The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-06-26
OUR ARMY BEFORE RICHMOND.


immense armies like those now lying before
Richmond, should remain SO long inactive.
This time last week 4 terrific battle was
fought on the left wing, but since its close,
on Sunday, nothing stirring has occurred.
Each army has remained unusually quiet
The beginning of the week vas occupied in
securing our advanced position on the left :;
the end Of it has been taken up with won
der at Halleck's glorious achievements in
the West, the news of which burst upon
US SO suddenly. Such qLietness is unnat
ural. 1t cannot last long, and seems
omlnous of what portends in the immediate
future. Even as l write the firing of
heavy guns short distance to the left, and
the bursting Of shells over the rebel bat
teries, with an occasional boom away in the
distance, seem to tell me that another
Sabbath will witness great battle, or,
perhaps, usher in that grand march which
will end in planting our flag on the enemy's
capitol.
Prospects Of an A1rqnce.-No. child's
play, however, is before US in on our on
slaught upon Richmond. The Federal left
and centre are already across the Cbicka-
hominy, but the ri ght still has to make the
passage. A swamp, hundreds Of yards
wide, passable in but two or three places,
and those right under the enemys guns, is
the first obstacle to be surmounted. The
left and centres have already done this.
Then there is range of hills, the tops of
which are fringed with woods, in which are
concealed the enemy's batteries. In front
Of these woods series of open fields upon
the hIllsides, fully mile across, every inch
of which can be raked with rebel rifles and
rebel cannon, and the roads and paths
through which are guarded by all sorts of
pitfalls, torpedocs, and other unmanly de-
fences, form the second difficulty, if posi-
bic, greater than the first. Then if the
bills be mounted and the rebel position be
in our possession, we look down upon
Richmond, to be sure, but between that
goal and our standpoint We see-what "a
series of entrenchwenss and forts, built By
skillful engineers, planned by traitors,
whose wits are sharpencd by long course
Of intrigue and treason, and manned by a
foe goaded on BY desperation. This is
the prospect before US. Such difficulties
as these will have to be overcome before we
can enter Richmond as victors. / cannot
believe. after visiting the entertainments
and batteries exposed in front of the rebel
position, that Richmond will be ingloriously
evacuated. A sanguinary battle, to which
last Sundays fight is nothing, will ye.
strew the banks Of the Chickahominy with
dead aud wounded, aud will seal the day of
our entrance to tue capital as forever after
day Of mourning.
Obstacles to be Surmounted.-With such
dangers before him, General Mcclellan can
scarcely be blamed for proceeding cautious
Iy. His advance up the peninsula was
exceedingly rapid. Now be has his army
in position right before the enemy's works,
and they are fairly besiegcd. He cannot,
unopposed, advance foot further. The
enemy have retreated to the end Of their
tetber; now they stand at bay. Every
indication of movement on our part is
signal for rebel shells to come whistliug
about our ears. If passing regiment is
espied crossing hill or moving through
the trees, thick and fast fail their death
dealing messengers all around it. They
are on the alert. There are to be no more
iDglorious retreats or cowardly excavations.
Every foot of the road to Richmond is to
be most hotly contested
But commenced BY indicating that so
long calm rortended storm, and that,
too, very soon. My omens are others than
localities. Every moment or two heavy
shell can be heard bursting over the ene-
my's works, being thrown from the left
centre of our position. Heavy artillery,
in great force, are being sent, under cover
of the night, to the front, where they are
rapidly ranged and masked. The pickets,
to night, are posted closer than ever, and
signal stations arc made at many secluded
spots within hail Of the rebel scouts. Ber-
dams celebrated sharpshootcrs are dcployed
in the fields and swamps up to the very
banks of the river, and lay down amongst
the rank grass and mud in the most inac
cessible places. They crawlcd up to their
posts early this morning, and many had to
construct rude bridges to facilitate the
crossing of the most detestible swamp. All
day they have been picking off rebel prowl-
ers on the opposite hills, and keeping a
most vigilant watch.
Preparations for the Coming Conflict.
Within the picket lines everything
seems to be conducted with equal care
Every regiment is in readiness to move at
the shortest notice. Toni ght all fires are
extinguished, and every indication which
would ;ell the enemy our position, strength
or movement, is carefully suppressed. Ex-
cepting the orders to move forward, every.
thing tells US of great battle Tomorrow,
or soon after. The troops are all ready
and eager for the fray. Their muskets