Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-04-05
FROM THE RAPIDAN,

From the Richmond Enquirer, April IL
Latest information from General Lees army
gives nc indication of an immediate opening 81
the campaign. Between the Rapidan and the
Rsppshsnnock rivers the estimated Yankee force
does not exceed thirty-fVe thousand. Their
cavalry videttes extend as far up as Rspidan
station, on the Orange and Alexandra railroad.
These are stationed At intervals of about \
quarter Of a mile, and generally come no nearer
the river than half q mile. In the rear Of these,
and directly opposite Clsrke's mountain, in q
north-WesteIly direction, may be seen the in
tantry pickets and the ~sentinels walking their
beats. The camps are few ia number on this
side of Brandy station, where they are thickly
crowded together, and the smoke of a thousand
camp hreE hangs heavily over the hills, while
occasionally may be seen the troops drilling by
regiments, squadrons and squads, OF the artillery
praeticing at a target, while the dull explosion
OF the pieces reveTbeTstes and echoes along the
hills AID valleys of the oRce prosperous region
OF the Rappahsnnock river.
One day last week very heavy and continu-
Gus ca~nnonading, accompanied By sharp mug
kerry of several hours duration, was heard in
the direction of CulpePer Court House. No def.
mite cause has been assigned, but rumor tells
Of another difficulty among the Yankee troops.
On Tuesday morning about two O'Clock
three men, from the StoneWall brigade. entered
the great bend of the Rspidsn, between Tobsc.
coshck ford sHd MoretOn's ford, for The purpose
OF firing upon the Yankee cavalry as they came
down m the morning TO water their horses. By
daylight, however, the party were 60 thoroughly
chilled that they could not wait Longer, so thew
fred away at the Yankee picke:s, who were in
and around a house on the opposite side of the
stream, about a hundred and fifty yards distant.
Three fell at the frat fire; the greatest conster-
nation prevailed among the enemy; thew turned
cut en- nssse, threw out skirmishers, and pre-
pared for q general attack. Our boys fred
again, and retreated across the bottom land,
returning the Yankee FIRE as they went. All
three returned safely to their regiment.
The enemy's pickets say that Gen. Grant has
taken command of the amy of the Potomac.
Our men are in most excellent spirits.
To the boast of Gen. Grant, that he can,
With thirty thousand men, whip ont Gen. Lee's
srmy, our boys say that he cannot cross the
river IN opposition to EWell's corps alone.
quite an acceptable present was received a
te" days since IN the shape of q quantity Of
excellent WOODEN socks, to be distributed TO
tnose soldiers whose homes are in possession Of
the public enemy.
Gov. Vance, of North Carolina, still contiu-
ues to address the North Carolina troops. His
speeches are vivilying end received with enthu.
slasm By all who hear him; troops from other
States as we'll as his own.
A grand game of baseball was PLAYED on
Monday last, the contest being between the
members of Gen. StsEJrd's Louisiana brigade.
Of Maj Gen. JehRson's division, and Gen
Hays Louisiana brigsde, Of Maiden. EArlyis
division. The stakes were $500 a side. The
game was won, after q contest of two hours end
q half, By Gen. Hays brigade.
wANToN DESTRUCTION OF P~ROPERTYOP EVERY
DESCRIPTION BY NEGRO SOLDIERS IN MID.
BLEsEx AND MATHEWS COUNTIES.
The counties Of Middlese1 and Mathews have
recently been visited by one of the most de-
struetive raids ever made in any portion of Viz
gluia. Early Monday, the 9Th inst, five steam
eB went up the PiAnkstank river, in pursuit Of
the steamer captured on the Eastern Shore bv
Fitzhagh and Maxwell, but succeeded in DOING
nothing save shelling the woods and destrovinS
some small boats. a few days after, ouuboSt
thieves commenced stealing negroes from The
plantations on the river. Exrly on Friday. Inc
l9sh, a large force Of infantry and artillery was
landed on Mr.. James Merchants farm. in
Mathews, and made q forward movement for |
the interior Of the county, to operate with the
cavalry commanded by the outlaw, Spears, |
who made the raid to that place last fall, ia
search of Capt. Beslfs party, and bTutslly muir
dered NJ. Sands Smith, of which an account
was published at the time. After p~illaging and
destroying everything Of any worth, forcing
away servants against their consent, insulting
ladies and committing acts Of cruelty too numer- '
Gus to mention, they retired.