Year: 1864

O.


In some respects Richmond Is in mora
danger than when Mcclellan, at the
head Of one hundred thousaad men.
was encamped within I've miles OF the
coporstion limits. Our readers are well
aware Of the weak point in our defence.
They know the city Is IN peril, and they
have repaired promptly 70 the 6ele-
The quiet determination Of the cit
zens yesterday morning was worthy Of
al praise. Knowing that the hour Of
suffering and trial had come, they armed
themselves aud went calmly forth 70
defend their wives and children from a
barbarous foe. Every mar felt that the
occupation Of the city, even for q single
hour, involved consequences most ter
rible, apart from the destruction Of
property. Numberless calamities 70 the
pure and unprotected, who would be
erouching IA gsrTets and cellars, were
to be dreaded To avert these calanai-
ties fathers and brothers and sons were
willing to lay down their livea The
cause was holy; how could they be 9TH
erwise than confident with regs 81 70
the weak side Of our defence We Rnay
state on good authority that its 4eak-
ness Is less than the more nervous Of
our population suppose, and every hour
makes il stronger. Some apprehension
is felt in regard TO the number Of troops
in and around the city On that point
it would be obviously improper to state
particulars. We may be very sure,
however, that heavy reinforcements are
az hand. They may not arrive in time
10 prevent the enemy from achieving q
temporary success, such as the burning
8 bridge and the capture Of an outpost,
but they can come soon enough to pun
ish the enemy for his temerity. We
expect for several days to como an IN
wOnted degree Of excitement and many
startling and alarming rumOTs. The
enemy Will bring us not a little, and
the busybOdies will do their best to ere
ate panic Such VexatiOns are inevi-
table in time OF peril, and can be cOuu-
teracted only by anticipating them, and
presenting firm mind in spite, not
only Of rumOrs, but of unpleasant facts.
Let US possess our souls in patience. no
matter what happens Panic only
make matters worse, and the best way
10 meet a danger is 10 face IT, In 81
hour like this hardness Of nerve should
be cultivated. for the air will Be thick
with ugly and evil reports. Our duty
is plain, first 20 defend the city % the
last gasp, a. well from the lawless with
in So from the invaders without and
next 70 encourage and sustain our de-
Tenders. The many wounded who viii
be sent here must not be left 20 the
hospital attendants alone.


The ladies Of Richmond must again
become agents at the bedside, as they
have always been in time Of battle.
HOusekeepers must give freely Of their
private stores Of delicacies for the SICK,
for these are now too rare 20 be purchas-
ed by the government


Contributions Of clothing, Of material
for dressing wounds, and Of money,
should not be wanting. A body Of citi-
2ens 20 assist the wounded frOln the
cars should be % once organized, and
/ one or moro Offices for the reception Of
donations Of cooked provisions, stimu-
lants, &c, should be opened near the
various depOts. Nething that can con-
duce to the comfort Of the defenders Of
our country should be left undona


II may be, and we trust it is, the last
time Richmond viii be called on % dis
play the Christian virtue for which she
is 50 distinguished throughout the Con
federacy Let this display eclipse al
previous ones There win be trouble
about food, especially for the troops
near the city. The commissariat should
not be left wholly - the authorities,
who will be busy with a thousand press
ing claims Tho local troops hsd but
one days rations in their hayersaclzs,
and that viii be exhausted before regu-
lations are furnished Moro attention
should be given 20 this matter than was
given on the occasion Of the raids Of
Stoneman and Fitzpatrick Finally,
the poor should not be neglected Very
little meat and very few vegetables viii
be brought 20 market until the battles
are over. The price Of provisions will
rise, and the sOrdid and the mean
hearted will begin TO hoard The fami-
lies Of soldiers and the poor generally
viii suffer, unless special relief IS AZ
forded them above and beyond the
charities which they generally receive


We shall not forget them 10 the
midst Of this hurly burly. Lot Us coz
duct ourselves in sll respects ~ a brave.
generous and Christian people, neglect
ing no duty, whether Of danger OF Of
kindness, which the Perlous times ne
pose on Us


Our whole duty done ws may safely
leave the issue Of the fnal struggle for
Richmond to q just and mercif1l Deity.