Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-17


gives interesting account of the services of the
Morse telegraph to the army and of Gen MeGeilan'
use of it
Prom the Lancaster, penn, Express
L. s. MILITARY TELEGRAPH HEADQUARTERS
DEPT PoroMAo, GAINES HILL,
: niles from Richmond, June 2 !
From the time the army of the Potomac first left
Washington the United States military telegraph has
for hour been allowed to remain In tie rear.
Before reaching his new headquarters Gen. Mcclellan
almost invariably learns that the wire is the advance
that an Office has already been opened at the point de
signated before be left bis old camp, ami that commun
cation TO the War Department et Washington is open
for him. In several instances, when the army bad
marched fifteen miles in day, the telegraph had
reached the quarters two hours in advance. When
troops obliged to remain few days in one p0-
siton, wires are Immediately run from Gen McCleau's
headquarters to the headquarters of all commanders Of
divisions, thereby placing tie entire section Of country
occupied by troops under bis instant control AS
sstance like this is surely valuable to glorious
cause, and am happy TO sag it is fully appreciated by
the general.
Saturday previous to the evacuation Of yorktown,
Gen. Mcclellan ordered me to wire into cur bat
terry, No 6, in order to give him teegraphic Communi
cation from his headquarters, which distant bout
and halt miles. bis battery laid half a mile in
front of General Heintzeman and within half mile OF
long chain Of rebel batteries. The office at Battery
No. to be located under ground, n bomb proof
arrangement, in order to the precious life OF the
UlaUipuator who would be 10 his hoe before daybreak
next morning. | was informed by Gen. HenIz eman's
aids that it was very hazardous experiment that
from the point where the line must the fields the
rebel officers could be heard distinctly giving command;
that the rebel piCkes within $50 var OF u.s. and
if we attempted distribute poles with wagon
would be fred upon. OF these facts I informed all
Regardless of danger they unanimously voted for
the extension Fortunately that night dark, and
promptly at F. Nj we were 10 readiness to commence
operations.
After ceutionng all hands to work quietly, detail
ed the men follows COsgrove, Hoover GTener, and
McGuire to dig holes Roe, Keller Benedict and Jones
to distribute poles ther shoulders who had to carry
them full mile. John fryer posted as guard his
duty watch the ssl of the rebel guns, aud mott
fy the men who were working and could see, when
to fall the sod should the rebels hear and open
THUS far ell quiet in the secesh quarters. Scarce
ly ad our operate n commenced when a compliment
from General M9gruder in the shape OF a shell n
Us Through the timely notice received from our guard,
Mr. fryer, that he fash an that something with
a fiery tail coming towards Us, enabled to
drop 1t came within fifty yards Of Us, burst, but did
no damage.
After that shot and she'll followed in rapid sue ession
until we completed our task, which, owing to loss of
time in lodging, occupied fully FIVE hours. A number
Of these missiles fell within thirty feet of u.s. showing
COZ cusveIy that The rebel pckets had discovered
operations and directing the FIRE of their art lery
We have preserved pieces OF a she'll which knocked
down pole behind u.s. which had not been erected FIVE
minuts before the shot fred. The line
through soft cOrnfeld and it amusing next day,
after the evacuation, when returned to this field
the ieke pictures of Tryer Cosgroye, ard several
Others nicely portrayed in the mud, and which artist
the world could excel They were at once recognized
by all hands, and promised to give you the particulars.
The telegraph has been called upon perform q still
more mysterious wonder. For sometime past have
be ordered by Colonel Eckert four supernterd mt OF
military telegrapbs) to try a telegraphc experiment
from balloon. Saturday morning, when heard that
great bat tie must be fought, Professor Lowe DOfd
me that should extend the wire to his balloon, and
would try it. In hour we had brought the wire
mile and halt, and ! ready to ascend with the
! Professor. The battle had commenced. When it had
reached its zenth Professor Lowe and myself with the
telegraph, had reached attitude OF 600 feet. With
the aid OF good glasses, enabled to view the
whole affair between these powerful COnteGding armies
As the fight progressed hasty observations made
by the professor and given TO me verbally, all OF which
| Immediately forwarded to General Mcclellan and dr
vision commanders through the agency of the obedient
field instrument which stood by our side in the bottom
of the car Occasionally masked battery would open
! on our brave fellows.
In such Gas the occupants of the balloon would in
form artllersts or it's position, and the next shot
two would, in every case, silence the masked aud
noying customer. For hours, and until quite dark,
remained in the air. the telegraph keeping up constant
communication with some point. From the balloon to
Fortress Monroe, distance of over hundred miles,
this wire worked beautifully. A number of messages
were sent and received between these two points, and
had it not been for the tremendous rush of business
the wire should have telegrapbed you directly from
the balloon, while the battle was raging Sunday
ming at daybredk again assembled. Early in the
ming the battle renewed, and with more farcPness
tIan before. lnces8ant firing of muskeTy and artillery
kept up until noOn when had the extreme pleas
of announcing by telegraph from the balloon that
could the enemy retreatng rapidly toward Rch-
mond. At this time could see firing James river
to the left Of Richmond, distance from the balloon
(som3 sad) fifteen miles. This fire of short dura-
ton.
The streets of Richmond in the morning presented a
deserted appearance, but very few people 10 be 10
the streets. During the afternoon ard evening of SUP
day. nothing o. interest ranspired beyond the removal
of the rebel dead and wounded, all OF which could
distinctly see from the balloon. Every available ma
chine that had wheels was brought into reeusiton fer
this purpose From the scene of battle into the city Of
Richmond, the road was literally lined with ambulances
wagons aid carts conveying the dead and wounded
About twilight we saw campfres innumerable around
the city; smoke issued from all their hospitals and
barracks which showed to certainty that the main
body of their army had fallen back to Richmond
Monday morning we made several ascepsiOns and f0unC
small force the last scene Of action, and thou
sands of troops marching ont from the city, you may
look momentariy for report Of another severe battle
Peris Correspondence n. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
| A Change Ia E.Rly.
A change has taken place in the situation Of things
at Rome which the freLds of Italy believe to be the
beginning of the end, and which, whatever may be itE
true gnfca .ion gives to the clerical party
Gen GuyOn, known sympathzr with the Pope anC
the priLcpe which his holiness is advocating, has beer
recalled, and Gen. Montebeo, brother of The ambas
sadoc to Russia appointed in his place. At The same
time, NJ de Lavaette the French ambassador to Rome
who had uuarrelled with Gen Guyon and left returns