June 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)
RICHMOND, Saturday, June 13.
Night before last, Gen. LEE was telegraphed in regard to the enemy’s approach by way of the Chickahominy. His answer was received forty minutes after the despatch to him left the War Office. Its nature is unknown, but some believe he will parry the demonstration below this city by hastening his movements forward. Indeed, it is contended by some that the forward movement has but recently received the official sanction.
If Hooker has even so many as 100,000 men, he can scare again the people of Richmond. Let him put 10,000 under the banks of Deep Run; that will keep a large part of Lee’s army in check. Let him garrison the fortifications around Washington with 40,000 regular soldiers and all the militia Curtin can send from Pennsylvania. Let him wait till Lee is beyond Manassas, and then throw 60,000 upon the force in his front at Fredericksburg. Perhaps this is what he is aiming at now. Col. Thomas S. Rhett is in command of our works and artillerists. At the time of the Stoneman raid he had been sent off to Gordonsville. Richmond is powerfully fortified, and a moderate force, supported, can keep in check many times their number of the enemy. Drury’s Bluff is absurdly strong. Yankees will never come there.
Some apprehension is felt here in regard to the Chickahominy movement. Government employees, clerks, etc. are arming. No citizens armed yet. Fortunately there are more troops here than at the time of the Stoneman raid. But little confidence is felt in Elzey, the commandant, vice G. W. Smith, who brought order out of chaos last summer. Confusion is daily growing again.
‘If any one asks you about the cavalry fight in Culpeper, tell we were whipped.’ That is the message which came by the cars yesterday afternoon. ‘Tell also to expect a fight soon at Manassas,’ was an addition to the message. We were not whipped, but were disgracefully surprised. General Lee, it is said, has censured Stuart severely. He deserved it, if it be true that he and his officers, like those at Vicksburg when the transports passed, were at a ball the night before the enemy crossed the river. Stuart’s head has been turned by the ladies and the newspaper claquers of raids. Cavalry were intended to decide and complete victories – not to ride around. He has been having big cavalry reviews for the benefit of the ladies and the enemy. At the last review he appeared in grant style, with boquets pinned plentifully upon his person – much to the disgust of General Lee, as people of Culpeper aver.
I have read the address, resolutions and speeches of the great Fernando Wood Peace Meeting. They are all and more than we could ask. The N. Y. Times declares that the issue of peace or war is now clearly made, and upon this basis the battle for the Presidency must be fought. Yankee peace talk is mere drivel, unless we hold Vicksburg, defeat Hooker and enter Pennsylvania. Then it will be truly significant and encouraging. So let the people pray.
Commissioner Ould went to Lynchburg for Vallandigham, and brought him to Petersburg. He is to leave Wilmington for Nassau in the Giraffe. The correspondence between Vallandigham and President Davis is said to have been pleasing and satisfactory to both parties.
One cause of depreciation hereafter in our currency is this: that it will be to the interest of people to buy 8 per cents at 102 or 103, or even as high as 106, in preference to investing in 7 per cents.
Two street stories yesterday, 1. Gen. Price was holding the river a little above Vicksburg. 2. Two Yankee officers on horseback appeared Friday morning early at the residence of a gentlemen near Mechanicsville, five miles from the city, and said they were returning from a complete survey of the fortifications in this vicinity – had maps of all of them, etc.
Drought prevails.
HERMES.