Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-06-30
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE so, 1863.
GEN. DIX's ION TO RICHMOND"


on the Peninsula has been, in our opinion, a
fortunate circumstance. 1t has recalled the
thoughts of our people from the avocations of
trade and money-making to the real business
of every man during the continuance Of this
war, the defence of the city. As soon as it
was definitely ascertained that a Federal force
of any Importance had disembarked at the
White House, the citizens Of Richmond al
most to man, left business of every kind and
organized themselves into companies, battal-
ions, regiments and brigades, selected officers,
received arms and ammunition, ascertained
their places of rendezvous and their positions
in the defences of the city. The first real, ac
tual appearance of the enemy accomplished in
one day more than all the prociamations of the
authorities would have accomplished in a
month. A force'of from eightto ten thousand
fighting men has thus been added to the army
corps that now garrisons Richmond.
This was not the most service rendered the
Confederacy byithe opportune appearance of
General Dix. Brigades and divisions which
had been, as it were, lying around loose, have
been concentrated at Richmond, ready to
meet Dix, should he advance as well as to
follow quick upon his track should he attempt
cross march to Fredericksburg and Acqnia
Creek, on his way to reinforce Hooker.
The divisions that constitute the army
corps OF veteran soldiers for the garrison of
Richmond, are enurel to fatigue and fighting.
Victorious in many engagements over their
enemy, they will meet him again in the IA
nous fields of the Chickahominy and the Sew
ea Pines. should General Dix advance upon
the city. But of this We confess we have but
little fears The absence Of General Lees
army would seem TO invite the enemy 70 attack
Richmond its apparent deiencclcSs condi-
ton would make it appear easy to be
captured. But General Lee is well
known to the officers commanding the United
Stacs army his habit Of doing well all that
he has to do, as well as leaving undonc nothing
that will contribute to his full success. is per-
hapS better understood and appreciated by the
enemy than ourselves. Gen. Dix well knows
that Richmond would not be left dcfenccless,
even with the positive certainty Of the capture
of Washington city. The Importance Of Rich
moud to the Confedcracy is too well under
stood by the enemy for them to seriously be-
licve it left in Il detcnccless condition.
With these facts before us, we repeat, we
entertain very little fear of any serious advance
by Gen. pixupon the city. But wedo apprchcnd
an attempt to march across the country from the
White House to Aqua creek, or even by Cor
louisville aud Culpeper to Hooker's army. The
destruction Of the railroads and devastation of
the country would be inducemcnt enough to
take this route in reinforcing Hooker The
better TO cover this movement, Gen. Dix's rear
guard may be thrown out towards Richmond
rs far as the east bank of the Chickahominy,
while the main body ascends the Pamunkey
and seeks to break the Richmond and Frede-
ricksburg Railroad between the city and the
Junction. If successful in breaking hisrailroad,
Gen. Dix may think himself safe from pursuit
BY the garrison of Richmond, which being
still threatened by his rear guard, would not
leave the city, and thus he could ovcrpowcr
the troops stationed for the defence of the
railroads, and march Il. his leisure, devasta-
ting the country and destroying the railroads.
This we believe TO be the real meaning Of
tie landing at the White House, and the
march of the enemy's forces to that point
If we be right in our conjecture, how far
Gen. Dix may be successful remains to be
seen.
The army that now garrisons Richmond is
competent to meet the cncmy-nay more, to
advance towards Washington, and play an
important part in the capture of that place.
Cen Dix will he SO closely and vigilantly
watched as to be unable 10 dodge off in the
direction Of the upper Parnunkcy. His pres
cnt position is one Of safety; protected by
gunboatS, and contiguous to his transports.
ho will not, we presume. he attacked hy the
garrison of Richmond, though the military
lately organized by Brigadcr General Gusts
Lee is fully competent to defend the city il
the garrison should be sent to drive Dix to
his transports.
Without this opportune advance Of Gen.
Dix to the White House, the Confcdcracy
would have to-day from eight to ten thousand
less troops in service than now swell its
ranks. The patriotic rally of the citizens
has been beyond precedent even in this war.
The gay and happy boy. the man Of business.
the old men even. of the city, have nobly
stepped forward and enrolled themselves
Behind the excellent defcnces of Richmond.
with its thirtv-fve hundred trained artllcr-
lists of Col. Rhett, these citizens can hold the
city against Gen. Dix without the aid of the
army corps that has been assembled around
the city.
The garrison Of Richmond may, therefore,
be considered u splendid reserve for the army Of
Gen. Lee. 1t may, with safety, move on
Washington rs soon as Gen. Gusts Lee has
perfected his newly organized force in drill
and manual. The militia of Virginia, lately
called out by her Governor, will soon swellthe
ranks to eighteen or twenty thousand men.
Imagine the CONSERVATION at Washington
when the news that thirty thousand Confed
rates were approaching the city by the Warren
ton turnpike Hooker engaged in hunting up
Lee would be unable to detach Il force to meet
this new army, organized and modified by
Gen. rix's opportunc appearance at the White
House. We again urge all citizens and the
militia Of the State to hasten forward their Or
CARNATIONS. in order that the army corps now
around Richmond may take the field.
Il TOLD YOU So."-A correspondent Of the
New York World" who processes to have
travelled through Alabama, Georgia, South