Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-06
THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

We copy portion of the last letter of up. W. A.
the army Correspondent Of the Savannah Republican,
dated eupepsrGouFt House, Va, jelly 27tb, 1868 1t
viii be seen that the writer administer some wholesome
advice to skalkefs from the army 81
The passage Of the Bloc Ridge was not acCOmpIs ed
without difficulty II is reported that Benaipes and
LAWS brsadss, Of Hoods DIVISION Eongstreets corps
had pretty sharp engagement near Gaines Cross
Roads, 10 miles this side of ohester's Gap, curing
when th,J took two or three huUdred prisoners
aud killed. end wounded a considerable number oi the
enemys cAya ry. who had dsmouned and fought on
foot Their own loss is estimated at thirty. The two
brgades held the Cross Roads, the popt OF Intersection
of the roads leading through Ohesters and Manassas
Gaps until Hills corps had passed. when the latter re-
eved them end they reoned their division, how under
command Of Brig Gen. Law II ia not known with
certainty that tie enemy had any infantry present. but
il is well Ascertained that large cavalry force, mounted
a0d dsmounted, took par. in the engagement II may
be remarked 10 passing that the Federal cavalry have
displayed unwonged spirit of late and have come TO be
regards with respect than Infantry To say that
they are full match for Stuarts cayslfy, would be
hardly doing them justice.
Gen EWell was to 6ave crossed at Manassas Gap but
the enemy having been reported to be 10 the neghbor
hood in considerable force and it berg, for obvious
reasons part of his plan either to oppose accept
battle at that place. he is said 10 have passed up the
western base OF the mountains TO Luray, with the L.
terton of crossing at that point His ordnance train
has arrived aud hs corp expected to come up last
night this morning. 1t is rumored that sharp en-
gagemeut ersued at the Manassas pass between his ad
va ce and the Federal forces 10 which he successfully
dove them back with considerable loss; but deemngit
best under the circumstances as IL was not TO invite
conflict among the mountains, when, successful he
could make no pursuit. he took the longer but better
routeby Luray.
Thus far the enemy has made no demonstration in
our 'front.' and We do not hear of him any where this
side of Warrenton VIII he have the temerity to 10
dertake to advance upon Richmond at this late DAY
with an army which has already been twice beaten OF
Fredericksburg and which suffered heavier loss q.
Getty sburg than ever before? If be should then the
people of the Confederate States need haze apple
tensions as to the result IL is true, our ranks
have been decimated but the veterans WHO still re-
msin were never more willing to meet their sod ene
nv" as General Lee calls them. Iudeed, they rather
desir, 20 take appeal from the battle at Gettysburg,
and to have nill Of arms, where all the advan-
tAgss will not be on side To this end therefore, it
Is necessary that all absentees from the nmy whose
condition wi allow it, should rejon their respective
commands Immediately. 1t is said that the num-
Der absent from duty is very large. Many
of these doubtless are detained ut the hospitals or
their homes by wounds and sickness; but there are
others officers well privates whose wounds have
been healed aud whose health s good who manage 10
procure extension of their uroughs by one trick or
another and frequently through the mistaken kindness
of local physicians These men should return TO the
field without delay, aEd leave the whole burthen Of
the war to fad upon the shoulders OF their brave
rades who have fed the post Of duty, shrked
any trial privation however II enrolling eff
GERS will not arrest these skuikers and citizens will not
drive them from their hiding places by the finger Of
scorn, then let the WON n who are ready for every
good work. and whose patriotism and justice know
no bounds, take the matter in hand. A class who
has done much TO sustain the war-whose
willing fingers have clothed their brave defenders in
the field whose timely contributions and tender minis
rlons IN the hospitals and the wsyside haze cone
80 much TO relieve the sick and wounded, and whose
courage and constancy and selEdenil have inspired
every heart and nerved every arm-a class which las
already accomplished much, and accomplished
weH cinlot fail of ia the present instance if
they but 60 promptly TO work. No man cap bic of per-
forming his duty shun the field in this hour OF
prone trial without disgrscng himself and his posrity
aud endaogering the dear TO every lover OF lib
ery Instead Of abusing the farloaghs which have been
given them taking shelter in ntre bureaux and be-
hind frivol0u1 and unmanly excuses for exemption,
every able-bodied man who cannot better serve The
cause at home than in theSarmy should il priv
ilsge to come once TO G. field without watrg be
called and thus emulate the example OF the brave Flo
ridians, who haze sent more TO the than tie
number Of voters in the whole State.