Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-24
l0Ottrster 4allg SPY.
NEWS FROM THE WAR.

ton IS becoming more ana more seutleu Ill the
minds Of our generals that the force OF rebels
on the other side of the Rappahannock has
been materially diminished. Past experience
has taught us that the confederate generals
are none too shrewd to attempt keeping our
large army here by show OF piClets and nu
meruus camp fires, while the bulk Of the army
is sent to operate ut other points. General
Burnside, however, is not one to be easily de-
ceyed. If uncertain as to the position of the
rebels, he will again push over and clear up
the mystery. Captain ilurtz Of the late Cen
crN Bayard's staff who has returned from
below, reports that the enemy's camps have
disappeared, while Captain West, who has
been up the river for several miles. says that
''the enemy there are as thick as blackberries
in june"
SNDDoN's FARM, VA, Jan. 20.-The plan
tation from which | date this letter is situated
on the RappahannOck seven miles below
fredericksburg, embracing some eleven hun
bred acres, and belonging to Major (rebel)
Seldom, brother to Hon. Joseph A. Seldom,
rebel secretary of war. Within week it has
assumed importance on account Of operations
performed by the enemy on the opposite side
OF the river. Major Seldom enlisted $50 stall
wart lriShmen at the outset of the rebellion,
and entered the confederate service as cap
tain. He was, however, Immediately promoted
to malorshlp. but resigned his commission
after the battle of Antetam, and returned to
his residence here where he remained till the
battle of Fredericksburg. While the engage
mcnt was progressing he ayailed himself of
the opportunity to slip through our lines, with
a considerable amount of personal effects,
and cross the river at Port Royal, some thir-
teen miles below here. He is now employed
in the rebel war department. His lady, an
n NJ a fan
OF age, remains behind to take charge of the
premises. a younger sister keeps her com
pany.
Stonewall Jackson's headquarters are sit
uated three miles below here. That distin-
guished rebel, l am informed by the confed-
crate pickets, rides almost daily up and down
the bank of the river, viewing the situation of
affairs. sold Jack" is the term which he
goes by among his men. There is scarcely
day passes during which they do not send
over verbal or written inquiry as to when
we are coming over to pay them another visit,
or language to that effect. Impressed with
the belief that we meditated crossing the riv-
er here, the rebels suddenly made their APP
pearance on the opposite bank a week ago
last evening, and all night long were employed
in throwing up earth banks and digging rife
pits. The weather was intensely cold for this
clmae-so much that the earth would
freeze as fast as the layer above it was re-
moved, occasiOning any amount of swearing
along the whole line of dggers, to the great
amusement of our men on this side. We'd
nesday morning several earthworks were Wis
ible close to the rivers edge. The picks were
again hard at work on Wednesday night, and
Thursday morning additional works appeared.
Andso on every evening since, until full fifty
mound rife-pts, embrasures and breastworks
tf,h ,S A hoft of hr,S,
pieces is clearly visible gliStening in the sun
light, about three quarters of mile back,
while numerous camps are seen with a
glass still further in the rear One of Gen.
Franklins staff was here yesterday, and spent
considerable time inspecting them. new
line of rebel picl1cts has within a few hours
been stationed about Il quarter Of mile in
the rear of the first. Last evening, while
riding along by the river, an Alabama regi-
ment marched down on the opposite side, re-
manning for an hour or more. A general, ac-
companied by his full staff, was also to be
seen few yards above. Dense camp-lres
arc burning all along the ridge on the opposite
shore.
THE REBELS ON THE SITUATION.
RICHMOND, Jan. ia letter from Frcder-
iGksburg, dated yesterday, says 'Allseems to
be quiet tonight on the banks of the Kappa
hammock. The pickets on either bank are SO
unwarlike, and yet so near each other that
one cannot help feeling that this truce is but
the precursor OF that pSuce which shall restore
prosperity to both sections, whilst it gives Sc
cuIity and honorable terms of adjustment to
each The ballot box and not the cartridge
box, must and will be tine arbiter Of this strife
and my prediction is that the end is not
afIr The Yankees are certainly peculiar
people For some three days last week, not
f.nlIlI b, baa r1 nd
was visible. Finding out, however, that they
couldn't humbug General Lee by this sort Of
clap trap, last night, initiating the Chinese,
they banged and noised as If they were going
to tear up things generally; and from twelve
to three o'clock their ballooES-three i'll num-
ber--lile Mahommcd's coffin, were suspend
ed between heaven and earth evidently look
ing after rebel camp fires. From the temper
ture Of the atmosphere on terra frma, | rath-
er think they were in pursuit of knowledge
under difficulties. 1t is reported to night that
the Yankees are constructing wagon road
through the farm of MIR. John Seldom, in
Stafford, some eight miles below, on the riv-
er, with again crossing. | also hear that
Burnside has made tour of inspection up the
Rappahannock from Falmouth to Ellis
Ford, with the view of thanking us; but all
this is talk and you can decide upon its value
accordingly"
RICHMOND, Jan. 20.-A report was brought
to this city last evening that the enemy are
crossing the Rappahannock above and below
Fredericksburg. The belief is current in
Fredericksburg that the enemy IS about to
advance simultaneously above and below the
town, and that an engagement is thought in-
minent. THE best opinion here seems to be
that Bu1nSide'S demonstrations are designed
TO Pregent Gen. Lee from sending any portion
Of ms force to reinforce Gen. Smith IN North
CagOliHa.
OUR ARMY CROSSING THE RIVER.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
Tuesday Evening, Jan. 20.-The right and
left l0lngs Of the army are in motion We
shall endeayor to cross the river about ten
miles above Falmouth. All operations below
are mere felnts to deceive the enemy. Our
corps of infantry are to proceed down the
river and teign crossing at several points.
Seddons' plantation, which | described in a
letter this morning, is one of these. A real
crossing 1ciU be made belo0, should q certain
emergency arise Majors Spaulding and Ma
gruder are to construct the pontoons above.
The 10Th New York engineers and regulars
are also to throw several bridges. One train
of pontoons is to be held in reserve directly
opposite Fredericksburg. Saturday evening
a company of the 18th New York engineers
were busily employed in throwing up artillery
entertainments about ten miles below here.
The great victory OF the west has had an ex-
hilerating effect upon the army. The soldiers
are hopeful