New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-18
FROM THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC.
Our Army-The Country 10 OecupLss-seme
Of the Men in the Field-New-Orders-
Want Of samcient Diseipiine-DessrteFs
nnd Contrnbands-story OF an Orderly -
A Contraband story.


! ARxI THE PoToxAo, April IL, 1859.
1t is a matter Of surprise to enc visiting the Army
Of the Potomac when lie reflects bow little lie known
among those remaining at home in tie North either
of the army itself the country which it occupies.
The traveller. leaving tie at Fglmou!l .ton,
fnds himself about half way between the right and
center divisions. The country round about is ex-
tremey undua.ipg. The hills, those that have been
covered with trees, are now bare as if they had
never borne them, tho solemn pine forests that
stood there having been eveled to make FIRE ~ our
soldiers, whose camps may be seen in nearly kl di.
rections. Standing upon sny Of these eminences,
looking toward the Rsppahannock, q narrow stream
that flows su'enly between the hostile armies, you
behold at what seems little moro than stones throw
distant the roofs and spires Of Fredericksburg the
only blot in the record Of one whose name bad
hitherto been made brilliant by v...1y. Beyond The
stream are the Rebel pckets Jud this aide ours,
silent and watchin for they have been forbidden TO
/ hold communication with the enemy.
| Following course some what TO the left Of the
railroad for about two mile, ana hof, you come IN
sight Of the headquarters OF Ms re 20. Couch, Gil
old fashioned farmhouse Of tTuo Virginia pattef
with chimnsys built exteriorly y. each eud, steep
santing rooi that slopes 70 within lew Inches Of
the doorway, through which you pis,inio wide
hall. Opening on TO this are ciher door', lad the
room the night you enter IS lie one used by the
General in which to transact lnsr ~ Your i'm
preston Of Couch II you observe hl.l at all alten.
lively is that Of an eGtrenelg 6iiable gentleman;
bis courage and skill have already won for him the
reputation OF u magnificent soldier. He conveIses
quietly, with not much animation Of manner, but q
pleasant smile illnmlnes his yonng-l9osng face, aud
hpbts M hls calm gray eve while he talks with an
expIession kindly and agreeable. Yor go away with
feeling OF confidence Ia hin MN Of clear judg
ment aud steady penetration wiz WlI in the future
that 10 10 come add TO the vsuab.. services he has
already rendered bis country.
About thTee-quaYters Of q nile back by the road
which here crosses a small creek situated on q high
bill whose crest is covered by grove Of sbadowy
pines still left standing, arc t1o headquarters Of
Brig. Gen. Gibbon Of the Second Division, Couch =
Corps, formerly under tho gallant Howard, now in
command OF the 18th cOrps. Gibbon 10 North
Caronian. lie il somewhat reserved, bat very
afiabe in manner; OF a slight build, with tGwny
beard mild looking eyes Of blue or gray color. and
fair brown hsir-an excellent type OF the real South
ern gentleman. Gen. Howard met on review Last
Monday and rode by bis sde in tina grand cavaicade
that followed the Prsideut. Ills reputation as
soldier Is unsurpassed ia Tie army. Every one re-
members his bravery at Far Osks, wLoee haTd
fought contest is brought painfully 10 mind ny Tue
absence Of tue General lpht arm, the result OF -
wound received upon that memorable field. Gen.
Howard il not Only q sol'l:, which, by tie by, is
saying great deal IN these troubulous days OF war
he is truly Cnristan gentleman aud one cannot but
feel deeply saddened at the lof3 lie has sustained;
but with the energy which belongs to has character
hc has In great measure overcome the GeprValiou
by 10 arning 70 write, as well ghs, with his left
hand From Gibbons he8dqnarter5 ven look down
into the valley Of tho RspoabanDOck. How sweet
and clear the tones OF the lies ~ they cone echo
ing over the nils-a mellow, musical sound, speak
ing Of battles and Bw!it charge;
Blow busles blow set the wild echoes Hyinr"
What q lovely land was this to gaze on before the
iron heel Of war had trOdden il undertook Virginia.
,he mother Of Presidents has been made a sacrifice
upon the altar Of Secession
Re,racing your Steps, aOous two miles ard half
beyond Falmouth stNOn, passing on your way the
ruins az the Philips nansiOn, destroyed Dy hfe soihc
Tine ago end white fgITn-n0usc which, previous 10
me battle OF fredericksburg, wac occupied by ten.
Knrusde YOU arrive ~ Tue headquarters OF The Army
OF the Potomac II yOu choose 10 can IL to Oh l'
Kappai annock but the old name clngs to II am 10
the iavori'e. Here is 10 DO found iis commander,
Mai. .Gen. Joseph Hooker. oIherwise known az
Fighting Joe Hooker and the various oiAcers OF
his staff chief of whom 10 Gen. Bdtterheld, iormery
Colonel Of the 18th N. Y. ). NJ. NO o'her man III
this country H. looked upon Wh 90 much utelest az
tins present time as Fighting Joe, WHO, 70 Judge
/ from his appearance, Is not riiSnamed ne 10 OF
COMMANDING figure not stout but OF athletic ir.mei
4" trm, AS yOu wonld FAY IN lighting plTassoiogy,
with well pTovOfioned sbOuldefs aud certnlh easy
n,Oyemtnt which makes you THINK hun quick ana
agile. He l. The realization OF all one spreCohctNeu
1 iu'"t VI NSutIsl Nhcn HouhtSn uloh "'' 49,
hose, that wln arched ncca aud tOwInH name seems
CONSCIOUS mat he tears in the saddle inc man aOd
whom the hopes Of these great Free Suites are ecu
tered. Ihe mort striking feature Of Gen. Hooker's
character IL bis serenity. That he possesses TINS
lqoahty IN an eminent degree il beyond doubt. NO
matter now great may DO tie danger how Imminent
inc peril Hooker IL man who viii be calm, cool
ana se-potseesed Ills strategy has yet 10 be proven
but OF everything else bis countrynen may feel an
sueed.
Leaving Army Headquarters" after riding over
very rough road, which no road AT all you reach
Maj .-Gen. Reynolds This corps comprises three di-
visions, belonging respectively 70 Gems. Wadsworib,
J Robnsop AND Doubleday, and forms tie extreme