The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-06

i
Lieutenant Colonel Darram left TO day for westcbester
county 10 arrange for filling his regiment There
only about I'VE hundred elective the regiment,
but his popularity officer and we'll known gaantry
and earnestness Of purpose will bring up its
original numbers.
WEsrovKR LANDING, Va, August 8, 1862.
Sunday QeTae Military Occupation of the Right Bank
Of the James Riuer-The CONFERENCE.-The New Colonel
Of Michigan Volunteers, de-, dc.
This day has been day Of general quiet with stern
alarms, or dreadful Marches fierce battes making IL
memorable
Two regiments, with detachment OF the regular
cavalry went tho river to-day TO resume telling
trees, house and barn burning and other work
for them, designed to put esoppe the nc
nations of the rebels to indulge In midnight pyroechnics
aud thereby deprive OF healthful Sleep por
ton Of the party took inland for distance
They came across two deserted encampments whose APP
pearance indicated that their late occupants had
very hasty leave. The visit noon, and 1t hap
pcned opportuney for they had the satisfaction OF
regang themselves the cooked dinners Of the fleeing
enemy Turkeys and chickens comprised small share
OF their deserted feasts and superuous to add that
our boys set their mascatory work upon them
with an apprecative gusto But the dinner not all
that our men got They captured rebel officers who
are now At general headquarters.
1t has been very lively day about tho contraband
campment or "Greelev's niger Brigade the name by
which il is best known. The brigade, 1t must be con-
fessed does not evince very high degree OF military
discipline but its very recent formation, and absence
recruiting service of General Greeley, Colonel Wendell
Phillips and other leading officers, may unit for this
fact The cha plain OF the brigade was the most prom
the ground-a very large very oily and very
black Individual, with good deal Of white and
small share of cloauence his composition. His preach
ing was listened TO by as many white people colored
ones. At the close or the sermon-and this was the
climacteric event of interes-came union in wedlock
of very swarthy swain to damsel OF nearly octoroon
hue The scene was as interesting as it was novel
General Griffin started for home to-day-ho lives In
washingtcn-on seven days leave Of absence He has
not been away from the army day since left Alex
andra. and only leaves account OF the serious
Him rs Of his vito. No commanding officer has shown
himself Drawer than General Griffin. His brigade
ships him. for he is the they like he leads his men,
and does not tell them go where he does himself
Colonel Childs, OF Michigan has returned with reinvig
grated health, and ready to do fighting Since tho
death OF Colonel Woodbury. be has been promoted the
colonocy and tnsr and more capable and gallant officer
HARRIsoN's LANDING, August 4, 1862.
Operations Of the N,0 Order Calling Upon Atsenees to
Raurn to Cam-The Best Officers Are Not on Sick Leape
but in the Feid-A Contraband Preacher-Brigade
Bands, dc.
The orders respecting officers and soldiers absent
on leave hailed with joy by the army. They will
have the effect Of bringing back to duty large numbers
who have in various managed to shk at the most
critical time army has yot seen. They also give
slrance that the government Ia awake the necessity
more thorough organization and the serious charac
ter Of such war as this. Too many OF our officers
gained their commissions through the influence of pow
erful friends Congressman and Others and they rely
upon the influence to get them away from the army
whenever it suits their inclination so home longer
or shorter period. Nothing DO more injurious to
discipline than allowing outside influences to
ride, hamper or interfere with the authority Of
commanding ofacors. Men who could show to
their general no good reason for furiough, and
hno, =
proprety Of granting of absence have in many
instances contrved to get away by the help Of their
friends outside Of the army, generally by the nstrumea
tay of members Of Congress- put forth payment Of
debt to his constituents their SURFACES the
future.
The orders will have also q beneficial effect in
bringing back to their regiments officers who got away
and arc staying at homo to secure through their State
authorities promotions and commissions in the reg
ments. Many have resigned for this purpose, many
more because they worthless and were almost COM
PEELED resign their superiors To send tho new re-
cruts into the field under the leadership OF such
calculated to nure the service Our best and
most valuable officers not TO be found In the North
sick leave frlough Boosting about exploits they
performed 1t Is difficult in these times for good officer
10 get leave 70 home and the really merit0rous
who have gone on sufficient plea will rarely be found
guing for higher commissions in the regiments
II the appointing powers in the states could hear tho
OF the here when they see
The announcement of the appointment Of officer who
has been almost kicked out Of his regiment for porooney
and ineicency, they would be more cautious in their
selections.
Thore are hosts Of non-comnissioned heroes in the
army, and when the lists Of Those deemed by their
manders worthy OF promotion shall reach their
Governors. they will find plenty candidates who
have proved themselves competent to nj existing
vacancies in tho old regiments 70 receive
commissions in the new Such battles tho Army
Of the Peninsula has becn fighting lately not to be
they would reflect upon the matter would prefer be
led by Officers who have had experience with the enemy
Yesterday the conti abaads favored with the
spiritual services OF Rev Mr. Johnson OF the Thirty
second Massachusetts, regiment Mr.. johnson Is color
ed gentiemau performs the Offices OF officers
want and he expounds tho Gospel much to the edica0n
of his black congregation. He does not preach and
with that JUNCTION which characterizes the min,ra
OF the real plantation preacher but his dscourses
much interesting than those of many Of the
army chaplains. The contrabands enjoy Sunday very
much because they arc not Obliged to work They have
extra hunt FOR vormin In tho morning. put their
bcst clothes and bask In the sun all day In state OF
grinniEg boatituoe.
landing in plain tents ulary Laid out. and compelled
Ia keep their quarters as clean IS possible They
happy, careless, sood Tor nothing set OF mortais
Some OF tie brigadss are attempting TO hold enough
Of the band musicians 10 form brigade bands Under the
new law tho brigade bands cannot be newly mustered
into the service for that PURPOSE; those who
listed In regiments bands obliged remain The
new law aboiishag rsgimsnal bands enacted, with
doubt, under msapprehsnsion Of the facts banda
are worth morally and hygienicay all they cost Their
music enlivens and inspirs the solder. But allowing
that members Of Congress desired 70 make the soldiers
posing that the bands superfuous, and that
tho government makes clear saving OF their Pave
by mastering them out Of service. In every battle
each band performs an Indispensable servce-carryng
the wounded from the field to the hospitals or ambu-
lances. If the bands not there 1t would be
detail equal number OF the fighting OF the
regiments to perform this duty and all the expense Of
armng, drilling and feeding the soldier 10 laid out with
view to this eliminating point, it Is evident that by
aboshng the bands you not only deprive the army OF
music, but diminish its lghtng numbers by many as
the bands muster when they are gone the ambulance
corps be made up Of soldiers who have been put
ia state Of preparation up to the moment OF action and
then lay down their and take up the srechers
The musicians jolly, however, at the anticipation Of
speedy return 10 their homes.
In CAMP NnAR JAMES RIvKR, August 4, 1862.
Qvia Stu Reigns-The Soldiers and the veoaables-Ds
crease Of the Sick List. dc.
GAN quiet along the lines" may be truly sad as far
as that portion Of army facing towards Richmond
tho land side s concerned and but for occasona
rumor from the river side OF the army, camp life would
a. a..tl "a