Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-04
a Rird's-Eye View of FTedericIsburg and
Vfcinify.
Special Correspondence to the n Y. Times.l
HEADQU'Rs ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

HEADQU'Rs ARMY OF Tbs POTOMAC
March l3, 1868
Another cold wintry day has come to an end.
I In the morning the elements eemed to have un-
dertalren the job of making it as disagreeable q
/ day as possible. just enough snow fell TO Gre
ate general shiver. The mercury, however,
was in too Iowiy mood for 3 fallof the heeey
element, and toward nOon keen northwesterly
wind sprang up, wiping the clouds from before
the sun's face, leaving the atmosphere as clear
and bracing as it is sometimes in New England
at mid winter. seized upon this favorable op-
portunity to ride along our pieket-liBe for sew
eral miles on the riVer front.
The sasnptation 70 take such a ride is almost
irresistible, for from number Of points birds
eye view can be obtained Of Fredericksburg and
its surroundings; end the country, for miles up
and down on the opposite bank of the river, in
eluding the scene Of the late battle lies like map
st your feet The enemy have the right bank very
thoroughly watched by ssntiDels at short inter
walls, with reserves close at hand. They also
keep an efficer constantly on duty, spy-gIass in
hand, in the steepla Of a church in Fredericks-
burg, besides others, armed with similar instru-
ment, at favorable elevations Clouds Of blue
smoke, rising from the eRemy's camp fires are
visible at different points, and the camps Of sew
eral bodies of troops can be distinctly seen with
the naked eye
The sentinels. though some Of them are
within hailing distance, were disposed to be
anything but hostile to-day; and, in one IN
stance at least, they even endeavored TO obtain
response to a question from some of our men,
but as all communication is very properly pro-
hibited, no notice whatever was taken Of them,
beyond the mere giving them to understand
that they were heard, and that a conversation
was declined. On the easterly outskirts
of fredericksburg q squad of soldiers
we're cndesvoring to make themselves
comfortable by playing the Yankee game Of
base ball. Further down the river force of
troops, apparently a brigade, was being put
through course Of brigade movements. They
made bungling work Of it, however, aud were
undoubtedly e0nscripts On the meadows, 10
the foreground, were large number Of horses
and cattle-within tempting proximity Of our
lines--trimming of the early spring grass
The formidable-looking earthwoTks-s0me of
them presenting an ugly array Of muzzles-and
rife pits stretched along fOr miles upon the not
distant rising ground and prominent points
the almost treeless and desolate range Of hills
to the rear--the columns of smoke rising from
innunerable campfres-the corps camps, pick
cts aud sentinels-the hourly passing OF railway
trsins-the light, green carpet along the river
bank, the FIRST effort of nature in the lap Of spring
with the bleak, wintry atmosphere formed
an interesting picture, particularly when viewed
at a reasonably respectable distance. FredeT
ieksburg presents very gloomy appearance a
few soldiers and citizens, and occasionally a
lady, are to be seen, like speciegs, doding about
the uninviting and desolate streets. Some of
the buildings injured ia the late bOmbardment
Of the place have been repaired, bnt majority
are still standing as monitors to the people Of
the folly Of their treason.