From General Lee's Army.
[from our Own Correspondent.]April 9th, 1864.
Headq'rs Army of Northern Virginia, March 30th, 1864.
General Orders, No. 23.
In compliance with the recommendation of the Senate and House of Representatives, His Excellency the President has issued his proclamation calling upon the people to set apart Friday, the 8th of April, as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer.
General Orders, No. 23.
The commanding General invites the army to join in the observance of the day. He directs due preparations to be made in all departments to anticipate the wants of the several commands, so that it may be strictly observed. All military duties, except such as are absolutely necessary, will be suspended. The chaplains are desired to hold services in their regiments and brigades. The officers and men are requested to attend.
Soldiers! let us humble ourselves before the Lord, our God, asking, through christ, the forgiveness of our sins, beseeching the aid of the God of our forefathers in the defence of our homes and our liberties, thanking Him for His past blessings, and imploring their continuance upon our cause and our people.
In camp the day was most appropriately observed. At Orange C. H. there was no preaching' and so Gen. Lee, though he came to church, "did not hear preaching."
Quite a commotion has been caused in camp among the officers by General Order, No. 18, requiring officers who overstay the leaves to send up excuses therefore. The following is the order:
‘ "Hereafter all General officers who overstay the leaves of absence granted them, will, on their return to their commands, make a prompt report through the usual channel, of the causes which induced their prolonged absence; and no officer will resume his duties under such circumstances until authorized to do so by the commanding General."
’ Great complaint still exists among the officers in regard to the Ration bill, and it is sincerely hoped that congress, at its next session, will enact such legislation as will relieve the officers of all just apprehension in regard to a scarcity of supplies.
On Thursday a hold attempt at highway robbery was most effectually resisted, even unto the death, of one of the assailants. The facts are these: Three gentlemen, (brothers,) by the name of willis, had just arrived on the train, and were leaving the village for their homes by the old turnpike. when just outside of the village they were assaulted by four Irishmen, who demanded of one of the young gentlemen his watch. The demand he of course refused. A scuffing ensued. Mr. willis, however, soon disengaged himself, and, drawing his pistol, fired one shot, breaking the arm of the first assailant. Another one of the Irishmen, in turn, quickly assaulted Mr. w., who, retreating a step or two, fired his pistol, inflicting a mortal wound upon Irishman No. 2. The other two started to run, but were bidden to stand and deliver, on pain of being shot in case they attempted to escape. A guard was quickly sent for, who arrested two of the Irishmen. The other succeeded in making his escape. They were carried before Major Buford, Provost-Marshal General of the army, who handed them over for examination to justice Miden, by whom they were sent on for trial before an Examining court. This is the boldest attempt at highway robbery, in open day, that we have ever heard of, and, for the honor of this army, we hope we shall never have to chronicle such another bold effort at theft; but, if we do, we sincerely pray that the robbers may meet a like untimely fate. These Irishmen belonged to the 16th Mississippi regiment, Harris's brigade, Anderson's division.
Monday next has been set apart by the officers of Hill's corps for a grand tournament. Two days have been previously appointed, but in each instance the rain has interfered to prevent.
The Signal corps report that the heavy firing heard yesterday was caused by a grand sham battle, which the enemy got up for the especial amusement and edification of Lieut. Gen. Grant. These amusements will doubtless prove more agreeable than real encounters with Lee's veterans.
The roads had began somewhat to assume a hard, rough surface, when last night the rain began to descend, and the probabilities now are that it will rain all day to-day. If so, Grant will again be set back.
The report of the arrival from the west of the eleventh and twelfth corps seems to be fully confirmed. It is said they came by the Northern central Railroad, through Pennsylvania, in order that our scouts along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad might not be informed of it. X.
