New Orleans daily crescent., 1862-05-03
NUMBER 81.
teumors of Great Battle the Virginia
Peninsula.

Inc cry was full OF rumors yesterday, of most
exciting Character, all tending to the belief that
great battle has been fought on the Virginia PENN
suia, to the complete overthrow of Gen. McClel-
lan's army. As yetwe have been unable to de-
rive any reliable information, and must leave the
public to obtain it az we hage entirely from street
report But that all Indication have of late pointed
to desperate struggle in that quarter, every one
believes, and in confirmation of Which we subjoin
the following article, of no late date however,
from the Richmond Examiner:
The attention of the public is unanimously hxed
upon that peninsula formed by the York and
James Rivers, over which the army of the United
States has long threatened to pass on the road to
Richmond. During the last two days, significant
events have tlanspred, the apparent presages of
battle which will be decisive of affairs in that
quarter. Although every particular is already
well known in every quarter of the United States,
the Southern public is, and may perhaps remain
many days, in the dark.
OF the movements and arrangements on the
Confederate side nothing can be said, and the in
ormation from the other may be briefly summed
1t will be recollected that the Northern forces
pursued neither the retreat of Johnston from Ma
nassas or that of Jackson from Winchester. Or
the contrary they. withdrew the forces first
advanced aud blocked the road between Stras
burg and Winchester. 1t was also known that the
camps at Washington had been rapidly diminished
scene. At the same time an unusual confidence
was expressed in the Northern journals that Rich
mond would now fall almost Immediately into the
hands of their generals. Then followed the daily
announcements Of fleets OF transports arriving in
Hampton Roads, and The vast extension of the
long line of tents at Newport News.
These were evident indications of an intention
in the enemy to abandon the project of the Rapi-
dan, and to make his great effort OF the Peninsula
| 1t is probable that the government at Richmond
| has sources of information more certain than the
deductions of reason certainly, if its spies are at
capacity manifested by those of the enemy, they
know exactly what to believe of the matter.
| At any rate, it is known that on Saturday tht
| enemy advanced on Magruder's lines in grea
| force both by land and by the river consider
able combat of artillery ensued, in which the Con
federates gained decided advantage, sunk one
| of their vessels and killed a number of men, witt
| small loss to themselves. On yesterday more i'm
portant events were expected, but nothing hap
| pened but some skirmishes. All that has takel
place up to the present moment is probably
| intended as a feeer." But if Magruder's posi-
ton is found assailable, there is doubt but tina
a battle of the largest kind will be immediatel
fought, which cannot fail to have serious e1ec
on the fortunes of the war.
We have for some months be compelled to en-
dure succession of gloomy incidents which hav
| severely taxed our forttude. A victory viii
change the whole face of affairs. If the ship Vir
ginia should show itself in time, and make goo
the promise made for her, it is indeed difficult t.
i see what escape is left for Mcclellan and his ar
| if he is beaten in the Peninsula.