The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-20

WAsUISOroN, July Collaboration received
from the headquarters of the Army Of the Poto-
mac, dated July 10, says that the usual quet stil
prevails along the lines, and we're Il not for the
sound Of an occasional gun and some picket firing
at "a few points, one would suppose that no enemy
was within miles Of us.
Burnsdes men make the most Of the noise,
the enemy taking every opportunity to fire at
the COiored troops that oCCJpy portion Of his
front; and, Of course, the fire is returned with
interest, but without much damage on either
side.
No deserters come in at Ills part Of the lines,
they say, they have no chance to get through
without running the risk Of being shot, the ne
groes being so constantly on The alert. But they
are coming in daily at other points in squads.
A Sergeant and his squad came in this even
ing, and all report that thousands are ready to
leave as fast as they find an opportunity.
The deserters came principally from Georgia,
Florida, and Alabama regiments, and an officer
from the former State is said to have gone to
bis superior a day or two since, and reported
that If his company was not soon relieved, there
wouldbe none to relieve, as they wouldhaye all
gone over to the enemy.
They state that they are very short Of prov-
sions, particularly vegetables and seem glad
enough when they get into our Ines strict orders
being given that they shall not hold intercourse
with our men on the picket, or exchange papers.
One fellow, the other day, who came boldly
over and brought a paper with him, was caught
and made to stand and wave the paper back and
forth for an hour as a punishment.
An attack from the enemy has been expected
for the past two days and last night, from what
the deserters reported, il was looked for as GER
tain, but no demonstration was made.
1t has looked like rain all the afternoon, but
none has fallen yet, and the dust continues to
envelope everything.
The Labor on Onr FOrtiGcatiOns-The
Enemy also at Work The Late Rebel
Raid North.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE POroMAC,
| NEAR PBTHRsRURG, July 1.-THE heat has some
what abatcd. Dearth of news continues. / am
| lingering here in expectation OF q fight. The
| labor bestowed upon our toritication5 is enor-
nous. Thousands of men are engaged in the
manufacture of gabioHS (wicker worked baskets,
| TO be filed with sand and placed in the embra-
| sure of a redoubt) which at night are placed In
position. All this while the Rebels are not idle.
A new battery opened from their side yesterday
| =. NJ Near Warren's headquarters is a battery
| of 32s christened by the cannoniers 'The Seven
| Sisers." One gun is distinguished from the rest
by the peculiar rushing sound Of its shells, which
IT mbles the puffs of locomotive. This piece
| is dubbed the Petersburg Express" for that
reason, and because it deyotes all attention to the
| aiOrenamed place.
| When the Rebels unmasked their battery yes
| terday afternoon, the petersburg Express" sent
| a message in that direction, causing considerable
| Commotion. One of their magazines was ex-
| plOded, and together with the terrible noise and
| smoke, must have disabled many Rebels Every
thiI z is now quiet from that point. All along the
! line there is the usual amount of cannonading
| daily, and, might add, nightly
-Four deserteTs came into our lines two nights
| ago. They are North CarOlinians, and desired
! to negotiate for the admission of brigade of
| their companions in arms. They returned, with
| the understanding that four rockets should be
| sent skyward when we were ready % receive
them. The rockets went up, but the brigade
| failed to come on.
We are much amused with the account OF
| Rebel depredations Published in the newspapers.
| Circumstances which you look upon as terrible
| enOrmiues are here committed every day. They
| have not treated you with anything like the Sc
| verify they receive at our hands, Washington
| Chronicle.