Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-08-06
FROM GEN McCLELLANs ARMY.


Dcsoidaoa-THc Hom@r-7Nt Rrjd Troops
Neat and Fashionable Attire Coaryg1-
ton ,oih RcJsi OHc7@-ABtcf'ug ScuG-
Pmdictice FGcl.ng AgUla BWy-Ao Jus
ion Sentiment SoDhi-R RejcL BdL}iHg BAT,
tcrics all Aro,o,d the Union ArmJ, dc,
The following interesting letter we find
in the New York Express:
HARmsoN's LANDING, July 23d.
have just returned on the Spaulding
from City Point wher6 we now send flags
Of truce two or three times a week in or
der to get possession of our wounded sol,
diers. The boat left this place about noon
yesterday, and soon reached her destinaN
ton, passing on the way the little Monitor,
besides other vessels yet to win lame in
action. AT City Point all seems desolation.
The wharf was destroyed some time since
10y our gun boats, and the houses are near,
ly all perforated with shot, some being le,
vel with the ground. Walking around
Confederate soldiers, who seemed to res
gard our presence with the utmost uncon,
Germ. But the only flag to be seen was
our own, which floats from the stern
"alone in its glory"
Captain Hopkins, who commands the
post at City Point, was early on hand, aud
came to the wharf bearing white flag,
which, being fastened to the wharf, was
signal that all was right. Col Swot2er, Of
The Union army, then joined Capt. Hop
kins, and the two walked over to an old
building, used as the post office, and set
tied the preliminarics, Next a guard
were marched down the road, and after
removing their arms were placed upon the
railroad track, while a guard of Union
cavalry, dismounted, prevented communi-
cation between the boat and shore.
The first thing that struck my eye was
the dress Of the rebel soldiers. 1t was of
excellent material, fashionably cut and
well made. There was an air Of neatness
about the men which caused general as,
constituent. As there seemed to be no
exceptions, a general conclusion vas arri-
we'd az that the men in these fine uniforms
were kept for the special purpose OF meet
ing our flags OF truce, although the officers
assured me that quite all the Virginia
troops made just as good an appearance.
The men were exceedingly intelligent in
their looks, and very pleasant in their
conversation. When a large crowd left
the boat to gather "relcs" upon the shore,
they mana gcd to become ,ntangled with
the secesh and for some minutes quite a
scene was in progress. Both sides were
good humored, asked and answered guess
tions, and discussed the question of seces.
sion. The rebels used the old logic, while
our people fell back upon glory, the flag
&c., the whole discussion resulting in an
agreement to disagree, of course. The
Federal guards were obliged to interfere,
and sent the boats party back, much to
the regret of not few, who seemed per-
'ectly fascinated at the sight of real, live,
gray-baCkcd rebel.
The rebel officers we're invited to tho
saloon, and for an hour engaged in conver-
Sation about the rebellion, at the same
time partaking Of Union hospitality. At
this time, Capt. Hopkins, a Confederate
Surgeon, and two or three petty officers,
were present. All of them were extreme
ly polite, but all seemed to feel at home,
and enjoyed the opportunity ofexpressing
their opinion, as if it gave them extreme
pleasure. In conversation with Captain
Hopkins, who, by the way, is a lincal de
scendant of Stephen Hopkins, a signer OF
the declaration Of Independence, ascer.
tanned that the Uontedorates lost in the
late battles $1,000 men, all told. lie says
that our losses are known not to be less
than from %, ,00O to 10000 Upon assur,
ing him that this was a great cXageration,
he said that upon very high authority, he
understood that they had buried 10000 OF
our men on the feld-thAt there were yet
some 5000 wounded men only fit for hes
pital, under their care, and that, finally,
they were in possession of 10000 prison-
ers OF war. Upon suggesting to the Cap
tain that the rebel loss at Malvern Hill
must have been very severe, he said
There's where you folks have all made a
great mistake Our men at that action lay
quietly upon the ground and your grape
and canister passed over them" We hap,
pen 10 know, however, that the rebel
masses were hurled against our artillery,
only 70 be driven back with lrightful
slaughter. The captain said he was one
of the last Union men ir Virginia, but
could not stand the tyranny of Lincoln's
administration.
Finally, the train arrived. II was long
one twenty.sx cars in Ian had on board
800 Of our poor manned soldiers. When
it turned the curve, and our flag waived
IN slght, our crippled boys burst IN a loud
cheer for the emblem of their country, and
as if animated by the sight, dozens on
crutchos came on unaided, and hohbled
over TO the boat. 1t was an affecting sight
indeed. Young men, with scarcely an
exception, some had lost arms, others legs.
while early all were manned for life. A
few sick from fever we're carried to the
boat, pale, emaciated, and apparently near
the end of their sufierings. Little did they
look like the gallant soldiers who, few
days since, were so full of life and military
spirit. Some were wandering in mind
and | heard one poor delirious bov ask
where the Philadelphia boat was. Ee
wanted to see his mother before ioinirp
his comrades again. There we're vet 9th,
ers who bore up with fortitude most as
tonishing. But we have become so accus.
toned to these sights that our hearts are
quito hardened 1t is proper to say that
the rebels treated our men with kindness,
and assisted in carrying many of them
upon the boat.
I With the train came DR.. Cullen. Cons
federate medical director, Colonel Moore,