The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-09

T1n Army or THE roToxAc STUCK IN
THE MUD.
A telegram from City Point, dated
March 4th, gives the following meagre
account Of the operations in this dires-
ton:
For three days past the weather has
been rainy almost beyond precedent
This, added to what had fallen before,
has rendered the roads as nearly impass-
able as mud can make them. The depth
of the latter is fabulous. Nothing like
it has been experienced this winter. AS
l write, the rain continues to fall in tor
rents. Everything animate and inani-
mate has dreary, sombre cast, altogether
depressing.
The Yankees boast largely Of the arri-
walls of deserters. A dispatch says:
Deserters continue to come into our
lines in large numbers, fifty-six having
arrived to-day, nearly all bringing their
arms and equipments with them, for
which they are to be paid. The number
of muskets received from deserters since
February 22.is two hundred and forty,
all of them in good order. In addition
to the usual stories told by these men,
they say that two companies from each
regiment of several bSigades have been
detailed from the army defending Pc
tersburg and sent to hunt up deserters,
thousands of whom are said to be scat
tered through the country, endeavoring
to reach their homes. This is particu-
'iarly the case with the North aud South
Carolina troops, who are sick and tired
Of the contest, and anxious to join their
families now within our lines. These
men are principally veterans of three
and four years service, and many Of
them are those lately exchanged. All
of them being refused furloughs, and not
paid for long time, nor any prospect of
getting any soon, they took "French
leave"
The following is from the Army of the
James:
The enemy are just now indulging
nightly in heavy fire upon the extreme
right Of our lines, picketed by the caval-
ry division commanded by Brigadier-
General Kautz. The enemy fire for the
purpose Of Staying their deserters in
fleeing to our lines while we do not
return the fire, owing to our knowledge
of its intent. The rebels, coming to us
in large hocks, say they are the true
peace commissioners.
From the following, dated March 4th,
it appears that there has been a slight
skirmish on the James:
About seven o'clock last evening
heavy discharge Of artillery from the
banks of the river gave rise to consi-
derable excitement. throughout the corps.
For long time we have expected the
advent of Semmes, the Alabama pirate,
and the rapid discharge from heavy guns
led all to believe that at last the rebel
fleet had determined to repeat the at
tempt which before proved failure, and
were dropping down tae stream to carry
out their programme of sinking our yes
sells and destroying our supplies at
Jones's Neck, City Point and Bermuda
Couriers were sent in the proper direc-
ton to obtain information, and in short
time it was known that the fire was oc,
casioned by picket boat of the enemy.
1t seems that this boat has been in the
habit of dropping down every night past
our pickets and establishing itself almost
within stone throw effort Brady. TO
prevent further exhibition of this au-
dacity on the part Of the enemy, our
pickets were throw out to Graveyard
bend, with orders to fire on the boat if
she again attempted to drop down the
river. AS soon, therefore, as She made
her appearance behind the bend last
evening, she received heavy musketry
fire from the picket, which must have
proved fatal to some of the crew. A
bombardmen: Immediately commenced,
which was, however, confined entirely
to the enemy, who opened from one of
their land batteries and from their gun
boat.
INAUGURATION SCENES.