Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-02
FnON THE UNITED STATES.

We received yesterday the New York Herald of
Monday, 27th ult. 1t contains very little news.
rRoM TIKI "ARNY OF THE POTOMAC" en-
A letter, dated Headquarters, Gath ult., says
Artillery practice has been INDUCED in quite ex-
tensiyely tor the past two days between the 9th
corps, occupying the line OF works immediately in
front OF Petersburg, aud the enemy. 1t com.
meuced yesterday morning ON the extreme right of
the line in General WilcOX's division, and coptiu
ued for several hours. The LIST Connecticut hat
terry was engaged on oar side, aud directed their
lire at Fort Chesterteld, situated ON the opposite
side OF the AppomattOA river. The hiring was ex-
ceedingly accurate ON both sides. We could see
with perfect distinctueSS our shell explode within
the enemy's works. wbie their own.was no less ac
curate. Dur loss was seven men killed and wound
ed. The loss OF the enemy mast have been eanal-
Nv larJiss This morning the firing was resumed.
but upon another part OF the line. Forts SedQwick
and Morgan were the recipients OF the euemv5s tira
to-day The firing on their pant was not equal 10
that OF Yesterday, most OF the shells exploding too
high 70 do any damage. .I... .
IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS ON FOOT BY THE REBELS.
II Is surmised by many that the Increased activi-
70 an the rt OF the rebels TOR the past few DAYS is
to cover some important movement. Reliable in
formatlon has been received so many times of the
evacuation ol'Petersbufg that we are very skepti
cal on that point but thar some movement is on foot
there i. hardly room for doubt. We learn from va
Eous sources that large part of the rebel army
have been under marching orders for number of
DAYS and that portion have already left to rein
force BeauregaTd. Gen. Lee will be Compelled to-
make move OF some kind very seon, or he will find
himself without an army.
Desertions LcOntinue TO increase instead of de-
creasing and the class Oi men now coming in are
superior IN intelligence and dress TO any have pre-
yiously seen. Not less than one hundred have been
reported at the headquarters OF the Provost Marshal
during the last twenty tour hours Or these large
proportion bring in their arms and equipments for
which they are paid liberal price in greenbacks.-
Many OF the cavalry bring IN horses also. To-day
dftys seven of the ehiyalrOus sons of South Caroua
came over in body. They style themselves
..peace commissioners, aud say that JET. Da-
Wis was unsuccessful establishing peace for them,
they have come over t0try it for themselves. Each
and all confirm the story that 10 every who en-
tiers our lines there ten who desert the rear
At this rate, without lighting another battle, the
rebel army would be dissolved IN Two months. >.
FROM NATANoRAS
A letter from Havana, dated 2lst ut., says:
The steamer Mexico, from Matamoras, arrived on
Sunday, bringing, among other passengers, the
Prince de POlignac, who, with two officers of his
staff, is on his way to Europe say to get
married. lie wears the mlOra OF a major general
of the rebel army, and looks quite soldier, as lie
has shown himself to be.
Trade between Matamorss and United States
ports ii appears, is about to stop, in consequence
OF some difficulty between the impe rial authorities
and the United States Consul at that port the lat
ter having been accredited TO the government of
Juarez, and General Meiia refusing to acknowledge
the commission. The Consul has therefore shut up
shop aud retired. Ii trade should be stopped be
tween there aud the United States Havana win
benefit greatly, and our merchants are not very
sorry for what has happened.