From the Peninsula.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Lee's Mill, York Co., Va., April 29, 1862.
More than three weeks have elapsed since General McClellan, with his colossal army, arrived it the vicinage of this consecrated place.
Notwithstanding the protracted, and at times terrific, ding he has been completely batted by Gen. Magruder, who had made ample preparations to give him a reception.
McClellan now finds Richmond as difficult to reach by the Peninsula as it is for his skillful ronnaut in his innumerable ascension, to learn the strength of our fortifications and the preside position of our army.
Perhaps Prof. Lowe has seen more in his flights than some of the descendants of the originators of wooden hams and nutmegs, yet he has been unable to discover, with the aid of his glasses, a road to Richmond free of Secessionists We would remind the professor that autics can be successfully practised in Europe but we are inclined to the opinion that he will always find in an American forest a fruitless avocation.
While one of our numerous bands was discoursing ‘"Dixits"’ very melodiously, a few evenings age, of the hirelings of Old Abe, brought some of their long-range artillery to bear upon it. After firing ten rounds or more, and finding nobody was hurt, they ceased.
Our band continued to play as if nothing had occurred.
The day the Federal marched from Fortress Monroe to this place, on their arrival at Big Bethel, they planted a stand of colors on the rth works of the battle-field, by a brilliant dash of their sharpshooters, in advance of their column, and hurried most vociferously.
This redundant exultation over a manless field, which they deemed a valorous feat they had performed, evinces a craven spirit, which characteristics the Paritanic race.
Major J. C. Phillips's command, consisting of the Gloucester, King and Queen, Matthews, and New Kent cavalry, on hearing of their advance, gave orders to saddle up immediately.
After this he proceeded down the read in the direction of the enemy.--On his arrival at Bethel, he found the Federal adjusting a bridge which had been taken up by our pickets, to impede their progress as much as possible.
Major Phillips, discovering the body of Federal much larger than he had anticipated, detailed a rear guard, and fell back leisurely to Yorktown.
On the approach of the enemy at Harwood's Mill, Lieut. Terrell, of the Albemarle Artillery, with two places fired several rounds at him, and made two splendid shots, killing and wounding several.
While upon this subject, we must not forget to mention the name of Corporal Sylvanus G. rump, of Sande's battery, who fired at two Federal field officers who were crossing a field together, and appeared to be on a reconnoitering tour.
They were a thousand yards or more from Corporal Crump when he fired; the ball took effect in the neck, and severed the head entirely from the body of one of them.
We have incessant skirmishing here, day and night; and McClellan is still fortifying and reinforcing.
In our opinion, his object in endeavoring to create the impression upon the public mind that he does not intend to fight us have, is designed as a ruse; but let him attack when and where he pleases, our gallant leaders will be ready to meet him. Dyxe. 