The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-18

l
pearancc of conviction and truth. Loui
Napoleon fears no other element @
French public opinion except the an
tipathy to slavery, which is stronger an,
more universal here than in England
and which is, moreover, represented b,
Prince Napoleon.
THE YANKEE DRAFT NOT POSTPONED
The Washington Chronicle denies tn
rumor that the draft is.to be postponed
1t says:
In pursuance Of that proclamation
0S65), the provost-marshal-g general OF
Monday, issued instructions to the pro-
vost-marshals, requiring them, in al
their districts and sub districts, wherein
the quotas should not be filled TODAY. t.
proceed to make preparations for draft
just as nc did prior to the previous
drafts, neither of which took place unit
some time after the day up to which time
was given by the proclamation for re-
cruiting.
| These preparations for the draft will
be contaminated as speedily as possible,
| and there is every ,reaSol now to sup>
pose that the draft will be made at an
carly day.
FROM GRANTS ARMY ANTICIPATED AT
TACK ON IT'S CENTRE.
A letter from City Point, dated the
10th instant, says:
From the reports of descrters, and
from other sources of information equally
reliable, it would seem that General Lee
is contemplating an attack on our centre.
and is making, or has made, the ncccs,
sary dispositions for such movement
| wrote you yesterday that if the enemy
vcnturcd any offensive movement at ali.
it would be most likely directed against
the centre of our lines. The temptation
to make the effort is very great, for, with
our lines at present SO extended, the cen
tire would naturally seem to be the weak
est point, and if the enemy could gain
any advantage here he might claim de-
cisive victory. We know from expert
ence that it is favorite species of tactics
with Lee to mass upon our centre, and
endeayor to pierce it. In the present
this seems to be the only plan
Of operations remaining to the rebel
com handler. The Army of the Potomac
can no longer be flahkcd, and if it is to be |
dlslodged it can only be by cutting it in |
two.
Accordingly, Lee is reported to be |
masslng all available troops around Pc
tersburg, with the view of making an
attack: The scream of the locomotive
whistles on the Southside road can be |
distinctly heard in our camps, and they
have made the night unusually hideous
Of late. There is evidently something
astir. 1t is accepted here as a GER
,ainty that the enemy will speedily at
.ack us, and, likely enough, the point
IF attack may be somewhere in the vi
Unity of Meade's station, where the late
cigned assault was made.
Such an enterprise may seem rather
bold and hazardous for the rebel army.
'ut Lee is in critical position, and must
make some desperate push before long,
lnless he designs to evacuate Peters
,urg. Whatever his designs, he will
discover that they have bccu anticipated
md prepared for.
OFFICER SENTENCED TO BE
HUNG.
A telegram from New York, dated the
18th, says:
Captain Lohn Y. Bcall, convicted of
'eing spy and guerrilla, and being one
# the Lake Erie pirates, will be hung on
morning at Governors island,
Jew York. The sentence has been
ally approved by General Dix.
TIE ST. ALBANs RAIDERS. ;