From the Peninsula.
the Christmas and New Year holidays among the soldiers — Prospects of a fight — Disogrecable weather, &c., &c.,
[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Of late it appears to me that every breeze which is waited over the Penl signs audibly from its being so nesvilly laden with idle rumors. The Yankees have made no advance upon this place, and I do not for a moment suppose they will, unless they should be actuated by the greatest of foolhardiness, for such an adventure would most undoubtedly resuit in a rout as complete as that which they experienced at Manassas. Our line of defences is now completed, and in a triumphant spirit of confidence we defy the enemy to assault us, but we are by no means contented to a wait the advances of a cowardly enemy, for we very frequently go into the enemy's neighborhood, almost in view of their works, and offer them battle. We have had considerable skirmishing lately, in which the Yankees always get the worst.
I think it quite probable from the present aspect of affairs, that Yankeeism is coming to the season. The Mason and Slidell affair certainly indicate a waning of that warlike spirit, which made the minions of Old Abe howl worse than the fiends of Hades. I do not think the winter campaign on the Peninsuia will be an active one, nothing but rumors and an occasionally false excitement, which is but a natural requisite, for men in the dullness of a camp life. In camp we witness life in many of its varieties; its gay and its sober scenes. Speaking in a moral sense, I have attended a prayer meeting in a hut, while in the next, was singing and dancing, keeping time with the gay tunes of the violin. But
‘ Life is made of mariv scence,
As changeful as the fickle winds
The cloud to-day dispelied by beains
Of love, to save man from his sins,
’ At present we have every variety of weather here — rain, hail and snow. Now while I am writing it is hailing. For several weeks it has been very cold. The most disagreeable duty the soldier has to perform now is standing guard. Our sentinels, by the faithful perfomance of their duties, defy the most tricky of our Yankees to catch them napping. Our pickets are a noble set of fellows — bold, daring, and full of adventure — always on the alert, and very often going into the enemy's lines, shooting and taking prisoners of their men, and then returning to camp. They keep us always accurately informed of every movement of the enemy; so we never have the least cause to fear a surprise from the Yankees. I have not the least doubt, neither do I think there is a true Southerner who has, but that the time is not far in the future when the independence of our glorious Confederacy will be acknowleged by the nations of the earth, when our beautiful flag will wave proudly over us, the free people of anoble Confederacy.
‘ May she be aland for ever blest.
Free from war and all its strife;
And when each sun sinks in the West,
Usher in each peaceful night.
Yes, that far-famed land beyond the seas--
A happy land of wealth and ease.
Iago.
’
