The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-17
Our Army Correspondence.


CUMBERLAND, Va, May 49, 1852
Ano,her Start Towards Richmond-A T,dious AarcA-A
Negro Miuer-The Water Route Open for Supphes-OSr
Gsnsrol and "Scccsher''-Aa Attack Our Wagon
Trats-A Ssi. mish-C Ceneral.Mccklan Ecape, &c.
This morning at four O'Clock struck tents at
the Jones Farm and commenced tedious march 10 ths
forlorn locality known Cumberland. Our route lay
nearly parallel with tho Pamunkey river through the
most mpenetrablo forests OF pines, matted together
by vines which rendered the road in places more
like a sylvan retreat than like the track Of hostile
army. Here and there along the route could be
miserable little shantcs, which Is much more fitting
for them than houses, and occasionally head or
an arm would be issuing from the door windows.
which would disappear nsanter when tho attention Of
the troops attracted to the spot and at place we
actually across q gris:mill, which was In full
operation grinding corn had for boss negro who,
If parnum had possession Of him would make for him
fortune, by being Gagged up and called species
the "what Is It Tho soldiers behaved with great
propriety and In instance they allowed 70 make
the slightest infringement upon the property Of the
rebels which we passed during the march OF over
twelve miles.
AT an early hour in tho morning. while the troops were
halt and lying along the narrow road GencraI
Mcclellan rode through to the head Of the column, and
created quite stir among the troops who received him
with loud cheers individual man could not bsmors
the Commander In Chief, Mcclellan.
The march was Of great toll and privation. Now
u, on the brow Of HILL then through narrow cause
way where four could scarcely walk ABREAST after
wards through miserable swamp or bottom, where the
wheels Of the artillery sank up TO the hub &c But at
list just as preparing TO give up the ghost from
sheer exhaustion, and the troops wero trudgng along
under their packs oI baggage, beneath scorchng sun
clouds Of dust which At times threatened to
put end to tho march by destroying our powers OF
respiration reached the brow Of hill aud below US
upon plain upon the banks Of the river lay spread boz
fore US q sight beautiful as IL warlke. Two
brgades lay III the field upon their arms and long trains
wagons finding their way along the serpentins
roai TO the camp ground and perfect neet OF shipping
hay moored In tho stream, where twenty-iour hours
since oated the " rag Of Secessia The gunboats had
opened the way and thus enabled grand army TO re-
supplies which would have taken weeks 10 trans
port by land.
Ever since we have commenced our march into the
interior II has been the habit to place guards at the
houses that were situated on the limo of march, This
has frequently been done much TO my wonder, as most
the inhabitants have something directly or ndrcctys
to do with the rebel troops who seeking the destruc
tion Of the country. Yesterday afternoon General
visited the residence Of man who mad guard Tor his
protection, AID uron riding up to the house me man
out and the following conversation took place De-
tween the General and the "original' inhabtant:-
'.What is your name, sirfo
.My name? Blamford"
'well, Mr. Blamford, have you ever served In the
rebel armyf'
Yes
"How long cid you server"
"Lleven months.n
"when did you leave the rebel armyi"
last Wednesday"
AS these questions being asked and answered In
about nsolent and nonchalant manner as could pos
sbly be mustered for the occasion by tho orgna In
hbtan General looked at the man with that quet
piercing manner which cbaracterizes him. aud at length
Informed the guard that they should proceed TO join their
regiment, and leave the gentleman to guard himself and
property. The "origna inhabitant, losing consids-
rabe Of his bravado air turned and inplorngy said
General do not take tho guard away from my house;
have vile and laughter sixteen years DID, ana would
ask for them protection
thn. ninou butRn kinw
calm, quiet al respect the virtue Of your wife
aud lighter; bat, Tor YOURSELF will tell you that
log and blow you the devil Tho guard may remain as
your house long my div son remans but after that
guard was et and tho General rodo or leaving Mr. Gs.
ccshr To work for his own salvation.
Most f not all the in this quarter are In the rebel
army, and find house occupied Is rarity. Our
nander is in charge OF the division formerly COM
maLdd BY General Franklin, tho latter gentleman having
been paced 10 charge Of . co P d'drmee.
An attompt inado this afternoon by the rebels ON
left to capture somo Of our wagons, hundreds of
limo t. roads between hero and Buck House Points
but up to this writing halfpa O'Clock r. NJ
cannot learn that they have succsodod IN taking any,
although there aro number wagons still the road
and some within two three miles Of the ensmy's
pckels. Two Of tho second United States cavalry
we're shot in the skmsh mo men rest on their arms,
sleeping on field of recently ploughed ground, where's
at every pun OF wind the dust whirlng through
tho clouds rendering everything about as missra
During The time that tho rebels made tho attack upon
our wagon train Gen. Mcclellan by his sta
making reconnolssnnce, anu Camo ia sght oi
rebel cavalry before he aware OF his proximity BY
dint OF hard riding ho escaped and took Command Of
what force there al hand and dispersed the rebels
Had they known what przo they had so nsas them In
all probability they would have worked harder 10 have
obtained possession OF IT, Az II the situation was
rather prscarious one for tho General at best.
while the skrmsh was going on the fact was made
known the General Of the Second Brigade whose COM
nand had Just gone through long and tedious marchs
yot with hs promptitudo the General brought DIS
wearcd men in line Of battle and stood anxicusly
awaiting the foe who could not stand the pressurs' and
"skodaddled.r
It is reported hore tonight that two rebel regiments
have cut oil in their retreat by the burning OF BOZ
torn bridge by our forces II this be true, they are,