The war News.
From below Richmond.
Everything on yesterday was perfectly quiet on both lines. Everything betokens that a severe battle is pending.
From Petersburg.
From the Petersburg Express we gather the following account of affairs on the south side of the river:‘ About noon on Saturday, the enemy, in strong force, advanced from their works on Peebles's farm, drove in our outer videttes, and occupied a portion of our breast works which were abandoned after the capture of Fort McRae. It was supposed at first that this advance was made preparatory to a general attack on our present position, or to cover another flank movement, and everything was gotten in readiness to meet either event; but, if such were their intentions, the Yankees failed to carry them out.
’ Yesterday morning, having probably ascertained that the Confederates were in too strong force to rounder even the advanced ground they had gained safe, the enemy fell back, and our vidette posts were re-established.
Since the occupation of Peebles's farm, the enemy have only held that portion of our lost lines adjacent to Fort McRae, and have never, until Saturday, thought proper to throw troops into them. Even in case they were to hold them permanently, it would not in the least affect our present position or brighten then prospects of reaching the Southside railroad.
We understand from good authority that the Yankees have erected works of the most formidable character on Pegram's farm and all along their present line of battle from Chappell's to Indian town run.
About four o'clock on Saturday afternoon a small body of the enemy was thrown forward to the "W. Davis," house, one mile west of the Weldon railroad, who at once set fire to that building and retired. The house, which was one of the finest country buildings in this section, was soon in full blaze, and entirely consumed by the devouring element.
Affairs Sunday were remarkably quiet, and the Sabbath seemed to be properly respected. Not a cannon was fired along the lines, and only the occasional crack of a rifle could be heard.
From the Valley.
Passengers from the Valley, by last night's Central train, give sad accounts of the havoc committed by the enemy in the vicinity of Harrisonburg, and below.Sheridan has been doing all that lay in his power to carry out strictly, and to the letter, the infamous order of Grant, to burn, devastate, and carry away, and make the Valley a howling wilderness. His menials have burned all the mills and every barn within their reach; also, all the outstanding grain and haystacks. The country over and near which they have passed is a waste. For a wonder, they spared the town of Harrisonburg.
It is said that about two hundred Dutch families went off with the Yankees this trip, bag and baggage, from Rockingham county. They were a worthless part of the population, and burned their houses and barns before leaving.
From Tennessee.
Our forces in Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia are active, and meet with continued success.Official dispatches from that quarter, received at the War Department, state that Vaughan's cavalry drove the enemy from Rogersville on the 8th instant, killing and wounding a good many. No enemy in force this side of Bull's gap.--Rogersville is the county seat of Hawkins county, Tennessee, and is on the line of the Virginia and East Tennessee railroad. Bull's gap is on the railroad also, about thirty miles from Knoxville and some seventy-five miles from Abingdon, Virginia. It is thirty miles south of the Virginia State line, and near the junction of Hawkins, Jefferson and Greene counties.
Generals Breckenridge and Echols are following up their successes with vigor, and have completely neutralized the efforts of the enemy in that quarter.
