Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-24
W. D. WALLACH.
RUssELL,s CORRESPONDENCE.

DR.. Russell, under date of Msrch 81, has
something to say of the starting Of the forces
for Richmond via Yorktown. We extract the
following from this missive: -
1t will scarcely be credited, however, that
there Is no system for supplying men with am
munition when engaged with the enemy.
There Is no small-arm ammunition train, nor
psck-mules to carry it. An officer, to whom
the deficiency was pointed out, said that ''they
did not expect men to be closely engaged for
more than - minutes. When they had fred
away all their ammunition they must only re-
tire, and then letothsr regiments come up and
take their places" The way in which the
men were embarked on Tuesday was rapid
and orderly
- The politicians believe the Federal
flag will wave in Richmond in fortnight from
this time Mr.. Sumner and others are of that
opinion, and will be disappointed if there is
any greater delay. However. it does not seem
quite feasible. The two corps which are going
will number about 80 900 men, and they must
take stores and supplies of all kinds with them
As far as 1 know, there has been no change
made in the programme of operations sent over
by last mail. They are keeping bright look
out at Fortress Monroe. All eyes are strain
ing for, all thoughts are turning on another
sOrtie of that tremendous destroyer, the Mer-
rimac. Neither the fortress nor the Monitor
could save The Aotilla of wooden vessels from
destruction, nor the camps from being shelled.
Blenker's division remains at Fair
fax Court House. Centerviile and Manassas
are held by some Is 900 men. The controversy
about the wooden guns continues, but it is
pretty well established that there were a
number Of dummies in the embrasurcs
However, Gen. Mcclellan is so strongly sus-
tanned by the President, and by the regular
officers, by the Democratic party, and by the
moderate men Of the country, that he can af-
ford to be Indifferent to further attacks till
time has been afforded him to do some bril-.
liant action and vindicste the good opinion of
his friends. Although many violent assaults
are made By inuendo, in and out of Congress
no specific charge has been preferred by any
responsible body, and Gen. Burnsides express
declaration in his dispatch from Newbern,
that he had endeayored to carry out the in
structiOns he had received from his chief, has
strengthened Gen. McClellan's position and ia
considered good evidence that he is guiding
mind, and has plan OF operations embracing z
the whole country. | have heard evidence
which leads me to think the recent combins-
tions in the West and those on the Cumberland
and Tennessee rivers were planned if not car
ried out by him. From all sides comes news
Of successes. The sction at Newbern is most
creditablc TO the Federal troops and to their
General, as it is certsinly the very reverse to
the CODtedeFRte5. Dr. Russell here quotes
Bsauregards bombastic proclamation upon
taking command Of the rebel army in the
West, snd says: But, if the Confederates do
not behaye better than they did at Newbern,
these sre but vain words. Under very great
difficulties the expedition proceeded up the
Neuse from Roanoke, landed below the place
on the 4.h, passed the night undisturbed in
the rain, aud the next day after most fatigu-
ing march, come upon the enemy Inside strong
intrenchmsnts, and in a formidable position
engaged them, and after some sharp encoun-
fers, routed them utterly, taking six forts. "a
guns, and Eve steamers, as Bell ss the city,
and suffering loss Of less than 500 men.
The agnitude and severity of the
action at Pea Ridge are shown by the official
returns Of the killed and wounded on the Fed
ersl side, which General Curtis places at 400
II must have been picturesque combat Sigel
and his Germans behaved nobly; and saving
the baggage train and rear-guard by deter
mined hard lighting, against which the wild
Texans and Indians, with shot guns, bowie
knives and scalping knives, could not stand
Their batteries ran short of ammunition also
and the loss of the leaders-the so often slain
Ben McCulloch, as well as Mackintosh-accel
Grated their hesdlong rout under Price and
Van Dorm. The Indians acted as saVages-
sesIping dead and wounded on the field.