The New York Herald Newspaper, July 7, 1862, Page 1

AY i 4 v THE NEW YORK HERALD. ——s WHOLE NO. 943). NEW YORK, MONDAY, JULY 7, 1862. WOLELLAN ON THE PENINSULA. Amen Brilliant Address to Mis Army on the Birthday of the Nation. HONOR TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, He Compliments Them on Their Valor, Enduranoé and Success. The Rebel Capital Shall be Captured. The Constitution Shall Prevail, and the ‘Union Must and Shall be Preserved.” All Quiet and the Army in Good Spirits. Additional Particulars of the Famous Charge of Heintzelman’s Corps. HORE OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED OPERATIONS OF THE GUNBOATS. THE APPOMATTOX EXPEDITION. Important Statement of a Refugee from Richmond, &e., &e., Gen. MoClellan’s Address to His Soldiers. Heavquarrers ARMY oF THE Potomac, Camp Naam Hanuison’s Lanving, July 4, 1662. Boupians ov THs ARMY OF TE PoToMAd !—Your achieve. ments of the last ten days have illustrated the valor nd enduraace of the Americar soldier, Attacked by @uperior forces and without hope of reinforeements you have succeeded in changing your base of operations by a ficrk movement, always regarded as the most hazardous of military expedients. You have waved al) your material, all your trains and all your gups, except a few lost in battle, taking, in veturn, guns and colors from the enemy. Upon your arch you have been assailed day after day with despe- reye fury, by mon of the same rage and mation, akilfully Massed and led. Under every disadvantage of nuit- ‘Der, and necessarily of pesition also, you have in every conflict besten back your foes with enormeus @aughter. Your conduct ranks you ameng the eelebrated ermies of history. No ose will now question ‘het each of you may always with pride say, ‘1 belong to the Army of the Potomac.'» ‘Yeu have rcached the new base, complete in organiza- ‘Gen and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any Mime attack yeu. We are prepared to meet them. 1 ‘Dave personally established your lines. Let them come, 904 we will convert their repulse into a final defeat. ‘Wour government is strengthening you with the re- @earces of @ great people. On this, eur na- tion's =Dirthday, we declare to oer foes, who are rebels against the best interesis of mankind, @bet this army shall enter the capital ef the so-called @enfederacy; that our matioval constitution shall pre- wail, and that the Union, which can slone insure internal pence, and external security to each State, ' Must and Gal) be Preserved,” cost what it may im tii trea- eure and blood. GEO. B. McCLELLAN. &. Whe Army of the Petomac in Good Spirits. Wasminaton, July 6, 1662. Advices from the Army of the Potomac up to Iast @iaht indicate that all ie quiet aod the army in good Spires. General Meintzelman’s Diviston. OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE. Mnangoantaas, Gan. Hew rzwiwan’s Conrs 6! Annan, Naan Hannwow'a Laworna, Jaura Riven, July 2—Evening. MeMellan’s New Position on the James River—Iis Sirength end Topoyraphicnt Penturee—The Army is Safe—McChit- dan's Ability to Holt the Position Until Reinforcements Arrive—Necasity for Immediats and Strong Reinforce- iments —Scenes at the Hoxitat in the Berkeley Mansion— Operations of the Corps ef General Heintesiman on Fri- @ay, Saturday and Sunday—Gallant Conduct of Kear mey's Division—Abandonment of General Berry's Re- oubls—List of the Surgeons Left with Gur Wounded ot BSavrge Station, dic., dc. My Iasi letter gave a resume of military events, eo far Qs this army corps ts cerned, coming town to Friday (ast, June 27. Before entering upon tteditai!s of tho momentous eventa of t d the succewdimg four days, it nay bo well to say a few words about the present Position and condition of the army, I am aware tha: Cho most material facts in reiation to the movemeats of he army during the past week, and to ite present con- ‘dition, have been withheld from the country, aud sup- Pressed by the War Department at Washington. ‘The offect of thls must have been to pro- ‘duce the utmost degree of coustermation and alarm Wroughovt the country. | propose in these lines to re. Yete the trath, aa Taw it with my own eyes, And fam @oulldent that when the truth is known confidence {n the ‘army will be restored, aad the people will see who is to diame for the recont reverses. Let me say in the outset that the Army of the Potomac, or, rather, tho shattered Temains' «: gallant army, is perfectly safe and seoure im their * position, amd that they ean and will maintain sition for ® couple of weeks longer, if, @urirg that time, ther reinforced by fresh aud disci- Plined troops. But let me be equally frank on the other and, end declare, in ail candor, that \if more than two ‘weeks elapse before they arrive the Union troops will ‘be triven from the peninsula, ‘The Army of the Potomac ig now massed on the left ‘Dank of the Janes river, along a space of about five miles eu tho river, and tom distance of three miles bask thera from. ate point from six to ton milos below ity Point. ‘Tue spot is designated as Harrison's Landing. It is twouty Give mile woutheast of Richmond, ina direct tine; Bul tho river i so tortuous and crooked that it fa wearily twice as far by wator. The plantatiens: jn the vicinity a exceedingly rich and fe: tile, tle wheat boing either just out or eli futly ready for the ren Vor slope down to the wat it bottom Steel is a continuation of u ry gradual slope, which Makes che water near the shore exceadingly ehaliow. In order to afford lauding places for veese! therefore, long wouden piers or wharves are built, running far out into he stream. These iaudiag places are wauatly designated. ‘Dy the ames of the individuals who buit them and upos ose plantations they aout, ‘The ground for iniles around Harrison's Landing is ad Nnivably situated for devence. The army, since it Deve 0s mace the most of these vaturai advantages, Rnd is now atvongly intromched. Aw ail of our heavy Wwrece gone, and indeed all or as Utlary, except some aixty ei pieces. have been eared, i will by @ aro in good vondition to tar Puewy should attewmy: owe, Lush tiv yon wt OneD that 0 A woe, If the 49 DOE Oxpooved, ‘Tho Inrge Berkeley mansion, and the two smuller hodiees adjoining, as weil us several negro huts in the vi- tivity, are ail cecupied ag hospitals. The family—named Stafk—1 believe, have not been hore since last March, and are pow in Richmond, They remoyed most of their Pertable personal effects im April and Mav but teft im the house allof their rich carpets, olev furniture, &c. The rain has poured down tn torren: day to-day; the grounds around the houge are one mass of mud, amd in two hours after the house was opened the rich carpets ia every room were covered with a thick iayer of the sacred soil, which, boing tramped and arimod into them, has completely ruined thom. Upon these once elegaut but now muddy carpets, our wounded officers and soldiers are now lying closely erowded to. goth Two ef the rooms down stairs are used for am” potations, and inthis department of surgery the sur- goons have been busy ali day. For the want of space, the sick and thoso slightly wounded are 6 to go out Side the house, there not being voom enovg! inside for the zeverely wounded alone, Thereareag: sumber of steamers and sailing ves: out in the sires. which are being fitted up to receive those sick and wounded meu, and in a day or two they will all be removed to evpfortable quarters, all day Friday, June 27, Genoral Holntzelman was actively engaged im forwarding the’ move- mont of the army towards the James river, which reaily commenced on that day. His head quarters were at Savage station, to which point, also, the general headquarters of the army had been reinoved (from Mickey’s) the previeus afternoon. During that day the enemy appeared in strong force in front of the positions occupied by the divisions of General Kearney and General Hooker. Theze positions, however, being strengthened by the extensive earth. works previously thrown up by General Heintzelman, the enemy did not venture to attack. On Saturday, however, the enemy received informa- sion that the Union troops Nad abandoned White House, and were retreating towards the James river. This cmbeldemed thom, and they attacked Kearney and Hooker furiously. The troops composisy the divisions Of these officers witlistood the onset with great steadi- ness,and succesled,aftor # despernie struggle, in re- pulsing them at al! points, In the fighting of this day General’ Kearney’s brigadier generals, General Robin- fon and General Berry, distinguished themselves for their gallant conduct, and the undaunted courage of their men deserves special commendation, General Robinson is in temporary command of General Jameson’s brigade during the illness of the latter, He is a major in the regular army, and @ splendid officer. I must not omit to mention alse the magnificent conduct of the Fortieth New York (Mozart) regiment, Colonel Thomas W. Fgan. After Lieutenant Colonel Kgan’s honorable release from the upjust impri- sonment te which he was subjected some weeks ago, General McClellan wrote a letter to Governor Morgen, of New York, requesting thas Lieutenant Colonel Egan be promoted to becolonel of his regiment,on account of bis being “the senior officer of the regiment,active, en- ergetic and every way competent.” “It gives me great Pleasure,” says General McClellan in this letter, ‘to re, commend him as woll deserving the position of perma- nent commander of the regiment.’ This letier was @ dorsed by Gen. Heinizelman, Gen. Koarney and G Birney, the commanders resyectively of the corps, divi- sion and brigade to which the Fortieth regiment is eached. General Heintzelman gays in hig let! Frais promotion of Lieutenant €olonel Kyau would only b8 & pmail reparation for the {njustios he bas suffered.” General Kearney says:—‘Iieutenant Colonel Egan bas proved himself a gallant offieor, and has always led his regiment with bravery and dieting tion. He inerita the appointment.’ Lieutenant Colonel Egan accerdingly was commissioned as colonel of t'e regiment. On this day he led his regiment into action ‘ae usual, and comtributed largely 40 the glorious reault. ‘Tho enemy were driven back with ‘hoavy loss after des- perate Oghting, and Kearney remained master of the field. By Sundey, however, the general movement ef the army towards the James river wa: jar advanced that it became necessary to abandon Savage station, and con- sequently the line of redoubts west of that point and beyond theSeven Pines. Theseredoubts had been erected with infinite labor by Gen. Berry’s brigade. The troops of the whole division had defended them with obstinate courage, and they received the ‘order to abandon them with great reluctance. The order was imper tive, however, Heintzelmen's whe! corps fell White Qak Swamp in perfect order, keeping the encmy wellm check all the time. There being no means ot transporting them, two thousand five hundred sick and wounded auld were left behind at Savage station. The following surgeoms remained with them, and will give them all attention, samely:—Dr. Swinburne, of Albany, fu charge; Drs. Voorhees, of New Jer: M Fox, Underwood, Newell, Dewling, White, 0. Munson, W. 4. Smith and Nordman, of Philadelphia; Thompson, of Maine; Hogan, Middleton, Page and Potter, of the Seventh Maine. Besides these surgeons, fifty nurses wore also detailed aud Jeft. The Battle of Malvern Hills. The last of tho series of battles in McClellan's maguifi- cent movement was fought on Tuesday evening last, July 1, on Maivera Fills, about seven miles froma the po. sition the Army of the Potomae oocuptes at prozent. The ground is for the most part open and undulating, pre” senting @ aplended position form battle Held, After the Aght of the previous day, further to the front, our army fell back durtag the night and took up the most eligible position the country afforded, until it was enable on Tuesday night to fail back still further te Harrison's Ja the morning, anticipating « vigorous by the enemy, General McCialian himself lines of his army, and per- somaily placed his troops in position, prepared to meat theattack. The fine formed s magnificent seini- joyous Was on the extreme right, with a portion of his command. Gen. Fraukiin’s corps joined Re; Jeft, and next im order from right to deft wore placed Sumaer’s corpa, consisting of Richardson's avd Sedgwick's diviat Heintzeiman’s oorps, embraciog Hooker's and Kearnoy's divisions; next @ ral Couch’s division, which was dotached frem Keyes’ command, while Gen, Fitz Joba Porter's corps, evasisiing of Gon, Morell's division and tho regulars, formed the extreme loft. The configuration of the country rendered the left almost certainly secure; for the towlands beneath were completely commanded by our artillery and the gunboats, The right, hewover, was ‘not 60 secure, and that was the reason the position was found tebe untenable afterwards, The enomy did not get his pursuing troops in position until the afternoon. For several Lours heavy eannonading was kept up ou both sidea—our ponderous siege guns, which were ranged in a splendid position mear the centre of our lives) pouring destructive volleys into tho columns of ths enemy as they were being brought forward and formed into line. After the artillery on both sides opened in the afternoon, the shot and shell filled the alr, and @ most terrific cannonading was \ up, with fntervals, for hours. Aboat half-past three o'clock the enem: skirmishers advanced near our centre, and the opposing limos in front of General Coueh’s position were soom hotly engaged. In this attempt to breek our lines the enomy sigually failed, He was speedily driven back at the point of the bayonet, and lost several colors, which we captured, Laver in the afternoon the enemy light batteries, posted them near some barns {ou & wheat- field, and opened a Gerce fire on the same portion of our Hine, Several of our batteries in Hooker's and Kearney’s divisions immediately returned the Ore, and soon sileuced those of the enemy, It was nearly sundown when the enemy made another attempt to pierce our lines in front of General Porter's and Couch’s positions. A terrible cannonade was opened, and, simullansously, heavy line: Of rebels wero pushed to the front, under cover of the Our troops met them in the most guilant aud the battle raged flercely for two hours or the tido gradually sweeping round from teft to right. Heavy columas bad beon seeu in (he atier- noon bearing to our right, aud appre! ty were entertained that the enemy might buat out in that direction; apprehensions were not their fore Vinee. u but, bappily, these paints realize The revels hurled however, with fearful fury against our General Coveh, who had immediate command of it portion of the line, in the most gallant manner she Golurs of Lik regiment where be wanted aE ae elt eR ee Sl eA ES SE Dal hI ERA OR eee None eT a on On Ee HERA MEARS SSE a SSS 6 * 2 Se See See ee ee ae ae them, ard insired his soldiers with confi'ence. No troops fought more bravely than those engaged in this battle, Atte the fring was running round to the right General \orter seat to General Sumner for reinforce’ ments, and several regiments, ineliding tho Irish brigade, were sent, ‘This bold brigade, beaded by the intrepid Generel Meagher, arrived in frout im thme. to rendér the most sigual service. Lieu tenant Colomel Burke, of the Sixty-third New York, is among the woug@éd. During the ¢ngagement it wea a magnificent gight to pee,amid the borsting shells, in- fantry, artillery an@ cavalry moving inside the semi circle, with remarkable celerity, to diferent parts of the field, General McClellan, accompanied by a portion of his Staif, rode along the field, and was leudly choered by our troops. Iu this battle, whieh closed soon after darkness in, the rebola did not gain one inch of ground. We drove them back at every point with fearful less, Whore our artillery opened with grapo and canister the killed and wounded rebels were actually piled upon each other. Soyeral rebel regiments which came out in defiant line of baitle were terribly cut up. ihe battle was brief, but bloody. ‘The rebel toss must have amounted to zeveral thousand, I¢ is impossible to accurately esti* Tato our own, a@ circumstances compelied us to leave many on the field, It is believed, however, that one thousand will more than cover it, During the night our troops retired to Harrison’s Land- ing, where the wagons were also convoyed, and where We aro now receiving reinforcements. The fearful rain storm on Wednesday tended to increase the disadvan- tages under which our troops have been laboring. They had been fighting in the daytime and marching at night for six or seven days. The splendid manner in which they fought has shown the temper of our troops, The enemy made no attack on Wednesday, and tho time was occupied by our generals in getting up the stragglers, and in putting the various commands in good fighting order, On Thursday the enemy had pushed some artillery forward £0 ag to throw some shell into our position; but the gunboats returned the fire with effect. At noon evorything was quiet in that vicinity, Steamer J. A. Waryen, Ory Haxnison’s LanvinG, July 2, 1862. ‘The New Army Position—The Loss—Arrangements for Supples—General McUlellan—The Work of the Aboli- ionists— Why Were Retnforcemenis Not Sent?—The Twen- tieth New York Volunteers, &c. Our peninsula army, after a series of severe battles with the rebels, who outnumbered us as two to one, de- feating and repulsing them in their endeavors to stop its mntial retreat, is mow encamped in this vicinity, where the transports lie with commissary and quartermaster’s stor From your correspondent’s present position, it is im- possible to approximate to our own or the enemy’s loss. His loss must be terrible, as our artillery in covering the retreat was served with great rapidity, precision and ef- fect. General McClellan lert the steamer a few mom having come on board to converse with Gener: Viiet and Ingalls, in reference to the speeay landing of stores, Our brave and undaunted “Little Mae’? as cheerful and self-possessed as when he re- viewed the 260,000 men around Washington in the early spring. The General, in his earnest manner, said toa well known brigadier generat, bringing his brawny arm down with emphasis, “We have fought them cvery day for 4 week, three to one, and have whipped them invariably.” ‘There is, of course, a feeling of great despondency in the army. Not breath of complaint escapes officers or men of Ge: eral McClellan; but the curses loud and deep which fall on the air agaiust the real authors of this withdrawal of our lines from before Rishmond are oml- nous of the doom which awaits them from the great tri- bume of public sentiment at the North and in the border tates. It is now beginning to be believed that this war ig to be attempted to be made to last until the negroes are freed, no matter what hecatombs of victims from the whites of the North are made to satisfy thie moloch of abolitionism. How long will this bloody mockery last, when men are bidden 40 make their graves and lie in:them by the unprinci- pled and incarnate abolitionists, who by some means ap- pear to have obtained control of the conduct of ai sy movements? For month: ya the New York Zribunc, the vilest of the vile sheets of abolition and incendiary views, has admitted the fact that the rebel force out numbered ours two toone; and yet the powers that be have listlessly and unconcernedly allowed this time to pass by without reinforciug our army here, virtually consenting, not to,say conniving, at MeCiellan’s defeat ond the useless slaughter of his brave officers and men. ‘To be sure, paltry reinforcement of one division, say 7,000 men, was sont to us. What @ contribution to. wards making up the 100,000 additional troops required to meet an enemy,even then superior in numbers, be- ind most formidable intrenchments! It is a fact patent to the army that after the battle of Fair Oaks, or 3even Pines, where McClellan had used big forlorn hope, “Sumner’s corps,” with effect, and had driven (he epemy back petlmell, the capture of Rich- mond would have been assured if a force of from 26,000 to 50,000 men had been at hand. Alas! it was not there, and since those bloody days of battle our troops have been exposed to miasma and the influences of neglect from those who sheuld ha @ helping band, unt the time of the Inst eventful, deplorable—yet, for the ofsore and men engaged, stiH glorious—sories of strug- glee Of the past week. A allghs mistake was made @ few Gays since, in stating that the Twentieth New York volunteer regiment wore under arrest. The Colonel commanding the said regi- ment was ordered under arrest on the ( and his word was taken from him by General Davidson, of Ga i Smith’s division, It appears he was ordered to oeeupy a certain position, which he declioed, refust take the order from General Davidson's ai cunsequently led bis regimes the rebels shelled them and they lost heavily. looks at this time Captain Hoym, the proprietor of the New York Stadt theatre, was wounded and taken prisoner; eles Captain Katrie, Lieutenant Colonel Schnoepf is said to be taken prisoner; but the regi it was doing duty and are in the field under the command of the major. Fad this regiment been led into battle by their brave colonel, now General Max Wel who is sick with ty- phoid fever, at Suffolk, this would not have happened to them, The regiment fought weil at all times; but the gow colonel who commanded them did aot have the con. fidenes of the men, Hannwon’s Pow, Janes River, July 3, 1963. Op-rations of the Naval Flotitia in the James River-—The River PolicomThe Danger of This Service—The Bepe- dition Up the Appomation—Lous of the Island Belle The Support the Gunboats Rendered Gen. McClellan— Tha Reception They Gave the Rebdeli—Our Losses, do. While the atteution of the coustry is centred upon the iinportant operations of the Army of tho Potomac during the momentous strategio movements of the past six days, the no leas importaut operations of the gallant and offsctive naval fleet, onder Commander John Rodgers, of the Galena, should not be overlooked or forgott Im the fleet are the tron-ciad Galena, the fag ship; the Monitor, Captain Jeffreys; the guuboata Ma: tanga, Captain T. Hf. Stevens; Port Royal, Captain Georg: H. Morris; Mahaska, Captain Herriaoa; Aroostook, Captain Bexument; Satellite, Captain Gibson; Jacob Boll, Captain MoRae; Southfield, Captain Burr, The Stepping Stones, ialand Belle and ethers, the vamos of which do not now recur to me, have been exceedingly active in Dattories, shelling rebel troops, burming their 4 in keeping open the river, by acting es patrolinen or the river police. All this « has not ‘been unaccompanied by danger and lose of life. Im the dense woode thet ¢rown the summit of the high bluffs on either band, under which the gunbonte aro obliged to steam, lurk parties of guerilias, who pick off the men with rifle shots, and against whom there ean 66 little or no protection, We move along rapidly, and, however sharp the lookout, the white puff of smoke, the gharp crack of rifles from silent woods, and th falling of men, are the only indications of the presence of & treacherous foo; and the shell, bursting in the rebel covert, finds no victime for tte deathdealing fiagmonta ‘They fireone velley and, like cowards, slink } away and oteayo thelr just panichtfent, The lockouts aioft are particularly exposed (0 the aim of those scoun- rein, and #0 Giany have been killed of wounded that it | became pecearary to construct bullet-proof lookouts in | the lops, whieh aiford comparative protection toeur brave men, The men at tho wheel are likewise protected, and fr Uy allare rent below when passing these dan- re points. This river service, while it gains but Wi nor to the officers and men, is equally as dang tho inore brilliant operations im attacking batte- ‘or destroying a fleet, / An affair which occurred ap the Avpomattox river the ether day has not received the attenticn its importance Merits. Information wis received by Captain Rodgers to ob that a large quantity of coal was stored at Walthall, about fifteen miles up the Appemattox, which the rebels drew large aud valuable sup. Mt was deemed important to capture this coal, whigh could be turned to a very good account in siip- plying motive power to our gunboats, or, in the event of the non-ability to tako it away, to destroy it, On the 26th of June Captaia Rodgers the Maratanza, Port Royal, Mahaska, Satellite, Southfield, Stepping Stones and Belle to proceed up the Appomattox and ef- feck the above named object. The fleet proceeded up to City Point and entered the Appomattox, which isa narrow and tortuous stream, and in parts exceedingly shallow and of dangerous navigation, and had safely pio- greased us far as a place called Point of Rocks, about ten ioiles up, when they wore vigorously attacked by a body of men in the woods on a bluff, with musketry. \r@-was immediately returned with shell, shrapnel and canjoter, and after a little the enemy were driven off Thd vessels nearly all got aground here, and many of them remained hard and fast for sevoral hours. The Marutanza was aground forty-eight hours, and the Island Belle about sixty hours, all exertions to get them off Proving abortive, The enemy attempted to bring @ light battery to bear upon the Maratanza, while sho was in # most perplexing and unfor- tupate condition, and when she would ha’ julfered greatly; but the guns of the other gunboata drove them off, and they relinquished the idea in the most considerate manner. At the ond of forty-eight hours, by dint of hard labor, the Maratenza was extricated from ler perilous position, comparatively uninjured, Meanwhile, noisaances by Captain Stevens demoustrated the fact that the onemy were in force up the river, and aware of our presence, and also the more important fact that the nayi- gation of the river is entirely impracticabio for long vessels and veasela of any draught at ail, The omy, feariog our visit, and undoubtedly divining one of its objects, set fire to the huge pile of coal at Walthall, and soon it was being consumed, with the property around and the light thrown out by the burning pile could be seen last might, showing that the work of destruction will be complete. All efforts to get off the Island Belle—though her guns were taken off, coal and provisions transferred te other ‘Vessels, and other means adopted to lighten her—were frujtiess; and at the end of sixty hours she was still en orders came from the Flag Officer for the gunboats to proceed immediately up the James river, and render all the assistance they could in protect- ing the operations of General McClellan, who was then approaching the James river for a new base of operations. As it was found impossi- ble to get the Island Belle off, she was burned, to prevent her from falling into the enemy’s hande, The Ieland Belle was a sinall tug, armed with a short thirty-two anda small Dahigren howitzer. Her machinery was badly out of order, and her loss is comg paratively unimportant. Upon receiving information of General McClellan’s movements, the entire feet got under weigh and pushed down the Appomattox into the James river, thenee up the latter stream toa point above Turkey Island, where General McClellan's left wing first reached the river. The rebels were treated to a dose of eleven-inch and hnndred-pounder rifled shell, when they approached too near the river, and they gave our - forces but little trouble at that point. ‘On Tuesday last, in the afternoon, the Galena and Mahas- ka shelled the rebels on our right wing, who were inclined to be a little too importunate in their advances, and occa- sioned them great loss of life, The fire was sharp and uninterrupted, and the effect must have been terrible. ‘The enemy could be seen froin the Galena, and of course her fire was exceedingly correct and destructive. Three or four nine-inch shell inte a regiment was quite enough to produce great consternation, and the enemy were finally repulsed and withdrew out of range. The Mara- tanza, Aroostook and anether are now lying a little be- low City Point, guarding the left flank of the army, occa- sionally dropping @ sbell or two into the woods to clear them of interlepers. The Monitor, Mahaska, Currituck, Southfield and another lienear in shore om the right fank, and keop It clear of intruders. This morning the enemy appeared tn considerable force on our frent, and there was quite a lively little skirmish for twe er three hours; but they were driven off. They also attempted to hang around eur flanks, and the gunboats opened on them with good effect, If there {s one thing more than another which the rebel has a deepseated and well founded aversion to it is a gunbost. They cannot endure it; and you may well \inagine their disgust when they find the galiant army of General MoClelian safely im position on the river, with his provi- sfons landed at his door, and « goodly number of gun- boats, with the terrible eleven, ten and nine inch shell gups, and bundred-pounder rified guns, bearing over his entire camp and guarding with sleepless vigil both flanks. It is not @ picture they like to contempiate, All the disposable vessels in Commodore Goldsberough's squadron will probably be employed in this river, keop- bg open communication, and aiding Gen. MeClollan ‘en to Richmond.’ A dozen more gunboats should be, sent here immediately, and, under the foteliigent direction of Captain John Rodgers, the river will remain epev, and the way paved to the rebel capital. The naval branch of the service is now very important, and it is essontial that the foet in these waters should be large, powerful, aud adapted to the service, The army of General McClellan is in excellent spirits, and, when @ little refreshed, is ready to meet the enemy again. The rebels are sot likely to attack us bere, as we have a strong position, with well protected Janks, plenty to eat and able to flog them when they come, They are away from their bas® of operations, and it cannot be eonsidered an easy mat ter to transport provisions so far, whom the roads are ia as horrible condition as mow, The receat heavy rains have well nigh rendered impassable the roads about here—indeed, I should thiak entirely impassable for ar- tillory, Navigation about camp is most terrible. Ihave obtained sound: in several spots; but you may with propriety term the navigation ‘deep soa,’’ as the mud ia almost fathomless, Horses are of little uso to those who, like myself, can’t get them; and walking, un, fess one is protected by the highest kiod ef top boots, exceeding slow, tedious and uncomfortable, Stragglers are coming in hourly—those wounded [ mean; and we shall soon be able to get at the loss sustained during the past week, My opinion ts that it will fal! far short of 16,000, and that of the exemy will prove more than double ours. Mest of our siege trains came jn in safety, and not more than twenty pieces of artillery, if as many have been lost or destroyed, All this oan be bette! ted in a day or two. The wounded aad sick are beiug rapidly sent of by the Sanitary Commission, and you may soon leok for quite a number in New York, The tall will be sent to and from the army regularly in a few days. ordered Monitor, Island Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence. Forrams Moxnow, July 8, 1852, Pity the Sorrows gf @ Poor Obd Suiler—The Atolitionists and the War—ihe Visitors al the Fortress— What They Say and Why They Say It—The Quartermasier's and Com- missary Departments—AU Well—The Passengers by the Nelly Boker—The Rebel Soldiers Are Not to Know Whore They Are Going—Arrivatof the 0. Vandertilt—Wownd- ed Soldiers, de., de. Fertorday the day was dark and gloomy, with heavy rain at intervals. Crowds of ‘‘skedaddling” sutiers and army bangers oa congrogated im aud about the hotel, and told of bairbreadth escapes, nud mourned over the loss of stale bre cake, ples, paper collars and all the ot cotoras of a sutier's store. Ton thousand rumors wore started and spread from ‘ongve to tongue, Madam Rumor bold her court here lo fulleway. Towards ey ing quistude aottied The Baltimore boat car- ried off a lob of the mis hicfmakers, and we word not sorry,! can assure you. Several v. le went up ihe James river today with deapatchos, &e.; but that did not produce the senration which anarfivyal from ihe now sent vf war would have dono, ‘The few abolitionists here would like to rejotes over what they term a defeat of MeClelen; but ae thoy are not in the majority they ly have kept still. The way they conduct themselves shows that they hope to make this a war for “the abolition of slavery or the dis- memberment of the Union.” Of late quite a number of English army officors have been guests at the headquar tere of our army, always treated with marked respect and courtesy, and yet they come down here and report wntruths about our army, its condition and the probabili ties of its success. And, to make the matter better, ‘hey go to their national war vessels and tell ‘heir countrymen that we are irrecoverably whipped. The joke of the thing is that they are on their way to Canada, not being willing to stay on Yankee soil during the colebration of the anniversary of American Independence. They remember the days when a‘ew farmers whipped the tlowor of the British army. Secretary Stanton would do well to keep these meddling British soldiers away from our line of opera. tions, if he does not want misstatements made in regard to it. The sutlers are clamoring for a passage up the James river, to open their vite swindling shops to rob the soldiers. To wend them away altogether would be of great benefit to our poor soldicrs, bere are many abuses in our army; but {think gutlers in this category rapk A No. 1, Flag Officer Goldsborough’s visit to Fortress Monroe yesterday gave rise to quite a umber of absurd Tumors, none of which are worthy of reeord. I loarn (he storeship William Badger, Captain Henry P, Carr, will soon leave here for Beaufort, N. C., to furnish supplies for our naval vessels thereabouts. Cap- tain Carr will be missed in theso waters. His duties haye been very arduous, and, by avery faithful per formance of them, he has won the esteem of all who knew him. Mrs. Colonel Sweitzer, who came on here yesterday to Jearn the fate of her husband, while listening to the tales of the battle fleld, accidentally overheard two gentlemen conversing about her husband, and oneof them remark, ed that ‘‘ he saw him killed,” The scene that followed baffles description, and the lady was borne to her room insensible, This {is one of the sad realities of war, aud the spectators of this sad scene will never forget it. ‘The Commissary’s and Quartermaster’s transports are rapidly leaving the Roads for a more convenient anchor- ing ground, and where they can readily supply the troops. Everything is bustle and hurry; yet everything gveson smoothly. The news to-day is much better than the radicals could have wished, and, despite the croak- ing, ‘¢ all is well.” A report was circulated here that nearly all the ofi- cersof the Tenth New York Volunteers were killed or wounded. Icomversed with two ef them last evening, and they denied it. One of them informed me that Cap- tain Briggs, of this regiment, was shot in the cheek; but it did not prevent him from doing his duty. Colone, Bendix and officers were al] well on Saturday eyoning. ‘The despatch boats of the day are looked for with in- tense interest, and we expect nothing but first rate news. It now remains to be seen bow near right {we are. ‘The steamer John Brooks arrjved this morning witha lot of wounded from headquarters, a full list of whom I forward you. These men are quite cheerful, and teil us that everything is working for the best. Tbe Neliy Baker, Capt. A. W. Colden, arrived, bringing news fram the army as late as five o’elock this morning. We learn by her that the fighting continued up to yesterday, whem the encmy fell back, tired out and isheartened. Tho loss of the past few days has been four rebels to one Unionist. The rebel leaders are per- fectly reckless in their sacrifice of their men. They should be more careful for theirown benefit; but if they desire to end the matter soon let thi ge on an they have been doing. They were led into a trap day before yesterday in which they suffered terribly. They were placed between three fires, one being from the gun- Doate, and their loss is said to be truly terrific. .At the time the Nelly Baker left this morning everything was quiet along our lines, and there seemed to be no imme- diate prospect of the opening of hostilities, on the part of the rebels at least Tthink they have found out by this time that the strategy of General McClellan is rather in advance of their views of military movements. Upon the whole, the news from the seat of war is truly cheering, the yarns of eroaking abolitionists notwithetanding to the contrary. Among the passengers of the Nelly Baker were two officers and twenty etght privates belonging te the rebel army,anda@ more villanous, cut-throat looking set of pirates the world has never seen. On the arrival of the boat at the pier these worthies, in eharge of a guard, were marched to the office and handed over to Provost Marsbal Lieut. Wm. E. Blake, who temporarily confined them in she quardhouse in the fort until fur- ther orders, The following is a list of their names:— J. J. Laughlin, Co. B, Thirtioth North Carolina, ‘Aaron B. Poor, Co, A, Thirty-first Georgia. 5. T. Rogers, Co. E, Fourteenth North Carolina. Wylie Sands, Co. K, Fourteenth North Carolina. $. H. Harder, Ce. K, Twontieth Georgia. D. Hannon, 69. D, Fourteenth North Carolina, Jease Sapp, Co. Ky Forty-fifth North Carolina. ‘Alex. McFall, Co. H, Thirtieth North Carcliga. J. J. Bland, Co. B, thirty-third North Carolias. 3. 0. Gaaton, Co. ¥, Fourteenth North Carolina, Michael Jas. Boone, Co, A, Thirtieth North Carolinas. Alfred Rice, Co. ¥, Fourteenih North Carcliza. William MeCauiey’, Co. H, Thirtteth North Careltas. Stophen Boone, Co. A, Thirtieth North Carelima, ‘The above are prisoners of war. The annexed is aitst of prisoners of state sent to the fostering care of Provost Marshal Blake = John Fisher, Geo. E, Bottoms. ‘The entire batch were sent to the Rip Raps. One of the aids of Major General McClellan, en route for ‘Washingson, also came down by the Nelly Baker, on Dusiness with the War Department. From bim I learn many things which bave not been made public before. ‘This gentleman states thet on Saturday he saw @ copy of the Richmond Ezaminer, which had a leugthy article ou the battios that bad beea fought. The editor laments the heavy loss of the Copfederates, and seems quite des ponding. While they claim that the rebels have driven our troops back from their stroug positions, they de uot even claim @ vistory, and admit their loss to be upwards of twenty thousand, The article further states thatthe rebel See! 'y of War is very strict on the press, and allows nothing appertaining to the events of war to be published. ‘The rebel General Johuston, issued an order (pub- lished in the Bzaméiner) prohibiting all the seldiers, officers as well as privates, from asking- the names of towne and places through whieh the troops march, under penalty of imprisea- meat. This ordor is undoubtedly to keep the poor sol- diers ta ignorance of their positions. From Spectable and undoybted source I learn that this mornin; the enemy appeared within three miles of Harrison's Landing, and commenced shelling our troops, One ef our gunboats ran up, and by a fow well directed shots drove the rebels with great slaughter from their assumed po- sition. ‘The transport Cornelius Vanderbilt bas just arriv: from above, with about seven hundred sick and wound She jeft at daylight this morning. Clement B. Barclay, Eaq., the grea! philanthropist and kind hearted nurse of our soldiers, oame passenger in her, having devoted him- self chiey to the carc of tho wounded from the battle- fields. Oni his arrival here, sovered with mud from head to foot, he sought Mra. Sweitzer,and brought her the gratifying intelligence that Lisuteaant Colonel Sweitzor ‘was but slightly wounded and a prisoner in the hance of tho rebels, This tady is overwhelmed with gratitude a, the pleasing lntelligence. ‘Tho lateness of the hour probibits me from sending & list of the wounded browght by tho ©. Vanderbilt, Dy to-morrow’s matl I shall send you @ full roll. Dr. J. M Cuyler, medical inspector of this department, is working almost by superhuman ald in providing for the comfort of the poor wounded Medicines: aad delicacies in aboodance were supplied by bir; aleo requisitions for clothing (ko troops were signed by Dr, Cuylee to Dr. 8. B. Horn, of Phiiatelpbia, aurgeon ta charge of the wounded on the John Brocks. On tho latter named boat I found Major Gavbte, of the Seventh New York Volunteers (Stou\en roy ), who was slightly wounded ia the rightaiio. A ball passed through his coat, grazing amd crarhing hie ribe ball, a grape shot, struck the hilt of his sword iteompletely and skinning (he Kuuekle of bis tb What McC'lan's Recent Movement is Corsidered by the Rebcls— What we have Gated by It—Arrival of the C. Vand riilt with Woundel~Li wenant Colonel Sweitver not Kille!—General Kearney Reported Rilleds | There have been several arrivals here to-day from Tarrison’s landimg—the present headquarters of our army. A decided change for the better hag takem Place, and rest nis added fresh physical and mental vigor to our troopa, ‘The cowardly bangers ou of the army have quieted down, and things im general wear @ more cheerful agpcct, Rumors have decreased im number as well ae io absurdity, and the plain facts now begin to come howe upon us. Tam proud to say that even th movemont a defeat, or their gain of ground a victory. 1 have heard it stated by those who bave seen very late Richmond payers, that the rebels put down their lows over 30,000 men, and the leaders in their journals are by bo means of healthy toue as regards our own pros pects, To them the eapture of theireapital seems now more certain than ever, and despite the! not see how it can escape falling into their hw though they intend to resist to the bitter end. meagure they begin to sc the outlines of the grand movement of our little Mac, and, knowing himn as they do, they fear hin beyond measure. Our gunbouts are dreaded more than all, and in spite of their Fort Darling, the rebel nes! will ere long be shel'ed oat. OMcers and men who came down to-day, and with whom I freely conversed, say thas when the facts of the past week are known in their truo light, it will be seen that, although we bave suffered severely, wo bave einy do not call our Ine gained an advantage fully commensurate with our For one] am sstisflo! that the movement Las been one of auperb generaiship, and, moreover, that every time the eenmy attacked w they were repulsed with heavy lows, The skedadilers, who brought the first news, exaggerated everythisg they saw, and in many instances told downright faleehools, 1 have seen several cases proved hero in the past four duya. The sanitary stoamor ©. Vanderbilt arrived here thie afternoon with @ large uumber of wounded an bow ¢, @ hour she had not come up to tha wharf, being at anchor in the bay. By hor we learn that Col. Sweitzer, reported killed tn my last letter, was only slightly wounded, but un‘ortu- nately is now a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. His wife feels very much rejoiced at the uews, aud, of course, prefers hia captivity to his death. Is is rumored that General Kearney ix kiiled. Anothe, Statement says be is wounded and a prisoner. It is hard to tell just now the true state of our missing; bus quite a number reported killed and wounded have since turned up all right, A batch of over thirty prisoners arrived bere to-day. Most of them belong to North Carolina regiments. They vere sent to Fort Wool, on the Rip Raps, About five hundred wounted men arrived here to-day previous to the arrival of the Vanderbilt. Sho has about seven hundred on board. We are expecting others hour. ly. ‘Thus far those who have arrived here are in the majority slightly wounded, and will do well. Of those arriving I know but little of the oharacter of their wounds, Fontaxas Monaoz, July 4, 1862. The Fourth” at Fortress Monree—The British Sloop-of- War Jason Salutes the Day—Arrival of the Commodore and State of Maine with Wounded—Arrivat of the Hero with Five Hundred Revel Prisoners—The Civilians to Leave hs Fortress—The Rebel Tacties on the Jones River—Mr, Stanton and the Troope—The Missing Coming In—Our Loss Overstaced—The Rebel ‘Kecklessmesi—An Advance of Our Forces Early Bepected—What Is Tx- pected of the North, dc. ‘This day was ushered in upon us in beauty, and it has eon the most pleasant we have had in some time. At noon salutes were fired from the fort, the guadoate and one from the British sloop-of-war Jason, who had Star Spangled Banuer at her main. The Hrazilian cor- vette also flew our national embiem. but being a small vessel she did not salute, Ail the vessela in the Roads are decorated with their bunting, and yot one would scarcely believe that it was the anniversary of th® glorious olf Fourth, ‘The State of Maine was here to-day; but I am unable to get alist of the wounded on board of her. 1, how- ever, send you a (ew names, among them that of Colonel ©. E. Pratt, who goes North to-night. He is wounded in the face, a terrible wound. The bali has not yot beon ex. tracted. He is im exceilent spirits, and only regres ‘tbat he is obliged to leave bis command at this time. Taleo forward yous partial list (already publishod.— Ep.) of the wounded :on board the Commodore, whi arrived this afternoon. Colonel Lee, of the Twontieth Massachusetts, is om doard, sick, bus not wounded, as reported. Thert quite a Rumber of officers on board, ‘The Hero arrived this noon, with nearly five huvdred rebel prisoners of warea board. I am (ree to confess that | never saw a worse looking let of fellows in my life, They represent regiments from all sections of the South. Someof shemare se ignorant that even now they do not know where they are, An order is to be issued (so it is reported) to-day for all persous not comnested with the army apd navy to im* mediately leave this place. This has been brought about by the presence of a number of blacklegs and pickpock- ets who have infested this place for some days past. It {a said that several persons have beon robbed, or, te be more explicit, had their pockets picked. If thin be true, this order wil} Be hailed by all interested here with great Joy; for we are crowded and ruu ever with uearly all tbe villains im the country. Panic mu! bound ww eountiess: numbers, and their iaferaal lies distract tho people of the North and give aid te the oremy. ‘The wounded still arrive, aud as goon as they are pro. perly cared for and supplied with storus, ice, Ac., they ere forwarded North. It is almost next to !mponsible to ge Cull liste of them as they now arrive. Tlearn to-day that the Richmond papers put their loss dewn,up to Monday, at over 40,000. Magrader is re ported to bea prisoner in our bands, ‘The emumy still Mud time and men to annoy us on the James river, and will try, if possible, to blockade the low McCielian’a headquarters. 16 is hoped that borough is awake to this fact, and will make preper preparatious to preyou: it. Colonel J. J. Antor, Jr.,aid te General McVietlan, ar- rived here to-day, en route for Washington, with import ts, of course, uoknown to ve, ‘There is much very ditter feeling against Mr Stanton ‘a thearmy. Hw course is censured by officers and men in the most unqualified terms, [t would not bee wise proceeding just at this time to show himscif in this neighborhood, All have the greatest confidence in the Ability of General McClellan, It ia they were not accepted, Had they been, Richmond to. day would have beeu ours. Brot as thingy stand now we waite little longer’’~-it isto be hoyedt not long, From all 1 can learp, and after inquiry diligently, 1 om of the opinion our loss has boen greatly overrated. Our missing are coming in daily in large numbers. The cause of our men being so scattered bas bowen thoir ignorance of the coumtry through whiok they have been travelling, and when detached by orders cr other causes (hey loss their way, and have in many cases enly foing our lines by the noise of the fight still going on ‘The rebels still aro throwing forward large baie of fresh troops, but only to becut to ploors by our heavy batteries of artillery. At t when insy adva they are mowed down, falling in some places eight deep. The redel generals reem niteriy ro, of the lives of their men, thinking that their su, numbers will in time pross go hard upon our troope ae to overwhelm them, In this they are mistaken; for never have our men shows go much coursge and powers of endurance. ‘The General is in good spirits and cond. dent of suctess, his position vow being far more euita- bie for @ base of operations, The gunboats can now be Drought into service, aud (helt assistance materially ‘aids in gaining (he desired point. It is reported here this afternoon that the enemy ve been driven back several miles io an attempt to force our fines. The repors says the enemy were terribly cut up, and after @ Iktle fighting became panie-siricken and ran like sheep, If they attacked ws from the rear of ti bank of tho river, and have thos been used, it w e our men to get Some rest; for the gunboats om t from coming down the bouk of wheriver ‘Thare ate not justified