The New York herald., 1862-04-29

presumed, must have done some mischief The very
heavy firing, which Of ths larges, guns
both sides, reused good many sumbering regiments
ana for time belief prevailed that the ball was at
length opened The first gun came from the rebel sde
who to be getting fond of producing startling
sensations this makes the third fourth
time they have made these artillery demonstrations in
the vicinity of midnight. II happens, however, that
they always fire boys vgant and ready for scarcely
dies away the boom of their before mnglng
with its echoes the quickly responsive Of
artillery.
prelude to the firing described above took place yes
teray afternoon Our gunboats had eye there,
the enemy's intrenchments and vessels
from which they landing army supplies at the
Yorktown dock Our sharpsecng gunners compelled
withdrawal of the vessels to tho other side OF Yorktown
These afternoon gunboat hringsor thoy have got
to be almost regular afternoon performance at
Barnum's Museum--a:e becoming a great institution.
Thousands watch with the inensest interest the firing
the quick fash from the guns side gives the first premO
milton OF shot; the loud boom from the explosion
follows and then the and eye unless far oil
the course of the shell and wait the explosion the last
the eliminating point OF interest.
The rebels beginning air Of boldncss.
Several Sblcy tents to-day placed front Of their in
trenchments is believed that Is at the bot
tom OF it, for the fact is noticeable that the moving forms
OF living and breathing rebels wanting give CON-
peteness to the same. like mystery enshrouds tho
appearance Of these tents and the Of the
rebel balloon, which the development OF tho past fow
days has shown to be strictly OF the earth, earthly
Tho late order about suffers has played fearful havoc
with the occupations Of these army sharks. Many
who started with the Army OF the Potomac
with no money and less credit have now retired
to their homes with more money than they dreamed
Of and will doubtless on their lgotton gains accumu
lated from cheating soldiers, be coming out in the
disguise OF respectable citizens with first class church
pews and silver door plates. One must travel
raj regiments through before ho strike suffers
tent but when he does upon ono IL strikes back
with very unciristian hardness. The way prices have
gone up is atrocious Nearly everything has doubled
and trebed in price Think of plugs OF tobacco at forty
cents, Boston crackers fifty cents pound matches tive
cents box, and everything in tho way Of eating, suok
ing and chewing proportion. When one comes to SO
machical beverages the adectva appellayc ar0cious
prexed to the word price very fully expressive Of the
horror weling in the mind OF thirsty and bibulousy
inclined officer Think of ao at forty eight dollars
rel or pint bottles Of the same at twelve dollars dozen
which cost fifteen cents piece in Washington. The
mnd refuses to think.
to this section Of the Army OF the Potomac Several Of
its agents have arrived and busy finding ont the
quirements Of the different regiments and making
rangements to meet thom. Thoir programme is the
samo as heretofore pursued, and embraces as wide
range OF benevolent supply Special being taken
provide everything needed for the hospitals Speaking
Of bcnevolence connected with the army have just
learned that steamboat has arrived at Cheeseman's
Creek Landing from Philadelphia loaded with physicians
sick and wounded soldiers Ihs is s.aambo, Gttod
out by the Common Council Of Philadelphia neruto-
tofore stated in the HsHALD The physicians and supplies
is understood designed exclusively for Pennsyva-
mia regiments.
In FRONT OF YORKTOWN Va. April g. 1862.
Tie ReJl ortfca,ioms-Accuracyo Of the Hrad's Nap
The Rbels again Practising 7hsr Ari1eryon the Union
Store B1rges, DC, DC.
Al daylight this morning Obtained the best view OF
the rebel deencos aud rebels themselves have had since
my soourn on the peninsula. Capt. Auchmuty and
Brigade Surgeon Waters promised the il would
sccompany them which did. Our horses sped us over
the ground-a ride of several miles, owing TO obs
Enafu hand in bich hat ~ hi.
passed-wilh lively and exultant rapidity. Capt Auch
muty had his splendid field glass with him. Our position
reached-which il is prudent to mention here
is the place from which generals get theii
best observations Of tho enemy and his do
ings-a single glimpse through the glass showed
mo the accuracy Of tho recent map published
in the HERALD Of Yorktown and its intrenchmens. The
town and fortcatons stood out in bold relief the work
laid for gallant soldiers visible in panora
The Notifications have but little to do with the
town. with its half dozen houses, loss, revealing
the antique architecture OF the Old Dominion, and
dccayng dilapidaton saddening to contemplate Within
the fortiacatons farms and dense pine woods
ravnes, and the half dozen houses, less. The
farms used for raising bread nor are the
woods desoate, they first seemed Evcry rood o.,
ground supports its man for infantry cavalry and arti
ery closely packed together behind tho ramparts
While enjoying view, the Of beautiful Apri
morning above the horizon the
more like some skilfuly managed diorama than the
stern reality 1t was Not sound was heard yet all
life and motion. Behind the legions Of the Army
Of the Potomac before tho reported flower the
chivalry. The former we'll disciplined to
disturb the ordered quiet tho latter if not equally well
managed, were at least equally STILL Cautious heads
peered above the rampats If any change had been
wrought during the night around them BOder spirits
stood upright on the carhwOrks to catch better view.
NpV tAHi ffnrV lr0h r,tpoly s,a
position had occupied during the night. Further down
the line boiy of infantry moved along relieving the
guards, whlc dark and grim looking, the earhworss
were the long black guns commanding every point,
sweeping with direct and lire the country
and near. The and bars faunod de1antly in the
air. Hcre and there rtcmcn would leave the works,
across the open fields aud drop his rifle pk, shell
tered by tall holly and evergreen boughs Viewing this
impossible be impressed by sere-
nifty or nature All was peac2ful and, the chirping
of the morning birds, not breath stirred the
leaves The trees were Just budding or covered with
white and crimson blossoms. Tho shonc brightly
on the fresh, grass and sparkled the holly
bougbs behind which urked grim death. II din-
cult realize that grim vsagcd had here raised
horrd front aud that each day bringing and
nearer 10 its eliminating point of success on side
and defeat on the other what will doubtless prove tho
most terrible battle OF the war.
It o'clock when returned from our
morning ride and observation. arrived just in
witness rebel artillery practice directed against
three OF barges loaded with stores lying in Worms
ley creek. The tide being low OF the bargcs was
aground and there being other way of getting her on
n detachment soldiers had been detailed To haul her
into deep water and secure landing. Seeing the
bargcs men in close proximity the rebels could
not iOrego the opportunity or making target of them.
IL u, dcnt they could only get piece bear
the point they Tired bit gun but they did the
best they could with this while the golden opportunity
lasted. oar men some three-quartsrs OF an hour
getting the barge loose. During this time the rebels
kept blazing away solid shot and shell from their single
gun; but II was waste OF powder and shell. Not
Of was hurt or either boat d,miged although
OF the sholis with audacous violence, burst
them. The firing, however, afforded lively amusement
10 the boys; ior with each explosion OF she'll Put
HIN in the glardhouso along the lines Of rope
taeheI 10 the bargcs.
Charles Stoneman, private Company I, Thirteenth
New YORK regiment died this morning OF typhoid lever
oim has set ia a. close this letter.
CAMP IN FRONT OF YORKTOWN, April 81, 1862.
An Aidrv--Ths Case Of General W. ~ Smith--TAs MI.
tary Post offer, &c.
The quictude Of this Sabbath mornLs was disturbed
BY sharp and rapid ro from the rebel artillery Shot