Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-08
The Fighting in virginia

The Fighting in Virginia.
We get nothing from Washington, or from
any official source, in regard to the battles
below the Rappahannock. The foolishly
managed censorship is still rigdy enforced.
We know nothing of what has been done or
suffered by the army OF the Potomac, and
nothing of the present situation of affairs on
the Rappahannock, beyond what has been fur
nishedhy the reporters whose letters come by
mail or express to New York. Their latest
reports are dated at Falmouth, Wednes-
day, May 6, 10 A. NJ. 1t is stated that
Gen. Hookers army has recrossed the
river because a sudden rise of the water
threatened to interrupt communication with
the source of his supplies. There seems to
have been no fighting of consequence on
Tuesday Hooker was not driven across the
river by anything but the furious storm which
raised the water. The re-crossing began on
Tuesday night. Its also stated that heavy re-
Inducements have reached him - Heintzel-
man, with thirty thousand men, and another
large force that has not been in action. There
is no report of what has been done there since
wednesday morning, when the army was still
crossing the river.
But, while we cannot get news from Wash
ington, we get important intelligence from
Richmond. The Richmond papers give an
account OF the splendid performances of Gen.
Stoneman's cavalry He has accomplished
very extensive destruction of the railroads
between Richmond and Fredericksburg. and
between GordOnSvlle and Fredericksburg.
captured several trains, and destroyed loco
motives, bridges, and everything else that
could aid rebel transportation. A part of
Stonemans cavalry went onward to the Pc
ninsula and opened communication with the
troops under Gen. Reyes. They went very
near to Richmond, and two OF them, who
strayed away from the rest in chase of rebel
courier, were captured within two miles of
the city There was a panic in Richmond
Communication between the CITY and Lees
army was completely interrupted; and we
have intelligence that generals Reyes and
Peck were in motion, going in that direc-
ton. The Richmond papers confirm this
news; and, if the troops of Gen. Dix's com
mand should make sudden, gallant dash
at this panic stricken rebel capital and cap
ture it, the atmosphere throughout the whole
country would brighten and ring with Joy.
1t will not now be surprising to hear that
this has been done
We think it will appear, when all the par
tipulars It thp rarnpt hattlas orc rar,crtal that
the rebels had at Fredericksburg a larger
Longstreet's division had been sent to Ten
nessee OF somewhere else, are now seen to be
false. Longstreet and his men were still at
Fredericksburg, and took prominent part in
the battles from the beginning. 1t is sta ed
that Lee received reinforcements fom
Lynchburg; but this is not absolutely GER
tain. 1t is quite certain, however, that ne
Their reinforcements nor supplies can reach
him at present. Gen. Stoneman has made
his situation very embarrassing. We must
not assume, because our army has re-
crossed the river, that the operations
against Lees army are ended. With
ont supplies, without railroad commu-
nication with Richmond, and with all the
streams between him and Richmond greatly
swollen by the storm, he will soon find him
self beset by insurmountable difficulties; and,
as Hooker has been heavily reinforced. and
is not the man to be driven easily from his
purpose we may rely upon it that something
more will be done and reported in that
quarter.