Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-20
FROM FREDERICKSBURG.
special cg.re.pofd:nce Of the Richmond wlIs
FaEpERIcKsnrRe, April 18th, 1se

FREDERICKSBURG, April loth 1868.
To day is the anniversary Of the entrance of the Yam
KEGS into this ancient little city, On the 18th of April
1862 its streets were first polluted and its refined in
tesent and happy population nsulted by the tread and
presence Of the armed enemies Of their peace and lib
erty Our forces having retired, few days previous
in another direction, the Yankees under the command
of Gen. King, of Mellow ellis corps entered aud took
possession. Few, perhaps, then dreamed, much less
thought that this would be the thate of one of the
boodest and most decisive battles Of the war; and the
horrible accompaniment OF sack and lage. Although
another cycle commences It's tedious round of time we
are without for the cheering hope that ere
its compeiion the ruthless enemy still investing il OIL
one slde will have returned, baed in their designs. 10
their Cline and the exlled population OF FIedelicks-
burg whose cheeriunesS and patriotism sh the bright
or Under all their unequaed misiOrtuEes will be rein
stated in their peaceful homes and amidst the
| pleasant associations OF years past away.
The improved condition Of the roads aud thorough
fares rendering military operations practicable and par
tcularly the demonstrations Of lie cavalry recently
TS tAe passage Of the Rlppahannock a, one
| or more points, simultaneously. The late attempted
cavalry raids, Of which quadrate with
the accounts given by you, might have been
| intended 10 precede general advance,
and doubtless would have had they been successful
and not loed blythe ubiquitous Stuart and his gallant
cavalry always on the QUi rice, and turning W" where
they aie least expected-by the Yankees little over
four months have elapsed since tAe great battle and
the two armies still cycling each other from their
opposite positions and stirring has produced
ripple upon the smooth, unchsugBg current save the
recent fight and desuoTy diminishing at Key's Ford
If we may form opinion from appearances the enc
my have been moving up the river Tor several days-at
least their pckes have been withdrawn several miles
from their extreme left, in this direction aud long
wagon trains have moved daily in the direction of The
fords above which some construe the massing of
Il oops at some point most probably at United States or
Kellys or both train OF not less than one hundred
wagons apparently well freghted, observed to-
day going up moving at the sound of the bugle The
number OF men Immediately opposite to be con-
siderably less while there is no dimnution of tents
Balloon recounoissances, the flashing of signal lights
and other displays of pyIOtechnies of daily and
nightly occurrence, and regular these exhibit
tons that they have ceased to attract attention. save TO
amuse the picket, on his lonely watch at night
| Unless Hooker is moving up the river and mass
ing his troops point TO force passage further
up or changing his base, it is difficult lathom his de.
signs when we remember that time is aliInporant TO
hun in this crisis and the longer he delays, the
stronger and determined grow the Confederates
and the more powerful and ou,spoken the small peace
party in the North. Another circumsanc that rem
ders Lis Inactivity nexpicable, leaving out of consider
alton he evident general Generalization of his army,
is the fact that the War Department has determined
discharge twoyears men, and the term Of service OF
three hundred thousand in all expire next month, and
no step has been taken eff ort made to supply their
places and increase army 1t may be the object OF
the CONSUMPTION act to preveu the dsinegraon Of the
army but all that and read in Northern journals
about this measure is of organized resistance to its
forcement So far the ministerial officers for carrying
II into execution have not been appointed. As Gen.
eraln Chief keeps his own counsel and makes his
ports to the War Department, very prudenty and pro-
Derl am unable TO gratify the anxiety of those foii'
MS sRs or aa ruSte SUNSHINE the
~ hos become apparently settled and is balny and
nsns%vs Vegetation is putting forth rapidly and tl &C
| nj in CIR.
erald The recent rain has probably been source OF
more GOOD than injury to the dreadully rough roads,.
The Roahannock swollen several feet above the usual
water nsik is fast subsding into its usual channel
| lam psased TO observe, that considerable number
Of free lsgroes who hpye been yegetating here for
some tha doing nothing and realizing the dolce far
Ste of Lbs Negroes par Rdise, have been impressed by
| the Prorost Guard und er order from Gen. Banks
dale ami 5ut work repairing the streets and cleaning
the tow 1t is fine 3eld for these sable scavengers,
who weiea little taken by surprise when the order
given then but soon ell to work in earnest and have,
so far grlly improved TIE appearance of the streets
and confhted TO be health Of citizens and soldiers
BY remoVg not a little of the filth accumulated during
the visit lhe Yank pes before and after battle This,
with the sdtona noesome regulations to ceanli-
ness of peon and 40 arters cannot fail to preserve the
hitherto geral good health of the soldiers stationed
here
over two undred men of this brigade have protested
n change Oh cart and united themselves to different
branches de hurtb and the revival is protracted
with undilaish cd interest large numbers whenever
military reGfer aents permit, attending prayer meet
ines s'd daripitSe lay and PREACHING at night
finder afIspe nsaton fr am the Grand Lodge of Mis-
sisspp kb er of brothe of the Mystic Tie, in this
brigade, hep rganized oGge Of Masons, and hold
REGULAR mkdh gs at whicl, considerable numbers of
neI,;oners Thy to receive them have been initiated
INTO tie ms4 les of this tin e honored and most an
Gent of hdaap stitutions is said that lodges have
been organt'1 several brigat les of the army.