In the North, the Presidential campaign is growing warm. McClellan’s friends have been denounced as “traitors” in Ohio, and one of their meetings broken up by the soldiers. This fire may spread, and relieve us.
It is now said a corps of the enemy’s infantry was really peeping from the groves and lanes west of the city, on Saturday, when the furious shelling took place.
Rumors—we have nothing but rumors—of fighting, said to be in progress on the south side of the river. It is said the enemy, that were a few days ago menacing Richmond, are recrossing to the Petersburg side.
October 4th.—Foggy; then bright; then very warm.
Gen. Lee is at Chaffin’s Bluff. A dispatch from him this morning states that the enemy’s infantry are near Harrisonburg, in the Valley, and that his cavalry is retiring.
9 a.m. Another dispatch from Gen. Lee. The raiders’ cavalry, only 250 strong, are at Brandy Station, a body of their infantry at Bealton Central Railroad.
9½ a.m. Gen. Lee says Gen. Breckinridge repulsed the enemy’s attack on Saltville, on Sunday, 2d inst.; it was a “bloody” repulse, and Gen. B. is pursuing.
Gen. Beauregard has been appointed to the supervisory command of the army in Georgia, etc.; in response to the universal calls of the people.
The enemy threw up earthworks yesterday, toward the city, from Fort Harrison, one mile in length. He is now within five miles of the city, and if his progress is not checked, he will soon be throwing shells at us.
But Lee is there, digging also.