, 1863-01-21
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.,


NEW YoRK, Jan. pa letteE from the army
of the Potomac to the New York Herald saws:
The reports from Washington: that Long
streets corps has been removed westward to
reinforce Bragg arc unfoundcd. .LongstFcet
himself was here, two days ago, with his com.
mand. 1t is believed that no entire rebel
corps has been Withdrawn from our front, but
We have information from deserters and con
trabands that some batteries, brigades and d.
visions have been detached and. sent Tcnnes-
seward.
NKw YoRK, Jan. 20.-Thc World says:
a letter from correspondent with thea army
Of the Potomac states That the army is under
marching orders, with three days ra6ons.
Five pontoon bridges will he thrown :cross
the Rappahannock, some distance apart.
Lees army Is composed Of eight large liyi-
sions. jackson commands the right. long
street has the left, comprising five divisions.
These divisions arc apparently stronger than
ours, comprising d greater number of brig
AIDES and regiments. It is uncertain whittier
their total strength equals ours.
"A desperate struggle is evidently near. Stir
ring news may be expected shortly.
Correspondence Of the New York Tribunal
LEFT GRASD D1y1s1os,
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG. Va. Jan.16, 1868 !
The ominous qnictude Of the past fswdays
the storm. The tempest has not yet broken
forth with the thunder Of artillery and suging
roar Of nuskctry; yet the signs Of the ieav-
ems arc too apparent to doubt that they pres
age speedy renewal Of the unsuccessful at
tempt Of Dec. IS. The heavy rumbliIg of
the pontoon trains is again heard at light,
and rcd signal fires, which blaze up il The
darkness, suggest that important movements
are on foot. The point or points on which
the forthcoming efforts are TO be made must
not, Of course, be mentioned. 4 few ,days
will, however, tell the story Of success or
defeat in another attemptat crossing thcRap-
pallannock.
Everything has been thus far auspitious.
The roads are hard and dry, and the nccut
1ains hare fortunately not inteEfered with the
undertaking. a strong south wind has also
favored us for two nights past, conce1ling
from the enemy the rumbling Of the poltoo1
trains, which was SO clearly revealed b? the
still and frosty air Of the night in witch 1t
vas last attempted.
Wednesday, when darkness had insurad &C.
l. cfesy, the boats which had been at Belle Plain
were moyed up to the neigohorhood Of head
quarters, where guide Was furnished to con-
duct them to their destination. So setretly
few in the army are aware Of the important
events which are close at hand.
It Is to be feared, however, that the e1emT,
who arc so frequently in the secret # our
operations, have too much knowledge of
what is impending, Activity is too plainly
fL1uAE APOA luG olACA E4AN VI LIE ARE ~
permit the hope that they will be unlnPared
for the present movement. Counttr-moye-
ments are observable, and 1t seems moro than
probable that the enemy are at present watch
Ing to see how they may best checknnte us in
our undertaking. The reaals ati today
known to be extending their inez Rebel
pickIIsss to-day shouted to our own pickets
across the nappanannock, ave kow what
yon arc ut VIC arc ready for rou."iIt is to
be feared that some Of the hhabitnts have
made their way into the rebel lines With yalu-
able information in respect to receit opern-
tionE.
It is much to be regretted that thf Army Of
the Potomac could not have been p.id before
the present movement lad been commenced.
It's useless to deny TINT, during the inactivity
Of the past month, universal m1nur has
gone forth from the soldiers. who lave been
-naDy for six months, most Of then for four
months-without q penny. Of tteir hard
earned wages.
Thousands Of letters hare been Hnt to the
men from their halfstarycd and destitute
!, families, depicting their needy condition,
which have made the Inactivity 0! camp nj:
most intolerablc. Had not the Potomac been
in their rear, we should hare heard Of
Thousands Of dcsertions, from: the SIM
pie fact that the men have beer unable to
send money to their families ut htme The
prospect of a movement may possibly dispcl
all dfscontent and dcspondencY; bit certainly
Gen. Burnside is ia the most courageous Of
men to lead this army against Tic enemy in
its present condition.