June 12, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
Contrary to expectation, the Yankees on yesterday still remained on the south bank of the Rappahannock, at Deep Run. They occupied the angle formed by the creek and the river, and were throwing up a line of entrenchments of a mile in length, extending from Bernard’s house up to Deep Run. By aid of a field glass their dirt digging operations could be distinctly seen from the hills above Hamilton’s Crossing, but it was impossible to form any correct estimate of their numbers. Beside the ditchers, only about two regiments were visible, but there may have been several thousand concealed in the gorge of the creek and under the river bank. On the Stafford hills, just opposite Deep Run, might be seen about a thousand men, apparently cavalry. There had been no skirmishing or cannonading since Saturday. We see no reason to change the opinion hitherto expressed, that this demonstration of the enemy was designed solely to disconcert or retard some supposed plan of General Lee. That it has been a dead failure is already known to the Yankee General.
Where Hooker, with the main body of his forces now is, is a matter open to conjecture. He may be at Kelley’s Ford, thirty miles above Fredericksburg, at Dumfries, on the Potomac, or even so far away as Manassas Junction. We would most strongly incline to the belief that he was at one of the latter places, were he not the great ‘Fighting Joe,’ and in command of ‘the finest army on the planet,’ composed of the victorious veterans of Chancellorsville. But with such a name and such an army he cannot turn his back upon a foe he has always pretended to despise. Wherever he is, we have no fears but that we shall soon hear from him. Even while we write a great battle may have been joined. The latest report which, however, does not come very well authenticated, from King William, is that the Yankee gunboats have again ascended the Mattaponi. But there is little doubt that they will renew their raid unless some steps are taken to prevent them. One battery of flying artillery, stationed at West Point, would effectually keep them out of both the Mattaponi and the Pamunkey. This matter is well worth the attention of the commandant of this department. The wheat crop on these rivers is uncommonly fine and almost ready for the sickle, but unless the farmers are granted some protection it will all be lost. Already we hear the people of means are making preparations to remove with their families and negros. The Confederacy can at this junction but ill afford to throw away so rich and productive a section of country, and especially one that can be retained by so small an expenditure of means. . . Richmond Enquirer, Of Tuesday.