, 1863-01-03

HEADQUARTERS RIGHT GRAND DIVISION,
December %, 1902.
The movements Of Gen. Lee are still a puz.
zle to us ALL Col Wm. s. Teall Of Gen: Sum-
ner's stnff. again made balloon reconnois-
sance to the hight Of 500 feet, and reported
were removing all their heavy guns from the
first line Of entrcncAments, and that there
were many indications Of retreat. The sig
nal corps also make the same report. Long
trsslns Of our own wagons captured from us
on the Peninsula, or Of those made afler the
Eanlc fashion, were seen moving of with ap-
parently hcavy loads in the direction Of Bowl
ling Green and Chimney Station.
Whether all this activity Is intended Us
feint to corer bold attack in some other
quarter, OF whether Gen Lee designs to draw
nearer to Richmond and abandon this very
strong line, time alone will determine.
But If Gen. Lees movements are Q mystery,
no less SO are those Of Gen. Burnside.
It seems to be generally understood that we
there arc no more indications Of it than there
were month before the battle Of Fredcricks-
burg. And yet, what arc we to do9 This
qucssapn almost every one In the army asks
him seih daily, and then makes the same inter
rogatQrE to every one he meets.
Of one thing, however, VIC all seem to be
certain; and that is, that the Rappahannock
will not agnin be crossed in front Of Fredcr-
icksburg SO long as there is a rebel battery in
position to dispute the passage. The pom
toons, about which SO much has been said of
late all over the land, hnye been in motion for
the past few dnys, and there is much that ID
Te1y significant in their movements. Where
- not know.
The fields being dry aud hard, the roads in
admirable condition, and the weather warm
and June-like, Generals commanding divis-
ions and brfgades are busy drilling our troops
III the larger movements Of the battlefield.
General Summers grand division are almost
daily to bc seen by brigadcs and divisions go-
ing through the most difficult and complica-
ted maneuyers. To look at this splendid
9ody Of men, 50 strong, 50 intelligent, SO well
full glass at the signal station and bring the
ragged rebel crew to within a few feet Of you
while they too are passing through the same
mancuvers it is difficult TO understand why
we arc not IN every engagement able to shake
the Life out Of them. Good clothes, to be
sure, DO not make the man nor yet the SOL
dier, but strong bodies, full stomaclts, intell-
gent minds and reverence for those to author
tty have much to do with it, and in those re-.
spects, with perhaps tile exception Of the lat
ter, tue national army las not its superior on
the f;lce Of the earth. With all these great
advantages, if VIC cannot subdue this rebellion
We deserve to be the tsMudsills'' Of the civil.
lied world, and we probably will be If VIC do
not accomplish that end.
The gunboats have disappeared from the VI
cinfty Of Port Royal, and arc scattered along
the Potomac from Belle Plain to Washington.
General Burnside having been again sum
moned to Washington to consult with the
higher authorities, General Sumner is In com
mand Of the army Of The Potomac
The report Of the Committee on the Con-
duct Of The War, as it is being read by the Off
GERS and soldiers Of the army, produces an
excellent effect. We hear less anintelligcnt
cursing, and more that is legitimate and sa-
vors Of righteous indignation. N, r.