The Daily Dispatch: August 2, 1862., [Electronic resource]

The Yankee forces at Berkeley.

‘ The number of tents at and around Berkeley, as compared with some two or three weeks back, seems to have been greatly diminished. But it is not known that McClellan's army has been reduced. It were an easy matter to advance the camps further from the river, where, amid the forests, they would be shut out from the view of all on the south bank of the James. It is the opinion of those who reside near the best points of observation on this side of the river, that McClellan's forces have been reduced, but they state that they have no positive information upon which to rest such an opinion.

On Wednesday a balloon was sent up, which remained poised over McClellan's headquarters some two or three hours making observations. The name of the balloon was read by parties on this side of the river. It was ‘"The intrepid."’ There were two persons in it, who seemed to be quite busy making observations. The enemy evidently feels uneasy in his present position, and keeps a sharp lookout in all directions. We trust our Government will not allow him to remain longer undisturbed on James river, stealing negroes and depredating on citizens who have done all that men could do in the prosecution of this war.

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