The War News.
It was currently reported yesterday morning that a force of the enemy had landed at the White House, and out of this grew a rumor that a body of Yankees, ten thousand strong, were advancing in the direction of Richmond by way of Bottom's Brigade, and that Hanover county was again invaded by the foe. We met, last evening, a gentleman from West Point, who crossed the brigade at the White House yesterday. He states that there has not been a Yankee at that place for two weeks, nor has there been a gunboat in sight at West Point or Capable, on the York, for the same length of time. This we consider an ample and satisfactory contradiction of the report circulated in the morning.Through the same source we learn that the enemy are removing their guns from Point, and making apparent preparations for evacuation. Not long since the Yankees constructed a line of telegraph through Gloucester county, but removed it without making any use of it. The object of this is supposed to have been to communicate with Grant's army when he made his base of supplies at the White House; but his sudden change to the Southside rendered its completion unnecessary. It is currently reported, also, that the enemy are evacuating Yorktown, and removing their stores from that place as rapidly as possible.
A heavy rumor prevailed yesterday to the effort that Wilmington, North Carolina, had been captured and occupied by the Yankee. We only mention it for the purpose of pronouncing it utterly untrue, since some simple minded people seem ready enough to believe anything, no matter how doubtful its authorship. There are persons in this community who have no better occupation than inventing and circulating rumors, and however gross or absurd their character, they are readily swallowed by those who do not take the trouble to inquire whence they started. If these professional news mongers could be identified, they should be sent to the front without delay, and made to perform the service which they expect of others.
From Petersburg.
The quiet on the lines in front of Petersburg continues unbroken by any event fore shadowing a general engagement. Our troops and the enemy are so near to each other at many points that a stone might almost be hurled from one line of entrenchments to the other; and thus the Yankees remain perfectly docile, held at bay by our Valiant army, and apparently puzzled as to what course to pursue. The enemy, however, continue their villainous practice of shelling the city with steadiness and perseverance, but have thus far accomplished comparatively little by this mode of warfare. The missiles have been increased in size, and on Wednesday the inhabitants were surprised by a succession of thirty-two pounders, crashing in their very midst. The rumor that Grant was evacuating his position in front of Petersburg has been revived, but this idea is purely imaginary. He could not, consistently with his professions or with safety to his reputation, abandon all the advantages which he claims to have gained by his last strategic move, without striking a single blow. Thus he will remain there, subjecting his army to the danger of decimation from the diseases incident to the estimate, and perhaps try to dig his way into Petersburg, or, possibly eventually send his men forward to certain death from Confederate bullets and bayonets.Meanwhile, we have something to hope for in the fact that the enemy are suffering greatly for water. The correspondents of Northern journals complain of this want, deserters refer to it, and persons who have during a greater portion of their lives in the section now occupied by the enemy say that in sessions of drought like the present even the sparsely scattered population of the county feel most keenly the absence of water has a large army between Petersburg and the two rivers, with thousand of horses, and the reader can form some idea of the quantity of aqueous fluid acquired for the sustenance of this vast mutiute. Disease will soon make its appearance, and add a thousand fold to their trouble. The want of water is one which even Yankee ingenuity will fail to supply. more favored localities, wells might holding, and other means resorted to in order to believe their parching thirst; but our information is that the county of Prince George abounds in no perpetual springs, lobbing up for the nourishment of man, and beast, while the dealing out of whiskey rations, for which Grant is said to be famous, will but increase the evil. We see no prospect for the Yankees in their present position but to dry up and wither under the scorching rays of the sun of July and August.
The "clouds of dust" on the lines of the enemy, so frequently alluded to of late as indicating some important movement, are now supposed to signify nothing. The condition of the earth, under the influence of a protracted drought, is such that any movement whatever, any change of position or countermarching of a division, would be sufficient to raise "clouds of dust."
The Express into rids us that the Yankees have been summarily deprived of a screen from behind which they were enabled to carry on offensive operations. Our troops were much annoyed by the enemy's sharpshooters, who were securely sheltered behind a barm on the Spring Garden Farm, near the Baxter road. Permission was asked to knock this barn to pieces, but refused by the officer in command. Finally consent was obtained, and a battery of our artillery opened upon it. A few minutes sufficed to send the Yankees flying from their shelter, and presently the entire structure tumbled to the ground, revealing a couple of mortars also, from which our lines had been subjected to considerable annoyance.
Sported success in the Valley.
We are enabled to state, on what we consider good authority, that our forces in the Valley of Virginia, on Sunday last, surprised and captured the enemy's garrison at Martinsburg, Berkeley county. An officer who has arrived at Staunton reports that 900 prisoners, 4 piece of artillery, and 250 wagons were taken. The Yankees of that place were making extensive preparations to celebrate the Fourth of July, and had the materials for a sumptuous banquet, all of which, including the wine with which they designed to drink "the day we celebrate," fell into the hands of the Confederates. Although no official information of this capture has been received, it is generally credited. Martinsburg is the point to which the enemy sent all the negroes stolen from their masters on their recent visit to Staunton, and it is quite probable that they will be returned to their old homes.Since the above was written we have learned that a New York Herald, of the 5th, has been received in the city, which announces the capture of Martinsburg, but says the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was up that to time uninjured. There is no doubt, however, that Mosby has been operating upon that line of communication.
From Georgia.
We were aware on Wednesday night that the authorities here were in possession of information that Gen. Johnston had fallen back from his position on Kennesaw Mountain, but we deemed it the part of prudence to suppress it. The news is announced this morning by telegraph, and there can now be no harm in alluding to it. An official dispatch received yesterday states that our army is about a mile this side of Chattahoochee river. That river presents a strong line of defence, which will probably be held by Gen Johnston. No doubt the wily Sherman was perfectly confident of success in his flank movement, but, as usual, was outwitted by a more able commander.
Demonstration against Mobile.
It is reported that the Yankees are threatening Mobile, but as yet the information concerning the movement is vague and uncertain.
