The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-07-25

l correctly reported, Is very damaging to
Sherman's army. The supplies for the
Yankees are brought across the Chatta-
hoochee, and then wagoned to Decatur,
distance Of about Is miles, and this in
corruption Of rations in the rear, coupled
with the disastrous fighting in the front
with Hardee. is likely to cause change of
position in Sherman's whole force-prob
ably to the extent of falling back to the
line Of the Chattahoochee. Farther than
that he cannot 90 without destruction,
nor can he. stay where he is without
whipping Hoods army.
FROM THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.
The enemy achieved small success in
the vicinity of Winchester on the 22d,
which will be duly msgnified by the
Northern papers into brilliant victory.
1t appears that, misled by information in
regard to the ensmy's strength, Con-
federate force marched out to attack
them, when they suddenly found them
selves in the presence Of AverilPs and
Crooks entire commands. In the fight
which ensued we lost some two hupdred
and fifty men captured, and four pieces
of artillery. The force engaged was not
a portion of the command which entered
Maryland, but simply party stationed
at Winchester as guard.
All the property captured by our
army of invasion" has reached a place
of security, and will speedily be rendered
available to the Confederate cause. .
All accounts received Of the engage
ment at Smokers represent that the
Yankees were badly.whipped on that oc-
casion. 1t is stated that some fifteen
hundred of the enemy fell to rise no
more, and only six were made prison
ers. 1t is probable..that considerable
number were drowned in their attempt
to recross the Shenandoah.
YANKEE DEsERTERs.
A private letter from Maryland, dated
the 11th of July, states that the coun-
try below Washington swarms with de-
serters from the Federal army, endea
voring to make their way to their homes.
So numerous are the desertions that il
has been found necessary to employ q
large force of detectives to hunt up the
fugitives.
AFFAIRS AT CHARLESTON.
The enemy are still sheiling Fcrt Sum
ter, and on Monday last threw as many
as 1876 shells into it. On Morris Island
the Yankees are building shed house
intended, it is supposed, for the contine
ment of the Confederate General officers
under fire. Recent high tides have
good deal damaged the Yankee works or
the island TO show the magnitude o
the recent movements on Charleston, We
| copy the following circular. issued by
Gen Foster upon the, inauguration OF The
| expedition;
CONFIDENTIAL CIRCULAR.
HEADERS Dept OF THE ScUTH.
Hilton Head. 8 c, June 49, 1864.
| The following instructions will govern
| commanding officers in the conduct OF thei
| troops on board transports, and in disem
| barking the same:
/ inn
| be kept together at all times. Upon ap
| preaching land, or going up narrow. river
| the company commander will give the com
| mand "Attention ~ when the company vii
| Immediately form, facing outward and stant
| under arms, the men being fully equipped
| and ready 10 disembark without breaking
| ranks. Company commanders must remain
at all times with their companies, eXcep
| when out of sight of land, when they ma.
| retire to the cabins.
IL Proper means of exit on each trans
port must be prepared, to facilitate the dis
embarkation strong stairs must be rtad
to be placed at each gangway, forward an
aft, at q moments warning
| Ill. Two non commissioned officers mus
be placed at each gangway, to assist in dis
embarkipg the troops, and to pass to thci
their muskets and knapsacks. Strong gang
planks must be prepared, and placed neo
each gangway, ready for immediate use.
lV. The signal for starting will be th
} American Fiag, under the Union Jack, a
| the fore, on tue steam transport Sylph, tn
flagship of Brig Gen Jno p Hatch.
Each brigade headquarters will repeat tn
signal for sailing Immediately after bein
hoisted on the flagship. The transport
| will sail in the following order
Brig Gen John P Hatch, on tTaaspo
Syiph, followed by transports containing IL
Hilton Head trOCps.
Brig Gen w Birney, on transport
Banks, followed by transports containin
| the Florida troops, with the 3ith U Y 1.
Brig Gen K SaxtOn, on transport Flor
followed by transports containing the bea
fort troops.
The several brigades must keep togeth
! as much as possible, also the vessels con
prising each brigade, in order that they ms
be distinguished.
The speed of the vessels to correspor
: with the slowest sailing transport Of tai
brigade.
v. The thole-pins of the small boats mu
be secured by lanyards underneath tral
lines must be fitted to secure The oars Wht
dropped over-painters new and strong.
!, VI. The flag of the Major General con
manding will be blue, with white castle
the centre.
By command of Major Gen j g Foster.
Official; w l. NJ BURGER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
-s=
, A MORMON SETTLEMENT IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
. The Wheeling (va) Intstlise'scer says: