The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-11
NEWS FROM GEN. ROCKERS D.vI.Ann.
g FERRY CORREsPO,.SprNcr.

zNe Approach Of Wintcr-Retdive ,bnda;on of ne on
yosins Ar,aies the Posomae a. Of Affair. IN Gen.
Ilocer's DsrisiomCo"jon Of Ion Hcuses-qea, Wanted
for Some Of The Reoi~en- Ha,m gsaases and Smaller
Shoes Re7n'red-Ge''eras Sanitary Condition ef the
Troops dc.
Winter has rrivSa u Inst month ago, in the Grim
bon and amber Haves and maple trees contrasted
with the green bougbs Of Pine and cedar, with here and
sherc hawthorn or holly, saw the mellow richness
freshness aid beauty Of tho autannal season. During
tho declining days OF November the weather was
pleasant s',at scarcely admonlshed by il that
Winter vas approaching but now most Of the
leaves have fa'sen, and, AFTER the advent
OF December, Tho sight OF snow on the ground,
and the sound OF bleak winds Whistlrg through bare
Branches, foroy rorva that Us have said, winter
Aas arrived last Tts nrst Of the season. which
Tell Monday afternoon found many fields already white
with pitsry camps either side of thu Potomac. 1t
descended alike tho tented fields of the opposing
armies. That wasa slight fall Of snow, however, and
aoday me evidence OF its presence has almost entirely
disappeared. SILL winter has come, the situation Of
affairs the Potomac IL wildly brought before US.
On the one hand find tho rcbel iorcos martaled in
virginia actiag the defensive, renchcl at Leesburg,
Fairfax Contrevnc and Manassas while they have
psndcd much labor in the construction Of tho batteries
al shipping Point opposite here, and at Aqua creek, be-
Bow besides those believed be tho banks OF the
presume that they will struggle long and hard before
shoy abandon those positions Policy alone would sug-
kest the holding OF them IL possible even at tho
price ~ than such "dear bought
victory" that they gained in the first san
culinary struggle for the Notifications Manassas for
81 they abandoned or captured whatever prestige
she rebels may have the Potomac would DO lost.
A few facts nconovertibe with reference to their
army II is large, undoubtedly; its Organize and
,,;,h
but n TO numbers, 1t must have reached the
maximum, il Increasing, slowly and tho Union
victories have done much towards disheartenng them
There thousands in that rebel army who are in il
under great msapprehenson having bean grossly de-
ceved by tho leaders of the rebeon thousands more
have bee forced enter it by of the tyranny
which regns throughout tho South, and would gladly
embrace favorable opportunity to leave the ranks
sokness has disabled and death has carried none Of
M know how many Of their numbers dsnfection pro-
sals among them, troops from the Gulf States being
aaxioas 10 leave Virginia and return to ihcir own
Of tho repentant rebels from Maryland now in
she Virginia army have, through delegation Of
Ma. land citizens, expressed their wish TO lay
down their arms and return as prodga sons 10 ther
houses If they would BIO permitted TO do without beins
arrested and added TO all this is well known that tho
rebel army poorly clad best shoes being very scarce
Eoced aud that many regiments from under sunny skies
are thus unprepared, compelled 10 anticipate passing
the winter Of their discomfort" in colder climate
while TO crown the whole, the rebel President in his
message to the rebel Congress through all his artu bonn
bast and sophisry, reveals the cruubng condition OF
thc rebel and his covert appeals the last lin.
Eering hope, for active sympathy and support from
On tho other hand we find the once threatened
capital OF tho country beyond the possibility Of dan
ger, and advancing army the Potomac actively
the offensive its numbers arc Increasing faster
almost than the regiments can be formed into bri.
&soMe regiments not having = man in hospitaD Is
I - that 81 o. INK other sd n eyer
tnraJ lur AZ.
out our ranks not man has been impressed into the
service and the enthusiasm Of volunteers las as.
sumed the shape, not OF wild reckessness but Of dc.
ternincd purpose, inspired by the importance Of the
issue md the justice Of cause while The Message OF
Ar Lincoln TO Congress, ard our vast military naval
preparations assure us the United States arc pre
pared to meet and sanquish domestic enemies and foreign
foes.
wish say something the condition and spiris
Of the troops composing this division of the army With
one or two exceptions all the regimenal encamrmens
arc situated IN excellent locations grounds aDrdnR
good drainage, shelter from the winds and at tho same
tirne being wood aud water Those among tho
most important objects TO be borne in mind In selecting
ground for gu encampment. That on which the Eleventh
Massachusetts, regiment is located however damp and
unhealy Some Of the regiments have chosen the woods
end have pitched their tents among the trees Some have
yreferred open fields, with woods side while
others have trees entirely surrounding them Al
abe general appearance Of the camps is commentaries
A. TO the Third Indiana cavalry regiment while its oca
Zion eligible The internal police appears havo been
neglected No shelter Is provided for the horses except
snch is occasionally Afforded by crude stables con
etructed Of pine cedar boughs But better accornmo
other cavalry regiments which ! have visited ! have
found that considerable sickness prevailed among horses
from this also that the saddles equipments
sustained no little damage in wet weather from ike ex
p0suTe because tho tent insufficient to allow
che men 70 bring their equipments inside with them
Although the articles needed by many Of the rep
ents in this division are tents and blankets the men
nranase to make themselves exceedingly comfortable in
HOUSES made OF logs ceInented with clay and covered
with CANVASS One COLONEL whose have constructed
for him little house Of that description lives so costly
IA 1t tina, ho has almost persuaded himself into wins
OF at
homo for the privilege Of living all his life in a
hog cabin. IN those which are well anponted
ArePaeos built inside. with the chmneys outside are
Abe prevailing fashion la instance long house
has been built for whole company advantage OF
Shs styl is the opportunities II affords seciaty The
Second New Hampshire regiment of the best in the
division, although only few weeks in it's present ioca
sion in grove Of trees has onc1mpment which might
be taken by others u model Tho composing il
are mostly farmers and mechanics They have erected
3og houses OF nearly every description each aecomo
safe from TWO 70 SIX mon or more as congenay Of tastes
Or other circumstances may have suggested Peep In
Auins soldiers leisure honr and mos. likely you viii
sec him reading newspaper or with his portfolio hts
knee, by the sunlight in the daytime the freight in
ahe evening, writing home TO his father who told him
" never return except with honor to his mother whose
prayers IN his behalf he knows constantly
70 his sister, who could not urge him TO stay at
home when his country called him; or to some
dear friend whose heart and his beat in perfect
unison for which Of volunteers has left least
at home whether relative or friend, who thinks 81
him and writes 20 him' The arrival OF the mail in mr.
Nsry camp and the arrival OF the paymaster are two
ahngs which make soldier joyful! in the rst when
he expects several letters aud receives none in which
case anticipated Joy is superseded by bitter dsappo int
ment. A style OF fireplace which have seen in small
lents mostly among New York regiments consists OF g
mole in the ground and opening through which the
smoke IL conveyed to the chimney outside Tie arrange.
for sleeping in OF the teuts are admirable
Cedar pine hemock ances spread upon the ground
with blanket for covering better sleep upon
chan the bare ground itself Better though, is SOFT Of
hedsead made with stout limbs Of then covered
over with the branches, which are asrant and
healthy.
Az general thing the keep themselves their
and their quarters in good condition Superior
arms being furnished some companies which need
abeR. There are great many details, which couduce
materially 20 tho comfort Of regiment that
looked by the volunteers but which rgdy observed
In the regular service. Some they have not had OPP
portupiiy to learn, takes time familiar
with them. Considering the numerous disadvantages
connected with bring ing such an Immense army into The
neld from civil lite in short space Of time, ii IL
derful 10 their fine condition and efficiency.
The sanitary condition o. his division s highly
satisfactory There is only one regiment-tbs Third
Excelsior----whch has any considerable pGnbcr in
hospital This IN owing, beieye, 10 several causes.
The regiment was down here few months ago on sort
OF pioneer expedition, without tents The present camp
ground Is rather humid aud Colonel Taylor strict
discplinariau drilling his every day, whether the
ground Is dry or otherwise; so that all these combissd
nave mad Tho effect 10 impair the sanitary condition Of
A1A-x l-..aA t..l.s