The reports which we have from our own and the enemy's forces from day to day very so materially that it is difficult to say whether or not there is any probability of an early engagement.
One evening we are told that a general fight is imminent, and that the army is in line of battle, and the next we are informed that there is nothing to indicate that a fight is likely to occur.
Passengers who came down yesterday afternoon report everything as quiet, and state that the impression prevails in our army that the enemy's forces are failing back.
It is highly probable that there has never been any general advance of the army of
McClellan, and that the demonstrations which were made in front of our lines were but feints to cover up their real designs of an advance upon
Richmond iron the south side of
James river.
Whatever their operations North of
Gordonsville may indicate, it is not reasonable to expect that a movement against
Richmond would be attempted at this season of the year from that direction.
The difficulty of transportation at once precludes the probability of such an undertaking.
If we have anything to fear from another ‘"on to
Richmond"’ move during the winter, we must look for it in a direction where our foes will have the advantage of water communication.
