Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-11
Correspondence OF the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Rebels Seek News.


NEAR FALMOUTH, VA, March 5.
For several days in the early part OF this
week, the rebels on the other side of the river
seemed particularly DESTROYS of holding com
nlunicatiOn with our side, and of starting
traffic, if they could-exchanging tobacco Tor
coffee and sugar, of which latter articles they
appear to be greatly in need. On Monday
they launched quite fleet" of little vessels,
made out of board planks, two or three feet
long, on which they rugged little sails, and
then sent them on a voyage to this side. One
was brought into the Lacy House, on Mon
day, which had sailed across from the oppo-
site side. 1t was sloop-rigged, with mast, jb,
and mainSail, made out OF old cotton cloth,
apparently having been once part of a mans
shirt. In the sail was fastened copy of the
Richmond Examiner of the previous Saturday,
dry and in good order. There was also let
ter or note, written with pencil, requesting
our people to send over sugar and coffee, and
they would send tobacco in return; or if that
would not suit us, then they would send green
backs IN lieu of the tobacco; or, in other
words, they wanted us to sell them coffee and
sugar for Union money. Both the paper and
the note were handed over to the field officer
Of the pickets, to be forwarded to headquar-
tiers.
Scarcely had the curiosity occasioned by
boat was seen to start from the opposite bank,
and making diagonal trip across the river,
it ''came to" on this side, near the piers of the
Commerce street bridge. The pickets cap
tured the prize and brought it up on the lawn
in front of the house. 1t was schooner rugged,
with sails made of bed ticking. The little
craft capsized on the way over, and wet the
sails, but on examining the folds closely,
copy Of the Richmond Enquirer was found
Topped inside, dry and in good order. This
paper contained JEFF Davis proclamation,
setting apart fast day, which was the only
item Of Importance. The same disposition
was made of this paper as the others-sent to
headquarters. Both boats were broken up
in full sight of the rebels, who could not fail
to see by this that our officers are not very
willing to hold communication with them.
Notwithstanding this, however, they sent over
other vessels on Tuesday, with small quaint
ties of tobacco, with renewed requests to
''wade' and exchange newspapers.
Since General Hooker has been in COM
mand, all exchange Of newspapers has been
forbidden, and the rebels being deprived of
their usual, supplies of neWs from these
sources, are becoming restives, and DESTROYS
OF opening the ''ercbange system" again. The
order against it however, has been vigorous
ly enforced, and they are kept i'll the dark as
to our movements. Flags of truce go over
gerry seldom, and when they do our officers are
reticent. The rebel officers of late have
been extremely anxious to kaow rhat nems
there is on our side, but, as the question
leads to another on the part of our officers as
to what news they hare on hei9. side, neither
party manages to ''pump" the other yerv
much and the interview usually ends in tram
sacting the business for which the visit ;s
made. These little sailing crafts, however
are evidently sent out with the connivance of
the rebel officers, who cannot fail to see what
is going on, and they wink at it Or encourage
it, in the hope of gaining information, as of
old, from US, which may be of advantage to
them