, 1863-02-16
FROM THE POTOMAC ARMY.


KING GEORGE c. a., Feb. 7, 1853.
Since Christmas. the stl. Illinois cavalry
have manned the picket lines from the Kappa
hammock to the Potomac, across King George
county.
The criminal negligence Of the stll Pennsyl-
yania, {for which al Of its officers are now
undergoing court-ma.tIa1, ,)has been exchanged
for the most strict discipline since Col. GAM
bic took command Of the lines, as much to
the disgust Of the inhabitants as to the safety
Of lis command and tho peace Of the army.
AN EXPEDITION.
Since the sth Illinois have been on picket,
nothing has occurred to break the quiet along
the southern borders of the army Of the Poto-
mae, except the occasional arrest Of some
restless citizeng or wandering negro, until
within a week. On Friday, Jan. S0th, is a
party Of I've. men from company 4, IN charge
Of Sergeant were returning from 4 foraging
expedition for cattle, nine armed men, dressed
in gray, suddenly rose from behind the way
ing their pices, shouted: We've got you
-surrender!'' The party had all passcd,
except the Sergeant, who was riding behind:
'Go to hell" he answered." gire me that
carbine," and, snatching one from the nearest
man, lie let Them have its contents. The
gucrislas fired 4 yolley, wounding two Of our
men severely. wlen the Sergeant, sending
two men he had left, upon tho nine "gray-
baeks,'' who turned and fled. After firing
several shots, our men returned. Major
,Beycridge Immediately followed tho guerillas,
lit was afterwards ascertaincd that they were
citizens, headed by 4 rebel buttcrnut,) and
succeeded in tracing thcm to houses near our
lines.
Three equadrons of the Sth New York cav
airy were ordered to report to Major Bcycr-
idgc of the Sth Illinois, at daylight next
morning, and with these and his own reserve,
he spent Saturday and Sunday in securing the
country between the Potomac and Rappahan-
nock for twenty miles below our lines. One
squadron went to the cast by Westmoreland
Court Housc-another i little farther West,
while Major Beyerldgc secuted near tie Rap
rahannock, going as far as Leeds Oh that riy-
or, fifteen miles below King George Court
sent III for trial. at Leeds rebel sutler WAS
taken, with valuable load Of YaDkec No.
tions-just such things rs the rebels arc most
in need of-which Lr had succeeded III smug-
Cling across the Potomac and thus fur toward
rclcldom.
Two other suffers were taken on their way
! to the Potomac, and letter Intercepted from
4 rebel Lieutenant to his 'deer Mary Janc,'
saying that four Of them had met 4 dozen
Yanks, killed them and got away saft-a good
sample Of Southern rcports:
From information gained it is believed thai
| large quantities of the less bulky ar.iclcs o1
! clothing, etc, are constantly being s1nugglcd
over tic Potomac and the country below ou1
lines to the rebels.
| JAcKsoS's AHstr GONE.
! There are evidently no bodies of rebel
soldiery bctwccn the Kappalannock and Po
tonne, though within tile last few weeks large
| numbers have secretly crossed the river tt
| visit their families before leaving for Nortt
Cal olina, and several have been taken withir
our lines.
The rebel pickets along the Rappahannocl
have been much weakened within 4 few
weeks. ,Jackson's army has disappeared from
the vicinity Of The river, and it is certain that
rebs have Il stranEc facility for moving troops
at times when The *sgand army'T with al
the aid that Northern money can give, stick
in The mud.)
TEE WEATHER.
Sinceth last attempt Of forward move
| nlent, it has rained or showed with only NJ
occasional ray Of sunshine, and the roads 1r'
in an almost impossible condition.
TIE CONDITION or THE ARMY.
| We believe that its material is as good a
that ofany army the world ever s;,W why /
cannot be handled, is a mystery to US. But ]
you could hear the curses that run through
this army, against politicians, it would not bt
The only thing that can dishcartcn o.
temoralizc the army, which its late reverse
most aesurcdly have not done, is the belle
that they are engaged in politicians waran
not t1scir country's cause. Notwithstanding
the fact that the New York Herall is til: onl
paper which ever openly finds It's way here
the esprit dn corps, tho undercurrcnt wlic'
peryalcs the whole T.nk aul file Of this arm
Of the Pot onac, Is most strongly and reso
1utely against any peace, except that wlicl
1ley conquer, upon terms which they dictate
TAsEswoKTi'S BRIGADE.
Some time since, the Chicago TRIBUNE sue
gcsted tLat FarnsNorth's brigade be trans
fe,red to the West. While there is any worl
to do, We arc happy to remain and share wit
Our Eastern bTothcrs-iu-arms, to whom com
| mon hardshiPs and dangers, and many proof
Of their patriotismand courage, hare endcare
us. But this is 4 fighting brigade; the TRIMS
ference has long been talked Of by its mem
bers, and with the prospect Of a long seaso
Of necessary inactivity here, it seems to b
generally and earnestly wished. XYz.