Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-07-31
sKIRMIsH BELOW RICHMOND.

From late batch OF southern papers we CLEAN
the following; ...a..-.s.----zl
The Augusta (Ga.) Coassitxtionali,t berates
Gen. Magruder and other Confederate generals
for drunkenness during the late battles before
Richmond, whereby the Confederate soldiers
were needlessly mastered.
The anniversary Of the battle Of Manassas was
celebrated on the 21st inst at various points in
the Confederate States.
Gen Bell the Federal commandant Of st. Au.
gustine, Fla Is abused In the Confederate pagers
for requiring the citizens Of that place to take the
oath Of allegiance to the United States Govern
ment or vamose.
The Richmond Dispatch says Of Gen. MeClel-
lan's sentiments:
1--WE learn that duTing the last week the yam
KEGS visited, on marauding expedition, Eppes
Island, the plantation Of DR.. Peter Eppes, and
carried of sixty-two negroes and all Of the per-
sonal property on the place. They stated that
they were acting under direct orders from Nc
Clellan: This is by no means the first instance
In which this general has given evidence that his
sentiments have undergone a marked change
since he issued his first order at Grafton, Va, en-
joining his soldieTy, under severe penalties, to
pie Of the country that tzey came as friends and
not as enemiss."s,
Through the Richmond papers we have the
following dispatch:
MOBILE, july 25-A special dispatch 10 the
Advertiser and Register, dated at Jackson, 2sth,
saws:
II 10 reported that the lower Union feet, with
transp rts, went below lait night. Great commo-
ton was observed In the upper feet this morning.
II Is also reported that large Union force Is en-
barking atMenphis: supposed to be dssigned for
a land attack upon Vicksburg.
VIcKsBuRG, July % About AZ O'Clock this
morning two iron rams engaged the Arkansas
An attempt was made by the Essex to board her,
but the result was miserable failure A shot
through one of her port holes killed and wounded
six or seven on the Arkansas. The second ram,
10 be the Monarch, turned tail In badly
crippled condition. The weather Ii dreadfully
hot.
GRENADA, July ga portion of CurtII army
has left Helena for some point below, probably
ViCkBburg. .-l....
=, The Richmond Dispatch says:
We learn that on Wednesday, between and 3
O'Clock p. m, considerable skirnish occurred
rear Ladd's Store. IL miles below Richmond,
between the 4th Virginia cavalry and a large
cavalry force Of the enemy. The gunboats are
said TO have fred two shells during the skirmish.
We have been unable to obtain any particulars
Persons who came from the upper end of
Charles City county last evening report that the
enemy Is engaged obstructing the river several
miles below Drury's Bluff. Ii the Yankees be-
lieve the accounts which their papers publish Of
d terrible iron clad monster, which they say Is
soon 70 descend from Richmond upon their feet,
there may possibly be some truth in the rumor,
though we think ii likely that what was thought
by distant observers TO be attempstO Obstru ct the
channel was nothing more than efforts to get
afoat some gunboats or transports that had
grounded on Harrison's bar.
The enemys pickets extend to the Long Bridge
and to the Forge Bridge, on the ChickahOminy,
to the north and cas-. Of their position at Berkeley
and MISSIONER. -'t
GENERAL PoPE.
An officer OF BTagg's army stated to US, when
he hos I'd ~ l1g tPRn IN MT In
rnand IN Yankee forces in the Piedmont and
Potomac regions, that be was a very bold and
audacious commander, and would surprise US by
unexpected enter prises, unless we were very Wig
liant But he also said that his plans were not
well conceived or judicious, and that he would
expose himself to heavy chastisement and disas-
Ter If our Opposing General should be on the
alert.
Pope seems to be verifying the account thus
gi-en Of him. he has made number Of auda-
oious demonstrations against our railroad 10 Cor
louisville. His troops have also displayed much
activity, though, indie to but little purpose, In
tie counties around Culpepper. Let now our
commanders show themselves skillf i In availipg
or the chances which their brother Cttcer says
Pope will abundantIy afford. He has come into
Virginia with the furious denunciations and I'M
petuOsity of madman. Let our cool and astute
and energetic leaders, end their brave troops,
catch him and put him in a straight jacket
htchnlOad kaQKtTsT, 20tt.
THE CANAL AT vIcKsBURe.
We learn by gentleman 4 ON Vicksburg that
the attempt Of GiBcOln's army OF dsggeTS TO draw
OF The M ississippi from Vicksburg, by cutting
for 1t channel, eXcites very little soicitude
there. The task IL one Of great tfheulty, and
will require long time to make IL succeisful.
In all the enterprises for Strengthening the river
n eie by the citizens OF the lower Mississippi, 1t
II 10 found that, after cutting through few feet
OF sand, blue clay Is entert d upon, which is 20
exceedingly tough as to require blasting to re-
move Il; and unless the nsw channel IL cut very
deep, It 10 speedily choked and filled up with
dirt, wood, sand, &C. Perhaps Lincoln's dig
gers will be as innocently occupied In digging
In front Of Ficksburg as if they were at home
with their mammas.-RiehmOsS EnqEpsJ, 26th.
The Richmond papers give grandiloauent ac.
counts Of the Railway Merrimac, an iron-clad
battery, mounted On seven sets Of wheels and pro-
PEELED by an ordinary locomotive, and which, II
we may credit the rebel journals, did consider
able execution in the recent battles. Several re-
leased prisoners have reported the fact Of such
battery being seen near Richmond. but this 10 the
first account Of her movements we have vet seen
recorded. Our belief In her efficiency, however,
is by no means increased by the statement that
one Of its shells killed and wounded one hundred
men and thirty horses.