The New York herald., 1862-08-12


human sy mp gathies They to run along tho river
easier the padde-whees appear to move through the
water softer, and all lands board look hyeier and
viglant when they attending sick or wounded
soldiers down the river With portnoes and guns
oaded ready deal deserved death 70 the foe wo would
tempt 10 interfere with a humane rcssion, these
faithful gunboats hug ~th tenderness
the transport steamboats, whose crimson flags
ought to Nuke them be regarded by every sacred
and besow npor them by their constant attend
ahca. something suggestive Of the and attention
which mother would lavish ON a suffering child or
sympathetic soul dy ing friend
The moon iilumiaates the river for many miles, The
little which breastng the current carefully,
though II reluctant TO disturb the solemn still
which rcgns well nigh supreme, has left behind the
transports below westover has passed those at the
mailboat landing, and is probably on her way to
communicate with some Of our gunboats which are
many miles above. The innumerabe masts Of schoon-
and Of other craft at near the different
landings, and the steamboats, anchored In the
stream, visible distinctly any
day AZ noon. The presence Of all those transports
makes tho James river in this vicpity present
appearance Of excellent harbor close y largo CON-
mercial city. Rowboats passing between various
vessels the quetude OF this delightful hour Is unds
urbed the gentle plashng Of the the hail
ing Of schooncr, ahoy, the putting Of occasional
steamboa. the noiso OF her moving paddle Wheels
Towards tho interior, whore the camps OF the army
located the presented this splendid moonlgh
night still picturesque and interesting. mid
night ride amoGg tho cncampments and along the lines
possesses peculiar interest The weather cooler than
usually Is during the daytime ana tho ride WAS plea
SAINT that account well BY reason Of tho genial
society the officers who my escort and
panons Frs coming from the camps to the river banks
just in time TO the arrival of the mailboa,
| crowded with passengers Most OF officers
and privates who have been away rurough and who
have been compelled return either by the expiration OF
the time allowed them be absent by the recent
stringent of the President. these came off the
boat showing their passes in turn, they tho best
OF their way out to thcr respective regiments. The
agents and tho newsboys waiting for their newspapers
with than the mpatiencc Of restive horses when
they received their respective bundles, bounded along
the ganeway up the ascending causeway the
Knit OF the bluff and thence, some horses and
afoot out TO tho different encamprhents But tho sol
ders retiring hour for the night has almost cone they
cannot soil many papers till the morning II is almost
unnecessary remark that tho HERALD the only daily
newspaper that is extensively circulated among the
| camps. 1t may not be out Of place, however, in
| this connection, TO state something which hayo
observed for many months Isl that the patriotic and
discriminating which tho leading newspaper in
America has pursued In supporting the measures Of the
government and endorsing Gen. McC ielan's course
which, let incidentally remark, time will prove to
have also been skiul, wise and patriotc-has tho
admiration OF nearly every soldier in the army In the
renewal Of acquaintanses find many who rcterate
these sentiments, while every battle field this
peninsula there rest in peace in the soldiers graves
those who have pronounced your praises.
But attempted description Of the passing
After the arrival Of the boat the returned SOL
ders and the numerous agents each pursued their
way, the former slowly the latter swiftly, tho
various encampnetNs They all presented n varied
and picturesque spectacle they disappeared over
the open space near the landing into inc woods be-
yond Soldiers, with and without their
knapsacks: and oIicers, with and without
travei, bags and vases-soon left sohind by aewspa
per agents horses-wendcd their way by tao lih.
the clear fai rsoon their different organ they
mad guides save their own shadows, which weat be-
fore them IN the foreground Of this picture none
fail TO admire the splendid trees, with their massive
trunks and great outsprcadng branches which once
adorned this Now, these ancient pcssossors
Of the place cast their engthaned shadows not the
blooming ue.ls, Which month aso, but On
the hard dusty ground trampcd down by thousands II
soldiers ana horses, aud pressed by Thousands great
army wagons and hundreds of pieces Of artillery Be-
meath the grateful sh .do Of OF these splendid trees
distance from the road the hasty person may not
perceive the careful observer will certainly Sec the
graves several Of soldiers who have died since
army consunmated Its magnificent movement by
arriving at this point ON the peninsula.
Advancing short distance further, the camps OF the
different divisions brgades and regiments whose co!ors
bear tho bullet OF many saneuinary battles
appear in Some arc located in the woods beneath
the shade OF forest trees and pitched in the
adjacent fields. Many OF the tents and bvouacs
rounded by bushes aid branches which have been placed
abou. them for shade shelter. They do not present
the beautiful appearance Of the evergreen bowers and
arbors pine and cedar which have adorned former
campmens they rather masses of withered leaves
through these the moonbeams fa! as wei. as on the
camps Of cavalry and artillery; and tho army resting
it's laurcs awaiting futare developments aid rein.
furcements, viewed a; midnight by the moohght, pro
sents splendid and enchanting Here tent door
open for al The coolest tho night is warm, and inside
clcer, with ls couch covered with mosquito bars,
seen sleeping. There and everywhere the ends Of the
ii!o shelter tont Of tho bgouao Of the der are
exposed, yeu obzervs within several Of noble vo
lun,eers resting gweet!y with recoecons of duty done
ald silent prayer .r the speedy close Of the rebaoa
sleeping seunly TN they shall be awakened
their SAUNDERS b. The sound Of the reYele dare
venture to say how many dreaming Of loving and
beloved relatives and cherished friends at home ~ all
the watchu eye OF Providence looks down upon
all OF them not less surely than "ihe ambent stars ta
light their biyouacs, and "the that paes the
ainbcnt stars. Families at home reed not entertain
any undue sccitude concerning their friends upon the
tented eld Here aid there, also. sleeping under
and somo III the open air be occisinal
contrabanis, whose curious and black faces
o strange among the shadows cast through the trees
by the clear, full moon.
Along line Of ntrenchmcn.s front the scene
Is interesting and picturesque still All the salient
angles oi the works stand boldly, aud in places
additional and outer line, II would by the
shadows, appears in advance Of the real front These
works 0i much protection to army by day and
night The enemy with vastly superior numbers, does
dare attack Our guns ia battery ia the rcQ
and behind the paIapets along whsle e, SUI Oted
as they are by various rcgltaents, present splendid
picture. The heavy siege gus frown in backuess
wards the front where The enemy might come, the
beautiful brass pieces glitter IN tie moonlight. Oar
troops rsposc in security. Those who ni Int dgy
behind the parapUts also securely, while they
ready 10 instant respond tile first alarm II Is
really beautiful sight to the revealin the
watshon the walls and the soldiers sleeping on Their
| arms.
Sn further to the front, beyond these forthcaiions,
s IN lia .Ia and m tho rnata IaaF