Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-18

The ueighborhood he occupied near the
railroad IL, at sll times, remarkable for
the scarcity of water. After the protract-
ed drought that has prevailed, no water at
all can be obtained there. 1t was neces'
ssry, therefore, that he should bring tie
troops on this part Of the line nearer the
river. But, even if the water we're album
dant, we doubt if he would have attempted
to hold it after the experience Malone has
administered TO him there on two occa.
sions. The bravado of holding the rail-
road south of Petersburg cost him seven.
teen hundred prisoners on one day, and five
hundred on another, not to enumerate the
killed and wounded. He could not affo I'd
the expense incident to holding the posi-
ton.
YANKEES BURNING THE Crops on JAMES
RIVER.
Dense columns of smoke were visible
yesterday morning down the river, appa-
rently distant IL or 10 miles. The smoke
rather increased than diminished during
the day. Towards evening, persons arri-
wing in the city from the direction of the
conhagratiou reported that before daylight
yesterday morning the Yankees crossed
from the south side, and set fire to the
wheat shocks on the Turkey Island and
| Curtis Neck plantations.
At last rccounts the fire had extended
| from the wheat fields to the woods, and
was, owing to the wind aud parched con-
dition of everything, raging with terrific
fury, and making wide spread devastation.
1t was feared that everything of value,
houses. fences and crops, would be swept
away by the devouring element. We hope
the HacCounts which have reached us of
this coufagration have been exaggerated.
We now think it probable that the smoke
mentioned yesterday proceeded from
| houses which were being burnt by order
of Gen. Grant.
CANHoNADE HEARD IN CHARLoTTsvILLE.
Rarly last Monday morning, the citizens
of Charlottesville were started by the sound
of what appeared 10 be q distant bat rapid
cannonsde. From SO great distance did
the sound proceed, that it was impossible
to decide upon their direction. Most per-
sons believed that the firing was in the di
rection of Winchester; others were equally
certain that it was in the direction of Pc
tersburgh. We know it was not at the
latter place, and cannot imagine who
should be firing at Winchester; but we do
know of place where many blank car
fridge was fred that morning. Probably
the citizens of Charlottesville heard AbrR-
ham LincOln's Fourth OF July gun.
A FOURTH OF JULY INCIDENT.
In front of Mahoues division, southeast
of Petersburg, the respective works of the
hostile armies are not more than a hundred
yards apart. On the morning of the 4th
the Yankees spread new and gorgeous star
spangled banners to the southern baeeze,
aud their fine bands being brought well
upon the front, made the forest resound
with their national airs. Yankee soldiers
manifested their enthusiasm by frequent
cheers. At length the brass hand struck
up yankee DoOdle'-their own peculiar
only national anthem.
As the jig tune was brayed forth, their
enthusiasm rose to such pitch that they
could no longer contain themselves. They
seemed seized with sudden frenzy, and,
leaping TO the top of their breastworks,
waved their hats, and cheered and sprang
about, tor all the world like dancing der
wishes Our men looked calmly over our
intrenchmeuts at this insane exhibition,
and when the tune was ended and the ex.
cited Yankees subsidized into their placEs,
manifested their appreciation by b-a-ah
that would have done credit to ten thous-
and bulls of Bashau.