Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-03
rROM rHE ARMY OF Tue POTOMAC.

despatch from the Army Of the Potomac dated
29tb, says;
This army to-day occupies practically the same line
that it did months ago. The recent active move
ments will be necessarily followed by period Of COM
parative inaction during which it will be recruited and
recuperated.
The most supendous blunder of the war is still the
common topic among all grades for all firmly believe
that had Lee been attacked on the Sunday previous 70
his commencing TO recross the Potomac the rebellion
to-day would have been q. an end.
For the next mouth the cavalry will do most Of the
fighting,
As have before stated Longstreets and Hills COM
msnds after passing through Thorntons-not Chester
Gap have encamped between Cupeper and Gordons-
vile. Ewels command covered their rear and flank by
guarding the Blue Ridge passes The bulk OF this corps
is now moving down the Valley, and detachments
threaten our lines Yesterday morning at o'clock our
pckets driven in Amissvile, and the ndica-
tons to-day are that ouposts are liable TO be forced
in any moment by superior deaohments of the rebels
There is bat little sickness aud the men are more
li5ersy supplied with rRtions than ever before. This,
taken with the recent Union successes create general
good feeling in the army.
A large number of officers have recently been de-
tlched 10 bring on drafted men.
INTERCEPTED DEsPATCHEs-LETrERs FROM TIE PRESIDENT
AND GIN. COOPER TO GEN. LEE.
The following dispatches, alleged to have been cap
tured by the Yankee scouts about the time Of the bat
tie of Gettysburg, are publ he'd in the Yankee papers
ApJUTANr GENERALS OFFICE,
Richmond, June IS 1868. !
General While With the President last evening,
received your letter of the 2Sd instant After reaung
il to the President he embarrassed to understand
that part of it which refers TO the plan of assembling
army Cupeper court House under Gen. Beauregard.
This is the first ntimaon that he has had that such
plan ever in contemplation, and, taking all things
into consideration he cannot see how 1t can, by any
possibility, be carried into effect.
You will doubtless leGrn before this reaches you that
the enemy has again assembled in force the PENN.
sula, estimated between 900 aud 10000 men, from
5000 to 10000 of whom reported to be in the vi
ciny of the hite House and the remainder at York
town. 1t Is impossible to say whether the estimated
number is correct as the several accouns vary and
not regarded altogether Trustworthy; but the
estimate making due allowance for errors, is quite
near enough TO safety the most incredulous
that he is in this vicinity in sufficient force
In cavalry, artillery and infantry to do much
harm whether bis purpose be TO make demon.
stration on Richmond, or to confne himself to raids
10 breaking your communications and devastating the
country. His efforts In the last may prove
successful than the 6rst il may judge by what took
place Hanover only two days ago, when about 900
or 200 OF his cavalry suddenly appeared there, and
did some execution in breaking the railroad and burn
ing bridge, some buildings, public stores &c. 1t is
important that this raid took place Only about days
after Gen. Corses Brigade had left there for Gordons
vlle. Had it remained at Hanover Junction, it is rea
sonable to suppose that most of the enemy, cavalry
would have been either destroyed captured and the
property saved from injury Every effort is being made
here to be prepared for the enemy at all points, but
must look chiefly to the protection of the Capital In
doing this, We may be obliged 10 hazard some other
points. You can easily estimate our strength, and ]
suggest for your consideration whether in this state of
things you might not be able to spare portion of your
force protect your line Of communication against at
tempted raids by the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
-. 8. COOPER, Adutant General
Gen R, E. LEE, Commanding Army Northern Virginia,
Winchester, Va.
RICHMOND, June %, 1863
GENERAL: Yours Of the 2sd received this evening,
and hasten to reply TO the point presented in relation
to the forces on the Of South Carolina and Georgia
The hopes INDUCED to our operSbions at the time
which would intervene between the discharge of the
enemys trained troops, and the substitution for them
By Others have bcen disappointed by the very error
against which it was sought by warning to guard
Grant reached the river got renforcemeEts, made H.
trenchments aud General Johnston continues call for
reinforcements though his frat requkition was more