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course, not so well supplied, being forced, as a general thing, to raid on their boarding-house tables and take the chances, while the proprietor is looking the other way, of surreptitiously putting their two days rations into their haversacks.
Saturday afternoon the following notice was posted in the city:
A great many rumors had prevailed throughout the city during the day, all placing the Federal force at about three times its actual strength. The city troops, as we may call the militia, rapidly armed, and in an incredibly short time regiments were assembled on the public square. While this gathering was going on another notice was posted, of which the following is a copy:
The regiments which assembled in the square were notified to be in readiness at the same place yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and assembled at the time appointed, with ranks very much increased. It was the general impression on the part of those who witnessed the parade that the city troops of Richmond were numerous enough, and well drilled enough, to defend the city without the aid of the very large body of regulars who are in and around the place. While there was no need for them yesterday, yet we have the satisfaction of knowing that an organization has been effected which will, with the addition of a little drilling, render Richmond perfectly secure against any raids or even regularly planned attacks of the enemy. Our scouts were busy during the day in the country below the city, but did not gather much information that we have had access to. At one time the report was that the enemy were at Diascund bridge and numbered twenty-three thousand. The report, it was said, might be relied upon. We conversed with an intelligent gentleman, who was a prisoner within the enemy's lines on Friday, but, after being paroled, made his escape and walked to Richmond. He was captured Friday morning while within a short distance of the Pamunkey River, near Cumberland. The Dutch Yankees who arrested him carried him to the headquarters of Keyes, who was in command of the division which landed at the White House. The division was drawn up in line of battle. He reached the headquarters near New-Kent Court-House, and upon being carried before the Commanding General was closely questioned. During the examination General Keyes spoke several times in a very boastful manner of the ease which he would enter Richmond. He said that Wise was “a damned old coward;” that Wise had challenged him for a fight anywhere between Williamsburgh and Richmond, and that now he had come, Wise had run away. The officers at headquarters participated in the confidence of their braggart chief, with the addition of the lie that they had fifty thousand men. Our informant, who is a soldier himself, says he thinks they had about fifteen thousand men — cavalry, artillery, and infantry. He counted sixteen pieces of artillery. They claimed to have a brigade of cavalry, but he only saw two regiments. The infantry was composed chiefly of foreigners, the Dutch predominating. After being paroled, the prisoner was allowed to go at large, and escaped by way of Charles City County, arriving in this city yesterday morning. By the evening train on the York River road, we have the latest intelligence of the movements of the enemy. Saturday evening the force from Disacund bridge, in James City County, arrived at the White House, after a march of fifteen miles. That evening a lieutenant-colonel, who was with McClellan while he occupied that point, made a visit to the farm of a lady near by, and stated in conversation that the Federal force on the peninsula numbered about eleven thousand, and was under the command of General Keyes and Gordon, the former being chief. Persons who saw them at the White House do not think they were over eleven thousand. A scout of ours who had been to Diascund bridge reported that there are none of the enemy now at the bridge. Since their arrival at the White House they have not advanced at all, and their pickets are not thrown out even as far as Tunstall's Station, four
To the citizens of Richmond: The President and the Governor of Virginia, deeply impressed with the necessity of a speedy organization of all able-bodied and patriotic citizens for local defence in and around the city of Richmond and throughout the State, urgently appeal to their fellowcitizens to come forth in their militia organization and to commence and perfect at once other organizations by companies, battalions, and regiments.
An imperious necessity for instant action exists, and they trust that this appeal will be all that is necessary to accomplish the result.
No time is to be lost — danger threatens the city.
Therefore, with a view to secure the individual attention of all classes of the citizens of Richmond, and to impress upon them the full importance of the crisis, it is hereby ordered that all stores and places of business in this city be closed to-day at three o'clock P. M., and daily thereafter until further order, and the people be invited to meet and form organizations for local defence.
They will be armed and equipped as fast as the companies are formed.
By command of the Secretary of War.
S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General. By order of the Governor of Virginia John G. Mosby, Jr., A. A. A. General.
A great many rumors had prevailed throughout the city during the day, all placing the Federal force at about three times its actual strength. The city troops, as we may call the militia, rapidly armed, and in an incredibly short time regiments were assembled on the public square. While this gathering was going on another notice was posted, of which the following is a copy:
my fellow-citizens, to arms.--I have just received a message direct from the highest authority in the Confederacy, to call upon the militia organizations to come forth, and upon all other citizens to organize companies for the defence of this city against immediate attack of the enemy.
They are approaching, and you may have to meet them before Monday morning. I can do no more than give you this warning of their near approach.
Remember New-Orleans.
Richmond is now in your hands.
Let it not fall under the rule of another Butler.
Rally, then, to your officers tomorrow morning, at ten o'clock, on Broad street, in front of the City Hall.
The regiments which assembled in the square were notified to be in readiness at the same place yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and assembled at the time appointed, with ranks very much increased. It was the general impression on the part of those who witnessed the parade that the city troops of Richmond were numerous enough, and well drilled enough, to defend the city without the aid of the very large body of regulars who are in and around the place. While there was no need for them yesterday, yet we have the satisfaction of knowing that an organization has been effected which will, with the addition of a little drilling, render Richmond perfectly secure against any raids or even regularly planned attacks of the enemy. Our scouts were busy during the day in the country below the city, but did not gather much information that we have had access to. At one time the report was that the enemy were at Diascund bridge and numbered twenty-three thousand. The report, it was said, might be relied upon. We conversed with an intelligent gentleman, who was a prisoner within the enemy's lines on Friday, but, after being paroled, made his escape and walked to Richmond. He was captured Friday morning while within a short distance of the Pamunkey River, near Cumberland. The Dutch Yankees who arrested him carried him to the headquarters of Keyes, who was in command of the division which landed at the White House. The division was drawn up in line of battle. He reached the headquarters near New-Kent Court-House, and upon being carried before the Commanding General was closely questioned. During the examination General Keyes spoke several times in a very boastful manner of the ease which he would enter Richmond. He said that Wise was “a damned old coward;” that Wise had challenged him for a fight anywhere between Williamsburgh and Richmond, and that now he had come, Wise had run away. The officers at headquarters participated in the confidence of their braggart chief, with the addition of the lie that they had fifty thousand men. Our informant, who is a soldier himself, says he thinks they had about fifteen thousand men — cavalry, artillery, and infantry. He counted sixteen pieces of artillery. They claimed to have a brigade of cavalry, but he only saw two regiments. The infantry was composed chiefly of foreigners, the Dutch predominating. After being paroled, the prisoner was allowed to go at large, and escaped by way of Charles City County, arriving in this city yesterday morning. By the evening train on the York River road, we have the latest intelligence of the movements of the enemy. Saturday evening the force from Disacund bridge, in James City County, arrived at the White House, after a march of fifteen miles. That evening a lieutenant-colonel, who was with McClellan while he occupied that point, made a visit to the farm of a lady near by, and stated in conversation that the Federal force on the peninsula numbered about eleven thousand, and was under the command of General Keyes and Gordon, the former being chief. Persons who saw them at the White House do not think they were over eleven thousand. A scout of ours who had been to Diascund bridge reported that there are none of the enemy now at the bridge. Since their arrival at the White House they have not advanced at all, and their pickets are not thrown out even as far as Tunstall's Station, four
