The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-17

Oar Special Army Correspondence

HEADQUARTERS, ARxr or TIE PoyoaAo Aug. r2, iA2
Our Iuu,lasra1is Position AID lmsys3snsss fiass 8. AZ
dr. Co'1s Of tas U1sion Arn,y-gas Rebels 5ayasag ne
WnGf at city Foins--rhe Ftas of True Boas-0~ Gan
locts SHIFTING he Woods, 6c. sass
Military matters in this vicinity ore progressing "a
voraby Our present position u inyulnsrabe, lines
are ilnpfegnabie. Either flank Is well protected by the
ganboats and ths 'front.' before our works by ravras
and marshes Our scouts, the this morning,
occasionally discover heavy cavalry patrols Of the enemy
on the roads some miles beyond liaes aud few shots
are exchanged, generally without further damage to
either side thar the loss Of horse two. In camp
during tina day the men enjoy themselves III largo
riety o. ways. Their duties extremely light. In
decd at present, they do little clio than their tons
Of which they have tho BEST in great abundance-and
enjoy the rcpose which she present period app aren't
Inactivity ana the Southern sunshine invite Still We
are not inactive; this army is fast fulfilling tho mission
for which 1t created. Tho General Commanding
his faithful officers are not Inactive. Tie sequel vii,
show what splendid achievements the Army OF the Pc
tomac will hayo accomplished.
Tho spirit Of our troops is the WHOLE quito good
to-day as when they salcd from Alexandria. In some
instances is loss who othors 1t greater. There
are fow WHO sick OF tho that they would be
glad to leave 10 it they could under almost any crcum
stances; bn, tbs majority OF the soldiers, engaged
they have been in many battles tho peninsula pre-
Tor TO continue the army and under their general TO
whom they have become cndoarcd, until the rebellion ID
crushed until they fall in the attempt to crus, IL.
have frequently heard soldiers express cso sentiments
Tho immsnso amount Of labor which troops per
formed before Yorktown, on the Chicxahomny and III
front OF Richmond, and tho many battles thoy have
fought aud or this now highly historical peninsula,
win elicit the wonder aud admiration OF mankind for
ages to come They prepared to add 70 hpnors
already won and to have other Of hard fought
fields inscribed upon their banners. n@s
This morning about ten O'Clock smoke seen arising
from the vicinity or City Point, several miles above
here on the opposite side OF the river It per-
ceived that tho rebels had Are the wharf at that
place Our gunboets in that nsighborooi perceived the
operations Of the enemy, and presumo might have
sheled him II not that this ths morning ard
about the hour that, in accordance with arrange.
ents previously perfected the truce boat 90 to
City Point FOR the purpose Of bringing home sons OF our
officers ard soldiers who are to be Exchanged Presently
truce boat made her appearance and proceeded up
tho river. The smoke increased and soon the whole
wharf in flames. The boat consequently conf
PEELED SO further up tho river. she has returned
tonight 1t was quite an imposing sightthc burning 0:
tho wharf ut City Point Tho flames and smoke contn
ued To ascona for hours. and the conagration was dis
tncty at distance OF many miles. Out
ia tho river, placed almost in line and ready
for any action they might be CALEB on to
perfor werc most OF James river feet Of guab
The enemy ust have burned the wharf in tie fear that
i not destroyed we would It Tor landing additional
forces from this place higher up the river the opposite
side.
About noon while the wharf was burning Information
sent rom troops the river this point
the effect that the enemy had mado his appearance il tho
woods This the blum from which the febal ar
tiery had opened on our shipping time ago. Tbs
gurboa's lioga and Curuck got into position aud
corlmenced shellag The woods opposite narriscs Land
ins In about half hour they ceased nsing II WIS
ascertained that some cavalry scouts Of the enemy hal
vcntured near one lines the other side and that when
opened on them they Immediately retired
Tie scene presented on tho river, when tho wharf at
City Point was burning, and The gbca.s opposite Harri
sons Isniing we're shelin9 tao timber, was quite
picturesque and allmatng Tho rive covered with
almost every kad Of craft. Above was the burning
wharf near II gunbosts below steamboats, schconers
baks and barges, and opposite the landing,
southern Shore the two gurb In action Al the
Time tho six ais IN motion at the central signal
station N the to ri the Harrison House. Platforms
constructed high above tho chimneys Of the ancient
mansion, from whieh Lieutenant Iates the officer in
crge. communicates with eight Other signal stations,
including the gji1oa. oet and land forces both
sides Q. the rive This signal station is In direct
muhioatior With General IcClelins headquarters