Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-05
FROM THE RAPPAHANS0CK.
CANT on RAPPAHAESocK,
January "a, 1868.

OAMP ON hAPPAHAkNOCk, [
January "a, 1868.
To the Editor Of tie Wig: =,
The enemy have for several days, been making dem.
onstradOns which to indicate intention to try
this slime of advance again Their forces have been
moving uneaslg up aud down the river opposite Fred.
ercksburg and below aud yesterday they appeared in
line Of battle on the Northern bank, opposite point
some ten miles below the town. They are evidently
"uneasy in their minds, shown By the commo.
ton excited among them by the explosion of the shells in
the burning house in Fredericksburg the other day and
they either design active movements themselves OF sus
pect that intend to take the initiative The sereo-
typed announcement therefore, that "al Is quiet along
the lines must be taken in only sense, Nothing
in the shape Of battle has occurred but both armies
on the q'd pirs
If It is any satisfaction to the Yankees they may be
informed that there is mapping" among their foes
The Army of Northern Virginia is in the very best spi-
ts, and thoroughly prepared to receive themif they
There is apathy dependency in the troops.
Inaction generally brings this evil but the regua-
tons Of General Lee have worked wonders and every
in the army is cOntened and ready to stand to his
arms at the first summons. | have always observed
that when troops are noisy, and cheer on the least
provocation they alert aud ready Cheering is the
order of the day in the "Army of Northern Virginia
The men seem TO be in such excellent spirits that like
children they ready engage in any thing which
looks like iroc, Their animal spirits are exuberant,
aud the least sufficient to excite their rsi-
bes and bring forth the uproarous shout, extending
from regiment regiment and from brigade to brigade
An "od hare" starting up suddenly, big man or
little muc-anything nothing-sets the regiments in
commoton and makes the pine woods echo with shouts,
cheers and laughter.
1t may be said in general terms that in spite of the
late rains and the consequent discomfort of camping, the
army is having "a good time Soldiers have eye to
the creature comforts, aud manage to have them-in-
clddng apples aud gingerbread These supplied
them by huckscrs if they may be called SUCH who buy
barrel of hard dry gingerbread in Richmond for $50
they say and retail it at dollar per square foot.
Apples sold at 81 dozen-and Indifferent ones, but
they find a ready sale Richmond also furnishes news
papers % cents apiece aud somebody is making
ney somewhere As it only the soldier who buys and
he has at least 81 month to surround him with uxu
ries the prices of commodities are not important
After the war however, am afraid that the gentlemen
who remained ont OF the ranks and dedicated their
BILE lives TO the honorable occupation of getting the
poor pay Of the "poor privates" will have hard
time don't think their illgotten gold will gid them
1t is hard penetrate the designs Of the enemy be-
cause we know only partially the character Of the
grieyous considerations" which must dictate their
action 1t is certain that il they codd, they would not
move again this winter But necessity drives them
The Hdd says that 300 oOJ 90 out of service in May
II.
something at once. But what to do is doubtless the
question. They have tried everything and there Is lit
tie ground TO hope that trial viii result different
y. Should they embark for the Southy That has been
tried aud fried-to say nothing oil the labor,
expense aud delay it would entail Is the Fredericks-
burg road to be their Zine of adyanoe?' That has
had bloody quietus put TO it. Is Culpeper and the
upper Rappahannock the point for reaching the other
side of Jordan 2? The crutes experiences OF the Yam
kee on-deleat, disaster, ignomny, ruin-have
come TO them on that highway 10 Richmond. Yet they
seem to design another trial there il speak ru-
". Il now appear than probable that the mo We
ment in North Carolina intended only as a blind to
draw away considerable part of General Lees army
from this the real field Of operations, where their last
card Is TO he played.
am convinced that they feel that this is really their
last card The capture Of Richmond is their grand aim
of the war, AMI upon that they will play their small
trnmps remaining With Richmond ninety days from
now, unconq1ered the game is really won by the Con
ederales-ard the North played out" They will give
us one more big battle they will be defeated; aud the
war will virtually terminate The gift OF prophecy is
claimed by every body in these times aud that is mine
Our prospects have certainly been bright be-
fore and Richardson valandgham, Merrek and Others
have naugurated the new Confusion in their coun.
sells DISCRIMINATION in their army discomfort among
their peopo-despair all sides of conquerng the in-
solent rebels; these make up u bad budget TO COM
mence with, this year.
am pretty sure that army here views the subject
as do In fact if they only value OF the above lucu-
brutions lies in the fact that they you from the
army and are the result of what is seen and read and
heard on the lines The Southern troops here joy
full and highspirted in slight degree from their be-
lief in the truth CF the reasoning employed above
They indulge a we-grounde hope that the foe cannot
protrac the contest much longer and look forward joy
oasly to the moment when they will be able to lay aside
their warlike acouirements, hang up the freock and
return to their wives and children in every region of
the suany South, nov free and independent through
their efforts There never was II Drawer more deter.
mined body of soldiers in the world, however than the
Army Of Northern Virginia. and if Providence DEGREES
IT, they will cheeruy remain in arms for years longer
and fight all their battles over again.
They are cheering around as write, and that solnd
tells me that now and ever the Conederacy Is safe with
such defenders.
KSGsroS, January %, 1868.
~ he EIi,,r of he VIII.