New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-17
Lethargy in she Army-Iying Beperts-
Furloughs-Present 10 Gen. Meade
Williams and Hunt-seizure Of OBJ.
scene Literature-A Gloomy Picture
The Weather,

The Weather.
FTom Our Special Correspondent
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION SIXTH CoRrs
Dec. Is, 1868.
The present inactivity Of the Amy OF the
Potomac makes silence with the newspaper correspond
ents cardinal virtue. For months the same monotony
will doubtless prevail and the cry Of the exasperaied
aud disappointed ncwsmonger will be- IAN quiet along
the Potomac" II idle gossip and untrustworthy ru'
nOrs then the market would be flooded with
plenty OF se-eE but few buyers. We hear lots Of IN
fashionable rports about change In tho command Of
the army. but nothing official 10 known a. yet.
The report that Gen. Peasonton was TO be placed In
command Of the army IL premature. and without found
alton General Warren was somewhat amused the
other day upon rerusng the newspapers learn for
the first time that be engaged In an imbrogho with
General Pleasonton and General Brney and that Gen
eral Meade had censured him. The absurdity Of these
canards provokes the indignation "a well AZ rdicule o.
the army. Officers begin 10 look upon them a. mall
cous asehoOds started and circulated ior the purpose
Of stirring up discomfort and personal ainosty in our
ranks me s, ,a 81 ,eso ~
In the field Of honor deserves the eIecraiion OF
every loya.ist IN the land
PURLOU0Hs GRANTED.
Quite a large number OF furloughs are being granted
10 officers extending from ten to sity days the latter
only in extraordinary cases. where physical disability
renders tie leave Of absence 90 lengthy. Brig. Gen.
Webb, commanding ID Division. I'd Corps, and Brig
Gen. Rice Of the LIST Corps. left on Friday on ton
days leave. The orders permit general officer from
each corps 10 receive firlongh AZ time
AN AMUSING PRESENTATION.
patriotic old lady recently sent three smoking caps
presents 20 officers In this army. One WAS for Con
Meade and the rcmAng two she desired ~ be present
ed TO two Genorals Of whom must be tcfotaller
and the other one who never INDUCED In profanity.
Gen. Williams, Chief OF Gen. Meade's Stat took tho
Anti Profanity Cap. and Gen. Hunt the Temperance
Cap. For unexplained reason, great Zeal o! fun
continues " be made about the distribution Of these
presents.
COMPLICATION OF IMMORAL LITERATURE
On Friday last quite large quantity OF obscene lit
eraturc confscaed by order Of Brig Gen Patrick.
the efficient and honorable Provost Marshal General
of the Army of the Potomac. while passing through the
desire 10 expose another contemplate set Of rss-
Gals bogus swiDdliDg class that thrive upon cheating
unsuspscting soldiers. refer 20 these prize packet
ewely dealers who pretend 10 send by mail In return
or money sent valuable prizes. They advertise exen'
syey and their base should not be al
lowed In the columns Of any loyal or respectable news
paper. firm Of the assumed name Of window 20.
Is practicng this species OF rascaly upon soldiers
and the public. Gen Patrick has forbidden the sendcg
Of any letters - this socaed Winslow q co through
army msils. Government detectives have taken the
matter in hand. and it Ia hoped condign punishment
will be inflicted upon the guilty parties In this scheme
A SAD PICTURE.
While pernmbulatig through tho various corps en-.
campmenis yesterday. saw the following mournful
record Of brave soldier rode toward Stevensburg
Va At the foot Of withered apple tree simple
mound such dot the soil OF Virginia. and at its head
on small pine board was inscribed Sergeant WIN.
johnson Company Il. 81 Maryland Regiment. u. B: A.
HING by the kebs on this apple tree for desertion
Aug 81 1861 "Dulce ct decorun est pro pa,ria mort
timing throughout the night rendering the roads diff
cult for transportation The weather to-day was charm
ing remiIfrng one Of balmy day In June az the
cheerful suns rays shone III the camps. JkH.