From Petersburg.
[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Petersburg, June 30, 1861.
The refreshing rains of the last two or three days have had the effect of reviving animal as well as vegetable life.
For several days the heat has been debilitating, and the earth parched by a rather protracted drought.
It has at length received a very copious watering.
There seems to be a general good feeling among the farmers of the South-Side counties, many of whom I have conversed with.
They have reaped fine crops of grain, and there will certainly be no scarcity of bread; but nobody anticipates high prices for the present.
The passage of troops through this city for several weeks past has been constant and the numbers large, but as many of them went on to your city, I presume you have had good views of them.
That portion of the Hampton Legion which passed through here a day or two since, is a splendid body of men. They are all young, and most of them occupy high social positions at home.
The whole Legion comprises about eleven companies, and thirteen hundred men. In the Edgefield Hussars, a splendidly equipped and mounted cavalry company of the Legion, Col. Wade Hampton, the commander, has two sons.--There is no doubt this gallant body of troops will be able to render signal service in any field to which they may be assigned.
An active Vigilance Committee, consisting of forty members, among whom may be found many of our first citizens, and all responsible men, has been recently organized.
They have the power to make arrests and try before a court of their own appointment.
The object is to keep a strict watch over persons of suspicious character, and several arrests have been already made.
The members of the committee are out every night.
It has sometimes been the case that soldiers have passed through this city hungry and worn down by fatigue, without having their wants properly attended to. Measures have been taken to guard against the recurrence of any such untoward circumstance for the future.
An association of gentlemen has been formed, and ample means provided, for feeding any number that may arrive.
Col. Hampton's Legion was handsomely entertained at the Cool Spring, on Dunn's Hill.--The Fifth Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers, which arrived this afternoon, was also abundantly supplied with eatables.
A member of the Chatham Rifies, of this regiment, deserted some ten days ago, but was captured near Yorktown, with a complete plan of the works at that important place upon his person, with other data of Southern affairs.
He is now here in charge of his company and will be taken to Yorktown, there to be dealt with according to military law.
A very superior article of bowle-knives is being manufactured by Uriah Wells, of this city.
The blades are from 10 to 20 inches in length, according to size, highly polished and of the best metal.
They have given so much satisfaction, that Mr. Wells has received orders from numerous companies as well as individuals; he has a large force occupied in their manufacture.
Two Northerners, believed to be spies, were arrested here yesterday.
They were on route for Norfolk, intending when opportunity offered to escape to Fort Monroe.
They were overhauled just on the point of departure One says he is from Philadelphia and the other Maryland.
Their names are G. W. Rider and John Carmen, both of whom registered false names at the hotel here.
Their examination before the Mayor but confirmed the suspicion of their being spies.
What will be done with them, I am not informed; they are in jail and will be kept there until something more can be found out about them. Mon Cœur.
