Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-03-06
BEFORE PETERsRURa, Feb. 28, 1855.

BEFORE PETERsBgRGt Feb. 28, 1855,
Special Correspondence Washington Chronicle.
This is the day we expected the rebels
to eyacuate Petersburg. Dame Rumor
through her countless mediums-the de.
serters-said General Lee had issued pri-
vate orders for the destruction of all
tobacco, cotton, and other articles or ma
terials that might be of service of the Yam.
KEGS. The ruin was to be performed
secretly and with despatch. From the
same gentry we have numerous other stories
with which shall not trouble you at
present.
l cannot see that Petersburg has been
eTacuRted. A long ride this morning
among our tangled and crooked earth.
works has proved this fact very distinctly
to my understanding. The rebels sWarmed
upon the parapet, peeped through embra.
sqres, or leaned idly against the gabions
in the forti6cations. Groups were idly
summing themselves upon an elevated bomb.
proof, while others clustered together, and,
with spade aud pick, were intent upon
repairing the damage done the works by
wind aud rain.
There is no doubt many of their heavy
pieces of artillery have been removed, and
field batteries substituted. This is a pre-
cautiouary messure,- for which they may
soon be very thankful. A man came in
the other night, who represented bimself
to have been guard on the pontoon bridge
oyer the Appomattox, aud that while on
duty there one night, he counted sixty
pieces of cannon CROSS the stream.
. What does Lea mean tn ClO7 cuD aooi
ly guess what would give him Infinite sat.
lstactlon-to defeat Grant, and humiliate
Sherman. Can he do either? By leaving
strong skirmish line, he might possibly
be able to Withdraw sufficient force from
our front to severely damage Sherman
This course would be- much safer for him
than to brave our breastworks, against
which his men would never be able to eff
feet breach. At present the army of
Northern VlrgiOin would have better
chance for victory in a race; it is not SO
full of fight now as last spriug.
Concentration is the consummation for
which we wish deyoutely. Let Schofeld,
Sherman, and Grant combine, and the
ruin of the Contederacy will be certain
aud irretrievable No one feels this fact
painfully than the rebel generalissimo
so 1t ls notnatural TO think be will furnish
Sherman with Sigh diversion before
Richmond is vacated and shelter craved
in the works of Lynchburg.
More than two years ago, when Rich
mond was beleagured by the troops under
Mcclellan, Lee issued a military edict, in-
tended for sedative to the nervous and
o7er.anxious ones of the city. If that
place should have to be abandoned, then
there were other places within the borders
Of his native State where good defence
could be made, aud strong blows given for
deliVerance. On ibis unhappy occasion he
Informed the people aud the soldiers that
his "lest battle should be fought upon the
last hills of Virginia."
Did he wish US to understand that his
State offered more natural qualification for
defence and fertilization than any other in
the South? I think not. The idea con
Seyea Is that no spirit to fight could re
nam, nam, II driven from his home. All the
nnEglnlaus ia bis army think the same way.
Talnetto Guards, Mississippi Rangers,
Ie4an Braves, or louisiana Tiasrs-whai
are etneyf Men, men, meG-and miserable
soldiers they proved. We have found nc
difficulty in vanquiahiug any command
with ferce-sounding, bloody name. But
whenever Virginia soldiers have confront.
ed ours, the tug. of war has been deadly
vi this state her soldiers can exclaim: