Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-20
Burmside's Army in Motion.


1t appears to be true that the army of the
Potomac is again moving against the rebels
Of course we are not told precisely what is
intended, nor in what direction the troops are
moving, beyond the statement that our army
will cross, or has crossed the Rappahannock.
We find the following letter in the New York
Tribune =
LEFT GRAND DIVISION, NEAR FREDERICKs-
BURG, VA, Jan. Is, lS63.-The ominous uui-
etude fthe past few days proves to have been
the calm which precedes the storm. The
tempest has not yet broken forth with the
thunder of artillery and the surging roar of
musketry; yet the signs of the heaven are too
apparent to doubt that they presage a speedy
renewal of the unsuccessful attempt OF Dec
18th. The heavy rumbling of the pontoon
trains is again heard at night, and red signal
fires which blaze out in the darkness suggest
that important movements are on foot. The
point or points on which the forthcoming eff
forts are to be made must not, Of course, be
mentioned. A few days, will, however, tell
the story OF success or defeat in another at
tempt at crossing the Rappahannock.
Everything has been thus far suspicious.
The roads are hard and dry and tie recent
rain has fortunately not interfered with the
success of the undertaking. A strong south
wind has also favored us for two nights past,
concealing from the enemy the rumbling of
| the pontoon trains, which was so clearly re-
| Nealed by the still and frosty air OF the night
in which it was last attempted. Wednesday,
when darkness had insured secrecy the boats
| which had been at Belle Plain were moved nm
to the neighborhood of headquarters, where
| guide was furnished to conduct them to
their destination. So secretly has the move
ment thus far progressed, that few in the
| army are aware of the important events which
| are close at hand.
| 1t is to be feared, however, that the enemy,
who are so frequently in the secret of our op-
| eratlons, have too much knowledge Of what is
impending. Activity is too plainly visible
upon the other side of the river to permit the
hope that they will be unprepareI for the pres
ent movement. Counter-movements are OBJ
servable, and it seems more than probable
| that the enemy are at present Watching to see
| how they may best cheeEmate us in our UNI
| dertaking. The rebels are to-day known to
| be extending their lines. Rebel pickets to- day
| shouted to our own pickets across the Kappa
hammock, ''We know what you are at we are
! ready for you" 1t is TO be feared some of
the inhabitants have made their way into the
rebel lines with valuable information in re-
| spect to recent operations.
1t is much to be regretted that the army of
| the Potomac could not have been paid before
the present movement had been commenced
1t is useless to deny that, during the inactivi-
| ty of the past month, a universal murmur has
| gone forth from the soldiers, who have been
many for six months, most of them for four
months-without apenny of their hard-earned
wages. Thousands Of letters have been sent
to the men from their halt-starved and desti-
tute families, depicting their needy condition,
which have made the inactivity of camp almost
intolerable. Had not the Potomac been in
their rear, We should have heard OF thousands
of desertions. from the simple fact that the
men have been unable to send money to their
families at home. The prospect of move
ment may possibly diSpel all discomfort and
dependency; but certainly General Burnside
is the most courageous OF men to lead this
army against the enemy in its present condi-
| ton.