Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-05
The AdYanCe 0n ne P0tOmao.

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The details of the advance OF Gen. Banks
army across The Potomac having been given
in the New York and Philadelphia papers,
we do not imagine We shall DO any harm by
giving them to our readers. We quote from
the Philadelphia Inquirers
Since the disaster at Edwards Ferry, the
Upper Potomac has formed the line Of de-
mArcation between the contending forces of
the United States and those of the rebel gov
ernment The southern shore, mostly COW
cred with forests, and broken into eminences,
was occupied by the pickets Of the enemy,
while the northern bank, not wooded to the
same extent, was held by our guards, en-
trusted with the duties Of giving notice Of
any attauk-protecting canal boats and teams
and attending to the safety Of that portion
of the Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad be-
tween the Point of Rocks and Sandy Hook,
presenting 0 river front of about twelve
miles.
In accordance with plans which at present
it is not advisable to explain, 1t was decided
ct Washington that an advance movement OF
the extreme right wing Of the army, station
ed at and near Sandy Hook and Frederick,
under Gen. Banks, should be made. Gen
Mcclellan visited the spot, and the details
having been arranged, the early part Of last
week was chosen for the consummaion.
On Monday, Feb. Gath, concentration Of
troops took place at Sandy Hook. By
temporary structure thrown across the Poto-
mac, several regiments, including that Of
Col Geary crossed to the opposite shore,
and occupied HarpeTs Ferry.
The construction of pontOon bridge was
commenced, but owing to the swiftness of
the current and avoidsble delays, it was not
until Wednesday evening that it was sufi-
ciently advanced to permit the passage of
troops.
The pontoon bridge on Wednesday and
Thursday, was in continued use, and stood
the test of the heaviest burdens. Il wss
thrown scross the river about three hundred
yards above the piers OF the railroad bridge
destroyed by the rebels. 1t was about thirty
ieet in width, one-third of a mile in length,
and consisted of planks placed upon num-
Der OF small boats stationed with their bows
to the current. A few temporary disarrange-
ments of the planks occurred, but beyond this
and the drowning of several horses, the pass
age Of the troops was effected in entire safe
ty. The loss of property was confined to the
upsetting Of en- army wagon loaded with
grain, the occupant making his escape alter
chilling bath. The bridge was reached, on
the Sandy HOok side, by short and steep
road, made by digging away portion of The
railroad embankment. On the opposite shore
a sharp ascent led to the principal street Of
the town of Hsrpers Ferry. Those of the
inhabitants of this place who remained land
they were many seemed to take but little
interest in the movement, now and then Wis.
iting the river bank for the qualification oi
ordinary curiosity.
On Wednesday, General Mcclellan, 40.
companied by his staff and body guard
of fifty regulars, left Washington in 3 spec
ial train, consisting Of two passenger, and
sufficient number Of freight-cars, 10 40
commodate the horses Of the party. He
reached Harpsr's Ferry in time to witness
the principal part Of the operations.
The crossing continued until Saturday
morning. On Friday afternoon the bridge
required repairs, and temporary CHECK
was the result General Mcclellan left the
special train alluded to, in charge of Mr.
DlHyg 'tEdtA-Auh5loE VI tAo GbolcEA DlNlbAOl
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroed He
reached Washington about o'clock, OF
Saturday morning.
The scene at Sandy Hook, during the
arrival Of the troops, was most ihdeseribs-
Bile. The freight cars, for in these the SOL
diers we're obliged TO travel, we're fitted up
as well as circumstances would permit
with straw and wooden benches. The
trains followed each other in quick success
ion, and generally brought complete regi-
ments, with baggage and all the parapher-
MALTA These trains occupied every foot Of
the three tracks ct the base Of the noun.
tain opposite Hsrper's Ferry, extending in
length nearly g mile towards Baltimore.
The wind upon Thursday, Friday and Sat
urday last was exceedingly cold, sweeping
around the base Of the mountains and down
in the valley Of the Upper Potomac, with
great force. In the face of this, the unload
ing of the cars was conducted, and the trans
fer of heavy boxes of cartridges, barrels of
-four, army stores, officers baggage, and the
countless articles essential for military use,
engaged thousands of blue coated volunteers,
who had found no opportunity for repose for
wenty-four, and in many cases forty eight
hours. There was not murmur, however;
and the army wagons, stationed at every
neighboring spot where mules could obtain
a footing on the bank above and below the
railroad track, were loaded as fast as possible
and the drivers, with a yell aud crack Of
| the whip, urged the animals down the steep
roadway which led to the pontoon bridge.
Crossing this they disappeared up the street
of the town of Harper's Ferry, now and then
coming into view between the houses, and
finally showing their white tops on wind
ing road ascending the mountain beyond the
buildings. ~
At night, hundreds of fires burst forth up
on all sides of the emiDenee at the foot of
which Sandy Hook is situated. They were
/ lighted by tesmsters and volunteers, who
passed and repassed before the blaze, the
outlines of their forms family defined against
| the dim background. It was not remsrka
bly, pleasant thus to f'camp" without tents,
and to doze by the embers which were one
moment famed into life, and the next al.
most e1tinguished by the gusts Of wind. On
the opposite side Of the river all was dark
and gloomy, the intervening stream roaring
over its rocky bed-thin sheets of foam and
spray covering and falling over the rocks in
the centre. The houses ct Sandy Hook were
occupied, whenever possible, by the soldiers,
but they were few in number asd not ample
in accommodations. The headquarters of
Gen. Banks were established in stone ten
ement and near the eastern end Of what was
once the Railroad Bridge.
OF this bridge, the western span is COM
plete. On Saturday morning, the employees
Of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, under the
protection Of the military, commenced the
reconstruction OF the remaining three spans.
The piers have not been injured, but are as
good as on the day upon which they were
built Several weeks will be required before
the work will be advanced sufficiently to al
/ Iovr The ,,au,aoa of froine