New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-26
THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.
THE EXPECTED BATTLE.
SPIRIT OF OUR TROOPS.
THE INTERCHANGE OF CIVILITIES.
From e Special Correspondent.

we are Ggain subjected TO Jupiter Piuvius, fast
enemy to Mare II began TO rain yesterday at sun
set it rained all nigbt-as very well know for our
Sibley tent ID deficient Of it's top, and was aroused
st q. m. by finding my head, feet, and side subject
ed 70 an involuntary shower-bath. IL is raining
now, with perseverance, worthy Of better cause.
As write, IN a Robinson Cuisoe-iko log hut, con-
structed without the use OF nails by the ingenuity OF
DR.. A. 2. IIei.hbod g the l05th Pennsylvania Vol
unteers and used ss a hospital, look out Of the
doorless entrance upon q cheerless prospect Of
drenched fr-trees, mud, and puldlee, the latter
diupled by the fast-falling rain, which comes down
not slaniwse or intermitteDtly, but str,ight and
steadily, az II bent on fulfilling is rheumatic and
diarrh,aisto mission.
The sacred soil, by the way, does not absorb water
70 rapidly as is desirable, in which respect our men
might prudeItly initiate it. Disregardibg the excel
lent advice Of the Sanitary Commission II wish It
wero more GENERALLY dstibuted--an order for read
ing j aloud 70 tie men at stated times might be Of
seHicel, wien rendered Thirsty by heat or fatigue
they drink ind'cseetly Of water strongly impreg-
mated with vegetable decomposition, and 80 qualify
hemsely,s ivr establishments similar 70 thai in which
| write.
Perhaps II was in recognition Of the non-absorbent
qualities Of the coil that young woman Of Big
Bethel told soldier know that she confidently ea-
pec'ed, within a week, to "walk oyer her shoe-iops
in Ysnkee blood" adding that che should certainly
avail herself of the opportunity.
That agreeable promenade, however, can hardly
lie INDUCED in at such a1 early period. We are be-
fore Yorktown We hope to take IT. but, like al
desirable things in this world il has price. At
fin, We under-es,inlated this; now, think there IL
som. danger Of our running into the other extreme.
Naturally, but contrary to our jusihable exPeeia-
loi p the Rebel. bayo made the best Of a strong
position. aud evidently mean to defend it brayely,
but the place is not Seyasop J, despite any sensa-
ton reporting eXiant
Two weeks ago, at the date Of our arrival here
our complete ignorance Of the enemy's preparations
aud intentions involved high compliment TO bis
.ocrcsy and ability; since then We have been en-
deRvoring to ascertsin with less the
nd o. work before US, and getting ready 10 do it,
,cluding The aadoing of certain amoun; Of. per-
h1Ts in yiia5s, erroneous performance. Our recon-
nOlsebce', our road making, our operations on ihs
York River, mean tits, our skirmisbes being merely
Incidental.
These only important ~ exhibiting the relative
pllck and kin Of the men engagrdn the latter Of
which, l think, our soldiers show decided super
J-i,y. They viii scarcely lead 10 general engage
ment Until We Gre ready and Lave discovered the
point, cr until the Rebels abandon their
lsus yol.cy by attacking Us. IL the mean time our
liiiona, Characteristic u living too entirely in the
present Of pa.sog rapidly from on. phase Of feeling
o iis opposite u mauifes,ing i'self in exaggerated
estimates Of tho suengih Of the Rebel d,fenses and
Of prolonged delay before the fight.
| write This with no msgiying as TO the patriotism
Or courage -four soldiers tho majority Of whom are
.ingusrly honest straigbtiorH ard and -nge-heated
In their convictions on the war and its origin, 40
much 50 that their example often contrasts reirerh.
ugy with tho,e claiming higher culture-bu. the
fault e1i-ts, abd tl. habits Of soders life rather
abet il than otherwise.
] woald rather see a quiet recognition Of the
ldicui,y ana danger impending, and a steadias',
earnest resolve 10 conquer beth, in what shape
snd at what tine they may, than temporary citation,
followed BY impotence or discouragemenL That
our men will fight brayoly | do not doubt;
v.b the words existed to convey to you my sense
'f the tremendous responsibility Of their leaders.
The Rebel, are encsmped at Yorktown deSing US,
their esrsst lires within 500 yards of ours. When
we shall Join battle with them and how, only time
ygi enable lne 10 relate. IL mas be that Gloucester,
With ia two tiers Of guns on the other eide Of tie
fyer, Is the key TO the position that the Joint in
he harness Of proof viii be discovered on the LEFT
DR. riQbt of the linc OF intronchments.
have LesId suggestions made, localities specified,
but, although my signature is not yet appended to
.le new ls, of conditions to which understand we
4 The press are subjected by Dir. Sanford, Govern
ment Censor, respect them in advance, and intend
10 obey their acquisitions as well as know how.
Apropos, erred, from ignorance, only yesterday,
when riding along the Yorktown road IN company
with two friends, until dangerously near to tho
Rebel works.
We were compelled eummarily 10 halt, told 10
consider ourselves under arrest, and ordered TO re-
,ort ourselves to our commanding officer. II am
loiug that now.) Fifty oHen,es of slmilar charac-
Ter lad been committed that day in the same place
,v military gentlemen. There was reason in the
heck. for most casualties" have their origin IN
ncautious exposure, prompted by mere curiosity.
r,,ked becoming one two days previous, on visit
mo Tho scene Of action on the 10TH A party Of
.brse. we sat on horseback surveying the line Of
.o.,ils intrenchments, and the nearer ea1hworks
brown up nocturnally by our men, while the more
,rudeut Sharp-shooters crouched behind the chin
news of the burnt house sought the cover afforded
Dy trees and stumps the Prince dc Joinville, dis
mounted, converting with them. A Rebel bullet
,i,ned at us, complimented our discretion.
Our pickels are DOW posted in such propinquity 10
bose Of the enemy that they frequently oyerhear the
nstrnctons given to them. Last night, or rather
-.