The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-08-25
ouR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
August %, 1868.

The report of the Yankees crossing at
Waterloo is untrue The main body of
the enemy holds the position along the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad it has
held for several weeks past, excepting an
occasional change of camps. If could
anticipate them, could not speak with
,yopricty Of our own designs but if a
change in the present situation depends
on the will of Gen. Meade, the utter alb
,ence of all Indications of an advance by
him shows its prospect to be more remote
than ever.
Agreeably TO the Presidents proclama-
lion aHd the General Order from the
headquarters of the Army, yesterday
vas generally observed as day Of Fast
jnr and Prayer. Religious exercises were
held in the different camps 10y the Army
Chaplains. At the headquarters of Gen.
Ewel very appropriate discourse was
delivered by that able divine, Rev. Dr.
Lacy, Chaplain Of the corps, from 10th
verse, 9Th chapter, 2d Kings "Fear
mt: fer they Mat he wiM as are more
tim they that be soiM Mem" | will
not attempt an outline of the gifted speak
cts discourse powerful, eloquent and
J ,mbelIished with most beautiful imagery,
and which deeply impressed a large aud
tory, principally of soldiers, who attend
ed by regiments, with their respective
officers, and whose cleanly, comfortable
and healthiul appearance furnished a
pleasing rebuke to the croakers at home.
t,ens. Lee, Ewell and other distinguished
at.icers were present. The first named,
It is said, invariably attended services on
such occasions at the headquarters of the
Ianented Jackson.
1t has now become question whether
the enemy has not determined on a
change of tactics, abandoned the ION to
Richmond" idea, and is not preparing TO
transfer the seat of war for the present
10 the West and South The frequent
attempts against Richmond have ended
in disastrous failures, and the strange
inactivity of Meade, accountable Oh no
other hypothesis than the weakness and
disatiection Of his army since the Pennsyl-
iania cenpaign, proves that he has no
reasonable ground of hoping to ac-
complish what men able as himself,
and backed BY powerful and as well
equipped armies, have failed to achieve
before him. Northern journals in
form US that he has detached troops
in some instances regiments of them
tomoceed to certain points III the North
for hepurpose of bringing on conscripts.
\ little reflection is sufficient to per-
ceiye that this is merely a subterfuge,
as such force, especially in the critical
situation Of the army, is unnecessary for
such purpose. The object undoubted-
ly is 10 use these ostensible conscript
guards to overawc the people at home,
and to suppress the first manifestation OF
another popular uprising against the cn-
loreement of the draft and other obnOx-
lous measures of the Government, moni-
lions Of which have already been given
IN New York and other cities. Meade's
army, If the abandonment Of the design
against Richmond from this direction be
correct, will probably be nsed conformity
!or the purposes Of maintaining the will
"l The Government in the Northern States,
aud as camp Of instruction, or reservoir
as It were, from which the depleted ar
hiies Of the West and South may be re-
efaited, The asseverations of the Yam
kee papers to the contrary, Meade is too
weak Tor offensive operations on the scale
requisite Tor the overthrow Of the army
oi Northern Virginia and the taking Of
n'chmond; and the practical results of
The draft thus far show that it will end
III The replenishing Of the treasury by
ihiihons Of 'greenbacks," but the secur-
ing OIL lew recruits for this army, and the
majority of these unreliable, and of the
worst material in the districts of the
North.
The evidence is in favor of the belief
''at the main strength and efforts OF the
enemy will be concentrated and directed
against onr strongholds in the South and
vest, and then to give the rebellion"
'he coup de grace by united blow
against Richmond. The fall Of Vicks-
'ufg Is followed by an exhibition OF en-
efgy at Charleston no less desperate and
pefseFerlng, to he succeeded probably by
an attempt at Savannah and Mobile
nsalI'st the latter but moiety Of Grants
army Will be directed in combination
"''" The fleet, while the remainder may
'ofii junction with Rosecrans, with the
new, as heir avowal and oft-repeated in
:" ,yI''ons render reasonable, Of securing
chattanooga and East Tennessee, and
.hen'Atlanta, Ga, the heart Of the rail
ioad circulation Of the South. This
a'he, and the Confederacy split again,
',, 'ne rebellion is virtually crushed, as they
"',i believe, and the fall Of Richmond
""'y a question Of time. Meantime,
"eii Meade, too weak to advance him
sei'' and in the event Of an advance by
ue"- Lee, has placed his army beyond
tne Rappahannock, in position he is
paiIy STRENGTHENING flr sfa as n aasilv