The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-08-31
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
ARMY NORTHERN VIReISIA,

ARMY NORTHERN VIReISIA,
August %, 1863.
Since my Last, no demonstration has been
made by the enemy's cavalry, save the cross
ing at Eliis's Ford Of about four hundred,
who came with their side arms only. The
object OF the visit, il appears, was to secure
number of cattle belonging to a citizen,
who, it is alleged, had removed from his
place ot residence on this side of the river,
with all his goods and chattels, to within the
Yankee lines. The expedition ended In a
failure, and the capture Of Several prisoners
by Us.
The gallant Mosby Is understood to be
again In the saddle, and his success cannot
be doubted.
Beyond this, the most perfect stagnation
Continues 10 prevail on bosh sides. In our
own camps, however, drills, Inspections, aud
reviews, are Of daily aud weekly occurrence,
which furnish q pleasant relief from the mo-
notony Of camp life. During the present
week Gen. 4. P. Hill has reviewed the
veterans Of Anderr on's, Heth's, and vii.
cox's divisions. The respective bri-
gades were in excellent condition, cnd
presented an imposing Illustration OF
the .s'pomp and circumstance Of glorious
war" These occasions are largely at
tended by both seIes-especialiy BY the
fair sex, who grace and euliven the scene BY
their presence. On the authority of an AS
sistant 1nspector-General Of Gen. Lees Stat,
whose weekly rounds Of the army afford that
scrutinizing officer ample opportunities for
Knowing, the whole army Was never at any
period Of the war In better condition or
fighting trim than at the present junctIre.
Well shod, clothed, and fed, and always in
most exubcrnnt spirits, they could not be
otherwise. The camps are eligibly situated
and regularly policed, and particular atten-
ton given to measures for the preservation
of health. As an illustration of the present
healthful condition Of the army, only about
sent to the hospitals, whereas formerly there
were five or ten times as many, perhaps, from
each corps.
The commissariat is ample, and TO each
man is daily issued one pound of beef or
bacon, one and quarter pounds of -four or
meal, peas, rice, salt, &C., in proportion. In
come brigades there are regular Issues Of IA
tlons Of green corn, and good facilities for
obtaining other vegetables Of the season,
which the surrounding country affords In
abundance
The beneficial effects of the late order from
Gen. Lee, granting fiirloughs to two Of every
hundred men and brief leaves of absence to
officers, are visible in the spirit Of content
ment that prevails and the less frequent oc-
currence Of deseriions, from which the best
army ever organized, under any circum-
stances, was never free to some extent. The
trains continue 10 bring in return numbers
OF eonvalescent sick and wounded, who are
promptly returning to their posts.
What If Charleston should fall "a cOnse-
fncnce by no means necessary or very proba-
ble--or what If no ray pieyces the cloud in
the East, bringing hope Of foreign recogni-
ton or interference? We Can still carve our
own way with the sword to independence,
and lay the foundation of the true Southern
policy for which this revolution was inaugn-
rated. The sooner we make up our minds
to this the better. Ifthere exists any ground
to fear the decentralization Of our armies it is
from the dependency and periodical croal-
ings of those not in the service, who have
not yet learned TO appreciate the wonderful
patriotism that animates the most unpre-
tending private In the ranks amidst all the
privatiOns and dangers of the march and tue
battlefield.
Gen. C. NJ. Wilcox, lately promoted Major
General, has been assigned TO the command
Of the division of the late Gen. Pender; Col.
h. &. Humphreys, of the 2lst Mississippi
regiment, lately made Brigader, has been
assigned to the command OF the brigade. OF
the late Gen. Barksdale Both are superior
men and officers, and, as some regard il
sine q.ta uon, both We're educated ut West
Point.
Col. Lomax, of the llth regiment Virginia
cavalry has been prOINoted Brigadier, and
is in temporary command of the brigade OF
Gen Jones, now under arrest and on trial
before Court Martial on charges growing
out Ofthe late General Order reducing trans
portation. Major A. G. PendletoH, former.
iy Adiutant General OF Gen. Jackson's corps,
and now of Gen Ewells, has been made
Lieutenant Colonei, o deserved promotion.
1t Ia the general belize, aud my own Opin-
ion, that Brig -Geu. A. X. Wright has been
acquitted Of the charges preferred against
him, which purported TO have originated out
OF the order reducing the transportation OF
the army. Without recapitnlatiDg the facts,
! would state that the charges are trivial
and were not sustained by the evidence. The
whole case was "a tempest in Q teapot"