Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-12

IN the streets yesterday afternoon stating that Gene
had been engaged all day with GRANT, and that ne
nsd been successful in rep1lslDg GRANT with neaJ i
We have reason to believe these reports are
We shall probably receive the press o'ePa'neS '' 'i
noon.
TIE grand movement against Richmond has al last
eveoped itself sufficiently to be understood as consist
ing. frst-in the advance OF an immense army under
GRANT, MEADE and BURNSIDE against LEE. Second
in a column moving upon Richmond by way OF the
Peninsula on the North side OF james River and
third of force landed the South side Of the river to
operate against Petersburg, the Railroad or Fort
Drewry at Drewrys Bluff. II either Petersburg or
the railroad Is taken then communication Is cut on be-
tween Richmond and the army of North Carolina. If
Fort Drewry falls tic enemy may possibly be abe to
work their gunboas Up to Richmond.
The whole combined movement is tremendous in its
power and extent, and perhaps, taken whole, ex
ceeds anything before brought to bear for the cap
tare Of a single city.
1t appears evident tIas the fight of Thursday was
only preliminary to the general engagement which may
De progressing write and hardly be post
poned beyond the week. So far all goes we'll for
The great tug OF war is yet to come.
The position of things nearer Richmond is mol less
critical or important than that the Rapidan. The
attack by the James River and on its SOuhcrs banE
strikes Us as being even more formidable than that by
The Peninsula. We are gratifed to know that the
general direction OF things that direction s i'll The
hands of an eminent soldier in whom the country
poses the most unbouldcd and well uerited confidence
From Washington, N. C.--AErocio"s Vandalism Of
the Yankees.
Parties who visited Washington since the avacus
tion OF that place by the enemy at Sunday The
st irst state that the Yankees sgnalzed their depar
ture by characteristic act Of vandalism setting fire
70 the town not far from its CENTRE speaking more
definitely, at in the neshbouriood of the building
formerly occupied by the Bank oil Weahington: From
that poipt the Gtc extended Westward nearly up 10
the bridge, destroying almost every building from the
water to the back part Of the town. The r6 pre-
vented from extending eastward by the ext:rtions of
the citizens. ar. HAyENs' warehouse. containing
considerable quantity OF e0mmzsary stores small aEns,
powder, &C., escaped the conAsgratloD, and tie con
,ens fell into the hands Of the GorfederGtes The town
ia now occupied by t0rces. On Monday last gun
boat GANG up the Pamlico, near 10 the town and
threw ole sheli into II. We ahould have slated be
FORE that the bridge &c Famlco Tex River
set fire IN three placsa aud Considerably injured 81
though not destroyed.
We heir OF few .4;rsnDr who left With thr Yankoes
when they evacuated the town, amongst The number,
HOWARD " IsUAL. nud family, ---- Richardson aud
family, joan PRIME and family, Uoi. SAH'L CARSow,
1t. Col. THOMAS B0uEs, U. Reg, Csc. Dixon and
several otherr names moi rec0ected CARBoH was efii-
tia Colonel of the county, aud do not know that any
body else had been appointed. lie resided about Two
miles outside OF the enemys lines aud had been getting
cotton ior the Yankees for which illicit trading,
troops were Gftcr him. Tuoa. Bowen Lad oeenLieut
Colonel Of the !ia but his last occupation in Wash
ing is said TO have been clerking Tor leer3.
This act Of the Yankees furnishes o striking com
mentery upon Federal occupation For long months,
running into years, their forces have held Washington
and yet leaving tey do their beat to destroy it
and ruin it's abitarss, regarding them, and doubt
truly, hostile people, ss indeed Is shown By the
smalness Of the number Of those who have gone off
with them. Running away from q town which they
dare not hold warriors, they seek 10 destroy 1T a.
incendiaries. After having lived among people ioE
long stretch Of tine, on leaving they show their mag
nanimity by oatagB upon the property Of the defence
less and uDarmcd, while fleeing from the approaching
onset OF armed meD. 1t adds more psge TO the
record Of this war, upon which the historian will in
scribe The damnng evidence Of Yankee atrocity and
narbarism. ~
1HE Presidents Message puts quieius upon ali the
recognition that have occasionally found
place In the papers aud very slightly amused the people
in general. The President says that he pros
pect OF carly change in the course heretofore pur-
sued by the European governments especial reference
having been made 70 E1giand and France. Well, We
must accept the situation and the more able TO
do CO. since people have long iamsrzed themselves
with It, and have ceased to place any dependence upon
foreign Recognition or intervention.
1t would also as though the PRECEDENT had set
at rest the mere poiGcians cry FOR negotiations for
peace, efforts utter peace by ogcrutes On OUT side
He says: lit is enough for US 10 know that every
avenue of negotiation is closed agaibe. ue that our
enemy is making renewed ad otrenuouG efforts FOR our
destruction and that the cole re uurce for ~ az peo.
pie Ill the justice Of cause and diDg our
liberties 10 be precious than al other earthly pos.
sessions is TO cobine and apply every available Gle
ment OF power Tor their defence and preservation. The
PRECEDENT knows Of what be speskshe knows Low TO
speak so as not to be misunderstanding is CONSCIOUS
OF the VAST responsibilities resting upon him-he is
above deception II not TOO good and too honorable
BIS worst enemies must admit that ne Is too wise
and too proud to be guilty OF anything approach
ing to ii in grave official manifesto to the Coined
eracy ~ the continent TO ths world and to pogerit
Ar. a, B y, =, stumpng around for political posi-
tion having OF official responsibility only arx
ious for his oan elevation, The success Of MS party
schemes, Or The qualification OF his private spleen or
actous luminosity, Gads bitter fault with the President
and voeerouey demands that ha should ucgotate for
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