New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-15
FROM MeCLELLAN's DIVISION.
Be-snfsrcsnens Of she E.emy-Dffueulty
Of Msving-Ineidenss.


Of Msving-Ineideass.
rrom Our Special Correspondent
o. TIE PENINSULA. Va, April H. lsSs.
During the cannonsding for the first ten days Of
the occupation Of this plsce BY army, not more
than four FIVE guns were developed, and those Of
light artillery. This, however, 10 10, the care now
We may infer for certainty, that large re-enforcs-
ments have since arrived thar more and hesverguns
have been PLACED in position and the works strength
ened. Lat night our plekets held Conversation
with the Rebel pickets on the other .ide Of the War
wick River not more than $50 feet wide, in the
course Of which the fact Of the arrival Of re'enfoee
men,s aud johnson was confirmed. do not under
stand, however, that even the best informed have
anything Trustworthy concerning the strength Of the
enemy. IL 10 assumed to be lsrge-the Msnzssas
! army, in TACT.
An army never was stopped in place with more
Objectionable features. Tie country, as it has pre-.
sented itself since we have been here, il OF little
value to anybody. From its general astness there 10
but little drainage and the quantity of rain that
has fallen during the Inst week lies on the surface
A. consequence, the roads arc bad beyond descrp-
ton. Empty ieams, drawn by four mules, are fire..
qusntly unable 10 get alcng. The chief occupation
Of the army thus far has been 10 make nsw roads,
and moro mills Of corduroy road have been made
during the past week than would dare say, for fesr
Of being disbsheved. In this work the Maine and
Michigan men lead. They are capable Of any.
thing.
Gen. Mcclellan, whose headquarters are sbon. the
center of tie peninsula. has issued complimentary
orJer Ia the 9th Vermont for the excellent
in which, under Gen. Hancock, they made the re-
counoissanee of the Rebel positions few dsys since
The notice IL descrved and especially il the conduct
o.Gsn. Hancock deserving Of commentator. lie
crswled on his hands and knees for Y long distance
through tho woosis 10 obtain sight of Rebel for-
icalion, had passed considerably ahead Of his
administers, and, having taken deliberate survey
OF the for,hca,ion suddenly found himself in close
proximity to q number OF Rebel soldiers Seeing
This, Gen. II. bea. q retreat. volley followed him,
but lsckily hc wss not hi' and wss able 20 make
good his escape. A solder came suddenly upon
number Of tho enemy, who fired st hin. Suddenly
rotresting, his knspeack, belt, indeed bis entire
trsps," we're shot away, but he got of without
wound. A number OF Instances Of personal daring
related characteristic Of the regiment. During
the fret days skrmsh right, two soldiers.
ono from Name, the other from Georgia, posted
themselves each behind tree, and indulged in
sundry shots, without effect on either shle az the
same time keeping up lively chat Finally, that
getting = little tedious, Georgia calls out to Maine
4" Give me show" meaning step Ou, and give an
opportunity TO hit Maine, In response, pckes
out his head a few inches, and Georgia
cncks away and misses. Too high," says
Maine. Now give me 3 show" Georgia pokes
out her head, and Maine blazes away. "Tso low"
siugs Georgia. In this way the two aternated sev.
eral tines without hitting. Finally, Maine sends
ball 70 as to Craze tho tree within an inch or two Of
the ear of Georgia. "Cease firing" shouts Georgia.
"Coase it is, responds Maine. Look here,' says
one, 1--WE have carried on this bu,iness long enough
for one day. 'Sposo We adjourn for rations1"
Agreed" says tho other. Ard so thetwo marched
away in different directions, one whistins Yankee
Doodle" tho ether Dixie"
Toward evening. while We lay 10 front Of the
Rebel work at Lees Mills Col. Stoughton cent his
fine band to point Of land which had been the scene
OF sharp skirmshing and where the Rebels were not
far of. Tho band played "The Star Spargied Ban
ner" Hail Columbia" and other patriotic pieces,
and the Rebels, instead Of firing ehesred immensely.
The scene had its significant features.
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