Our army Correspondence.
Gen. Stuart is commanding on our side, and his coolness, vigilance, and general management since the appearance of the enemy in his front, have elicited general satisfaction.
Diverse opinions prevail as to Meade's probable intentions, although no movement of his has yet been made which furnishes a key to his plans — if he has yet adopted any. Some are of opinion that he will attempt what both his predecessors failed to accomplish at Fredericksburg; while others think he will cooperate in the "on to Richmond" move via the Peninsula, so plausibly urged in some quarters by both Yankee and Confederate. There are not a few, also, who believe there are reasonable probabilities of a collision of the two armies in this immediate section. It so, we may have to record another bloody fight at Cedar Mountain, already classic by the memorable rout, the beginning of the series of disasters to the splendidly equipped army of the infamous Pope. Meade, thus far, has made no encroachments on our position. His delay in following up what nobody but his own miserable people claim as a victory at Gettysburg, can be accounted for only on one of the two suppositions of bad Generalship or want of strength sufficient, and the necessity of waiting for reinforcements, or the slow and uncertain results of the draft. Most probably his army was badly cut up, broken down by weary marches, and needed rest and recruiting.
There is nothing of special interest from our own army to communicate, save the interesting fact that the good effect of the call of the Commander-in-Chief and the proclamation of the President are visible in the thousands of convalescent sick and wounded returning to their post and ready to meet the foe once more in the reeking front of battle. The cry daily is, "still they come," and I will not attempt to estimate how much stronger we are now than when we recrossed the Potomac. There is yet room and heed for many more to meet the next onset of overwhelming avalanche of men which it is believed the enemy are collecting for our destruction. Gen. Lee, with his usual military acumen, has doubtless surveyed the whole field; but whether his plans are aggressive or defensive will depend, it is presumed, altogether on the condition and movements of the enemy.
A meeting of chaplains of the 21 and 3d corps is to be held to-day at Orange C. H. Its object has not transpired, but it is probably to adopt measures to promote concert of action and the general efficiency of that useful body of men. That their labors have been productive of much good is evinced in the religious tone of feeling prevalent in the army, and the nightly assembling in each camp of groups of soldiers whose songs of praise ascend to Heaven with the smoke of the camp fires, and whose untutored invocations call down the blessings of God on the absent ones at home, our cause, and our country. Some of these scenes that I have witnessed are worthy of the pencil of the most gifted artist.
A Court of Inquiry has been convened at Brandy Station, consisting of Gen. Mahone, Col. C. A. Battle, and others, to investigate the case of the capture of a portion of the wagon train of Ewell's corps while returning from Pennsylvania. The train was convoyed by a regiment of cavalry, and it is alleged the inferior force of Yankees that attacked the train might and should have been captured, instead of being captors.
I am informed by a North Carolina officer that meetings have been recently held in several regiments in this army from that State, with reference to the course of the Raleigh (N. C.) Standard, and resolutions denunciatory of the editor, and repelling the imputations cast upon them and their State in consequence, have been adopted. The tone of that sheet has been a constant libel upon such men as the gallant Ramseur, Hoke, Lane, Daniel, Pender, and the brave troops under their command, as well as on the memory of the many brave dead from the "Old North State." whose blood consecrate every battle-field of Virginia. There are no better troops in this army, I venture to say, than the brigades from North Carolina with which I am acquainted. Such was the gallantry and lofty bearing of Ramseur, for instance, at Gettysburg, under the most terrific fire, as to elicit the admiration of all who beheld him. A veteran brigade — formerly Rodes's — about to make a charge, stopped to give him the tribute of three cheers.--The impunity with which the Standard has attempted to foment discord in its own State, and to alienate her troops from the common cause, is a forcible illustration of the latitude of speech and of the press in the Confederacy, and presents a striking contrast to the genius of the Government at Washington; yet it is becoming the opinion of many, including not a few North Carolinians in this army, that the Standard has abused that liberty to the verge of aid and comfort to the enemy, and that something more effective should be adopted than resolutions and remonstrances.
Gen. Pegram, latterly stationed in the West, has arrived here, and will probably be transferred and assigned to duty in this army. His visit is understood to have reference to that end.
My acknowledgments are due various officers at the headquarters of the army, as well as of different divisions, for offers of facilities, and of which I will avail myself at such times as such information as can be derived only from such sources will be valuable, and can be with propriety given to the public.
