Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-05-09

rived at the upper part of York river, two
days after the battle, in time to engage the
troops of Franklin, which had just landed. and
90 cover the retreat. Henceforth we were to
meet him no more till We arrived before Rich
mond.
The Federal army passed three days at
Williamsburg, engaged in looking for the
wounded lost in the solitudes of the woods,
and in burying the dead. The wounded were
sent to the northern cities in those large pack.
cts 90 we'll known for their comfort and ele.
gance. Thanks to the creeks by which the
country is cut up. these boats took the wound
ed almost from the field of battle. The dead
were buried where they fell. The enemy's
dead were numerous; sixty-three were count
ed in single riAe-pit. Gen. Mcclellan sent
after the enemy several squadrons Of cavalry.
which had number of skirmishers with his
rear guard. The first day, many prisoners
and seven or eight cannon were taken; but
after the second day the retreat was made in
good order, and the pursuit was useless. Be.
sides, if the enemy had abandoned several
pieces, he had carried off an almost equal
number, taken from Hooker's division, and
destined, like so many trophies. to rekindle a
zeal which long and continual retreats COM
menced to cool.
The main body Of the Federal troops were
obliged to await the arrival from Yorktown Of
provisions, which came up with difficulty on
account of the bad state Of the roads. They
were at last received and as the fine weather
was rapidly drying the roads, two days. march
brought US up with the corps which had land
ed on the upper York river, and established
there depot for supplies. The whole army
was collected around this depot, and then
took up it's march toward Richmond along
the Palnunkey, navigable tributary of tile
York river. Nothing could be more pic
turesque than this military march along the
banks of the beautiful river, through mag.
ni6cent country, adorned with all the wealth
of spring vegetation. The winding course OF
the Pamunkey. in a valley interspsrsed with
wooded hills and bright green meadows. Of.
fered to our eyes a perpetual scene Of en-
chantmcnt. On all sides were flowers, espe-
cially on tho banks Of tho river, which
abpunded in magnolias, Virginia jessamines,
axaleas, aud blue lupines. Large numbers of
humming birds, and unknown birds of all
colors, sported in the trees. Occasionally we
passed handsome residence, which, with its
large dormer windows, reminded US of the
old mansions in France. Around the house
was fine garden, and behind it were slave
cabins. At the approach of the army, the in
habitants hung out white Aag. One Of the
provost marshals alightsd at the gate. and.
reassured by his presence, the ladies in long
muslin dresses. surrounded by troop Of H.
tls ncgresses with shaggy hair and naked legs.
appeared on the verandali and watched the
passage Of the troops. They were often ac-
companied by an old man with long, white
hair, broad-brimmed hat, aud strongly mark
ed features never by young men. All the
abls.bodied men, willing or unwilling, had
been carried off by the rebel government. and
enrolled among it's defenders.
If nm officer dismounted and accosted the
ladies, he was well received. The classic cup
Of water was offered him in a gourd fastened
to the end of stick, and sad conversation
took place. Men and women were all eager
for news. They knew nothing; the censor
ship Of the newspapers was complete. and the
little they published was doubted. The war
wss tho discussed. The ladies', naturally ex.
pressed hopes in favor Of the cause in whicl,
their brothers were enlisted but above I'll
they longed for the end Of the contest, and Of
the incalculabls evils which It was bringing on
their country. "Alas whose fault is it 7" We
replied. "Who kindled this unhappy war
Who fired the first gun, without just causs or
motive T. They made no reply, but their
looks wandered mechanically towards all those
black heads that crowded in the doors Of their
cabins. Nothing wss ever said about slavery
in these passing conversation; the very word
"slave," uttered by chance, would have been
sufficient to fill with anxiety and hate eyes
that till then had beamsd with kindness. At
other times, the white owners had fed. leaving
only the slaves, with whom the conversation
turned on other subjects. remember mu.
latto woman who proudly showed us her son.
fine bright yellow child. with these signi6.
cant words: "He is white mans son, and
hs is worth four hundred dollars already.
begun when was fifteen, ard now l am nine
teen. have had four of them already"
Thus We advanced from point 10 point
along the river. The gunboats went first and
explored the banks Of the river; then topo-
graphical engineers went through the woods,
escorted by cavalry, reconnoitered the coun-
try. aud sketched BY the eye and the compass
proviaional maps which were photographed
at headquarters for the use Of the generals.
The next day. with the aid Of these maps,
the army moved on. mingled with the i'm
meuss number Of wagons that accompanied
It. About fourth cf each regiment were
employed in cscorting the asateiel Of the
corps. provisions, ammunition, tents and far
nituts, piled up on wagons. Of which each
battalion had ten. Furniture. say; for
even tables and armchair were carried along.
II there had been women with Ms, . specta.
tor might have taken ~ for = body Of armed
emigrsnts rather than soldiers on the march.