New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-26

40 firmly frozen in the ground az to give great difficulty
in moving them. Precautions have been taken with
some Of the pontoon wagons to draw them out OF the
mud, and, by placing poles under the wheels, pre-
vent them from sinking again.
The enemy had doubtless became aware OF the in.
tended point Of crossing. Remarks Of their pckets
upon the other side. show that they at least had
strong suspicion that Banks's Ford was the deeig-
mated locality.
What is that large pile of earth in tho center Of
your rifle pits" said one Of our own men to one OF
the enemy.
That is lighthouse" replied the Rebel.
"Why don't you light it upl" Intercepted the
Yankee.
"We'll light up for You as soon as you undertake
to put your boats across here" retorted the gray
back.
Other remarks of the enemy's pickets show that
they were doubtless aware Of the intention. large
accession had been also made TO the forces Of the
enemy before we had remained two days in the
position.
The whistle OF their locomotives for day and
night showed that the activity OF the enemy was
bent upon some fresh movement. IL was Thought
that their troops were being conveyed from Bowling
Green, where large number had been CHARTERED IL
comfortable barracks.
Whatever regret or censure may be felt or uttered
because a month and more Of weather unsurpassed
cen be no Just blame imputed to any one for the
failure Of tie present movement No plan could
have been better and certainly at time have ell
hands worked more assiduously aud energetically
ID carrying forward the work. The engineers have
constructed the roads with the greatest secresy and
most untiring diligence. Two thousand engineers
have repeatedly been laborng all the night In 81
lence 80 near 20 the enemy that their conversation
could be heard as they sat ut their game OF cards
around their picket fires. Having flushed their
digging, their work has been carefully hidden by
bushes and leaves, and renewed again upon the
following night. The engineers deserve much praise
and no blame in connection with this movement.
! What effect this present abandonment OF the plan
may have upon the army, can at present only be
partially inferred. Gen. Bnrnrde's announcement
that the " auspicious time" had come, much IN
spirited the army. But when a hundred soldiers,
tnggiug al a rope fastened 10 pontoon wagon, and
the rope broke, letting half Of them fall back into
the mud, one OF them jumped up, covered from head
/ 10 foot aud shouted out, Never mind, boys; try
again. Gen. Barnside says this il the auspicious
/ time
/ The result has been that which we predicted and
which Nil had felt. What now Is 10 follow The
inhabitants cav that the rainy season has COM
menced, and that IL is mpossible 10 advance. We
fear il is true. Unless we should be remarkably
well favored, there seems nothing more bat 10 re-
main in patience until the winds Of March have
restored more confidence in the soil than we eau
readily recover after the experience we have now
passed through. We have wasted the season thu,
far which has been most unusually favorable 20 us
aud now we must look for no further extension OF
me weather and posiPonement OF the rainy season
BARTLETT.