The New York herald., 1863-01-25


ne robe st. chow themselves in force at the fords
opposite bank OF the RsppahannoCk They continue
H. throw up additional earthworks and 70 strengthen the
s.d oHes by digging rife pits, &c.
telegram from, the Army OF the Potomac, received
ngH says that there anything OF interest to
.snn,1icate
Our Army Correspondence.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF tins PoIoxAc,l
Jan. q, 1865. +
sA Casss Of ne Delay IN the Aecemens of the A,my-The
Hcasos cf he Abandonment Of General AcerFs Eapedi
s-she Rcbi yp0rs About Fredericksbuyg-T State o.
orr A,Dy-11e kiseries Of ne The Prospects Of
Future Saccsss, &c.
Nov saat the rebels are fully posed concerning our
Operations and designs may not be amiss for me to
give pabcy 20 the recent operations Of this army and
for tho unexpected delay. Immediately upon
withdrawal OF forces from the slaughter pen Of
tfseT sburg the shattered regiments reoccuped their
old nps as far was practicable and At proceeded
ake themselves comfortable. That the army was de-
srazed sadly cognizan With condition that
pretended to deny, and every that there
must be long interval before snother attempt could be
ade 70 dslodgc the enemy his position front
While all IDEAS relative 10 gong into winter quarters
Sssduousy discouraged, the troops instructed
mako themselves comfortable possible and villages
Of mud walled huts if by magic in
every nook and valley. While the several commanders
busiy collecting and rcorganzng their respective
dvsions the Quartermasters Department strainng
every nerve in the accumulation OF supplies, and
w,ihsianding the gigantic difficulties 10 be overcome,
succeeded storing depots with nearly five millions
- Saons. New wharves built with long branches
railroad connecting thcJn ith the main track Store
houses were erected in grs numbers and with remerka
hIe despatch, and miles OF corduroy roads
structed, which baggage wagons were to
trnnsport our supplies in the coming days Of mud and
sDire The holidays brought with them prospect of
~ adj ance, and the New Year dawned upon lying
quietly in our camps awaiting the order, FORWARD" !"
Fbsn was determined 70 expedition OF picked
men around the enemy, via Louisa Court House and
petersburg, possible. and destroy the railroads and
telegraph lines connecting Richmond with the cotton
Statee and the supplies Of the rebel army. The
Jan was brilliant one, and, subsequent
events have proved, could not but have resulted
successfully and great discontinue the enemy. The
Sosds IN good condition. the rivers low the swamps
either drained Of water frozen up and the weather
pleasant could be wished. Stuarts cavalry of
wild goose chase along ouspos.s, In Prince William
and Fairfax and the entire country along The proposed
route 0. expedition free from rebel forces GEN
Avern reached Keliys ford, on the Rappahannocv
the o,h Of December drove the rebel pickets from
e RIVER, captured number OF prisoners and prepared
push to the accomplishment the great task as
sgned him. Had he been allowed TO 90 So we should
certainly have lad balance in our favor so far raids
concerned notwithstanding the expedition Of Van
Torn the destruction Of Holly springs even If we did
not parayze the rebel army OF Virginia place victory
within our grasp But Stuart, with handful or rebels
sss advancing upon Washington, and effort must be
spared 10 avert the downfall Of the federal capital.
Forthwith order reaches General Aver TO abandon
hs expedition and pursue the ubiquitous Stuart,
cavalry turn their faces towards warrcnton which place
n lime To der = tn
eaeDy for CupepPer Stuart returned Lee unscathed
cavalry picket the vicinity Of Warrenton until cold
and hunger drive them back 70 camp and tho expedition
hnay resrsces its steps, wcaried and disappointed with
fruits the morty Of failure and
The certainty that is barred any other similar
enterprise by the warness Of the enemy Who havins
earned Of the affair had disposed his such
10 protect the lines Of intended
10 be destroyed At early date OF the present month
sbere were indications Of another advance upon the
ss'emy. and simultaneously with their appearance the
rebels commenced strengthening their position. Add
Lnai batteries erected along the heights back OF
Sreosricksburg. Infantry breastworks we're thrown
Ep upon every ridge and knoll, and the streets
~ tho .cny barrie,ded with stones and earth
~hse the wheae plain above the town was
nlcd with rife pits. While clue could be obtained
~ mot Of our officers 20 the plan the movement the
secassonsts within our lines talked openly and with
ecors the troops left their camps told own men that
would up the river and attack the enemy upon
lie left Not only the inhabitants Falmouth luy
,o~ied but the rebel army seemed TO know OF all ope
aions, and their pickes daily shouted the
ihsr dernion at plans Indeed II would have been
strange had been otherwise. Flags OF truce
~ day after day with rebel females who were allowed
- 30 Their way IN peace TO the rebel leaders with their
eadge news and the pickcs both soe of The river
u.--t
guarding the same interest our scn,rcs visited tho
rebels, and hob nobbcA with them over corn wh,.key
be they returned the compliment aud eagerly
ipse sans beef and coffee this side. they grew familiar
ihey became communicative, and while wo only learned
that Ire resting quietly in hls camps awang our
advance they being accurately informed concerning
rambcrs the position the several oorTs aud tho
probable of the anticipated advance. Meanwhile
scref Burnside and anxious put forth every
srori 70 insure The utmost sccresy en-.
olncd upon his adv gers relative to his plans, and h,
army was length set IN moti,r. SUNDAY night the
artillery started, and Monday every road leading u
the fords above Falmouth thronecd with cannon
pontcons, baggage wagons auibulanccs and infantry
Monday night the storm WHOM had been long threat
enng burst IN al its fury, and continued until Wednesday
LGhl with tle wind blowing crccy from the northeast
T"asntoons we're to have been the iords Monday
ngf its reached 10 beghts along the river ester.
day ano Tue REMAINDER are strewr along the rood ase
deep n mnd iminoyabs by my humber q horses tha,
be atiached y thcm Baypg found that tho sncmv
apprise0 or movement vas ortiyinr the o.
Iosto eide ~ the rvor, II became necessary 70 Na uutil
troops could concentrated ~ The fords before gc
made any attempt 90 and while oiea Though
he mud wards the The rain 'c fastef te mue
grew d.spcr and thc pottoness siosghs humorous
yIsi 10 he fords TO-DAY revealed terrible coudnon d
arars. The troops dreuobed and chilled BY Tho pites.
smibsasfnt, were hudd'nr he pines over tiei
smoaloerine fires, while hundreds struggling bac.
" teT .jd oAmps "a tho roads, % the ridges, every
.b.re a.. mud almost fathcnlcss sod even IN.
,ayalfy Iofses at stuck fast ard staggered s.
snnssr Baggage wagons, pontooos artillery ard
ySssxAus- -xtg gg~ - '!sls hs'a hOrss hs' Ass