The New York herald., 1863-01-11

much the efcisncy Of baliooaiug . science tho
army Many improvements have been made In the ap-
paraus and machinery for ascensone
corps 10 now much institution the engineer
signal corps.
BeyoaA the routine Of camp life dris inspections aad
reviews, little tsanspses in the army just now and that
little rs seldom worth mentioning
Flags OF sti continue 70 cross the river with
various objects, two or three times day.
The Present Condition OF tho Array.
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
HRApQuARrERs,
Army ov mB PorohAo, Jan. 8, 1888. !
W'aer QSArssrs-TAe Casalyy Aspedisow-N Nobody Hurt
Presentation Of a Sabve-lGaiys At Aqsss-'Suilers,
&C., DC
Notwithstanding that our commanders have persist
entity asserted that the Army Of Potomac would
20 into winter quarters, have 70 all and pur-
poses, done so, and every 10 comfortable his
ingenuity and the supply Of logs and mud viii allow
Every encampment has been transformed from dreary
fever breeding collection OF sheerlsss tents into mud
walled village, and the curling smoke leaps and twists
and wriggles from countless chmDeys into = pillar Of
cloud, beckoning 70 the CHEEKY fires thai glow beneath
Though expected remain long Inactive all have
lost no time erection OF substantial domicils and
those destitute Of comfortable tents have mastered
share Of mechanics highly credabe TO Yankee genius
How long shall remain in present quarters OF
course unknown. Each has opinion, however, and,
while the houses Of mud and poles grow larger and
numerous their builders excediy discuss the probab
ties Of proracted scjourn hereabouts and hall moody
anticipate all the dsagreeable sensations incident
TO departure from such Of and
comfort The army 10 in good condition. the
weather pleasant, and the roads unexceptionable.
To the army there seems no reason for delay
and active operations are looked forward TO with no small
degree or hope The tlme place and manner OF next
advance upon Rebeldom know yet ali seem TO feel
that we cannot much lenger lie idle, and ruants are
Fastening back from holiday pleasures eager for
exciting sport in the field.
The cavalry expedition which set out on December 90
returned to-day from their unsuccessful TRIP The force
consisted Of picked the First, Second Fourth
and sixth regular cavalry from the First
Eighth New YORK. Mcclellan % and Inc Oneida
Of ri1ed gums General Averil n command and set
around BY Louisa Court House which place
commssary II successful the party then
proceed down the railroads leading from Richmond to
back or on into North Carolina made
necessary. The expedition reached Keys Ford the
Rappahannock, where skirmish was had with the
enemy resulting in the capture Of few prisoners with
dsrly '''o overlook % General Avsrii with an order
feared about to capture Washington its ortf
cations, gunboas, Congress and all. The project OF
making an incursion Rebeldom thus Abandoned
ana the head Of the column turned towards the be.
eagusred capital via Warrenton at which place the cav
airy arrived New Years eve, half an hour after the de-
the place. but information Of our approach having been
signaed from the windows Of the secession armhouses
enemy had own After securing the neghp0rh00d tho
expedition returned Harwood church, where il
mained on picket duty until to-day In the skrmsh
with the rebel pickets several prisoners taken
Two OF the Eighth New York cavalry were slightly
wounded while picket Warrenton but with these
exceptions none OF our men were burt One OF General
Averius orderlios Was captured by squad OF rebels
while riding past q crossroad between our column and
the advance guard but our men giving pursuit: the or
horse capturing the same time horse from Of
the enemy TO night the men are again In camp, weary
hungry little disappointed with the unexpected
change of programme.
ters camp presented with nne sabre the Ninety
third New York regiment Colonel Crocker, attached TO
headquarters for provost guard duty Neat and appro
pirate speeches made and tho ceremonies graced
BY the presence OF Generals Burnside Hooker, Parke,
Patrick Bulord Cox, and other distinguished o0cers.
At Aqua creek and Belle Plain the greatest activity
prevails From the former place the railroad is being
extended down the river 70 Windmill Point, whore large
wharvcs hnvc already been constructed and extensive
dcpots established New buildings constantly being
erected complete network OF iron rails covers the mar
point, the river ID crowded with transports, and
! everything moves AZ though BY steam. Supplies and
water ntcreres very materially with the discharge OF
the cargoes yet have had very little ce but the
frost begins creep out from tho Shores and ceboats
may become necessary TO render our wharves ap
pr0achabie.
The sutsrs having been relieved from some OF the
placed upon tho introduction Of goods
ia their element, and gathering In the grecn
backsn In most expeditions style. Most Of the troops
having been paid or money quite abundant, and the
vie with each other in disposing Of their
funds regardless of the wants Of families looking to them
for support.
To-day General Burnside reviewed General Hooker's
old The display unusually 6ne aud is the
absorbing topic OF the day Affairs remain quiet along
The front.