From Fredericksburg.
[from our own Correspondent.] Fredericksburg, March 9, 1863.
"You are almost starved out at Vicksburg," cried a Yankee picket across the river the other day. "Oh, no!
plenty of mules left!" was the reply "Do you eat mules?" enquired the Yankee, "Certainly," said the Confederate. "We have plenty of beef and mutton" said the Yankee.--"That makes you run so, you eat so much sheep," retorted the Confederate. "You all will make some money by going as substitutes under the Conscript bill," said a Confederate picket to a Yankee.--"Don't care about making money that way, I am going home," replied the Yankee.
Pickets will talk sometimes in spite of orders, and some good hits are made.
It is asserted that four negro regiments are above Falmouth, but have not shown themselves yet. --Fitzhugh Lee had better make another raid.
With this dark aspect of our Stafford prospect, comes the reputed assertion that we are to be incontinently shelled again.
Hooker says he intends to take Fredericksburg certainly.
He will probably attempt to cross at Pratt's, and endeavor to get possession of Hamilton's Crossing, to cut off Lee from his supplies.
Perhaps he may get "cut of" himself.
At all events, the agony and tooth ache of expectation will soon be superseded by the extraction of the painful member.
Hooker will not use chloroform.
You shall receive a full report of all particulars if I hear the reports of the guns.
What makes it more probable that Looker will make a speedy advance is, that I am audibly informed there is nothing more existent in Stafford county.
How can he then, few rain about 150,000 rogues whom he is to lead to plunders.
Last night, and for several nights past, there has been much fuss and commotion among them.
The belief is they are moving down the river.
Hooker is obliged to fight, and there is no excuse for another change of base.
Therefore, the attack may be expected here.
Sigel has resigned; many officers have been dismissed, and I hear Gen Patrick has also resigned — another report is he has been promoted.
I am sorry to hear the Lacy House has been rebel of the old panelling, waluscota, and all the interior ornaments of the old English mansion it used to be. It is true the trees and timber throughout all the country to Aquia Greek has been consumed for fire-wood.
In one respect only have the Yankees preserved the appearance and forms of civilization, and that is their respect for the ladies, inspired more by fear than good manners.--The women actually frighten them into good behavior.
The Messrs.
Greene of Falmouth have been released.
I hear nothing of other political prisoners.
I wrote you that the Yankee papers reported loudly, in large capitals, that Fort McAllister and 150 yards of rifle pits had been captured by one New York regiment, and in the next column whispered in italics that "Fort McAllister was still in possession of the rebels"
The Chronicle had a long leader describing the coronation of some plots cannibal in Madagascar, reformed by Yankee missionaries.
The subject was doubtless suggested by King Lincoln's recent installation as Dictator of Yankeedom.
What must be the character of that people to whom a monkey is a God? 