The New York herald., 1862-07-17
NEWS FROM TIE PENINSULA.
Our Army Correspondence.

Our Army COrrespOndcnccs
CAMP NEAR HARrnos's LANDING, July II. 1867
Kscessity Of Ne'o Camp Equipaos for he 0gces and
Aen-commissavy and Qaarssrmas,er's Departm ns-AH
Quiet ON Jasass Riuer-7he Maiis-COIoad SuilT, &c.
II matter Of great regret that large number OF the
officers and men in the army OF the peninsula
obliged to live in camp without adequate shelter from
the elements having bssn obliged aband their traps
during the recent movements 1t Is TO be hoped that ths
Quartermaster General At Washington will speedily a
tend 70 this urgent want OF troops and furnish the
quartsrmsstsrs here with sucency Of camp and body
equipments with orders to issue them mmedi usly A.
tention to this Immediately may prevent the ID cons,
quences OF sickness from exposure the changssbe and
tickle elements
Tho Commissary and Qusrtsrmaster's departments
have now become permanent fixtures, and the troops
suffer none from any lack or energy displayed in these
departments. with the exception Of the non-issus Of
equipments.
Our gunboats James river keeping avgilaat eys
upon every spot along tho river the opposite side
where damage could be inflicted upon transports In
their passages TO and from this point Is not antici-
patsd that any damage can be inflicted upon our
vessels by either stationary field batteries. We all
have high hopes the aota since the appoint
ment Of the gallant dashng and intrepid Wilkes 70 the
command II he does not give the rebss taste OF his
qualities he will belie his well known reputation for
energy and promptituds.
The army begins once moro to enjoy the luxury or >
daily and prompt mail This division 10 peculiarly
blessed by the daily visits Of its popular mail carrier
Harry G. Hines, who allows no obstacles to interfere
with prompt delivery OF the m ssves OF business love
and finance to the troops.
notice . fact not heretofore Published, and
which an article In the New York Times
toers commanded General Gormans brigade in all the
battles from sunday until their arrival at Harrisons
Landing His conduct eiced tho admiration of all who
witnessed IT, and gallant in the highest degree Tho
Colonel suffering from fever bordering typhoid;
but st he persisted in fulfilling the duties devolving
upon him n the absence of General German
sickness Since tho late battles Colonel Suy has been
offered brigade OF regulars.
In such rapid did tho last great series Of
battles follow each other that those popular historians Of
the war; the specials Of the HERALD have been unable
to record every gallant Of the brave officers and men
who noby stood the hazards and risks OF lighting
superior fos This Is mater of great regret, the
names Of tho haroes rank and he, who contributed 20
noby their aid in the accomplishment Of McClslan's
grand change Of base to tn. James river should given
Quite excitement has been created in the army by
the distribution Of flags 70 the various army corps
Each division flag Of distinct kind, and the regi
msnta! flag upon II the number dsn0ng the rank
Of the regiment in the division line. This desgna
ton il It Is designed to be used tho battle field, will
doubtless prove Of great utility general officer will
be enabled to distinguish st glance the regiment, bri-
with the exception OF small parties sent out for fatigue
duty on intrenchmens, our army 10 enjoying blissfui
season Of rest and The sick list does not dimi
itself daily In camps Is doubtless the traces Of dis
case contracted by tho men tn the Chickahominy
swampsfevers that have nsidi0usly engrafted thom.
selves In tho systemkspt subdusd BY the indomtable
spirit Of the and excemsnts Of battle, and just
now making their presence known and felt.
The weather, which for q week has been bright and
sunshny, has opened with steady rain, much TO tho
discomfort OF those OF the men without shelter.
HAREsoN's LANDING, Va, July 10, 1892
All Qsis Along tAs Jcms-Upon the Response 10 the Pre-
sidenrs Cal DEPENDS Ms Silsatian # Lte utr-RaHy
Mes of the Ncrh Where Are Our ChapLdins' dc. &c.
This has been very pleasant quiet and beautiful Sab
bath The weather has not been uncomfortaby hot for
the last three days, and is invigoratng influence IL
plainly visible in the rapid Improvement Of the sanitary
condition Of the soldiers The 81 rest and quiet
which they have enjoyed Of very great benefit has
tended greatly to restore the morale OF the army and
bring II to . satisfactory condition.
OF there but little Of interest TO communicates
Tho daily history Of camp life, in the enemy's
country the enemy will let tho army alone has not
many salient points Of which to make attractive let
tss That which would be Of interest is contraband and
until matters again progressive character there
will not be much worth communicating. The threadbars
phrase, altered 70 suit position, Gan quiet on
the James river" must satisfy your readers a least
for the present.
We all looking with great anxiety for the response
OF the peopsto the call for three hundred thousand men
just made Upon that response the future OF tho country
depends Rsin'orosments In large numbers must be
had and soon they to prove effective aud the ram
pant OF Southern ogarehy crushed out
What that response shall be-wheher bold prompt ana
worthy Of great people, whose national existence Is
attacked by desperate and malignant foe, or weak,
spiritIess aud hesitatins-is what few days de-
eide. Ths traitors we'll the loyal army, which has
suffered and sacrificed SO much, anxiousy awaiting
the decision. II tho are promptly furnished and
anything like tho noble enthusiasm manifested at the
outset shown. they know that their doom sealed
They have strained 70 the utmost Of their ability and
means to concentrate and support the immense army
which bars our way to the robe! capital Once dispersed
and destroyed they can ,mbe equip another
stroy the Army Of the Potomac, which they thought
themselves almost OF doing By tho weight of over
wheming numbers, they still hope that the loyal States
may weary Of the war; and the needed reinforce
mems be not forthcoming with that promptness which
alone cam make them sisctual. 10 this army, a. 70
thern, IL Is amost momentous question How shall Il be
decided2 For or against national life and honor
There is and can be doubt Of the ability Of Gsnsral
Mcclellan, witt his present forces, to hold the position
which he now occupies With the aid of the gun boats
and the natural strength Of the position, Il be held
probably sganst any force which the rebels
rally at the North and furnish and means enable
US TO resume offensive operations and BY short and
vigorous campaign destroy The rebel army and occupy
This has been unusually quist Sabbath in camp
All unnecessary labor has been suspended and opportu
nifty afforded to observe the day day OF rest and rs
lgious Observance have not, however boon able 20
discern IL any Indications OF religious services Notwt
standing have visited number Of regiments In only
ono place did observe any Of the customary divine SER
vices TO be held. The fact is that tho chapains have
made hemselvea general thing, very since
the late severe lighting and dangers experienced by the
army. In TRUTH the chapains generally to have
much greater regard for their own COMFORT and safety
than for the religious welfare Of the soldiers There
but very few who have any influence whstever with
the men. They are not Of that devoted and self sacr
hcng class Of who content TO all things AZ
losshonors, comfort and property-Y they but win
souls Tha, the chapans might be very useful and do
them are, however, totally unnt for the office which
they have assumed, and these mako tho Office OF
chaplain byword among the soldiers. This may he
thought severe but is the truth any one acQuant
cd With the army can certify, and Is . truth
which should be told II would be far better for tho
government 10 save the money expended upon army
chsplans and expend In other way for the COM
fort and convenience of the soldiers
The recent order for tho exclusion or civilians from
tho lines o. the army u very strictly enforced Many
correspondents, who had gone North for q few days
after the reccnt battles, find u impossible 70 got back,
as they, Ia common with tho rest, excluded. Ii q