[from our own Correspondent.]
Army of Northern Virginia,
Near
Orange C. H, Nov., 24, 1863.
After an absence of four weeks from the Army of Northern Virginia, I find upon my return that its health, spirits, and morale is in every respectfully up to the highest standard of military requirements, and that the troops are ready and willing to give the enemy batten, and only await his advance.
The army is comfortably clad in the main, bu there is still some need of blankets, shoes and socks.
And I would earnestly urge the good people of the
South to hurry forward their contributions.
The summer, fail, and indian summer seasons have passed, and we may now look for the chilling wintry blasts; and it surely cannot be they the home folks will permit this brave army to suffer whilst it is in their power to prevent it.
Meade is not able to advance for the reason that the railroad is not yet finished.
He, with the main body of his infantry force, is still beyond the
Rappahannock, with his headquarters, according to the most trustworthy reports, at Warrenton Junction.
Their outpost pickets extend only to
Cedar Mountain, and there are said to be cavalry.
There are no indications of an advance of the enemy, and if I ventured an opinion it would be that he would rest upon his laurels this winter.
President Davis arrived by the cars on Saturday, in the afternoon train, and proceeded at once to the headquarters of
Gen. Lee, with whom he has since been sojourning.
On Sunday the
President and
Gen. Lee attended the Episcopal Church at
Orange Court-House, and listened to a most excellent discourse from
Rev. Dr. (now General)
Pendleton,
Chief of Artillery of this army.
It is said that the
President will review the 2d corps (
Ewell's) to-day, and the 3d (Hills) to morrow.
If so, I will attend and let you hear from them.
Gen. Ewell is now temporarily absent at
Charlottesville.
In his absence the command of his corps devolves temporarily upon
Major-General Early.
Brigadier-General Ramseur, of
North Carolina, who has been absent for more than a month, has returned to duty.
During his absence General R. was made the "happiest of men" by one of the fair daughters of the old
North State.
Gen. R. is a brave officer and an accomplished gentleman.
Col. Jas. R. Chambliss, of the 13th Virginia cavalry regiment, is about to be promoted to the rank of
Brigadier General, and will probably be as signed
Gen. W. Hi F. Lee's brigade, which he has been commanding, as senior
Colonel, since
Gen. Lee was wounded.
The rain of Saturday last has converted the solid, brick like soil of the preceding day into a soft, paste-like mire, which, by the constant stream of travel, is rendered almost an embargo on military operations.
Yesterday it turned cool, and last night there was a cool, drizzling rain, which at my writing this morning has not ceased. X.
