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

VIRGINIA, April q.
10 spite of the grand preparations now being made
to reduce Richmond, cannot discover nerve
shaken there anticipating the result. The cotter of
machinery at-the Tredegar Works is as deaening as
eVer--the huge colum6ad turns over and over while
he hard augur cuts out its great throat just before
the iron ore 1uus from the furnace into the mould
white rivulet of fire, quietly aud undisturbed-h
dreds of wheels buZzing and hundreds OF workmen
busy in the armory constructing implements OF war,
all with as much nonchalence as II al ocean OF fire
stood between them and an Unsuitable enemy.
Among the thropg of soldiers that are daily crowd
ing through the city to the army the question scarcely
ever discussed. The merchant and Speculation hurry
through the street, intenty wrapped In purpose Of
gathering ill., quite obvious, seemingly, of all cXtIane
ous dangers, aud fear no immediate perils as long
good terms maintained between the street guard
and conecrp filters. Gay faces wreathed in smiles
and ashy bonnets enlven the capitol square every fair
evening when the locals turn out, and the creur
company parades as if it were peace times Provis
ions enough TO leave the demand unsatisd
the poor sewing crowd around the government
establishment, pale and caraworn for each days work
that is tc sustain life the Song of the Shirt" in
every luament of their anxious aces-the ragged news
boy cries out in his usual piercing phrase: Here's
yur mornings paper-drays Eand wagons rumble over
the stony ways until one must use high words 10 the
streets to make his Wis avis understood hm-0 ers IN
fine uniforms guard the hotels from Try raids and
guarded them so long their faces fair Ia
dies'-lhe President is calm-Gea Bragg ia stern
everything is an un9SSumng picture OF suOHme lDdt-
ference to outside dangers Such comes from the couf.
dence in Gen Lee and that army before it, standing
like adamantine wall against which tyranny bias
broken itself time and agaiD.
In the army there is the indifference to Grants
gigantic preparation. The war-worn Southern sO.-
der shrns his shoulder be looks across the Rapidan
and says 10 his comrades somebody yooder is
going get hurt before they get into Richmond" HIS
comrade replies, yes and q -- sight OF 'em too.'-
A dark eyed North Caroinian was hurryiug to
of tbn
same State There none OF that whitelvered, de-
talked like mer Boys" says the darkeyed one I've
to show graves before they shall have it." Tr1e
courage, wherever it is found, is sublime
General Lee is DO doubt ready to try the issue if
Grant and Lincoln still insist that more blood must be
she'd but Of the disposition of forces this is not the
time nor place to speak of them if they all per
fectIy understood. 1t is thought that the published
programme Of the Federal campaign will be followed ;
that the advance in North Carolina under Burnside
up the Peninsula under Smith, and across the Rapdau
under Grant simultaneously. A victory at either
point will be deemed key, possibly to the ultimate
overthrow Of our capitol. The enemy's forces arc
being moved very secretly, aud will in all probability
terminate in massing at one point perRaps the PENN
sula and at other points, making simply heavy feints
for decided results except to deceive Generals
OF course these moves have been anticipated. All that
necessary, apparently to is hearty coopers
tion among general officers In executing superior
orders. General LIE, great in his magnanimty, JUS
tice and natural dignity, always commands the love
and wiling obedience Of his subordinate officers
Cor. Sac. Republican,