The lines. &c.
From observations made and preparations apparent on every hand, we surmised that operations of an active nature would have transpired yesterday at the lines, but although the enemy appear in threatening attitude at the front, and have unmasked several new batteries, nothing of real consequence occurred to break upon the dullness of the camps.
Concentrated as the enemy appears to be on the
Charles City road, constant picket firing is heard at all times in that direction, which, from its increasing spirit and volume of sound, would seem to indicate that an attack is very probable from that direction, and very soon.
Lively and brisk skirmishing, in deed, was the
general order of things yesterday along our whole front, but terminated in few casualties, and with no particular results.
The cannonading heard early yesterday morning, to the right of the lines, proceeded from Federal gunboats below Drury's Bluff, which were shelling woods on the south bank and dispersing our pickets in that direction.
The Federals seem particularly vindictive towards our outposts in that direction, and lose no opportunity of shelling them; for the pickets of late have been particularly active and watchful, allowing no movement to escape notice, or boats to land, without firing volleys upon the adventurous crews.
No attack is anticipated, we learn, from the gunboats at the
Bluff, their presence in the river being to protect transports and landings at different points lower down.
In fine, although the enemy daily make demonstrations of some kind along our whole front, their movements seem to be undecided, and characteristic of pusillanimity.
Whenever they may determine to advance, so sure will their defeat be inevitable.--Our men seem weary of inactivity, and feel confident that, with proper generalship, they can demolish
McClellan's forces in one day's fair and open fight.
This opinion may be secretly entertained by
McClellan himself, for no other reasons can be assigned for his backwardness and temerity in not accepting the range of battle tendered him daily for the past month.
