The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-17

we think 1t likely he will time his attack
so that, if in any part successful, the
good news may he flashed through
Yankee land in time to influence the Pre-
sidential election; and if the attack is
made before the election, we may be sure
OF this: that those troops known to be
favorable to Mcclellan will he put in the
foremost ranks, where they will have
the greater certainty of being killed off,
Grant were, indeed, a bungling manager
if he did not do this.
But whatever the next ten days or a
month may bring forth, at present We
have only to report that all is quiet
Butler has mounted sixteen heavy guns
on Fort Harrison, but as yet they have
not opened. 1t is worth remark, that the
Yankee press now make distinction be-
tween the Army OF the Potomac and the
Army of the James. the latter appella-
ton being given to the forces on the
north side of James river, Immediately
under the command of Butler.
FROM PETERSBURG.
On Friday everything was as quiet as
could possibly be expected in the region
of Petersburg, where Federals and Con-
federates are in full view of each other.
The Yankees did not seem to be in the
humor of sholling, and our men lay
quiet, waiting for something to turn up
Several heavy reports were heard in the
direction of Bermuda Hundreds about
IL o'clock A. NJ, following each other in
such quick succession as to create the
that an explosion had oc-
CURED. They may have been, however,
the discharges of heavy ordnance from
the Yankee gunboats or the blowing up
of the mouth Of the famous Dutch Gap
canal.
We learn from the Express that Mr..
Wiley Wilkinson, an old and respected
citizen oi Sussex county, was shot and
killed by a body Of Yankee cavalry, u
night CT two since, ut his residence, near
Littleton, adjacent to the Prince George
line Mr.. Wilkinson was at the time
engaged with q negro in boiling down
some sorghum; and desiring to finish the
lot before he ceased work, had extended
bis isborS until after night. The Yam
kee cavalry coming suddenly to the spot,
and probably thinking il was one of our
picket posts, fired upon Mr.. Wilkinson
and his servant, instantly killing the
former and wounding the latter. After
finding out their mistake, and viewing
the work they had done, these valiant
warriors did not even condescend to rem
Der assistance to the dead and wounded,
but pursued their route as if nothing
had occurred
On Saturday there were no demonstra-
lions on either line; the only thing oc-
2urring to break the monotony being the
advent into our lines of few deserters-
4 sprinkling of different nations.
On Saturday night heavy fire of ar
-illery from our works was opened on
he lines of the enemy, but elected no
'esponse. 1t is very evident that the
ankee force on the south side of the
James has been very much weakened
It is supposed they have gone to the
north side, or that the raid on the Sea-
joard and Roanoke railroad was formed
rom this diminution. All quiet at Pc
.ersburg yesterday.
FROM THE VALLEY.
Information reached this city yesterday
morning, through reliable channel, that
sheridan had crossed the Blue Ridge on
Thursday with two corps II armee, with
he intention, it is supposed, of making
on Charlottesville and the
CENTRAL railroad.
One corps remained in the Valley,
lear Strasburg, as a bait to induce
carly to pass on down towards Winches-
er and annihilate it. But General Ju-
al Early was not to be caught with
hatf So, crossing the mountain higher
Ip the Valley at Thornton's gap, and
making Stonewall' march, he struck
sheridan unawares, and before he had
veil come from the mountain into the
lain, smote him, hip and thigh, and
Rove him pell-mell back through the
ap into the Valley, followed him up in
lis retreat through Chester gap, pursued
lin so closely as to capture some OF his
ear guard at the Shenandoah river, and
ent him flying through the town of Stras
urg. Nor did the vain-glorious barn
urner halt until he had crossed
'edar creek, several miles from the |
ilage, where he halted for the first |
me.
Had General Early done as Sheridan |
oped he would do-pass on down the |
alley and attack the remaining corps OF