Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-05
FROM Observation-Disclosures.
POSITION OF HOOKER ARMY-A FISHING IN
CIDENT-RE1UR OF EXCHANGED RISoN-
ERS-PROR OTlONs Ere


ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS or TIE WHGl
FREDEnCKsBURG June l. 1863.
For sometime past the indications have produced the
impression in the minds Of some, that Hookers army
| WIS in motion-probably on the rerograde towards
Washington 1t is true that tn rcRmps Immediately on
the river front are unusually few and far between but
this may signify nothing more than that the army has
been withdrawn farther back from the river for the pur
pose of contracting the lines in anticipation of ag
gressve movement by Gen. Lee for the purpose Of
re organization and discipline Excepting perhaps, oar
Commander in hief who seems always penetrate the
enemyS desgus if by instinct, if he had been
previously furnished by his adversary with statement
opinions amount to little than conjecture Hookels
pckets extend down the Rappahannock far Cherys
Point about eighteen miles distant from Fredericksburg
their force being At Tayors Mill de has thrown
up additional earthworks and Notifications opposite this
city and learn that additions have also been made to
the defences Of the various fords above which seems
indicate the fear of an attempt OF Gen. Lee to cross
while the Federal army is weakened by the discharge OF
thousands Of men whose terms of service has expired
On Tuesday night there being considerable eommOHon
il town. the enemy construed it into preparations 10
cross and commenced moving their artillery to the 'front.'
when the cessation Of the noise satisfied them they were
| in error.
Under the plea of preventing any Illicit communca
/ ton by which would gain valuable information,
Hooker has Rcenty issued order placing embar-
go our troops fishing in the river. A day or two
ago party went in usual TO haul the seine, and
had not progressed far when the Yankee pckes threat
ened to fire on them if they persisted. This admonition
not being needed by men who had frequently " faced
the music" before officer doublequicked company
to the river told that had objection, but
order had been issuel from headquarters to have it
stopped aud it must be obeyed The fishermen replied
by saying they did not oOey orders from Hooker but
from Gen Lee. Meantime, messenger was despatched
for a company of our men, who, coming to the river,
fell into rife pit and confronted the company of Yam
KEGS The latter offered no further interruption, and
seinng party eisurey collected their spells and returned
to their quarters.
OF our own army am only at liberty to say that
they ate in splepdid condition aud ready for any
gency Of an offensive defensive character Their
prestige is that they have been whipped and it
the purpose of eOch TO contribute bis best
tons to maintain it. OF those rendered horS du combat
in the battles FIVE six hundred have already returned
to their posts fit for duty The tr ends and sympathZers
of the soldier will be glad to learn that the army is not
only better clothed than for several months past but
much better fed though there is yet room for improve
ment in the latter particular
Up to this time considerably over two thousand small
arms of United States pattern and eight thousand
pound, of lead have been collected the batte.helds
of Sunday and Monday Immediately at fredericksburg.
Upwards of nine hundred small arms picked up on
the plate au in front OF the Stone Wall, known among
the soldiers as the slaughter Pen"
The officers and pTivates captured in the stormDg OF
Marye's Hill, May Sd, have been duly exchanged and
returned to their respective commands The officers
we're confined in the Old capitol at Washington; the
men in Fer. Delaware. Without exception, all say they
we're kindly treated aud far better than they had reason
to expect They received many tokens OF the symps-
thy OF ladies and Others who frequently arrested
for the slightest sign indicating it. Except the
sona nsolence of the Hessans who guarded them and
the bracksh water OF the river given them TO drink
the men in the Fort Jared much better than the reputa
ton of that Blstie induced them TO expect
Before closing these items of news, would make
note Of the fact that the special correspondents of the
Enquirer and Dispatch Rave been promoted since the
late victory the former City Sergeant OF Freder
icksburg, the latter to the Bench Justice Of the
Peace IT IS needless to that both their blush
| ing donors with becoming modesy.