The New York herald., 1862-04-22
APRIL %, 1862. TRIPLE SHEET

can loarp. wholly unknown to our generals. and their
strength much creator than supposed when first
arrived Here where the great stand for the defence
OF Richmond ia TO be made in this direction aud where
all their forces that be spared will be marshaled
Ihere no alternative for and disposition as TAR
AZ Can learn, but to give them battle
FoI the last twenty four hours army has learned
something OF the trials and priyatons of soldiers life
FROM warm and bright sunshine the weather sud.
denly changed yesterday TO cold and heavy rain and
mas continued without ntermisson TO this time. We
were wholly unprepared for the change as very few OF
the tents had arrived and q more disagreeabc night
never experienced Added to this the supply OF pro
Visions ran short conn elng many brave but weary
soldier TO lie all night in the mud without shelter and
with an empty stomach.
General Mcclellan paid me . visit yesterday, accompa
MED BY his staff and body guard, and in company with
our General visited our outposts and took at the
He went the whole length OF lines and expressed
himself as highly pleased with everything done by our
commander He was received with the greatest enthu-
siasm by the soldiers who would not let him of till he
had addressed them in few words, as follows
well. boys you have got so far towards the rebels
Our generals are busy night and day accommodating
the position Of the enemy and in bringing our forces TO
throw up all redoubts and sarthworks in the night
IN order to avoid being fired at by the eneny. who
keep sharp lookout, and fire into every
sxamtning their works with glass, in company with
DR. Chamberlain. OF the Massachusetts Volunteers,
SHELL which struck few feet from Us; bas both Of rs
being decidedly mon Of peace, and wholly dispcned 70
set ourselves targss for rebel guns we retrssted
Prisoners and coasrabands continue to be brought in
daily; but, general thing tho contrabands
do An adjutant whose name was unable TO learn
rode up. with small party two or three nights since,
within few feet OF rebel battery and captured three
prisoners who were stationed in charge of the guns.
He brought them triumphantly into our camp, and they
were examined and locked up with the others. under
stand they were quite defiant and refused TO mpart any
am indebted to Major Iarrabes, Lieutent Colonel
Decker, Adutant Keith and Acting Brgader General H.
s. Briggs for many favors and acts Of kindness.
INC CAMP BEfoRE YORKTOWN INTRsScuxESrs,
April 0, 1852. !
The Long Roll of the RebelsThe Rebel ReinforcsmensA
Shell in Close Quareys-Gsneral Mcclellan in the Roin-
Daring E1pldt-frofsssor Losce and His Balloon
7heSick and the Doctors, dc.
AT three O'Clock our pckes heard the long roll beaten
within the enemy ntrenchments What occasioned their
sudden trepdation is unknown, everything very
quiet this side, beyond some shooting into pick
cts Still later immense cheering heard AT the time
Of the cheering carriage, drawn by two white horsss
was the right OF their breastworks The conec-
is that this ubant outburst called out by the
arrival of troops from the militia OF that
city, according 70 statements in late papers published
there, having within few days been ordered to York
town Not only this inference drawn from statements
the papers, but every deserter who has thus far come
within cur lines tells the same story about expected
rein1orcements from Richmond. 1t is believed that
there not less than sixty thousand rebe troops In
Yorktown. and some estimate the number even third
higher. But in the power Of numbers, as applied to
the rebel forces troops have faith Stories OF
reinforcemsnts have no intimida,ing effects our
regiments. RI
The weather continuing stormy has induced another
demonstrations BY the enemy. Some hsir dozen Shells
from heavy guns. thrown in this direction
about eleven O'Clock. shey served we'll a. pyrosschnc
display but missiles Of destruction, failed of their
purpose, none OF them doing any hurt to One
of hsm however, scattered its inmicai ingredients in
rather dangerous proximity TO regiment. piece OF
the shell came through the sent occupied by DR..
Churchill, surgeon Of the regiment, and Dr. West, his
assistant They attributed its visit to the fact Of their
"secesh" tent. which they had managed
forage. Following the line of procedure adopted
previous days mot to be outdone by the enemy the
number Of shos)s section Of battery was quickly in
position and sent responses to every shot red-eur
firing the last gun. All shells struck wthn their
works. with what effect. OF course, is unknown.
The Berdan sharpshooters say, however, that they
popped of several of the enemys gunners.
An exciting but rather uncomfortable event of the day
encampments OF the division II done in the midst
of heavy pouring rain. Most Of boys got pretty
thoroughly to the skin; but they bore up under the
deugng without murmur. Our soldiers becoming
hardened against the incsmency of the elements aud
no cccentrcities Of weather mako their fords or
willingness endure unqualingy the privatons apper
tanning soldiers duty In the midst OF the soaking
rain noticed General Mcclellan riding about as quietly
and unconcernedly as though he was on a holiday
view under the most aIspcious OF summer skies. Our
young and gallant General indeed, is beginning give
renewed exhibition Of his indifference 10 weather and
prvations and fatgues-hs is almost every moment OF
the day his saddle-that marked his brilliant career
in his Western Virginia campaign in the outset Of
the present war. Every day, in fact, draws the
soldiers TO him. and Strengthens confidence his
entire capabity to lead successfully the present
army.
section Of regiment under comms nd OF Iieutenant
Gordon, performed daring exploit today. They got
their eyes on some secesh cattle. drove Of about
twenty, and thought II would be happy idea TO
vert them into subsistence for troops. This
happy idea speedily carried into happier
cn,ion Rushing up 70 the enemy pclets they drove
them in captured the CATTLE and drove thom OUT losing
not q cattle in the affair. The booty turned
over to the division conmissary, and in proper time
they will be turned 10 proper account in filing the bel
lies OF soldiers with good beefan article according
to the well known Napolcenc theory, worth ia i'm
parting fighting vigcr to troops than all the best officers
and best drilling in the world.
Proeseor Lowe the army balloonisi, went to-day TO
Fortress Monroe to perfect some proposed improvements
by which he promises to render this branch Of army
reconnaissance more elective than II has been at
time hitherto. Ne-rr0 4
The present weathcr-the rain with obstnacy rare
al this Of the year, has cntinued pour
down INCREASINGLY for three days-is having uniayora
bile effect upon the health OF the troops The barns
onhouses surrounding the division hospital now
neay filled with soldiers who have been taken sick since
arriving here. The leading complaints chills and
fever and dysentery. Taking into account the number
m troops the gung recently undergone tho
fact that several regiments have been encapcd without
rcs and the weather and all bned and the sicSncss
is much less than could have been anticipated and with
dam A nod ygaf lfer
will bring them right again. Another fact is TO
be borne in mind that many who Joined IN the march
here ough, to have remained behind. Their ambition
TO have a hand ia the expected battles. and share
in the victories expected TO be won, brought
them mere. such inen-for IL is OF these
that are on the sick list--will rot be long In
getting well Our hospital surgeons have their hands