The New York herald., 1862-04-25
Our Army Correspondence.


Our Army Correspondence.
CAMP WINFIELD Scorr \
NDAR YoRxrowN, April 20, 1862.
Apr1 10, Stormy Day wiA Night Surprise-Tae
3Aiyty-siSA Nep Pork Volunteers Ready fey Action
A RaAer Disagreeable March with an Unplasamt
NygMs Rsst-Ereetion Of Ba1erSIs in Me soy Teeth Of
Ns Enemy-Excelle,a Practice of Our Sharpshooers--
Sostie and Rep1sc Of tie Enemy-An Jslaehy Celisioa
Fortunately Avoided, &C., dc.
Yesterday the rain commenced pouring down like .
torrent rendering camp life anything but agreeable The
enemy had been remarkably quiet during the day, and
eur wet and weary soldiers had tuned nn take what
Ntle rest the flooded ground Of poughed feld would
permit, when, at about nine o'clock In the evening the
sharp, quick rattle Of muskety at hand followed by
the deep toned voice Of artillery and the bursting
SHELLS startled every slumbsrer to mis- feet. 'FaI
IN Fan ini" was the prompt, decisive order.
md In the short space OF Eve miputes the
company rolls had been called, every man in his
place. and the Thirty sixth New York Suite Volunteers
WAS formed in line Of BATTLE and then marched by the
ank Off the ground under command of their gallant Co.
)onel each believing that he about to meet the
Toe on . bloody field.
Now comes tho iuquirng thought, what means this
eGht attack The night stoe dark TO recognize friend
~ foe At ten pacss and tits just the night for "suprse
party" Old Magruder is probably drunk and out for
nights spree. Ofcourss must "taks hand in" The
ssbs pckets told us nearly week ago-to use their own
sanguage-Whsn Old Magruder gets about 80 drunk we
always have TO turn out for fight" The "pomp and
circumstance Of glorious war; and the "tentsd Geld"
ehat poets apd orators have often made or are
amons the things that were" certainly not among the
beauties and luxures Of the 'grand army Of the Poto
mac" now.
Under orders TO station ourselves in an omen neld
somewhere in the immediate vicinity Of the enemy
rudged along, feeling our way over an unknown road
and without guide, until the word came down the line
"HaltP' and Immediately after watchword was
whispered from man TO man. The Colonel then went
serward alone and reconnoitered the ground and found
Hn alt,In
Not knowing whether they friends foes he con-
eluded that prudence the better part vaor and so
Meanwhile the men sank down in the mud to sleep as
Doss they could. with the "sacred so knee deep and
ehe rain psltng in their faces while rife and oannon
balls were singing through the air over their heads.
During the preceding night our forces had planteda
sna p an ,nn about one
works The rebels were surprised, and attempted to
Ad their cannon to demolsh it. but sharpshooters
picked of every man that showed his head that their
guns were completely silenced during the whole day
In one case one man was permitted to commence swab-
Ding his piece and when he In the Of withdraw
ing 1t he was shot, leaving the swab in the cannon
where It remained during the remaining part Of the day.
Under Of the darkness the enemy had attempted
70 the and take our battery but they were
gaanty met and repused-with what loss their side
am uniformed Our loss slight
The enemy have commenced clearing away the
0oeds IN 'front.' OF new battery which they have erected
and winch Is intended TO cover our works. The sharp
shooters are rendering Invaluable services and have
said before succeed in many in completely slen
eng the enemy's guns
open field into which it ordered because our ap-
prosch was unexpected by tho strange regiment which
proved TO be from New York, and fatal collision
would no doubt have been the result.
Conversations still kept up with the rcbo pickes
and many joke is passed between the opposing parties
Afew nights since a Massachusetts, company was on
picket The rebels inquired what regiment they be.
Senged TO- TO which proper response given. Then
came request for pair Of Shoes, "for said rebel
81 reckon your uncle shoemaker That "bit the
nA on the head" for II true that that regiment
We: raised in and about Lynn Arlington and other shoe
Oaking towns.
The health Of troops s good and the idea of being
beaten has not once entered their heads They believe
shemselves invncble, which amounts to battle half
won.