Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-29
THE CONFEDERACY GANGRENED WITH THE
LOVE OF LUCRE:I

We have copy of the Richmond Disontch OF
the 9th inst. 1t contains however, but little
interest, its most important items having been
anticipated by telegraph. From It's editoria,
we copy as follows:
aThe reports which we receive from Northern
Virginia, with reference to the operations of our
own and the eremy's forces are SO confused
that it is difficult to- arrive at the exact situa
ton of affairs.
By the Central train of last evening we have
report of a considerable engagement Sc yeraI
days ago, between the corps OF Gems Long
street and Hill. and a heavy body of the enemy
in the Blue Ridge. The exact location OF this
fight, or the particular day on which it oc
Cured could not be ascertained, but our forces
are represented to have achieved decided ad
vantage IN the affair, and to have captured a
large nnmber OF prisoners and several pieces
OF artillery.
A very intelligent gentleman, who came mn
the Valley from below Winchester saws he
learns nothing OF any general fight, but knows
there have been number of heavy skirmishes
in which were generally successful in repul-
sing the enemy, who were pressing vigorously
and clio ely upon our rear.
The stages proceeding down the Valley were
stopped at Woodstock on Saturday morning
Lne enemy having appeared ill formidable force
at Strasburg, on the Valley turnpike, seventeen
miles from Winchester and twelve miles below
w oodstock. Where this force came from is net
known, though passengers report that they
came over from Front Royal. From Frort
Royal to Strasburg is nearly twenty miles, or
tull days march for infantry.
The passengers who came up on the returned
stage from Woodstock, report that during
Saturday night they heard heavy and brisk
cannonading down the valley, and the pre-
sumption was that Gen. t.arly's division,
which was guarding the wagon train, was en-.
gagged with the enemy.
Those with whom we conyersed who had
any knowledge OF the situation Of affairs. think
that no danger was to be apprehended of the
capture OF any considerable portion OF our
trains; nor did they deem the situation of orr
forces in the least critical.
Capture of Morgan's Men.
The Dispatch takes the capture or Morgan
and his gang very hard. 1t says:
This athe capture of Morgan's men,, is a
distressing blow TO the Confederacy. 1t has
stood and can still stand harder; but the
pride of the people was very much inter-
woven with the achievements of Morgan We
do rot like to judge after the result But it
seems to ps that the expedition which nut a
river, nayigable and unfordable tor hundreds
of miles, and fully commanded the whole dis
lance by the enemy's gunboats, between him
self and all assistance, must have been rash
and fool-hardy; nevertheless he has done the
enemy great damage in this long incursion.
Proclamation by the President of the Con.
federate States.
Again do call upon the people of the Con-
federacy-a people who believe that the Lord
reigneth, and that his oyer-ruling Providence
ordereth all things-to unite in prayer and
humble submission under His Christening
hand, and TO beseech His favor on our suffer-
ing country. "
It is meet that when trials and reyerses be-
fall us, we should seek to take home to our
hearts and conscences the lessons which they
teach, and profit by the seif.examination for
which they prepare us. Had not our successes
on land and sea made us self-confident and
forgetful OF our reliance on Him; had not love
OF lucre, eaten like gangrene, into the very
heart OF the land, converting too many among
them unmindful OF their duty to their country
to their fellow men, and to their God Who
then will complain that we have been chas-
tened, or TO despair OF our just cause and the
protection OF our Heavenly Father?
Let us rather receive in humble thankfulness
the lessons which He has taught in our recent
reverses, devoutly acknowledging that to Him,
and not to cur own feeble arms, are due the
honor and the glory Of victory, that from Him,
in His paternal providence come the anguish
and sufferings Of defeat, and that, whether in
victory or defeat our humble supplications are
dine at His footstoOl. -, IL. .,.-.-
Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President
OF &hese Confederate States, do issue this my
proclamation, and set apsrt Friday, 21st day
of August ensuing as day Of fasting, humil-
intion and prayer, and ] do hereby invite the
people OF the Confederate States to repair on
thai DAY to their respective places OF public
favor and protection of that God who has
hitherto conducted us safely through all the
dangers that enyirOned u.s..
In faith whereof &c. JEFPERsoN DAVIS
Grants Movements.
That the retrsgrade movement or Grant has
some object we may be assured. Several
have been suggested. The first is that sue.
gested by the New York Times, viz To rest
his soldiers during the sicklyi season, in
that hot and unwholesome country. The
SECOND is to send a portion Of his men !,
the river to the assistance of Reseeran,s who
may thus be enabled TO attack Bragg 10 adyan.
tage. The third is to send aiarge portion of
10