Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-04
TERMS OF ADvEuT.stEs

sides, we inquired what the tin nondescript WIS "a
spade and drinking cuP, was the answer. We were
more fully enlightened in the morning, when we cav q
email riff pit 10 front of each sklrmsher, from behind
which many messenger Of death vent to its appropri
ate place.
Stretching out long dark ne tie 6lh rapidly ad-
vanCed drove back the rebels and held the groucd for
the tight. = the darkness grew the cullen roar Of
the cannon ara the peppering OF the nusketry died
away into silence, and Washington lay dowo to seepin
anxiety Tor that which the morrow might bring forth
In the morning, during brisk skrms1, your corres
pondent was marcted through intoierabe dOst Fort
Reno, whore the enemy we're demonstrating upon tho
LETT and for the first time bringing, or eud avOrng to
bring, their artillery into play. a small battery wGs
playing uncomortabiy upon our picket reserve, and
went after it. We crawled around the NIX of IT, INT
the rascas scented the danger and opered with grape
end canister with effect, and then ran away. Fort
Reno, opening upon them from distance OF two miles
and half, exploded 100 pound she'll directly over
their heads, and rapidly advancing cloud OF dust at
tested the calerity Of their retreat
At p. NJ, the skrnishing in front Of Forts Ste
vens ard De Russoy brought ick there The scat
eripg picket sho; had hickened in sound and on our
arrival there every appearance OF brisk engage.
mcnt. With of trOops of the SIKH and Nine.
teen,b we went in. The work hot. Men were
picked Of close by the forts, skrmsh line haviog
been driven in by reuforcemeuts OF the rebels Il
evident that it the intention of the emmy to attack
in force but our army was amply sulf ;ient to
meet them fairly. Parts Of the SIKH and nth
corps and the Veteran Reserves rushed upon them A
heavy fire from the forts opened raia Of aud she
upon their main body Rebel endurance could stand no
more and they decamped leaving th lr ad and wouDd
ed on the field, and in the houses aoog the road. The
sight Of the Potomac veterans, who like Barquos
ghost would not down at their bidding scared their
| eye balls and they fed away.
Now that our danger s over some parties Tidi-
cuing the idea that danger has any time meuaced
the capital But that nu9t not be told to q solder
who has been through this little mill Prisoners, de-
serters, citizens, from the scene OF their base of Jea
tono concur in the statement. Their ntautry Ia
front of Fort SteveDs numbered forty tbousant at eGst
Iheir artillery was prOportIonally Ia heavier force
None of the armtIs who have thm estm lie their
guos Ices than forty Of the heaviest fed Cab-e.-
Our cavalry fully agree in the es innate. The armlng
of all civilians attached to the laermlsers Depart
meut at st the belief OF the military authorities Lere
their force in the condition q! thogs terrible
threat against the city, and but for the timely prCpa o.
tons of G4n. Augur, and the admirable geuerahip Of
| McCOok, it would have baen f.r worse.
We wish the lie son OF this brief episode bad been
fatal to the rebels IL Is instructive 10 as An INSANE
chucke has been going the rounds oi the press tbaE
Washington is uncovered. Scarcely has it been sue
dued by the appearance OF the radac front OF Sge
before State, needing than oil others kindly
protection, is plundered In every corner, railroad
communications to he cplaI cut, our PIest ent driver
from his h0me and sold shot thrown lLtO The streets
of the capital city. The call for hundred days men
has been faeby responded to- In the OF pres
sing need, when mllitio scared enough to come,
GunpowGer bridge is burned, aud they Cau get there.
Grant says If we take care or toe Norm be will
| attend to Richmond. No one doubts the ndomItaoG
soldier but in The Of al! that is honorable AMI
naay, let US defend our feslde9 with tie mmenja
means yet at our disposal. The Tor ops~
rations is nearly We clnuOy cJmm1ud the Of
this campaign sand still, out at least hold
up great Captains hands until i;s going do upon
! our discounted enemy.