Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-05-09
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RICHMOND, Nay 2, 1868.
The public mind is occupied wholly with the
stirring events on the liue Of the Rapidan.
The crossing below Fredericksburg turns out to
have been 8 feini, IS was supposed, the main
body Of Hookor's army having crossed the
Rappahannock at Ely's and The o, S, fords, and
the Rspidan ct Gsrmanna mills, and moved
down tho Fredericksburg plank road in tho di-
rsetion Of Chancelorsvills toward Fredericks-
burg. The arny Of Cen Lee was turned upon
its .sh. resting upon s~potsylvanis Court House
As q pivot, and the two extended lines were, az
lest accounts, confronting each other near
Charlottesville, the plank road running thro'
aud nearly dividing each line. a sharp skiTl
mish was fought day before yesterday between
The enemy's ssvanes guard and the brigade
of General Malone, in which the Yankees
were repulsed with considerable loss
Our casualties were uncomfortable and the
wounded have already been brought to the gity.
We have startling rumors to-day. 1t Is said
that portion Of Jaokson's command mEde a
night attack last night upon a Federal cslumn
moving up the R~appahsnnoek, and cut it to
pieees. We hssr also that a body Of the Fede-
raj cavalry, four thousand strong, has come
down uuon Lonisa Court House. on the Central
railroad, sixty-two miles from Richmond, burn
ed the railroad dspots aud sheds, and torn up
the track for the distance of four miles. This
ia considered authentic, as the train which left
Richmond this morning, went no farther than
Frederick's Hall, twelve miles this side of
Louiss Courthouse. and returned to the city
It is certain also that the telegraphie com
mupication is interrupted between Che Office at
this eitv and G~ordonsvile. Still the accounts
NAV be exaggerated. It is now thought that
the general engagement cannot be delayed
longer than to-morrow-peThaps it may COM
mspce this afternoon. The weather. is fsvOrabk,
and Hooker cannot afford to defer his fight with
two strea in his rear which any suddau ran
NAV cause to overflow their hanks. TIE prob
abilities ere that you viii hear the result of tR
great conflict, before this letter, creeping slovlT
to Jackson by tie railway, shall reach the ohel
Of the APPEAL.
Congress Adjourned sine die last night at 10
O'Clock. The last bin signed by the President
was one providing for the election Of members
Of Congress in the State Of Tennessee. This
morning the greater part of the members Of
both houses dispersed to their homes. a few
whose homes are in the hands Of the Yankees,
yet remain in town.
The telegraph announces the capture Of the
infamous McNiel, which has been heard with
the Hveliest satisfaction. The wretch will at
last pay the penalty of his crimes, if the dis.
patch is not without foundation
In spite of the enemy's advance, the elections
are beginning to excite IN unwOnted degree Of
interest in Virginia. In almost every Con
gressionsl district an animated contest IS going
on. In the Petersburg district, Collier, the late
member, Is opposed by Judge Ghoson in the
Northern Neck, M R H Garnett has a sharp
competitor in Lieut.Gov. Montague; Governor
Lstcher is trying to turn out Mr.. Baldwin, of
Augusta Fsyette MeMullen, in the extreme
southwest, is covetoas Of the seat now
filed by Walter Preston Mr.. Boteler, Of
Jefferson, hiss q contestant in Colonel Halliday,
who is a wounded hero, and Mt. Dejoinette,
who represents the Caroline and Culpepper dis
trict, finds himself earnestly pushed by James
Barbour, one of the most prominent Of the young
politicians Of Virginia. This struggle for Office
and places Of Prefernsnt reflects little credit
upon the old State at tho present moment
Especially does it look strange to see both Gov
eruor and Lieut. Governor going into the ring
for future bonors while their term of office has
eight months yet TO run.
The weather is glorious to-day. Tho city is
Just beginning to put on its robes Of bravery al d
beauty, its sweet coronsl Of flowers, and if
lighting Joe Hooker is to get here, he will zee
Richmond in its l~oveliest aspect Bat the town
will not look so well, perhaps, from the win
lows Of the Libby Prison. DIXIE.