New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-26
the Advance Of fhe Army--Thc Consc-
quences Of DepriVinx Cavalry OF BugIers
and the Removal OF Veterinary Surgeons
Waste Of Property.
Waste OF Property.
From Our Special Correspondent.
RESERVE GRAND DIvIsiON, I
STAFFORD G. H., Jan. 22. 1863.

STAFFORD G. H., Jan. q. 1859 :
In nv last letter spoke Of the rain as likely to
affect the projected movements Of the army.
continuation of the storm during yesterday, last
night, and to-day has only rendered that probability
certainty. For, whatever the main army may have
done, the Reserve with the exception Of the Divis-
ion Of Gen. Schurz, is fast in the mud. Gen. SIo-
GUMS CORP which should have reached here, at the
latest last night, was 80 delayed by the storm that
1t ouly reached Chopawamsic Creek yesterday after
noon. There the swollen state of the stream rem
dered bridging necessary, and not having pioneer
corps with bis command, the progress OF construc-
,ion was very tedious. Acquia Creek presents even
q greater obstacle and therefore any speculation
TO the arrival of the Twelfth Corps is useless In
crossing Qusntico Creek just this aide Of Dumfries,
q soldier fell from log into the stream aud was
drowned. Every effort was made 70 rescue the man,
but the weight of his knapsack and the swiftness OF
The current prevented success. The wagon trains
could only proceed at sHails pace, and the supplies
of the men were nearly exhausted. Measures were
promptly taken by Gen. Sigel TO have the supply re-
newed to-day. so that the troops should not suffer
from that cause.
The roads heresbout are so fearfully bad that sew
eral horses have been badly injured in riding ehort
distances. Col di Cesnola reports that some OF the
horses in his cavalry brigade have died from ex-
haustion. These circumstances will give those az
home some idea Of the actual impOssibilty OF rapid
movements Of artillery and wagon trains. The
storm has also been very severe upon the men on
picket duty. AS yet, tho movement has been sur-
prisingly devoid of Incident. From the front, Col.
d Cesnoa reports the crossing of Rebel cavalry, but
In what force could not be sscertaiRed. No fkir
nish or brush has yet occurred between the Rebels
and any OF the troops belonging 70 the Reserve
Grand Division.
Alnong other serious drawbacks against which
the army has had TO contend has been the stupid
legislation Of parties totally ignorant Of the subjects
upon which they were called 10 give their votes.
Let me cite two cases.
short time since law was passed that all MI
sicians connected with the cavalry should be mus
tered out Of service. Result, the cavalry are minus
their Luglers, who ss indispensable in the field
az tie horses. Having been accustomed 10 drill by
bugle call, the word Of command from the voice is
misunderstood, if heard at all, and all precision, uni
ty of moyene Ut and rapidity Of action frustrated
Blunder number two, was removing the veterinary
surgeons from the regiments. What would be said
If I'm act was pasted abolsbiDg the office OF surgeon
In infantry regiments And yet the doctoring Of
horses In a cavalry command ID quite as important
as the care Of the men. Without their borses, or
with diseased or disabled animals, the efficiency Of
cavalry il al once destroyed or seriously impaired
The saving TO Government by continuing veterinary
surgeons would be very great. Horses, which, with
little care aud the proper medicine, could be res
tored to usefulness are now condemned, ana 10 many
veterinary surgeons the medicines ab,olutely ndis'
peDsable 10 cavalry service were also banished 10
is 10 be hoped that these complaints may reach the
eye OF humanitarian legislator and the evils be
speedily eme1ied. These are some Of the wants
which Mr. Rarsy was paid 10 report, but which he
failed TO discover.
TIE loss Of property ental'ed by the movement OF
90 army from its camps IL astonishing. Every con
eevable species Of property can be found by going
over the grounds where troops have been encamped.
10 prevent these articles from being wholly lost
Government agents are employed, who gain TO-
ReIhsr the goods 80 left; and by tho exeriions Of
these agents thousands OF dollars are saved. The
carelessness Of regimentsl and company officers IN
overlooking such wantOn waste OF Government
property should he severely punished upon offend
sn The universal opinion seems TO DO that Uncle
Can is rch enough and anything like care for his
property Is absurd. These same parties will, no
DOUBT, be loudest In their clainor agaiDst the tax
winch their recklessness will ncessltate.
How the Road 10 Fredericksburg wes Re-
built by Gen. Mcdowell Ten Months
Ago-The Condition Of tho Road the
same Now--Impossibiiity Of the Army to
Get Forward.
tfon Our Special Correspondent.
RIGHT GRAND DiyHos, Jan. 70 1863.
III In