The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12
GENERAL PRlM ON THE PENINSULA.
The Spanish General on the Fair
Oaks Battle Field.
Grand Review of General Fitz John
Porter's Corps.
Interesting Man9uvres of the
New York ZOuaves.
&c., &C., 10.
Our Special Army Correspondence.


Our Special Army Correspondence.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY THE Potomac,
IN FRONT OF RICHMOND June 8, 1852. !
General Prim, Commander in Chief Of the Spanish
cisatantic forces, accompanied by members Of his
stat, was yesterday conducted through the various
divisions Of our army which bivouacked on the
other side OF the Chickahomny. He manifested the in
sensest interest In everything connected with the
Army Of the Potomac. No army In the world
has ever had such magnificent material, such
elegant arms and equipments, such effective artillery no
army in the world has been better fed and clothed
nor been maintained in every particular with such mu
nihcence And, better STILL the Army Of the Potomac
has always been victorious 1t is wonder, therefore,
that tho fame OF Mcclellan and his army should spread
all tho world and elicit the particular attention OF
foreign nations. The distinguished commander OF tho
late expedition to Mexico presented to number Of
our generals, who kindly received him in their camps
He dined with General Smith
Perhaps the most interesting feature Of his ride his
visit to the recent battle field He shown the
OF the action which took place the 31st Of May and
the LIST OF June When pointed out the spots where diff
ferent brgades and regiments had fought, and when
told how bravey they regaincd Sunday the ground
which had the day before been lost, ne regarded each
field and forest with marked attention. and spoke in tho
highest praise of the valor Of our troops It
ceedingly interesting for him to see the soldiers still
resting their arms, and on their own battle field.
This afternoon there fine review Of General
Ftz John Porters provisional army corps for the benefit
distinguished Spanish and the other guests
We have had much wet weather recently that 1t
considered quite fortunate that this day delight
ful The corps formed in a somewhat extensive
plain, in front Of General Morells encampment Still
the space not large enough to display the different
brgades and regiments to the best advantage The regu
lars, under General Sykes side by side with some
OF our veteran volunteers General Sykes now COM
mands division Of three brgades composed OF the rsgu
lars the Fifth New York Zouaves and other regiments in
addition to which the First Connecticut artillery under
Colonel Tyler On the field this afternoon this division
was posted in line by brgadss Each brigade FORM
Cd by battaons masse, doubled. Tho artillery
formed in battery between the First and Second and the
Second and Fourth regiments Of infantry The whole
division was finely formed, and presented an elegant
appearance. As have already mentioned, however,
the space was contracted that General Morels div
sion had hardly room enough to make thar grand display
OF which every knows it to be capable. Several
regiments were absent some on picket, and some on
other duty more important at this juncturs than
vews His division placed in close column by
DIVISION Grifln's batteries in 'front.'
This the position Of tho corps about O'Clock
when General Prim conducted by General Porter, and
~
mounted, upon the ground Besides General Prim
there Brgadier Milan his chief OF staff Colonel de
Tenre and Colonel Castara aids-de- scamp; Tasto San
Miguel, distinguished Spanish gentleman OF noble
blood, who had volunteered his services aid; Mr..
Perez Calvo, the historian, and Mr. Sales, who has
been sent from Washington by our authorities
to conduct them their tour. A largo mum.
ber OF the members Of General McClelans staff
including the two young French princes, together with
the English representatives and several Of our
officers contributed by their presence party
unusually brilliant AS they approached each brigade
commander prepared his troops for review, and the
bands played appropriate pieces; but the party simply
rode along the divisions, they stood in line BY
brgades, and then through the brgades they stood
in column by batalions and divisions. The, troops
neither formed in limo OF battle marched In review
The distinguished Spanish general however, he rode
along followed by the escort speedily recognized by
the soldiers not by his place beside Gen. Porter
his attractive uniform than by hts martial bearing
venerable appearance He sauted and received sautes
OF the soldiers he passed For soldiers bivouackng on
Tho field face to face with the enemy, and without tho
convenisnces OF camp garrison, sodiss looked
unusually well, and highly complimented for their
hno appearance. Other artillery An adjacent lcld
was equally admired with the infantry.
Tho attention OF the General much attracted by
theNsw York Zouaves, with their brilliant uniforms that
after riding through the corps tho party paused while
md the regiment went through some of Its maneuvres
II is particularly proficient In tho bayonet exercises;
not perhaps than many other regiments how.
ever for tho bayonet becoming effective weapon in
engagements here on the peninsula After forming
in solid square and marching the open space al
double quick the regiment speedily fell into nc and
Colonel Warren directed their in the bayonet
drill. These were executed In splendid style. II
was beautiful to ses tho whole regiment In line moving
like machine all the bayonsts simultaneously gsten
ing at guard, thrust or parry, the bands playing
appropriate airs and tho other portions q the
corps moving in ndcpenden: bodies and changing their
positions meanwhile The General was greatly pleased
with tho appearance Of troors, and expressed his
highest satisfaction at all no had seen.
Thcn tho party rode on to the elevated ground on
which Is situated DR. Gaines residence with It's delight
full lawns. This brought within view Of some or our
soldiers and those Of the enemy the other sido of
the Chckahominy. Uhic the main portion Of the COM
pany halted hors, General Porter conducted his foreign
guest down 10 the picket lines and along the borders OF
the swollen swamp In the evening General Prim and
STAFF returned TO General McClelan's headquarters
greatly gratod with the experience OF their afternoons
ride.