New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-06
Activity I'm Cnnp-A Reccnnoissnrce In
Forcc-Rcbsi Cavalry surprised-1'wo
Prisoners Taken aud their Camp
Eurncd-Thc - New MerriEiac."

From Our Special Correspondent
CAuP At HARRnoS's LANDING JAMES RIVER, Va.
Monday morning Aug T. ltJ1
During the last two days there has been consider
able excitement in camp owing to the late Rebel
bombardnlent, and TO some active demonstrations on
our eide. Our men have built and are building re-
doubts and planting heavy batteries along the river
banks. Yesterday about two regiments OF infantry
aud four companies of Averils and 9TH regular cav
airy from Fiiz John Porter's corps, landed on the
opposite side Of the river, under cover OF our gun
boats A portion Of the infantry commenced cut
ting down tie woods while part OF them ~ere sent
ont ma sirmishers They secured the opposite coun-
try in every direction for five six miles, and the
0rly inhabitants they met Were cows, plgs turkeys,
duck. and chickens which were captured OF the
spot No oath OF allegiance was Administered, as
our men would not lie sa'isiied with nythiug less
than unconditional surrender. Our cavalry pene-
tratod the euemys country for ten or twelve nlies,
surpri ed band Of Rebel cavalry, took two prison.
err, named Thomas p Harrison, and j. 4. Phillips s,
hclonelng 10 the 18th Virgin Cavalry set fire to the
Rebel camp end then retired, bringing Win them a
good supply Of Secesh poultry.
1t o'clock last evening, the whole force, except
few companies that were let as guard, returne l.
We Ind one man wOunded-James Lansing, OF the
Fifth Regular Cavalry. lie shot in the tleshy
nart OF the foot. His wound is not serious. We
also he'd one horse killed. The appearance of the
men "a they landed here l0st night was really beau
tiful. They bounded like deer from the boats. anu
one could tell 10y their smiling faces how much they
appreciated ,heitle trip, which they regarded rs
Kind o, picnic excursion. Every man had hs gun
decorated with beautiful green lockwood, which
grows to u great hight and IL the widest pio.uion
"a the other SIDE. The transports that brought them
over had the lockwood u, their mas-h ads. Turkeys
ducSs, and chickens dangIed 10y the iegs from tie
bayoret- of their guns. Those that had no poultry
had something eise--iOr every one o. them bad one
thing or anothar-such rs chairs, stools, kettles. and
bundles Of tobacco. / noticed one man with nd
die aud another with pair Of oars:
Last evening, aboaJ D CLOCK, heavy ming waa
heard up the ryer and The report in camp was TO the
effect that tue new Merrinac and the Rebel fleet
bad engnged our gunb0at5 and had sunk one OF
them. though this report Was generally credited
and 10, circulation caused some alarm, n turned out
to bo untrue. The real facts have learned TINS
morning IL appears the gunboat southfeld for
merly staten Island ferry-boit), while sheling the
woods, got aglouud aud While aground Il Rebel
shore battery opened on her, and iears are enter
tanned that she Will be blown up.
Five steamers, disIlaying the white flag NJ their
mast-heads, and loaded down with Secesh prisoners
are at anchor opposite our camp. Ii is expected
they will 20 up to City Point to-day. The names Of
the steamers are: Co.tzacoacos State Of Maine,
Kennebec, Wilson Small, and Utica. They cannot
have less than four thousand Secesh on board.
This morning as write about 2, coo men, composed
of companies from the different regiments Of the
Pennsylvania reserve, are being transported across
the river; each ,nap is armed with his gun and an
ax. They will do good deal to-day in the way OF
cutting down the woods on the other side. Four
companies OF cavalry went early this morning.
full regiment Of contrabands are Just now embark
ing for the other side halt of them are armed with
shoves, and the other half with picks. From their
loud laughter and broad grins, l infer they are
highly pleased with the idea Of paying 'massa
Secesh " visit. Some of them belong TO the other
side, and no doubt can give our men good deal o.
valuable information. To night We expect to see
some strong redoubts and extensive batteries erected