Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-03-11
Federal RxpeetniIsns Of Ihe RIehmeHd
Eax&.

From The New York Hsral6l
On Thursdsy, the 25sh HIk, two corps Of The
army OF the Potomac moved from camp TO-
wards Madison Court House, to engage the at
tsntion Of Gen. Lee By foruaidsbls fsint. Gea
Custer went ahead, with cavalry, ecEsss Rob
eEtson's river, and on Sunday drove in the enc
my's pickets north Of the Rapidan All this
was done WifA as much noise ss several bas-
teTies Of artillery could consistently maks. Bat
meanwhile movement in another direction
went on much more quietly. Gen Fitzpatrick,
with his picked cavalry and horse srtillsry,
marched from Stevensburg on Sunday night,
crossed the Rspidsn at Germans ford, IS we
suppose, and shenee touk the direct road for
his appointed destination. At the ford de-
tAchmsnt, under Col. Dahlgren, left the main
column and advanced by another route. The
enemy would thus find our cavalry forces
marching upon them By at lesst two different
Toutes.
SinultkneOusly with Gen. Kip&triea's rovs-
nent General Butler wss 70 moVs up from tie
peninsulR and mske demonstration upon Rich.
mond. What force the enemy had in Richmond
does not appear; bat the city Is Known to have
been for some time past very fesbly defendsd.-
We bAve reason TO believe that 1t is still in the
same comparatively deisnceless condition that Il
was when General Butler's attempt Hss msde.
Q few weeks sincs. Richmond has SO many
times been just within cur reach, and slipped
from "a Ike the fruits that vexed the soul of
Tsntalus; il has so many times seemed ready
TO fall prey to Whosoever would grasp il like
man Of nsitl> hat the country will hardly
be surprised that . more attempt should be
made for its capture Preparations for this last
attempt have, il is stated, been for some lime in
progress on the peninsula.
Tho pablo may carry this movement forward
in their own minds to sny destination they
please. It's organization, and the direction ia
ken at the start, however, cannot bs mistaken
It has been commenced under most hattsring
auspices. The men are In good spirits, the
weather excellsnt fer campaigning, ard the
rebels sre doubtless taken By surprise, with the
bulk Of their army away on furlough OF leck-
iHg for something TO eat.
Il il generally understood in Washington that
Gsneral Butler has moved fores to cooperate
with This advance of the army of the Potomac.
The situation article Of the Herald says:
General Fitzpatrick, with a dzshing cavalry
command, is rapidly pressing bis way to Rich
mond, with distractions to sack tie rebel capital
release the Union prisoners there, and cut the
telegraph and YailIoRd communications between
General Lee and his base of supplies. General
Clusters cavalry, supported BY the infantry un-
der Ssdgwick, made feint upon Less lines in
the direction Of Madison Court House Custer
fell in with Stasrt's rebel es7slry near Chsr-
lottssvile, destroying his enti-> camp equip
page, sud blowing up six CATIONS but, fud.
ing Stuart was posted there in great strength
nearly five to one-Custer fell back towards
Madison Court House, burning the bridges on
tbs Rivanns. Here be met another force of the
enemy, and, after sevsEsl dsshing charges,
drove them of, capturing Eve hundred horses
and fifty prisoners, without the loss Of maR.
KilpstTick meantime is speeding towards
Richmond, having reached Spossylvania Court
House on Mondsy, where our last accounts
laaVa him