Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-20
FROM FREDERICKSBURG.
Icorre.pOndenee Of the Richmond Wing. ]


FREDERICKSBURG, Feb. II, 1863
We have had the luxury of all varieties of winter
within the past week-seet frequent rains and finally
heavy snow storm, which, from the quantity the
ground early this morning. must have begun at
one of the "wee sma hours ayant the twal" and con
tinued without ntermssion during the day. 1t is dis
solving rapidly and the already bad roads bid fair ere
long TO be without any bottom, especially portions be
tween Fredericksburg and Hamton's Crossing From
the impatience with which Hookers pckets pace the
rounds on the river bank the storm has contributed
much to reconcile them to the Quixotic enterprise in
which they are involuhtariy engaged
Yesterday Gen Patrick, Provost Marshal when this
place was occupied by the Yankees last summer, came
over under flag of TO have interview with Gen
Barksdale and the Mayor. but for what object has
TRANSFERRED. While dschargng his functions in the
town in the summer, no cause OF complaint given
save the presence of Yankees aud private property
scrupuousy respected under his ORDERS but subsequent
events seemed TO have transformed him iHto the brute
his personal appearance beokens and when remonstrai
ted with ~ citizens, against the wanton destruction Of
their property when the Yankees crossed in De-
cember answered that circumstances had changed and
coldy refused his interference 70 stop it. In the same
boat came over Rev. Mr.. Landseet, Chaplain of stu
arts Cavalry; who taken prisoner at Middleburg.
Owing to nformaity which it was requisite TO OBJ
serve he was compelled 10 return to the Stafford side
TO spend another day and night with the people among
whom he had been in durance vile" He sent
over 10 our INES late TINS AFTERNOON 10 relnal
To-day the officer from the other side. though de-
siros of exchanging papers compelled to decline
he said by reason of positive order to that effect
This seems 10 be of the leaves turned over BY
General Hooker since he assumed command and which
he doubtless believes essential part Of his programme
TO retrieve the failures of his predecessorsunless IL
means nothing more than studied effort 10 conceal
the progress Of political events at the North and North
west
Az you have already learned portion of the Federal
sr1uy have been withdrawn from the Rappahannock,
while very considerable body no doubt still remain in
our front or we are much deceived in Appearances
The troops reembarked evidently those reported to
have RECENTLY landed the Peninsula and Souhsde Of
the James trustworthy lady, who arrived here yes
terday reports that wilderness Of Yankee tents may
still be seen several miles up the river in the vicinity OF
Banks Ford. What may be the opinion OF our Com
mander.in-Chef regarding the enemys movements, is
unknown to correspondents Were IL otherwise, 1t
should not appear in the printed column.
The duration of the war is here well elsewhere
fruitful theme of speculation. Both sides no doubt
earnestly desire peace and this convinced that
war stripped of its gaudy rappings and the false glare
which interest or ambition have thrown around it. is
the most terrible scourge that can afct any nation
Occasionally events reveal gleAm OF hope but regu-
lar reading of the organs of Northern sentiment for
weeks past induces the relief that we may as well pre-
mare ourselves for continuance OF this connc at least
until LincoIn's mantle deseends to other shoulders
The reported dIsafection in the Northwest may be
but the Trojan horse in one of its Protean forms
7Smeo Danaos ct dond erentsS" That insidous hebdo
medal "Harper's Weekly" contains most sangunary
editorial last ISSUE Ii urges that the Yankees and
Southrons are ia all respects two distinct peoples and
cannot exist under the government or under dit
erenG governments with contiguous boundaries and
that the only permanent solution Of present dicnluea