nifsX Ferry, and Of Allegheny Mountan-tAuiilar win
the music Of the Minnie, and used 70 see the ankee
flying in precipitation before th-mand more than all
TINS the battlefield which they meet the foe
the spot of al others the American continent most
calculated inspire of southern blood lighting iuT
all held dear upon earth, deeds Of immortal
vaor But all this speculation as 70 the combsants may
be rendered idle, perhaps even talshed by the result
before you read it, The issue is IN the hands OF Coz
disposeL Of the weghties Of the Hghest matters
Of earth and gveth the victory to the weak or to the
strong.
The conscription bill passed the House Of Representa-
ves Yesterday gned tits slated, Oy the tea
deut TODAY II is therefore the law Of the laud. The
success Of the measure has been hailed with transports
Of enthusiasm by the officers Of the army VINO declare
that il has saved the republic Out Of the military ser
vice however there have been very solemn regrets e1
pressed by thinking ct what they consider stretch
of the Constitution and an infringement OF Stale rights
omnOus OF future troubles. But these very men DO"
with to the necessity which constlhs sueu aC
ton accept it a. the only Of present salvation
and look q coming correction when this tyranny of
| circumstance shall be Overpsst.
close the design which has received their sanction
Your cOmpOst0I succeeded well in giving the device
of Co. PryOrs svOre flag, which sent you some time
ago that feel quits sure he viii b. abe display It in
the columns of the APPEAL will endeavOr1 however
describe il golden sun with thirteen rays, TO de-
the States blue union in red neld, the held
raversed from corner corner they say in her
sldry sal'irs0iss, by white cross The objection TO
the flag az it seems 70 me Is its want Of simplicity The
flag would have been much better think, without the
cross, that il say, golden blue union in
red field but this design submitted 10 the com
mittee by your correspondent his opinion may not be
considered altogether dsnteresed The flag chosen
the Offering of any candidate for the honors Of
the authorship of the national emblem, but was the
suit Of combining the satire Of Gen. JohnstOns
battle flag with the original design Of Dixie So far
Dixie is immortslized. large copy OF the flag has
been made bunting and should the report Of the com
mtee be adopted by Congress will float over the capitol
tomorrow.
We bave intelligence 10 day that four Yankee gun
boats have assembled the Rsppshannock river as high as
TappahaunOck IN the county OF Essex. We have had
no defenses on this bold stream other than small mud
work known Fort Lowry which was pronounced IN"
enabe and abandoned last week. Whether the guns were
removed thrown into the river left 70 fall into the
5uemy's hands l am not informed. Why the Kappa
hsnnock should have been eft dtenceess the Secre
tary Of the Navy must The press has been com
PEELED remain silent the subject for fear Of inviting
the Yankees to approach Richmond in this way. We
do net hear that any attempt has been made 70 land
body Of troops The village Of Tappabsnnock Will
probably be shelled by the gunboas and they VIII no
doubt maraudng parties ashore 70 plunder private
mansions OF which there many along the banks q
the river
Botts's examination makes slow progress. 4 member
Of the court said yesterday that udgng by what had
been done three days they might possibly get through
bv Christmas DlAlE.