Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-08-28
Northern News.

Late Northern newspapers received at Richmond,
Va, contain the following:
WASBINGroy. August 81, 1SG3.-Information is
current mere that Lees army has been moving off
from our front upon the Central railroad to Rich
mono mono. out otncers arriving here tonight whose
going on, assert that no such intelligence IS IA rs
possession of our commanding Generals.
Lee is undoubtedly upon the Rapidan and Rap
pahannock. His picketS are extended from the up
per RappahannOck along that river to Fredercks-
burg, and the region about Potomac creek is infest-
ed with rebel cavalry.
Everything indicates that the enemy intends to
remain in his present locality, unless move
ments should neceSState a change OF base; and it
is not impossible that the next battle may be fought
upon that river. Indeed, it is apprehended that
Lee will assume the offensive rather than retreat
and many expect an attack from him at an early
date. Preparations for such an emergency now
being made.
have information from three different sources,
which leads me To believe that the rebels have left
our front and gone South to Richmond.
DeserterS who came across the Rappahannock
say that the movement of troops towards Freder-
icksburg from Cupepper was only ruSe to cover
Lees real object. e., to enable him to move his
troops southwark by way of GordOnsve.
Day before yesterday large bodies of rebel caval-
~ dashed down towards the Rappahannock at the
separate fordS driving in our pcketS. They came
boldly out in sight of our lines and deployed in fine
line of battle order. Immediately all the corps
along the river were put under arms, in which po-
sition they remained until morning, when, behold
the enemy had withdrawn.
A cavalry reconnaissance was then made. which
went as far as Culpeper, but found no enemy; but
the contrary, obtained such information as leads
to the belief that the whole rebel force has gone in
the direction of Gordonsvie. The reason for my
belief am not at liberty to give.
Adverting to recent reported movements of the
Army of the Potomac, the Washington Star says:
Lee would doubtless endeavor to strike a blow
if he thought he could do effectively His abili-
ty to that end IS however, too doubtful to Justify
the attempt, we apprehend. Most of the changes
that have recently taken place in the locations Of
some OF the troops composing Meade's army, have
been for temporary purposes only; others for sani-
tarY reasons. No such change has been made either
in the number or positions of our troops there as
otter Lee Inducements tn risk his force east of the
Rappahannock.
The drafting has already so added to the strength
of our army, as that he would probably find him
self materially outnumbered Notwithstanding more
or less of Meade's command said by some Of the
newspapers to be at New York, and in the vicinity
of Charleston. The truth is, as those matters
have been very properly managed of late, no news.
paper men know what the strength of our army
there is the passing toandfro of troops being much
greater now than usual. Judging from what We
have seen, it is hard to tell whether more have come
down the railroad than have gone up since Mead
reached the RappahOnnock.
We state these facts that the public my under
stand that the military necessities in this quarter
closely attended to by tue authorities those
elsewhere. -#t
We have reliable information to-day, satisfying
US that Lees army is daily decreasing in Strength,
the number of desertious from it outnumbaing the
conscripts daily joining it. At no previous period
of the war has there been SO great disposition
manifested to desert from it All his dcseY ers who
come this way tell the same tale. They number
now four or five times as many as ever beliIe, and
by far the greater portion of them are. natVes.-
They unite IN declaring that nine tenths # those
who are now deserting Lee make for their tespec
tive homes, instead of coming this way They
also all say that the feeling that the ebe cause is
lost is universal in the rebel army of virginia
The number of United States negro trIops actual
ly in the field, is between twenty two hd twenty.
three thousand Fifty additional e5ments are