Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-06

enemy out into the open field The detachments which
were sent down several miles below fredericksburg to
lay number of pontoon bridges if for the crossing
OF the whole army there, evidently employed to
divert the attention of the enemy from the main design
OF crossing above aud this sraegem no doubt contrbu
ted largely to the passage Of the river at the fevera
crossings above, almost without show Of resistance.
The main body Of the army was thus rapidly march
ing southwark several of the advance corps having
crossed the Rapidan and the alternative was thus pre-
sented to General Lee Of instantly coming out of his
ueiences Tor battle or for rapid retreat secure his
rOaus 10 richmond He could not remain behind his
ntrenchments with his enemy rapidly pushing along his
flank to get in between him and Richmond his base of
supplies He must come out and fight or retreat and
without loss OF time, or the powerful advanced cdvdlry
force Of General Stons1dn wH anticipate him and cut
of his railrdy communications. We shall not be sur
pred therefore, if our next intelligence from the Army
Of the Potomac is that OF desperate battle or hasty
retreat of the rebel army to some position.
But as The enemy appear to have had at Of the
crossing of the Rappahannock any protecting force be-
yoad line of pickets and squad or two Of rifemen
Is it not possible that Lee, anticipating this flank move
ment Of Gen. Hooker, may have played upon him the
old rebel game of Manassas aud C0rinth. We are
aware of the fact that only few days ago the
rebel tents by day and their camp fires by night along
the heights OF Fredericksburg appeared to be largely n-
creased but even this may have been ruse. Some
weeks ago informed through intercepted let
from soldier in Lees army that orders had been read
through all his camps for preparations for march, in
vOlvng the destruction of all surplus baggage IL is
possible therefore, that while General Hooker has been
waDg for the roads TO dry his enemy may have given
m the slip though all our information direct from the
field leads TO different conclusion.
At all events this advance Of General Hooker is now
the a-absorbng question of the day. The hopes and
the fears OF the country now centered upon him.
He IS aware OF The tremendous responsibilities of his
position His will be to him an enduring crown
of glory; but should he fail he is lost beyond redemp
ton. He enters upon the momentous task before him
with everything supplied him essential TO success by the
government and the people, except those essential
qualities OF untalng skill, promptitude in action and
yigiant discretion which he is expected himself to
supply and which we trust he VII supply, as the leader
Of the magnificent army which lie commands. We
await the next intelligence of his advance, therefore,
with confidence that il will give US the best
ola victorious campaign.
Fortress Monroe correspondent writes that the in
clligcnce of the forward movement is hailed there with
considerable satisfaction, 'es j; vi tex i-~~ e.. q.
consderablc number of Longstrcct's forces nos be-
segng Suffolk aud give Maj. Gen. Dix an opportunity
OF driving the rebels from front and across the
Backwater" The writer assumes that Longstreet viii
send forty thousand of his troops to Lee and that the
remaining twouty thousand will fall back on their en-
trenchmehcs on the stream.
The Wheeling Inteligencer gives account Of the
late rebel raid into that section The rebels went from
Morgantown to Unontown pa J. where they committed
some depredatiOns and returned by way Of Backvle
towards Farmont, passing within thirteen miles OF
Waynesburg, PENNSYLVANIA. There was good deal Of
alarm at the latter place. and the cashier of the bank
there destroyed 500 900 of the banks issue for fear OF
its falling into their hands.
THE SOUTHWEST
The news from the Southwest is most important By
the arrival of steamer at Cairo yesterday, from Mill
kens Bend we are informed thar LearF the whole OF
our army that point in motion, eaving tents and
baggage behind, and the soldiers taking six days I'd
tons
1t is stated on what is considered tabe authority,
that Gen. Osterlaus occupied Grand Gulf Two tugs
having i'll Tow four hay barges pEt the batteries at
Vcksburg Saturday night, withot being fred upon.
FINANCIAL AND coNMEtcILL.
from the Herald's Morej Article.
Yesterday was another day ofsild speculation in
Wall street. The business done was enormous, 4nd
everything was higher, the leadtg speculative ocRs
being Harlem, Pittsburg and Ite The government
also did very large business. iearly five millions were
loaned to government at 3 andi per cent The limit
of the five per cent deposit ht been reached Gold
was dull The price auctuael between 1904 and 1914
closing at p. m, at 1905 Exchange closed at 1861
l67 Money was very eaS. Call loaus per
cent.
Cotton was dull but quotGsteady, yesterday.